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...

Monday, December 19, 2016

"HEARTH and HOME" Theme ---Biltmore House and Garden Candlelight Christmas 2016

Welcome to a BILTMORE ESTATE CHRISTMAS 2016
George and I celebrated Christmas on 12/14/16 at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.  And the best news for us was that we (everyone) could now take pictures inside the home (as long as we did not use the flash).   We had not been inside the big home for several years (mainly because they didn't allow photos to be taken)--- SO it was like a brand-new experience for us...  Oh My HEART.... Did we have a great time!!!!!!!! WOW..... 

The theme this year is "Hearth and Home" ---so their decorations paid special attention to the many fireplaces in the house.... Did you know that there were at least 70 elaborate, hand decorated trees in that mansion? Unbelievable!!!!  (I'll show pictures of some of the many trees soon.) There was live music (choirs, instrumentalists, etc.) throughout each area --so just being there with all of that colorful beauty and the sounds of Christmas music all around made me feel as if I was truly in heaven on earth... Thanks to George for this wonderful Christmas present!!!!! THAT is what Christmas is all about to me...

Today,  I'll share just a few pictures of some of the gorgeous HEARTHS in the home... Hope you enjoy seeing these pictures of SUCH an amazingly beautiful home...   You can click on them for enlargements.





















I'll close with a picture of the Winter Garden area inside the house... (The first and last pictures are NOT mine.  I got them from the Biltmore site since their pictures turned out MUCH better than mine.)  IF you want to read/see more info about the Biltmore Christmas,  click HERE.    We highly recommend a trip to Biltmore --especially at Christmas.  

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Hugs,


34 comments:

George said...

I'm glad you enjoyed our visit to Biltmore. The Candlelight Christmas tour was gorgeous and your photos are great.

David said...

Betsy, Its really nice that you and George had such a great visit at Biltmore. Its great news that they are allowing non-flash photos now. Its been many years since Laurie and I visited and I'll have to check my photo albums but I thought that we had some photos... Beautiful Christmas scenes that's for sure. Biltmore is definitely one of a kind! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Betsy said...

Can you imagine that people actually lived there? It's gorgeous. I love your beautiful photos and you are so sweet for sharing your precious time.
Blessings,
Betsy

linda m said...

What a beautiful place. One of these days I have to visit there. George really did give a fantastic Christmas present. Your pictures are fabulous.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Merry Christmas, Betsy and George! Wow, that is quite a place. I would love to go there and see it someday. You both have a lovely holiday! Love from AZ!

Ruth Hiebert said...

That place is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside,Each picture brings the Christmas feeling right into the heart and home.I am so glad you got take your own pictures inside.There is always something extra special about having your own photos to remember the day by.

Ginny Hartzler said...

FINALLY I get to see inside this house!!!! Everything is awesome and larger than life! My favorites are the first and last!!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Well now, I think you've persuaded me that this place is worth seeing. Your photos of the interior turned out very nicely. Such beauty. I'm sure it has to be seen in person to be fully comprehended.

Gail said...

Thank you for showing me places I will never be able to visit. Beautiful.

Linda P said...

Very beautiful! Thank you for sharing inside Biltmore decorated for the Christmas season. Those fireplaces are grand and with the fires going the rooms are very photogenic.

Arkansas Patti said...

Sooo glad they allowed picture taking. I am in love with all those marvelous fireplaces. Such warmth for a huge estate.

Linda Kay said...

Such beautiful decorations. Have a wonderful Christmas Weekend!

Ann said...

What a spectacular way to celebrate Christmas. So pretty.

Lowcarb team member said...

What fabulous photo's.
What a wonderful place to visit.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Christmas

All the best Jan

The Furry Gnome said...

Looks like a very beautiful place!

Connie said...

Gorgeous photos, Betsy! What a wonderful place to visit at Christmastime. I enjoyed seeing these beautiful Christmas scenes.

Lola said...

Than.
k you for sharing. It has been yr since my [rip] husband were there

Lady Fi said...

Wow wow wow! How amazing and beautiful! Love your header photo too. Wishing you and George much joy!

Devilish Angel said...

Magical photos. Merry Christmas to you and George Betsy :)

Jacqueline said...



Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Betsy said...

How beautiful! I've not visited at Christmas but did visit about 10 years ago during summer. I definitely need to see it at Christmas now. Your pictures are so wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Happy Christmas
betsy

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

It looks so grand inside all decorated for the holiday season. How fun that you toured.

Big Dude said...

Thanks fr the tour Betsy - we have just got to make a Christmas time visit over there.

Kay said...

Good gosh! Your photos are awesome, Betsy! I am totally amazed at the hotel. Wow! Just wow!!!

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Your excitement makes looking at the pics ever so much more special. Merry Christmas to you and George..
Buddy and I have been lagging in blogging. Too much is happening all at once here and my vision has dropped even more so I try to stay away from the screen but my thoughts of blogging friends remain dear in my heart. That means both of you.

Linda said...

Wow! Looks spectacular! Happy Christmas!

BeachGypsy said...

Howdy there Betsy, so glad to see you had dropped in and I was glad y'all had a chance to stop in Charleston back in the Fall--yes we go to the Angel tree pretty much and walk right by Poogans all the time!We also walk the plantations pretty frequently---love the history there and love to take pictures there. (its a wonder we didn't just run into each other in one of these places! LOL) Walking them truly makes you feel like you have gone back in time doesn't it? I am sure loving these photos of Biltmore......wow, that place is so grand and beautiful isnt it? I love all the special Christmas decor they have put up, it truly just intensifies the huge size of that place and how pretty it all is. Those trees are gorgeous and oh my goodness----those big fireplace mantels! Wow! Hope you holidays are going nicely and Christmas is nearly here!

Betty Manousos said...

very beautiful! great photos too.

here's wishing you and yours a very merry christmas!! xoxo

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Thanks for all the beautiful pics! It is gorgeous there, I am glad yall got to go. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Beatriz said...

Merry Christmas Betsy and a new and happy year in 2017!!!
I hope you can achieve all your dreams in this new year and take long and beautiful walks through those places you show us here!

Big big hugs!!!

Bia

Marcia said...

What a gorgeous place! I love how the have so many trees up.

Merry Christmas!

BeachGypsy said...

Merry Christmas Betsy, have a blessed day and a happy and healthy new year!

malechloe said...

We just ordered our first annual passes and are thrilled to hear that we can take photos without flash. Thanks for the information.

Jeevan said...

Absolutely elegant decoration and marvellous interior to shoot! Glad you able to go inside and capture the sheer wonders of the house