Spring at the Biltmore Estate

Spring has returned. The earth is like a child that knows
poems~~~
The Biltmore Estate is one of our very favorite places to visit. Only about a five hour drive from our home - we are fortunate enough to visit here and relish in the colors and transformation of all the seasons. I love every season here at this beautiful estate - but there is something very special about the spring~~

Over the years I have watched this magnificent forsythia grow and continue to bloom each spring in the most magnificent show of bright yellow color. Simply stunning!

From every angle and vantage point - the mansion is so beautiful to view.

I love this picture of the gardener. Our favorite tree on the estate grounds is this beautiful Japanese cherry. When in bloom - it is so beautiful, it will take your breath away.

Another lovely view of the house, taken by me while standing under the cherry tree.

We are all smiles because we had the most wonderful day here! We have season passes to the estate - and we come here sometimes just to see a certain tree, or flower, or eat at one of our favorite restaurants. We are just silly about the Biltmore!

The coach house - one of our most beloved places here on the estate. The history of this coach house is so interesting. I am dying to go inside for a tour. Currently they do not offer tours inside the coach house - but if I can find a way to sneak in~~~

Our visit was just a little early for the tulips to be in bloom - but the flowering trees were simply outstanding. We were here right at their gorgeous peak. There is always something in bloom here - it is never the same - but it is always beautiful.

Our magnificent Japanese cherry tree is just in the back ground here. This picture is taken at the wisteria arbor - which is not in bloom yet. But when it is - Wow!

The arbor is always a welcome and wonderfully shady place to sit during the summer when we visit there.

This beautiful tree is among the oldest on the estate. I am always amazed when I see early pictures of the estate and see this tree when it was just beginning~~

The gardener is always so happy to be among the flowers here on the estate. (he hates to pose for pictures - but I can always get a smile from him here!) This is the walkway that leads from the azalea gardens to the estate.

This is the archway that leads to the conservatory. The blooms of the red and yellow mixed are so beautiful here. In the summer, this whole area is planted in lavender.

The trees are just beginning to leaf out on the estate. The colors of the red bud are striking against the early buds of the other trees. This archway is one of the entrances to the walled gardens. The area against the wall is planted in sculpted pear trees in the summer. That is an amazing sight!

Doesn't everyone who visits the Biltmore take a picture like this? How can you resist? This is the lattice grape arbor within the walled gardens.

One of my favorite places to view - the potting shed at the conservatory. My heart sings just to see this place. What I wouldn't give to be digging in the dirt here. (I wonder if they need volunteers for plantings here?)

The reflecting pond. Always so very peaceful and lovely here. Sometimes we just come here and sit~~~

The sound of the busy bees in this tree was amazing. The bees were so loving the blooms of this tree and they were so busy doing whatever it is that busy bees do. Just to stand here and listen to them was really something!

Another view of the house taken from the west lawn. Just beyond this picture is the lily pond. Sometime in early June - the pond will be full of magnificent water lily blooms. It is an amazing sight.

The tulip trees were at their peak for our visit. So rarely do the trees actually get to bloom - seems like the frost always seems to get them just before they bloom. This picture was taken just outside the winery.

A view of the winery and the walkway that leads to the newest part of the estate - the new Antler Village.

Who wouldn't want to pose in front of this beautiful tulip tree! This is taken just outside the entrance to our favorite restaurant - the Arbor Grill.

These next pictures were taken just after we left the Biltmore and went to visit the Montreat chapel. (I posted about that earlier~~). The view of Lake Sharon on the campus of the Montreat College was lovely with the reflections of the cherry trees upon the water.

Those little swans are swimming right over to us because they just knew that we were going to feed them! And they were right!

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I feel as though I have been away from the blog for a while - and I have. I know that I have been remiss about visiting my dear blogging friends - and I am asking for a little patience. I will be back to visit you all again soon, but right now, I am called upon to help with the new little one. (Do any of you remember what it is like to a brand new Mommy and Daddy?) This gb is trying to help Kerri Beth's parents get a little rest~~~

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I did bring you a few pictures of my recent visit. Do you remember the little beaded princess coat that I knitted? It is actually a little big and she has room to grow a bit and wear it for a while. (Whew!)

These pictures were taken early this morning. We had a little photo shoot in honor of her one week birthday tomorrow!

She is doing very well. Nursing great and sleeping and all the things that little brand new babies do. She does not cry very much - just when she is hungry.

Don't you just want to pick her up and kiss on her? (I have been for the last few days!) Thank you all for your continued blessings and best wishes for our new little one. I feel so very blessed to have you all as my very dear friends.

Vicki

ps - Don't worry - I am still knitting your bird nests!!!