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, February 24, 2012

Best of 2011: My Overall Favorites

This post wraps up my "Best of 2011" series.  If you missed any of the seven different posts,  you can click HERE to see them...  I kept out these pictures until last since they are my favorites.... Hope you enjoy them!!!  Be sure to click on them to see a larger view.

This picture of the bride and groom standing outside the Chapel on the Rock  south of Estes Park, Colorado is just fabulous...  If you missed my blog post talking about this chapel (which really is built on a rock),  click HERE.




Here is another fav of mine.  This picture was taken at the Italian Water Garden at Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville,  NC.   I loved seeing all of the water lilies in this pond ---but I especially loved seeing the reflection of the Biltmore House in the water... If you want to see more pictures from the Italian Water Garden,  click HERE.




You have seen this photo ALOT if you came to my blog during January.  I featured it as my header then.... We took this photo of the Smokies EARLY one morning in October as we were headed up the mountain to get some great Autumn colored pictures...   If you want to see more pictures from that trip,  click HERE and HERE.  That was a great trip to see the Fall colors!!!




In early December ---we had a small but pretty little snow storm... This was one of those wet snows with big flakes that clings to everything... SO PRETTY.... I loved the way it added that white color to one of our outdoor wreaths...  (NOTE:  This winter has been one of our mildest ones so far.  We have only had 3 tiny little snows so far.  I was hoping for at least one bigger one,  but now, with spring flowers getting ready to bloom,  I think I'm just ready to have some SPRING!!!!)




Here is another great sky picture.... I'm sure you will see it sometime as my blog header.  This picture was taken last year when we were at our little cabin in Mt. Nebo, Arkansas.  Can't wait 'til we go back there again SOON.




Here is my favorite Grand Canyon picture...  This was our view as we looked away from the sun---as it was setting in the west.  To see more sunset pictures from the Grand Canyon,  click  HERE.





Here is a great 'fog' picture (can you tell that I love sky, sun, fog pictures?? ha) from last year's trip to Mt. Nebo, Arkansas.  This one was taken from the back patio at our cabin.




Finally,   here's another fog picture from Mt. Nebo, Arkansas.   There are lots and lots of deer on that mountain---and I loved seeing them in the fog...

Hope you enjoyed all of my "Best of 2011"  series... I always enjoy re-living our adventures this way... We will be returning to our cabin in Mt. Nebo soon ---so hopefully,  I'll get some "Best of 2012" pictures while there.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday.

Hugs,
Betsy

67 comments:

Ms. A said...

Definitely worth repeating!

imac said...

I really can see why these are your favs, because I sat here looking at them for 5 mins and just in awe.

Anonymous said...

These are just magnificent, Betsy. Enjoy the weekend.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What magnificent pictures Betsy !
I could gaze at them forever...
Each has it's own beauty, and all so special.
Thank you for sharing them.
~Jo

DeniseinVA said...

I can see why these are some of your favorites Betsy. They are truly magnificent. Have a great weekend!

pam said...

Fantastic favorites!!! I would have a hard time chosing with all your wonderful shots!

Catherine said...

Those are some god ones Betsy!

Wishing you and George a happy weekend!
xo Catherine

RoeH said...

Gosh you take pretty photos. The canyon is just fabulous. And I was so busy looking at the beauty of the 'castle' and the Colorado mountains, I didn't even see the bride and groom until you pointed it out.

Fred Alton said...

Betsy, I always love seeing the pictures you and George take. These are tops!

mamahasspoken said...

Yes, great to see them again! Especially love the deer.

Connie said...

It was a very good year for you, Betsy! I love the water lilies and reflection. Just gorgeous!

Lisa said...

Oh Betsy, these are beyond fabulous and they display your amazing time in 2011. You are so blessed Betsy. And the pictures make me miss the US too.

MadSnapper said...

i have two favorites, water garden and grand canyon, each and every one is beautiful and special, but i think the water garden wins. but if i had to pick one of these to visit, it would be that canyon

Ruth Hiebert said...

Hmmm.Do I see a calendar with the best of 2011 shots? THese pictures just remind me of calendar pictures.They are so beautiful.

CottonLady said...

I love these pictures, too, Betsy. Each one great in it's own way. Thanks for sharing them.

Blessings!

Birdman said...

Love fog shots. Exciting, you never know what you're REALLY going to get.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, My vote is that shot of the Italian Water Garden at the Biltmore. Really beautiful! Have a great day today and an excellent weekend!

Karin said...

I totally agree with Ruth and think I've said it myself - these photos are amazing and deserve to be featured on canvas or high-end calendars!!! You've been abundantly blessed to be able to visit all these places and have an excellent eye for composition and all that goes with taking great photos! Hugs!

Larry said...

This has been an excellent and absorbing series Betsy...
Thank you for sharing so much beauty! Larry

Lady Di Tn said...

A very refreshing post of photos from 2011. My favorite was the header photo of the Smokies. Have a wonderful weekend. Peace

Donna said...

Beautiful photos and beautiful memories! thank you for sharing!

Snap said...

Gorgeous, Betsy!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

These are all wonderful photos, Betsy. I especially love the sun rays coming down through the clouds. I've been hoping to capture one of those scenes myself.
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

That chapel is very picturesque, and the bride and groom just make the shot. I also liked the tranquility of the lily pond at the Biltmore. Very nice.

TexWisGirl said...

i think the arkansas photos were my favorites. :)

nanny said...

Betsy, Your pictures are wonderful. I think the one of the lily pads looks like a painting, really!!!
I love your Arkansas pictures....so glad you show the state with these great shots!!

Sylvia K said...

I can surely see why these are favorites, Betsy! They're gorgeous! I love the skies, the Grand Canyon and the shots from Arkansas are terrific! Does look like a fun year and a particularly great year for taking wonderful pictures! Hope you and George have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Glenda said...

What beauty and variety in God's beautiful world, and you capture it so well!

Photo Cache said...

all excellent shots. how can one choose a fave? i'd say the closest to my heart is the first one with the bride and groom, just because it speaks to my romantic heart :)

a job well done betsy. i love how you tell stories too.

Out on the prairie said...

Water lilies and fog were my fav or your favs.Lovely selection as always, I love how you see natures beauty so well.

Busy Bee Suz said...

All of your best of's deserve a trophy! I really love the reflection of the Biltmore in the water with the ginormous lillies!!!

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

What a great collection. They would make a gorgeous calendar. I especially love the first and last:)

Chatty Crone said...

Hey I like to see your favorites - I loved that castle - so romantic.

The lily pods in the lake.

And the fog in the mountains.

Hope you have a great weekend.

sandie

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

These pics made me smile...they are gorgeous. Love the deer in the fog

Janie said...

I'm glad you did a "best of" because I missed some of them the first time around. The first 2 are my favs!

Jane said...

I don't know how you manage to select the "best of" - must be a tough job as all of your photos are excellent!

Jane

diane b said...

They certainly are super best pics. The way you have captured the light in most of them is what makes them so special. You have visited some beautiful places in 2011. I'm looking forward to seeing more in 2012.

Tami AKA My Kid's Mom said...

I love the picture of the deer in the fog! But then I love all your pictures!

Beatriz said...

Hi Betsy
All those pictures are gorgeous, especially that one about the Chapel made of stone....
The Grand Canyon is one of the top list to see when I'll be there, in the US!
Hugs
Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

Rose said...

I think you chose your favorites well...I like all of these...well, more like I love them.

Lynn said...

Oh yes, these are wonderful. I do remember most but not Mt Nebo, don't think I knew you then. Where is that located in Arkansas. We have been to Mountain View, a tiny town about 2 hours from Eureka Springs. Yup we go to Mountain View for the music! Also love the reflection of the Biltmore in the water. That was stunning! Of course the sky and mountains always tugs at my heart. I have fog picture in Arkansas but mine don't have cute little deers, just thick fog. Love the deers in the fog picture. Oh heck, I love them all Betsy! How could I not. Great, now I can read about your trip since we are most likely painting the kitchen instead of road trips, but then who knows. Have a blast and safe travels when you do go. Hugs,
Lynn

Susie Swanson said...

I know why they're your favs..They are breathtaking..you are a great phtographer my friend..hope you have a nice weekend as well..Susie

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Every one of those pictures is gorgeous and a classic! You really have a gift, Betsy!

Rohrerbot said...

A lot of these pics are quite magical. My favorite is the deer walking in the fog. Right out of a Game of Thrones novel! Beautiful.

HolleyGarden said...

I thought the bride and groom in front of that gorgeous chapel would be my favorite, until I saw the Italian Water garden photo. The reflection of Biltmore makes it look magical.

Latane Barton said...

Those photos are absolutely amazing. What a diverse grouping and what fun they all are. Take care. Will check in on you later.

Serenity Cove said...

That lily pond photo is G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S!!! It could be a painting.

mudderbear said...

These are very beautiful pictures, Betsy. I love to visit you and see what you're up to.
I took the verification off my own blog. Thank you for requesting that. I wasn't aware that I even put it on there.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

You certainly have some lovely shots and beautiful memories here.

Ann said...

all of them are wonderful. I can see why they are your favorites.

Big Dude said...

They are all good, but I like the deed in the fog best.

Arkansas Patti said...

Really enjoyed seeing the wonderful pictures again. Must admit I am prejudiced and loved the Arkansas ones. I do love fog. It softens our world.

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, I can see why they are your favorites. They are all beautiful photos, way too hard for me to choose a favorite. Have a great weekend!

A Colorful World said...

Betsy,
As always you have some truly beautiful photos! WOW! I couldn't get the Chapel on the Rock link to work, but checked out the Biltmore Italian Gardens and the Grand Canyon sunsets links. Both were amazing! It's funny....my parents went to Biltmore twice, once taking our daughter and our cousin, and they never mentioned the gardens! I'm not sure they took the time to see them, which is a shame. I think if Mom went back now, with her blogger mindset, she would probably get some great pictures of the house AND gardens! I'm sure I would!

That Chapel on the Rock is amazing! Loved the fog scenes at Mt. Nebo. But, of course, I had to see the Grand Canyon sunsets. We are dying to go back this summer and I hope my pictures are as wonderful as yours!

Thanks for your comment on my blog post, too. Have a wonderful weekend!

Unknown said...

Can't pick a favorite....love 'em all!

Ginny Hartzler said...

THE BEST OF is such a good idea that I'm going to steal it maybe!! And I remember all of these, even the story about the stranger's wedding. EXCEPT the lovely sun and tree in the fog. That is the only one I don't remember! Maybe it is from a rare post I didn't see...anyway, this is also a great Alzheimer's test!

Sally Wessely said...

What a treat to see these again. I vote for #1 and #3. Loved them all though.

Carletta said...

I remember all of these and they are definitely some of my favorites as well. I especially loved seeing the chapel again. It looks like it sits in a beautiful setting.
I've noticed you always seem to get so many sky shots with those heavenly rays - I don't think that's a coincidence. :)
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Impossible to pick a favourite, just magnificent scenery and photography.
Makes me smile....

JDS said...

Dazzling pictures one and all, Betsy...I would have thought the chapel was in Austria or Switzerland if you hadn't said Colorado...The sun's rays over the Smokies are inspiring...And there is something mystical about those deer in the fog.

Small City Scenes said...

Oh Betsy they all are beautiful. I wouldn't be able to pick one favorite. Thank goodness for cameras and your creative touch. MB

Beth said...

All are beautiful and I remember the posts from which they all came---all wonderful.
My favorite is surprising to me: it's the water garden. It just looked so different than all the rest and quite refreshing, peaceful, colorful, and artistic. Pure lovliness!:>)

Elettra said...

wonderful memories that come back to mind!

Tracy said...

Betsy, all the photos are stunning but I really like the sunbeams coming down out of the clouds...God's reaching out!

SquirrelQueen said...

All of your favorites are awesome Betsy. I love the second one with the reflection of Biltmore House.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Loren said...

You are just soooo gifted in photography Betsy! Out of this group I would have to say I LOVE the Deer in the Fog! Just takes your breath away!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Super collection.

The grand canyon photo beats all for its sheer natural wonder. But I think I like the fog picture and cloud pictures. They really look like another world or at least they show a path to another world.