The Biltmore Estate

We are history lovers....

America's largest home boasts 250 rooms, 8,000 acres, & 43 bathrooms when many people didn't even have 1 indoors. The home was built in 1895 by George W. Vanderbilt and was designed by Richard Morris Hunt. (He also designed Central Park in New York.... I thought that was pretty cool.) We were utterly blown away by the immensity of this home. More like a castle if you ask me. Completely self-sufficient at the time, the Vanderbilt family were pioneers in gardening & agriculture. George & Edith had one child, Cornelia, who inherited the estate & continued to maintain & expand on the family's establishment.

Regardless of how close all the hotels are to the home, everyone has to pass through the gates and embark on a beautiful scenic road that leads you to an entrance building where you can purchase tickets. (You can get them in advance online & cheaper if you have a promo code.- Kids were free.) Then, back to your car through another set of gates where you present your tickets. A further drive takes you to specific parking areas where a shuttle then picks you up & takes you right to the front door. Astonishment! Wow, was it beautiful! Now, my pictures are going to focus on the gardens & outdoors. (Absolutely no picture taking is allowed inside, and yah... I was kinda sad.) But, I do have to say ~ this was the most organized self-guided tour ever. You could take as long as you wanted. The rooms were gorgeous. Seventy foot ceilings, fireplaces you can stand in and a bowling alley stuck back in time. My favorite rooms included the Louis XV Room, Oak Sitting Room, Pastry Kitchen, Banquet Hall, & Library. After the home tour which embarks on 3 floors and the basement, you are led outside where there is a mini bistro center offering food, drinks, and yummy southern ice cream. It's time I stop writing & show you some pictures!

I thought it was pretty romantic....
We were spending our nine year anniversary at an amazing place.

Gardens, gardens, & more gardens. There were so many to see!

(I didn't include the Spring Garden, Azalea Garden, & Shrub Garden in my pics...Sorry.)

The Italian Garden

The Rose Garden

The Conservatory

The Walled Garden

After touring the main grounds, the path headed over to Antler Hill Village & Winery.

Here, we got to explore farm life in the 1900's & meet some friendly animals.

We ended our visit with wine tasting (grape juice for kids) & a wonderful dinner.

I couldn't believe how huge this Eucalyptus was! I'm so used to seeing the little ones
at the garden center.

Future tomato posts. We have to try this next year.

I love when the kids have activities to do on sight.
They made puppet caterpillars:)

The blacksmith didn't make your typical "nail". Instead, he made a beautiful
piece of jewelry in the shape of a leaf with amazing curves.

I wanted to make this our Christmas card photo until I noticed my bra strap showing....Ughhh.....

You really need two days to visit this great landmark. For us history buffs, it was truly enjoyable & utmost interesting. There is so much to see & do. One things for sure, we're going back...

when the leaves turn color:)

Happy Trails:)

Evergreen Trees

Hello friends and fellow bloggers! I hope the start of 2021 has been full of good health, happiness, and love. Over here, I've been been busy enjoying the creative process, trying new things and attempting new horizons every which way possible. It truly feels like a good way to start the year. I wanted to share with you this adorable Evergreen Tree quilt. I've never done foundation paper piecing prior to this project, but can honestly say I'm hooked! This free printable pattern was found on Pinterest and was perrrrfect for a beginner like myself. Not to mention, it helped me use up nearly all my green scraps:) If you are new to FPP too, you'll want to make sure the first pattern you try is numbered. This will help you understand how the blocks should be created from start to finish. Every quilt is a one of a kind, but I have to admit, this takes it a step further. Also recommended, watching a few youtube videos. I'm a visual learner, and watching the videos reall...

January.... you're almost done!

Hello friends! I feel like it's been forever since my last post. I suppose some might even say I've been spending nearly all my time on the forefront of creative madness along with trying to continue healing. Holy smokes! Chemo and radiation will change a person forever. I'm continuing my healing journey, and staying hopeful that I'll remain in the 'clear' for a long time. It's odd, the way you feel, when everything you've gotten accustomed to: the running around, working day to day, rushing here and rushing there.... how quickly it changes when it's no longer a necessity. Yes, I am extremely thankful that my spouse supports and pushes for my healing time, omitting nurse life as it was, but like I told my girlfriend the other day, "how many craft projects can a girl possibly do?" ..... Well let me just tell you..... A LOT! Today's post will revisit some Instagram pics, (in case you don't follow along) with some of my most recent...

Crystal Knob Rack

So... what can you do with a piece of wood measuring 45 inches by 3 1/2? Well, if it's 1 inch thick, you can use it to make the cutest wall rack. But instead of using hooks, use drawer knobs! Here's how the idea got started. I needed a place to photograph kids aprons. Now, most of you know that my girls have been modeling them, but they can't model toddler aprons, right? All I could picture was a gorgeous crystal knob rack used to display those mini aprons I love to make. And after searching in stores and online, I realized they are not very easy to find. Soo...... "oooohhh hubby.... can you drill a few holes in this piece of oak wood I found in the barn?" Of course he did it in a heart beat & he even sanded it down too! The holes were positioned like this: I did the two outer ones first, then measured to the center in between those. And again, the middle of the center and outer one. Got it? I took some regular creamy white wall paint I had left...

The Mint Needle

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