Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

The Biltmore and the Cherry Blossoms

Posted on By jennifer

Happy Hump Day!  And happy first day of April!  It is official, I survived winter.  March can sometimes be sneaky (and we did, indeed, have some snow last month) but all that is behind me when I turn the calendar to April.  I do hope the nice weather we have had the past few days will continue for Easter this weekend.  We have sunrise service at our church and there have been years when it was just plain cold.  Last year was not too bad and I’m hoping for a repeat this year.

Today’s post is going to be primarily photos.  The beginning of last week, a fieind and I went downtown to see this year’s cherry blossoms.  They did not disappoint.  Then, on Wednesday, I headed to NC for few days away with a couple friends.  We were at the Biltmore.  It certainly did not disappoint either.  I thought I would share a few photos.  So, not much talking but I hope you enjoy the pictures…..

We took a water taxi downtown.  So much better than driving and trying to find a good place to park.  This was along the way.  This is the National War College.  Do I have a clue what takes place at the National War College?  Um, no.  But it was an impressive building surrounded by pretty pink trees:)

We had lunch at the Wharf.  It was a picture perfect day.  Lots of yachts were parked at the pier but I thought this sailboat looked like the perfect place to spend that afternoon.

After lunch, we walked to the Tidal Basin.  There were A LOT of others out walking that day….which was fun!

Supposedly, the peak for the blossoms was this week but I do not know how they could have been any prettier (or more in bloom) than they were last week!  It can be tricky timing a trip downtown but, personally, I think we nailed it.  So glad it worked out.  And then, on to Asheville….

We went to the Biltmore.  We stayed at one of the hotels on the property.  Just parked our car and did not need it again until we left.  We toured the house and did a back stairs tour, as well, which I really enjoyed.  Amazing all that was involved and so well thought out when this home was designed and built – in 1895!  I am not the hugest history lover but all the history here was fascinating.  The guides (both in person and audio guides) were very interesting. The property was originally 125,000 acres (today, it is 8,000 acres).  Hard to believe.  Here are a few of my favorite photos from inside the house….

Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom.  I thought it was stunning!!

The kitchen was one of my favorites! The guides so many interesting stories of planning parties, fixing menus and all the details of preparing and serving daily meals.  Meals were usually four or five courses and at least three of those included a full entree.  I have to admit, some of the menu items sounded less than appetizing.  How would I have gracefully declined the broiled cow brains??  (Was definitely on the menu.)

I also really liked the state of the art gym.  Complete with a chain driven rowing machine, wooden dumbbells, bowling pin weights and a needle shower which was part of the workout.  Definitely not for relaxing….it was supposed to stimulate the organs and/or be healthy.  And, yes, the water felt like needles.

They had just started the spring flower “campaign” (I think they called it) and gorgeous flowers were everywhere!  And there were several of these statues made entirely of flowers and plants.  They cannot really be appreciated in my photos but they were so interesting, and beautiful, in person.

 

And…goats.  It is a completely self-sustaining, working farm.  But, mainly, they were just cute.  Most of the babies were not this calm.  More like the white one in the back – climbing all over the adults.

I have no idea how many are still with me.  If you stayed to the end – thanks!  This is a great way to get some photos off my phone but still “in the history books.”  I have no idea why but this takes me so much longer to do than simply writing a post.  I know why I don’t do it often…but I am glad when I take the time.  And thanks for following along.  Let me know if you’ve ever been to the Biltmore…..

A Look Back

Comments (9)

  1. Great pictures of the city and of the Biltmore! Wow, so many acres originally and 8000 is not nothing. The building is so impressive! Inside and out. Thanks for sharing your photos. I’m glad you had a great time time away.

  2. I love this so much. I can’t wait to one day go and see it myself!!! Those trees…… beautiful

  3. Beautiful pictures. I have been to D.C. but only in the heat of summer. I suppose I should put going while the cherry blossoms are happening on my bucket list.
    Beautiful photos. I love my blog for just that…recording all that kind of information.

  4. I enjoyed your photos, especially the ones of the Biltmore. I was there years ago and it was stunning. They’ve added a lot since then. I don’t remember seeing the village, just the house. How beautiful it looks in the Spring.

  5. Both of those trips sound amazing! I am heading to Asheville soon and really hope to convince the other ladies to check out the Biltmore. I’ve seen their “summer cottage” in Newport and can only imagine how much more impressive this home would be in person. I love learning about life during the gilded age.

  6. Hello,
    I loved the cherry blossoms. Do the streets smell of the sweet smell of cherry? I do not think I have ever smelled a cherry blossom.
    Biltmore is beautiful. I also like the bedroom. I have not visited DC or Biltmore.

    Happy Easter!!

  7. What lovely photos! Cherry blossom is absolutely beautiful isn’t it? It’s in bloom around here too, but sadly I think our temperatures are quite a bit lower than yours. Our skies definitely aren’t quite the same shade of blue!

  8. Hope to some day cross this off my lifetime bucket list. What a beautiful ‘home’. Seems more like a palace than a home. And the spring flower campaign must have been extraordinary. How lovely to have statues made entirely of flowers and plants. Magical!! Glad the cherry blossoms were at their peak for you. Love the idea of a water taxi. Sounds like a great trip.

    Hope your sunrise service is springy and warm.

  9. Thank you for sharing your experience and the great photos! This is a nice respite from the news today. Bless you!

Comments are closed.