Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Someone I KNOW turned 73 Recently!!!

My life is so FULL  (in a very good way) and I stay so BUSY ---that I cannot stay up with blogging much at all these days.  If I get your blog posts via email--I always read them even when I don't comment.

I've been trying to publish this post all week ---and finally got it done.  AUGUST 5 was my 73rd birthday.. I cannot believe I am THAT old since I don't 'feel' it  (except when the old body aches--which it does at times).. ha

George asked me what I wanted to do on my birthday --and I told him,  "Anything as long as I am with YOU!"....   SO--we headed over to one of our favorite places,  BILTMORE HOUSE AND GARDENS in Asheville,  North Carolina  for the day.  Then we came back through Knoxville and had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants,  CARRABBA's.  It was a fantastic birthday for sure!!!!  Hope you enjoy some of the pictures from that day.


Beautiful Walled Garden at Biltmore (8/5/15)



Pink Waterlily at the Italian Gardens  (8/5/15)
The two main things I wanted to see this trip were the Italian Gardens --since the waterlilies and the lily pads are beautiful this time of year,  AND the sunflowers.


Beautiful rows and rows of SUNFLOWERS at Biltmore  (8/5/15)



Two Lovers in the Sunflowers  (8/5/15)



Zinnias in the Walled Garden  (8/5/15);   LOVE LOVE LOVE that color!



Yellow Hibiscus Blooms at Biltmore (8/5/15);  Not sure I've seen yellow ones before --but love them!!!!



Love the different colored Lily Pads at Biltmore (8/5/15)



More of the Walled Garden --and I love the huge CREPE MYRTLES in the distance  (8/5/15)



The Birthday Girl with all of her 'stuff'  (camera vest with all kinds of treasures--including water on a hot day;  and my arm carrier for my iPhone)--8/5/15



Beautiful Waterlily --in some of my favorite colors!!!! (8/5/15)



Love those Lily Pads;  Can you see the reflection of the Biltmore House in the water?   (8/5/15)



A beautiful CANVAS WRAP from George on my birthday;  This is the Governor's Palace at Williamsburg from one of our trips there (2012).   George takes these awesome pictures with his camera and ZAZZLE puts them on canvas for us.  I now have 16 of them from places we have visited.... Thanks,  Honey!  (8/5/15)



Son Mark and his awesome girlfriend,  Debbie,  sent me these gorgeous Peruvian Lilies.   Aren't they just fantastic?????   AND---they keep getting prettier and prettier with each passing day!  I told Mark and Debbie that the only thing better would have been if they could have hand-delivered them.  (They live in Texas,  BUT I hope they are visiting us sometime this Fall!!)---  8/5/15



Two people in love having FUN  (8/5/15)
George put a post of me sitting in this spot on Facebook recently,  asking people if they'd like to visit me in my "Summer Cottage"..... ha ha ha .... Wish it were mine ---along with all of the staff and helpers/workers...

We had a wonderful day ---and for me,  another great birthday!!!!

Hope all of you are doing fine...  God Bless YOU.

Big HUGS to ALL,

60 comments:

George said...

I'm glad you had a wonderful birthday; I know I enjoyed being there with you. I hope we have many more birthdays to share together.

Sylvia K said...

I'm late, but wishing your a very Happy Birthday -- mine was August 4, but I've got a lot of years on you, so enjoy them all!! Such a wonderful birthday you had indeed!! Your captures are superb as always and, as always, thank you for sharing!! Have a beautiful weekend!!

I Am Woody said...

So glad that you had such a wonderful birthday celebration!

Rohrerbot said...

Sounds like you both had a great time. I know that Biltmore is a favorite of yours:) Wonderful gardens and more importantly as you said to George....just being together:) That's the way to spend a birthday. There are spots that couples should share together and I think this is one of them:) Carrabas sounds good. Which dish do you get? I like alfredo pasta with chicken:)

DeniseinVA said...

I was very happy to see you pop up in my side bar Betsy. Happy Birthday my friend. All these photos are fantastic and I especially enjoyed the super ones of you and George with the sunflowers and with Biltmore in the background. Happy day to you both.

eileeninmd said...

Hi Betsy, Happy 73rd birthday! It looks like you had a great birthday! Wonderful photos!

Marcia said...

Belated birthday greetings!

Out on the prairie said...

I have missed hearing from you. Lovely pics of all. You have been blessed to have had such a grand birthday. Nice area to live around.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

Looks like you had a wonderful birthday. I really like the picture of you in the sunflowers. Did you and George choose your shirt color on purpose for the flowers?

Ruth Hiebert said...

Amazing pictures.What a beautiful way to celebrate your special day! I know,every day is special,but this one was extra special.This place is one I would love to see sometime,but I may have to settle for your pictures. That's ok too.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Happy belated 73 Betsy😃
I love this collection of photos. And I get howhard it is to blog when there are so many fun activities this time of year.
I am waybehind but my excuse is more laziness and health issues as it's
time for colonoscopy to check how I'm doing as 7 years go by since cancer op.
Buddy loves your sunflower pics . Take care.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Belated Happy 73rd dear Betsy!

Love all the photos of your birthday spent with dear George.

FlowerLady

Gail said...

What a wonderful birthday!!

Late Happy Birthday!

Chatty Crone said...

I love your photos - and I love CARRABBA's too! My favorite photo is you and George in the sunflowers - in yellow! Happy birthday.

Betsy said...

Happy Birthday just a little late Betsy! It looks like a wonderful time for you and George. Those flowers are just gorgeous.
Blessings,
Betsy

linda m said...

Such a beautiful place. No wonder you wanted to go there for your birthday. All the lower pictures are fantastic. So glad you had such a birthday. The flowers from Mark and Debbie are breathe taking. Thanks for sharing your day with us.

Beatriz said...

What a birthday celebration, huh! You two in a sunflower garden deserve a picture frame. All those gardens are fantastic, and now I can understand why you've been so busy.... Wish you beautiful trips always Betsy!!!

Have a nice weekend too!

Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

Ann Thompson said...

happy belated birthday. What a great way to celebrate

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

You just have so much fun, whatever you're doing, that it makes me smile to read about it. The images are gorgeous. I especially liked the one of the lily pads with the single bloom in the center and the one of the lily pads and blooms with the reflection of the Biltmore mansion. The birthday bouquet is stunning.

The Furry Gnome said...

You are one lucky lady, your health, your positive attitude, your George! Happy Birthday!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Happy Birthday!!! I too have been busy and not in the blogs so much. Love the photo of you two laughing by the fountain and you look good in sunflowers!! Here's to a great year.

Liene said...

Happy birthday to you! My favorite picture in this post is the one of you two sitting together, although the water lilies & reflection is gorgeous also. I've never seen the Biltmore sunflowers, am putting it on the list!

happyone said...

Happy Birthday. Sounds like it was a great day. I have some sunflowers that are at least 10 feet tall.

carolina nana said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETSY
Looks like you ha a really wonderful birthday trip.
Blessings
Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, A belated happy birthday! I love that sunflower photograph! Lovely. Glad you had a very enjoyable trip. Have a wonderful day tomorrow and a nice weekend!

Small Kucing said...

Happy Birthday once again, Betsy

I know you read all the blog post carefully and your comments have always been sweet and friendly.

Love your blog posts too as I can see you really took time to make a perfect post.

Have a great weekend ahead, dear :)

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Betsy although belated. Well you two certainly live life to the full and thatwas a lovely birthday triip where George took you. ALL your flowers are GORGEOUS Fabulous post. Have a lovely weekend.

Ms. A said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous photo memories of a special day!

Jeevan said...

Good to know you celebrated your birthday along with colorful flowers in your favorite garden. Belated birthday greetings to you and I am quite with you that age is only for body and unless we feel young it isn’t a matter.

Fantastic photos from the garden and I love the water lilies and pads images esp. the single lily surrounded by different shades of pads was excellent.

Joe Todd said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Betsy Love all the photos and am so glad you are enjoying life.

Latane Barton said...

Happy belated birthday, lady. As always you find the most enchanting ways to celebrate each and every day... and here's wishing for a zillion more of them.

Dee said...

Happy Birthday!!! I just turned 73 in June and I so enjoy all your travel pictures. We have been in all the places you have traveled to except for Biltmore. Summer is such a busy time and we all I think love to be out and about enjoying all that our creator has made.

Arkansas Patti said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETSY. You make 73 look easy. George sure treated you like a queen for the day!!! Wonderful photos from the Biltmore. Such a lovely place and the photos of the two of you are so sweet. Have many many more my friend.

Linda Kay said...

Happy Birthday, Betsy, and you don't look at all like you might be slowing down. Wonderful yellow colors.

Connie said...

Such beautiful gardens! I love those sunflowers. I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Betsy. It certainly looks like you did! :)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

To DELORES PARKS .... I hope you come back to see this comment. Thank You for visiting my blog.. I couldn't find an email for you --or a blog (if you have one). SO--this is my way for saying THANKS. Please come back again!!! My email is betsyadams@mac.com if you want to send me an email.. Thanks.
Hugs,
Betsy

Busy Bee Suz said...

That last photo of the two of you is perhaps my ALL time favorite photo of you both. You can just see the love between you both.
I'm so glad you were able to do just what you wanted on your special day. This sunflowers are so amazing; I'd love to see them in person one day. Happy belated!!! XOXOXO

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Happy birthday! I love the pic of you both in the sunflowers. What a fun day!

Rambling Solo said...

Happy Birthday, Betsy!
Love the photos of the Biltmore Garden. Will have to add that to my travel wish list.
Sallie

David said...

Betsy, Great photos! Happy Birthday! The good news is that you're younger than I am... The other good news is that ya'll are enjoying life to the fullest! Keep on keeping on... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

A Colorful World said...

Happy Belated Birthday dear Betsy! What a perfect place to spend your special day! Loved the photos of the two of you! And the waterlilies are so wonderful! Great photos of it all. And awesome gift from George! Hope you have many more!

Linda G. said...

Nice place and way to spend your birthday. I recently saw a lot of sunflowers. I never saw so many sunflowers together in one place!

Janice K said...

I loved the picture of the two "special sunflowers" amidst all the others. HAPPY Birthday, Betsy.

diane b said...

I love coming with you to Biltmore House Gardens. They are just beautiful. I hope you got my birthday wishes. You are looking so young and fit. Well done!

Lux G. said...

Happiest birthday! Stay happy, in love and healthy. :)

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Happy Birthday, Betsy! The photos of you and George at Biltmore House are awesome. What lovely shots of the flowers and this lovely old home!

MTWaggin said...

Happy belated birthday and it looks like you made the most of it!!! What a fun place and always love seeing the gardens.

Linda said...

Happy birthday Betsy! You and George are so awesome!

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday! Love love that shot of you in the sunflowers.

Sally Wessely said...

I'm just now reading this. I just can't keep up with blogging either. I wouldn't have wanted to miss this. You two become more and more precious with each passing day. I love, love, love the photo of the two of you in the sunflowers in your yellow shirts. The last photo is priceless also.

Happy birthday, Betsy. You get younger every year! Hugs.

Ela said...

Great post and so beautiful pictures !!
Greetings

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Betsy, I'm so behind in blogging and commenting, but I wanted to say a belated Happy Birthday! It looks like you had a fun birthday trip to the Biltmore! I loved all the pretty photos, but those sunflowers are just so special. Hope you are having a great week!
Hugs,
Cheryl

Manzanita said...

Two sunlovers in the sunflowers.
Happy birthday. You are living a beautiful life.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

I'm so glad you had a wonderful birthday. I love the photos especially the sunflowers. This is beautiful posting.

Back Porch Writer said...

Your birthday looked like a lot of fun! Happy Belated!

troutbirder said...

Happy birthday Betsey. The sunflower pic is awesomely color coordinated...:)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Happy Birthday sweet lady! What a beautiful lady you are...married to such a handsome man! I'm glad you had a special day. I've spent several of my birthdays at the Biltmore (we live close by). It's wonderful! Sweet hugs, Diane

Jo said...

Hi dear Betsy, I think I remember wishing you here or or FB but again: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You are an example of good health and happiness. I love the canvas that George gave you. He is a good photographer indeed. I love it when you share Biltmore Gardens with us. So beautiful. And the phone carrier is new to me, but makes good sense! Blessings and (((hugs))) Jo

Kay said...

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday, Betsy! You look 73 years fabulous!

I love those giant lily pads. What a gorgeous place you stayed at.

Gail said...

I'm so sorry I am late. Wishing you a late Happy, Happy Birthday.

I have the pink water lilies in my garden. I would love to find a purple one, gone looking now!