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...

Friday, January 27, 2012

Best of 2011: BILTMORE

As most of you know,  George and I have season's tickets  to the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina.   If you are new to my blog and want more information about Biltmore,  click HERE.  We made SEVERAL trips there during 2011---at different seasons of the year.  Today I will share with you just a FEW of my favorite pictures from Biltmore in 2011.

Above is one of my definite favorites... It was taken from the LAGOON during late Fall --looking at the back of the Biltmore House.  We had hoped to see  the Mums in bloom --but missed them in 2011.  Maybe we'll get there at the right time in 2012.  Be sure and click on the photos to see larger views.




During the Winter,  I would recommend a visit inside the conservatory at Biltmore.  During the Christmas season,  they feature alot of Poinsettias and other 'reds' of Christmas.  They also have a room that is filled with ORCHIDS.  The picture above and below shows only two of the gorgeous orchids from Biltmore.




This ORCHID's color is just awesome I think.




I love HYDRANGEAS also..   This one is pretty --and I loved the pale blue one which they also featured at Biltmore.




As Spring approached,  we took another trip back to Biltmore to see the spring blooms.  This picture was only one of MANY that we took of the DOGWOODS and AZALEAS.  The grounds are at their prettiest in spring I think.




Here's a close-up of one of the AZALEAS.  Isn't the color just gorgeous?




The joy of being at Biltmore in Summer was seeing the fabulous SUNFLOWERS in bloom.  There were so many in that big field that they just took my breath away.   So beautiful ---and definitely worth a trip to Biltmore in summer.

I could have chosen 100 (or more) pictures from Biltmore to share with you.  We love that place.  We're so in tune with the gardens and all of the other facilities that we haven't taken much time (only once) to go inside the home itself.  We hope to do that soon --but no photos are allowed inside.  SO--we won't be able to share that part with you.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday...   Maybe the rains will finally stop for awhile and give us a BREAK....  Hopefully,  I'll have time to work on my Genealogy this weekend!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

66 comments:

Anonymous said...

Biltmore is pretty in all the seasons, but I especially love Spring! Enjoyed your pics, Betsy. Have a good weekend.

diane b said...

These colourful flowers brighten our days. It is raining here too. I love the hydrangea I haven't seen one that colour.

Arkansas Patti said...

I hope this crazy winter doesn't comfuse the plants there and make them bud too early.
I do love those orchids and keep thinking someday I will try them. They are so beautiful.
Enjoy your week end.

Catherine said...

I think I need to go find myself a greenhouse and spend some time in there. I need to feel spring!

Happy weekend Betsy!
xo Catherine

Tabor said...

I was there once and loved it in spite of the cold fall rain!

Shug said...

So happy to see all your pictures of the gorgeous flowers. They make for a perfect start to my day. Also makes me ready for Spring to get here!!
hugs

Busy Bee Suz said...

I know you know how blessed you are to live so close to this heavenly place! The gardens are so inspiring...love them all.
We are having rain to day too, perhaps all weekend. We needed it though!
xo

Ruth Hiebert said...

WOW!!! That place is stunning and your photos are gorgeous,.Have a wonderful weekend.

MadSnapper said...

love love love the sunflowers and 2nd is the hydrangea. mother had lavender ones all over the back yard and pink azaleas on the front of the house. i just showed bob your header, he likes it as much as i do. he is watching tennis, no flying today, we have blessed rain

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Beautiful picturs - all those flowers make me think of spring! We'll see what the groundhog says next week ;-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, I have never seen a Hydrangea that is that particular shade of pink before. I want to go to the Biltmoew - I have never been there. Have a great day today!

Diane AZ said...

I can see why you and George like to visit the Biltmore so much since you both enjoy taking pictures. I especially love the first one looking across the lagoon and the azaleas and hydrangeas. Have a nice weekend!

I Am Woody said...

Thank you for that splash of color on the yucky day!!

Anonymous said...

I love that first photo and ah man! gorgeous hydrangea!!

amelia said...

That first picture is stunning! What a beautiful place!

Lynn said...

Love the second orchid's color! Also the sunflowers. Since we have a rainy, gloomy day here the beautiful photos gave me a huge smile. Have a beautiful weekend.

LV said...

I never tire of seeing all these glorious shots of this great place. It is a place anyone will enjoy. I hope some day to visit it again. We did go inside when there many years ago. You would like it.

TexWisGirl said...

each season is just stunning! i can see why you'd have so many favorites!

Chatty Crone said...

It's really nice to see Biltmore at all seasons. Of course spring time is a blessing. Love the purple ones. Love, sandie

Big Dude said...

Nothing like some spring flowers to brighten up a dull winter day.

imac said...

We have had rain here today.

Lovely flowers at Biltmore too.

Naturegirl said...

Betsy truly these images a pick-me-up for those who are experiencing dark grey days of winter.Here in Scottsdale Arizona there is a Biltmore hotel..with the most amazing cactus garden to walk about! Waving from sunshine and blue skies in Arizona.

Small City Scenes said...

You should be their PR person. You show the beauty and now I want to go there. MB

Out on the prairie said...

Cheerful blooms to take over for a bleary winter day.

HolleyGarden said...

So pretty! I've been to Biltmore, but only inside the house - we didn't look around the grounds (it was before I started gardening). Now if I went back, like you, I would probably find the outside would capture my attention more. Beautiful pics.

CottonLady said...

Really beautiful pictures, Betsy. Kind of makes me yearn for Spring!
Have a nice weekend.
Blessings!

Fred Alton said...

Your pictures of the flowers are exceptionally good, Betsy. I love Biltmore House and Gardens at any time of the year.

penny said...

The Biltmore is beautiful no matter the season. Every time you and George return we all reap the benefits of your gorgeous photos.

Be well and Happy, Betsy and enjoy your weekend with your sweetheart.
~:)

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

The colors are all gorgeous...like the beauty of the Biltmore

Connie said...

Spring would have to be my favorite, but they are all so lovely. Thanks for sharing these, Betsy! :)

Lady Di Tn said...

Thanks for sharing. One day I must make a journey to the Biltmore. Have a great weekend and happy ancestor hunting. Peace

Unknown said...

Beautiful flowers to brighten the winter blahs

Diane said...

Very beautiful flowers Betsy. I love the pink hydrangea especially. Diane

Ann said...

this was like a breath of fresh spring air. Love all the flowers and the hydrangea was my favorite. What a gorgeous color that one is.

Sharon said...

We are also season passholders and have been for over a decade. It's our quick weekend getaway spot and we visit often. Love the orchid room in the conservatory. And tulip time is my favorite season in the garden!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

It's spring in January thanks to your beautiful pictures and post, Betsy! I had never heard of Biltmore. Now it's a must-see!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I never really appreciated the beauty of azaleas until we moved into this house...some 23 years ago now...and found an azalea planted outside the kitchen window. When it blooms in the spring, it just glows. It nearly stops traffic on our road as people slow to gawk at it.

Terry and Linda said...

Beautiful!!!!


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Wendy said...

So nice to see lovely flowers in winter. Thanks for sharing! Baltmore looks like a great place to visit, no matter what the season.
Those orchids were awesome!

Ms. A said...

All of them are lovely, but your photos always are!

A Colorful World said...

Thanks for your comments! And oh how I love all this gorgeous color! Beautiful blooms! The azaleas and dogwoods remind me so much of the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, near where we used to live. Anyway, the photos are great, but I especially love the first one of the "house" across the lagoon. Great shots!

Ginny Hartzler said...

The first two pictures are my absolute favorite! I am so glad you got the season tickets, now we can all see this whenever you go!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Such beautiful flowers make me dream of spring, Betsy. I really hope I get a chance to visit the Biltmore one day --there seems t be so much to see I make sure to leave a few days to see as much as possible.

Enjoy your weekend!

carolina nana said...

Just think it is almost time for those pretty azaleas and dogwoods to bloom again ! Where has the time gone. We only got a little rain but a lot of wind last night.
Hope you have a blessed weekend
Marilyn

SquirrelQueen said...

All of the flowers are so vibrant, they really make me wish spring would hurry. I love that first orchid and the sea of yellow from the coneflowers.

Wishing you a sunny weekend!

Karin said...

How lovely to look at these gorgeous blooms in the dead of winter - well, not dead - it's only -8/18 degrees here - not at all bad for January! Have a great week-end!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Gorgeous flowers-makes me long for spring. The hydrangea is my favorite.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

May be you sneak one of those hidden cameras inside. A friend was asked to erase all her photos even though she protested, not all the photos were taken inside the premises.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

It is fantastic how you have all the genealogy records. I can traced mine only 4 generations back.

Rose said...

Can you imagine some of these in jigsaw puzzle form? They would make wonderful puzzles and just be so pretty to look at while you worked them.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Beautiful pictures. Love all the colors. My great grandmother traced our genealogy back to the time before we came to America. I'd like to work on my father's side someday--when I have some free time.......

Anonymous said...

Your camera takes really sharp pictures, but that's because your picture-taking skills are excellent.

Together We Save said...

Your Biltmore pictures are just wonderful!!

Carletta said...

The flowers are lovely and I really must make it there someday.
On the other hand I love the first shot. It magically transforms me into a young lady in a long dress with ruffles and ribbons in my hair looking out across the water longing to meet the prince who resides in the castle on the other side. :)
It is such a lovely fairytale like scene!

blueskyartist said...

Wow, gorgeous blooms!

Terry and Linda said...

Lover your header, Betsy!


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Buttercup said...

The flower pictures are gorgeous. I haven't been here in twenty five years, so I am overdue for a visit. I love this part of the country.

Susie Swanson said...

Wow such beautiful color..those Hydrangeas are out of this world. I love the Biltmore House and spring is my favorite time to go..Thanks for sharing the beauty..Susie

Tami AKA My Kid's Mom said...

The pictures are just gorgeous. Someday I'll have to visit there - it looks like such a lovely place.

A Colorful World said...

Thanks for your comments on my "fence post" :-)

Pat Tillett said...

VERY beautiful photos Betsy!
I'd like to go there someday.

Cassie said...

I am SO thrilled to see these photos from the Biltmore in Ashville. We have a Biltmore here in Phoenix, but not like that! My dearest buddy, Ilse, who now lives in Montana, used to live in Asheville and always talks about the Biltmore Estate there. I hope to remember when you posted this, so I can show her, next time I visit her. Have a good week Miss Betsy!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Betsy, it's always fun to see your photos of the Biltmore. I have it at or near the top of my bucket list! Love the flowers, I'm so ready for flower weather even though it's supposed to be 67 here tomorrow! But I'm sure we'll get some real winter weather eventually.
Have a great week!

BlueShell said...

I'm glad I found your blog: it is really amazing- beauty all over...
I'm in love...
Thank you!
BShell

Mary said...

Love those orchids and wish I had that lovely color right now!

Twilight Man said...

Dogwoods and Azaleas are really new flowers to me! What a pretty sight! Thanks heaps for sharing always.