Great Sunday for this Mama

This past Sunday,  my youngest son, Jeff,  came to visit us.   He was going to come on Mother's Day --but we changed it until this past Sunday  since we were coming home from the beach last week.  It was also nice for him to wait a week to come because we could not only celebrate Mother's Day --but also,  we celebrated Jeff's birthday... My 'baby' turned FORTY on Saturday (May 14th)... Can you believe it??  AND that makes me -------HOW OLD????  ha ha

We had a wonderful visit with Jeff.  We talked-talked-talked,   watched my backyard birds--which put on a 'show' for Jeff,  watched a video that Jeff brought of one of the tornadoes that devastated an area near Chattanooga where Jeff lives,  watched "The King's Speech" (which is a fabulous movie and we recommend it --if you haven't seen it yet).  George took us to the Cumberland Mountain State Park Restaurant for dinner  (excellent buffet).  AND we walked around the lake at the park taking lots of pictures.

Jeff has a love for photography like I do --but he makes me look like an amateur.  He has been into photography for many years whereas I just started a few years ago.  He also has a love of the outdoors like George and I do...  You can just imagine how wonderful it was to sit and talk with this busy young man.

Here are a few pictures  I took of our day..   These were all taken at the Cumberland Mountain State Park.  Above is a picture of the restaurant (top floor) where we ate.

This picture shows the lake at the state park.  The grounds are well-manicured --and it was fun (although COOL that day) walking around that lake...

How do you like this huge bird feeder at the Cumberland Mtn. State Park? You can see that more critters besides birds enjoy this feeder....  The Canada Geese stay below that feeder ---hoping to get some seed which the birds (or squirrels) drop.  See what is on the top of the feeder?????? ha

The Canada Geese are not one bit afraid of us humans.  I got THIS close to this one --and it never did move...  Aren't they gorgeous birds?

I took a gazillion pictures of the bridge at the state park... I chose this one to share since you can not only see the reflection of the bridge ---but you can also see the reflection of the trees.... Love it!!!!  You?

We hiked on the other side of the bridge to see the 'waterfall' (overflow) from the lake into the creek.    You know us.... We'll count most anything like this as a waterfall... HA HA..  However,  this one really is pretty,  and there are woodsy trails in this area which you can take,  following the creek. Cumberland Mtn. State Park really is a nice place to visit.

Finally,  George took this picture of a proud Mama and her son.   It was wonderful being able to spend the day with Jeff.  I may be just a little prejudiced --but he is a fabulous young man.  I just cannot believe that he is FORTY now.... I must have been a child bride!!!!! Har Har Har....

Jeff took a group of pictures of my backyard birds which I will show in a post next week.   Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!!!!

On another note,  we visited George's parents yesterday.   Both were in fair condition.  We are concerned right now about Dad (who turns 99 in August).  He's really gone down recently --and we think that he may be giving up.  Bless  their hearts.  Please keep Mom and Dad Adams in your prayers.

Hugs,

Beauty from BILTMORE--5/7/11

As I mentioned in a recent blog (click HERE),  we had a wonderful vacation to Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina.  On the way home from that little trip,  we stopped to see more beauty from the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina. We saw beautiful roses in bloom while we were there that day,  but we also saw other beauty at Biltmore... Here are some pictures taken while we were at Biltmore that day.  Above were some of the Azaleas still blooming.

On this trip,  we walked to the Spring Garden (which we had not seen before).  On this little walk,  we came to a place where we could look down and see some of the Walled Garden.   I would have loved to have been in this location when the Tulips were all blooming in that garden.   Maybe next year,  we'll do that!!!

This beauty  (Hydrangea I think)  was found inside the Conservatory.  We didn't spend much time inside this time--but I couldn't resist getting a few pictures while there.

One more Hydragea blossom;  I absolutely LOVE this color...Isn't it gorgeous?

I have no idea what these are (someone please give me a name) --but they were so pretty.   I took several pictures of them.  UPDATE:  They are called Alliums.

You have to be there in order to visualize the heights of some of the trees at Biltmore...The little hike (you can see some of the path) at Biltmore, called the Spring Garden Walk is a nice little hike through some of the more woodsy areas of Biltmore.  We recommend it --if you ever get there.

Finally, here's a pretty picture showing the gorgeous blue sky and a beautiful bush filled with white blooms.  There were several of these blooming bushes around --and they looked as if they had snow on them.

I have many more Biltmore pictures to share --but that will be in future posts!!!!  I am so glad that we bought season's passes since every month shows new and different beauty from that gorgeous place.

Biltmore offers much more than just a beautiful home and gardens.  There are so many things to do there (picnicking, walking paths,  biking, horseback riding,  fine and casual dining,  shopping, and a huge winery--Antler Hill Village)--many of which we haven't done yet.  AND--if you can afford it,  stay in the famous and gorgeous Inn on Biltmore Estate.

(You think they should pay me for all of this free advertisement????? ha ha)

Have a wonderful day.
Hugs,