Monday, June 9, 2014

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

 

30 comments:

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

Oh Vicki
I was hoping there would be a Part Two of Biltmore, as I love seeing it through your eyes!
Aren't they clever using those old window frames - Note to self I could try that too in my little garden - maybe!
Lovely photos of you and "the Gardener" enjoying the beautiful summer days doing what you both love!
Happy days!
Hugs
Shane x

Jenny said...

Amazing. It must really raise you up to be there. I mean floating on a cloud from all the beauty. Weight: I gain it in Holland and lose it in Texas. And I also eat chocolate every day. I need to lose 50 lbs but my body is happy where it is and won't let go of it. Soups are my biggest help with lots of veggies. A Dutchman is not satisfied with that. xo Jenny

Julie said...

Such a delightful place, thanks for taking me along on your visit.

PoetessWug said...

What a beautiful place! LOVE the scenery around the estate....And uhh...weight issues?! O_O I didn't know you had weight issues. This must've been before my time. I'll look forward to hearing your story...Have a good day, Vickie!

Gone Country said...

I absolutely LOVE the Biltmore!!!

Great photos! Makes me want to go visit again, ha!

Charlotte said...

Wow! Beautiful!

Tammy said...

Awesome doorways. Everything is bigger than life. And the flowers of course are just gorgeous. We are reaching 120 degrees here now and everything is struggling to survive. Hot as heck when I get in the car after school but the good news is only one more day and then summer vacation begins. Woohoo! Hugs and blessings, Tammy

Julia said...

Thanks for the tour. Biltmore is gorgeous at ant time of the year. Such an opulent place. I can only imagine all the work needed to keep the place so beautiful.

I can't see that you have a weight problem. You always look great.

Hugs,
JB

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh such lovely pictures. I love that area, it's always so pretty. The next time you are in the area try going here:

http://www.ncarboretum.org

It's a truly lovely place full of trees, flowers and lots of hiking trails. I think you'll really enjoy it. We always go there when we are in that area of the country.

((hugs))

Sue Kosec said...

The views are breathtaking. Thank you so much for allowing me to see it all through your eyes. You ROCK.
SuZeQ

Unknown said...

What a fantastic estate and gardens! We are moving out to SC this summer (from the west coast) so I know this will be a trip that we will make soon. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.
Blessings,
Patti

Shirley said...

Hi Vicki, I am having a wonderful journey as you travel through your adventures. The pictures are beautiful with all of the flowers. The orchids are so beautiful. My husband's cousin raised orchids as a hobby even taking them to shows. He always said flowers were relaxing. I just know they are beautiful. Thank you for visiting. Have a great day and I won't criticize you for talking about losing weight. I am looking forward to maybe trying something instead of all of the different diets that are out there. Take care Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend.

gracie said...

I so enjoyed the tour...and look forward to learning about your tricks for weight loss...I sure need to try something myself.

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

I just visited the Biltmore for the first time at the end of April. Your pics are wonderful!

Sara Kate MacFarland said...

Vicki...these are so beautiful.I love the potting shed, too.

Can't wait to learn about your weight loss...I need some motivation to lose some weight before my daughter's wedding in Sept.

Stephanie Faris said...

We visited in early March, when it was freezing outside. We couldn't stand to be outside long enough to wait for the shuttle, let alone to look at flowers. It looks like we need to plan a trip back in warm weather. Isn't The Biltmore the coolest? I loved that little area near it with all the shops and restaurants.

Dorthe said...

Hello sweet Vicki,
and thank you for a new set of photoes from that beautiful place,-
the orchids are stunning.
And you my dear looks so beautiful through the old lovely door, and not at all ,as if you need to loose weight !!!!
The door idea is wonderful, I would love to try that !!
Also the biking must have been beautiful for you and your gartner .
Love and hugs, Dorthe

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Vicki, loves the photos of Biltmore. The only time Dave and I were there it was late autumn and not at all lush. I loved the downstairs tour, but then I would -LAM!- (laughing at myself)

Julie Marie said...

So stunning Vicki!... how I would love to visit there one day... I also love the old doors used here and there... you look beautiful by the lions!... and that potting shed... oooh, I would love to sit in there for hours... the little path you discovered looks so calming and serene... I wish I was there... I want to try to paint that now... I also love hearing you eat chocolate every day... me too!... I think that is the number one thing that helps me keep my weight the same for years... enjoying the things I love, just in moderation... sending you much love, thanks for taking me along today, xoxo Julie Marie

Suzan said...

Loving the Biltmore in the spring!! I also LOVE orchids!! I'm amazed that they do so well out in the bright sunlight!! How were they attached to the doors and glass windows. I have mine in the shade of my maple tree. Afraid that they get too little sun light there!!
Need to reevaluate this!!

kathyinozarks said...

Just a gorgeous place to visit-I can imagine how good it smelled too with all the flowers. Thank you for taking us along

Mosaic Magpie said...

Sorry to be so long in reading and commenting...we have a new puppy here! The photos make me want to jump in my car and drive to the Biltmore! It is such an inspiring place to visit and then you can't wait to get home and get to work in the yard.
xo!!!

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Enjoyed your photos and your blog in general. I'm looking forward to getting to know you! Vickie

Unknown said...

I was there one year for the spring blooming season but it was late and not anywhere as beautiful as you have shown us. I love it however. Would love to go at Christmas to see all the poinsettia and the decorations.

Elderberry-Rob said...

I really loved the picture,the orchids - they are just so beautiful and the doors! I do like the idea of doors in displays. Your weight control tips are going to be interesting I am sure, I don't weight watch but am interested - we all have different metabolisms and weight loss/gain is such a personal thing - I have a friend who would be considered overweight by some, but I have to say she is so beautiful as she is I don't want her to ever change! I think we have such a huge pressure from magazine images about what is 'average' and we really need to just love our bodies, feed them healthily and not worry so much. Betty

Tanya said...

See what I miss by going on my own little vacations. Absolutely gorgeous, Vicki - and the Gardener looks so happy on his way out that gate to new adventures! Will be checking out more information on this beautiful mansion and gardens. XOXO

Mr Paul said...

Hey Girl, how ya doing? Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. I have the Biltmore estate on my bucket list, I would love to visit and walk the grounds. They put on a spectacular display at Christmas which would be wonderful to see but alas I have naughty elves that keep me very busy over here at that time of year. xx

Eugenia Maru http://lulurulitos.blogspot.com said...

Muy lindos escenarios. Preciosas fotos.
Besos
Maru

CYNTHIA CRANE said...

What an amazing place, and you certainly picked a great time of year to visit. Your photos are gorgeous, and so are you! You indeed inspire me to get a handle on my weight loss issues.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness how incredibly gorgeous! xoxo Jen