Tulip Time at the Biltmore Estate

Regardless of how many times we visit the Biltmore Estate, 
               there is always something new to see,
                              something new in bloom~~

In all the visits that we have made to the Biltmore -
(and we've been there a lot!)--
 this was our first opportunity
to see the tulips at their peak 
of full bloom. 

~~

follow me through this gate

into the beautiful

walled garden~

such a beautiful

mix and mingle of colors

 stunning pink blooms

in front of the grape arbor

standing inside the grape arbor --
looking out at the gardens~

(I wish I had worn shorts that day~
the morning was cool -- 
and then it got hot-
quick!)

looking down towards the
conservatory~

lost in her own world-
a perfect spot for
sketching

You can actually drive all around the perimeter

of the walled garden-

but the best way to truly appreciate

 the beauty,

is to walk the paths that meander 

through the beautiful
blooms~

These next few photos were taken in the late evening

at Antler Village,

the newest addition to the

Biltmore Estate~

The Inn at Biltmore

sits on top of the hill,

the view from up there is truly amazing~

A few photos from one of my favorite places on the estate~

 the Reflecting Pond

evening shadows~

(he didn't mind that I took his picture)

sometimes~

when the water is perfectly calm,

you can see beautiful reflections of

the house

~

(the water had a few too many ripples 

this evening~)

 a better reflection~

(when the wind died down)

~~

I'll be back in a few days with the second part of this post -- 

some beautiful photos of the Conservatory and more pictures taken around the estate~

Just keepin' it real~

I'm listening ~ to a great audio book-- Princess Elizabeth's Spy -- a delightful series. This is the second in the series that I have enjoyed.  Just perfect for when I'm sitting by the pool--(and knitting!)

I'm eating~ trying to take advantage of the fresh veggies that are just starting to become available. Summer is the easiest time for me when it comes to watching my weight -- I could live on fresh fruit and vegetables. My post on my own weight struggles to maintain my weight loss is coming up soon! Like in the next few weeks~

I'm doing~ working on some beautiful new designs for my ETSY shop this fall. Playing with colorful beads and some stunning embellishments~

I'm needing~ to feel some Caribbean breezes.  Sigh~

I'm watching~ have just finished the entire series of Upstairs, Downstairs -- the old version and the new.  Loved them both. Have also just finished watching Top of the Lake (a little odd, but I loved it!) Hubby and I are totally caught up on Scandal now (OMgosh!!) And --I have just finished watching the cutest 7 part series on Netflix - Last Tango in Halifax.  Loved it!  

I'm reading~ Just finished the Orphan Train --(I totally loved it.)

Now I'm reading All the Light We Can Not See -- I think this may be one of the best books I've read in a while~ 

I'm loving~ the warm beautiful days. I play in my flowers every morning, love mowing the grass (yes, I really do!), and am enjoying just being outside every chance I get.  Finally -- I feel that summer is here! I'm sorry that I've been gone from my blog for a bit -- but there has just been SO much to do around the house now that the weather is nice. I have SO much more energy in the sunshine!

~~

Thank you so much to each of you who visited my blog and left beautiful comments to enter my Spring Giveaway -- your words have truly touched my heart. I would give anything if I could return every comment --- telling you each how very much I appreciate your visits and support.

If you have somehow missed my Spring giveaway -- you can find it here    (You have until June 21 to enter.)

Sending much love and gratitude to you all~

xoxo,

Vicki  

Nature's Artistry-- My Spring Giveaway! (My Biggest Giveaway ever!)

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul,
       and paints his own nature into his pictures~
                                     Henry Ward Beecher





 this beautiful little booklet of quotes and sketches

was a gift from my dear friend Patricia Eaton
~

I thought this lovely verse was the perfect

choice to begin this post~

 Spring is here!
a time for rejuvenating our spirits
 and renewing our
energies~ 

Spring is the season of

new beginnings~



fresh buds bloom,

and animals awaken~

the earth seems to come to life again.



farmers and gardeners plant their seeds~

temperatures slowly rise

as the sun's warmth

brings us all

outside once again~

simply stated --

 this has been a long and miserable winter.
~

I am so happy to once again

feel the warmth of the sun on my face~



some things I love most about spring~

~~

bird songs

the smell of fresh cut grass

tender blooms on shrubs and flowers

longer days~

and the chance to play in the dirt!

~

growing up,

I used to love to make mud pies with my sisters.

we would decorate them with flowers

and set them in the sun to dry.

~

even now --

I am always happiest,

when at the end of the day

I have had the chance to play in the dirt.

spring cleaning~

throwing open the doors and windows
~

the chance to refresh our home

after this long, long winter

flip flops~

and brightly painted toes! 

watching our kitties basking in the rays

 from the sun~

driving down the road in my

brand new car (!!)

the wind blowing on my face

(the radio turned up loud!)

~

(after 10 years, I finally gave in and bought myself a brand new Subaru Outback.

  It was about time -- my Subaru Forester had almost 250,000 miles on it!) 

all the different shades of green

in the fields, and the forests,

and the farms~

green is my favorite spring color!

and my most favorite thing about spring~
~~

this opportunity to thank you all for

the love and support

that you send my

way~

xoxo

my "thank-you" giveaway is all about

spring,

and nests

and beautiful things~

A very special celebration
 just for
YOU!

Listed below are all the wonderful things

that are to be gifted in this giveaway~

~

to enter --

simply leave a comment

on this post,

and perhaps share

something that you love most about

 Spring.
~
if you would like to share this giveaway
with you friends
(on your own blog or on your facebook page)
~
you can leave another comment here
telling me that you have
shared the love!
~
this contest is open to all of my
readers and followers
regardless of where you live!
~
the winners will be announced 
at the bottom of this post
on June 21,
the summer solstice.

one lucky winner will receive one of my

Woodland nests~

these nests are made every winter

for those on the waiting list~

~

this year I made an extra one

to share with you!

My friend Sidney Hanner

makes gorgeous jewelry~

Sidney's unique nest necklace designs

are simply stunning.

In addition to her beautifully crafted nest,

she adds vintage buttons and beads to the chain

making this a necklace like no other! 

this beautiful necklace

was created by Sidney just for this giveaway!

~

you can find my friend at her beautiful blog
Howmyartbeats

 your necklace will arrive in this
beautiful crafted special
 gift bag
~~
if you would like to contact Sidney
about your own custom made
necklace~
you can email her here-
howmyartbeats@yahoo.com

(for the period of this contest- until June 21-
Sidney will be offering a 10 % discount
on her custom made nest necklaces)
(just mention in your email that you saw her creations on my blog)

you will love this
"Anthropologie" inspired handbag
that I found just for you~
~~
This beautiful vintage handbag was made by Margaret Smith, Gardiner Maine. These handbags are highly collectible, known for their quality and lively designs of nature and florals.

Margaret Smith first began making beach bags and totes that were sold in specialty stores in the 1940's. By the 1950's and '60's she added handbags and was selling out of Bonwit Teller of NYC, where her line was highly sought after.

this lovely little "mini-book"
of garden verses and quotes
was specifically designed for this giveaway
by my friend
Sue Kosec

each page
has it's own special design
and garden verse
~
you can email Sue here-
kosec@sbcglobal.net

my dear friend Marsha,
hand painted her special nest design
on this
 beautiful teapot
and cups
~
one of you will win this
beautiful set!

 
Marsha's talent is amazing!
I love her beautiful nest design!!
~~
you can find some of Marsha's other lovely
hand painted designs
for sale in her new ETSY shop. 

~~

To help you celebrate the arrival of Spring -

she is offering FREE SHIPPING

in the US on her hand painted

creations!

My friend Jill makes the most

exquisite needle books

~

beautifully embroidered and felted-

with amazing details

such as her gorgeous beaded flowers

and stunning designs

One of you will win a gift certificate

allowing Jill to custom design

your own beautiful 

needle book.

~~

You can find my friend Jill

at her blog

Fiberluscious

~

and at her ETSY shop

here

Are you starting to feel the love?

~

my sincere and heartfelt gratitude

for all the kindness and love

you send my way!

~

more special surprises

for you--

keep scrolling!

This gorgeous little pitcher

was created specially for this giveaway

by my friend

Cynthia Crane.

One of you will win

this beautiful and unique piece of pottery~

Cynthia's own design,

embellished by her special

whimsical painted flowers, birds, and butterflies. 

Isn't it gorgeous?

~

you can find Cynthia at her blog

"The Crane's nest"

~

you can find her pottery ETSY shop here 

and her ETSY shop for

paintings here

 Also from Cynthia's creative artistry-

a collection of bluebird items

~

these beautiful note cards

and~

a little bluebird book marker

 bluebird button

petite flower buttons

~

someone will win this entire collection of

bluebird items created by

Cynthia Crane.

(the little bluebird figurine is not included in the giveaway)

and lastly~

my friend Marsha created these precious little

hand painted nest tags

~these precious tea stained gift tags

are accented with a variety of beautiful

ribbons and trims

 someone will win a set of 10

little hand painted

nest gift tags

~

you can find more of Marsha's

nest tags in her etsy shop

here

~

(free shipping too!)

NOW do you feel loved?

xoxo

to summarize-

the following items will be

given away to lucky winners on

June 21

~

(the names of the winners will be noted below by their prize on June 21)

please make sure in your comments that your email address

is available

~

6/21/14--Update -- winners announced 

This contest is now closed.

Woodland nest

 #1 Deb -- Just Cats

Nest Necklace

#216 Julie -- My Threadbare Life

Vintage Margaret Smith purse

#36 Kim -- Picking Poppies

Mini-book of garden verses

#200 Pam - Nana Pam's Rambles

Hand painted tea pot and mugs

 #48  Bonnie Larson

Coupon for custom designed Needle book

 #110  Audrey ?

Bluebird and flowers hand painted pitcher

#159 Terri Gordan- Designs by Terri Gordan

Bluebird collection-

(notecards, book marker, buttons)

#55 Emma Elliott- Bubsiekins

Hand painted nest gift tags

#23 Meredith -- Mereknits

~~~~~

I'll be back in a few weeks with some lovely spring photos of the Biltmore Estate -- we visited there a few days ago while the tulips were brilliantly in bloom~

Love,

Vicki