Continuing Our Spring Tour at the Biltmore

Continuing our tour around the beautiful Biltmore Estate -- this time I am taking you to the Conservatory for a colorful display of their flowers there~

 the architecture of this building always

amazes me~

 

even before you walk in the door,

you can see that the display is so beautiful~

the orchids were stunning

in their groupings~

can you even imagine what it must be like

to take care of all of these beautiful

 flowers?

do you see me?

 we thought the displays were 

just so creative --

I love the use of the old doors!

Moving on to the Potting Shed~~

I have always loved this little space~
(if I was a plant, I would want
to begin my life here~)

A few photos from around the grounds near the house~

one of my favorite vantage points

to photograph the house~

we found a new place to take a little hike~
(through this gate--)

 and down this little path~

 ~leading to a great little spot that
overlooks the walled
 garden~

  

Ohhh - the trees were so beautiful
outside the house~

 yes -- another photo with the lions!
 ~
(I can't help it, I love these lions!)
she says, 42 photos with lions later~~

Some updates~

Up next -- I'm going to talk about my personal struggles with my weight and my own version of a  weight loss plan -- I want to be honest and say, sadly, I don't have any brilliant ideas, any super tricks or any magic ways to keep weight off.  But -- I do have things that work well for me-- and I have kept my weight off now for almost 8 years.   I hope you realize that talking about this here is not going to be easy -- (and I hope you will be nice to me and not critical of the things that I do that work for me.)  So many of you have written to ask about what I do regarding my weight, and I promised that I would do this -- so if you have weight issues and you are looking for something NOT complicated --  I will share with you what works for me.   And yes ----- I do eat chocolate --- every day:)

xoxo,

Vicki 

ps --- Don't forget that you have until June 21 to enter my "Spring Giveaway"!! You can find all the info here

 

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