the gift of music

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.
--Martin Luther (1483-1546) German theologian.

The photos of the flute player statue were taken a few years ago (at different times of the year) in the gardens outside of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.

"Biltmore Blooms" is underway from March 19-May 26. Save $50 off an annual pass if you order during the month of March. Click here to find out what's blooming now.

Click here, to see my previous Biltmore photos and posts.

money

Money, if it does not bring you happiness, will at least help you be miserable in comfort.
--Helen Gurley Brown (b.1922) American writer

looking for spring

Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there.
--Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) Roman Emperor  

A drab, rainy Friday sent me in looking for old spring photos. Here's one taken a few years back at the Biltmore Estate Conservatory in Asheville, NC. Don't know about you, but I'm ready for spring...

etched on stone

Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased. Nor is it etched on stone, for stone can be broken. But it is inscribed on a heart and there it shall remain forever.
--author unknown

Gargoyles at the Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
Click here to see a unique perspective captured by my friend Earl Carter from atop the tower at Biltmore.

be it ever so humble

I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.
--Maya Angelou (1928-2014) American Poet

With its 175,000 square feet and 250 rooms, the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC remains America's largest private home. Geeeesh. It's gargantuan. One hundred of my houses could fit inside! :)

brilliance

Faith is a light of such supreme brilliance that it dazzles the mind and darkens all its visions of other realities, but in the end when we become used to the new light, we gain a new view of all reality transfigured and elevated in the light itself.
--Thomas Merton (1915-1968) Author and Monk

Above: Terrace View, Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC

Palatial Home

After six years of construction, the Biltmore House opened to family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895. At that time, George Vanderbilt was only 33 -- and single (he married in 1898). His "country retreat" contains 4 acres of floor space, 250 rooms, 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, 3 kitchens, an indoor swimming pool and bowling alley -- all (originally) situated on a 125,000 acre parcel of land in Asheville, NC (today it's 8,000 acres). It's really an unbelievable place -- and something I definitely recommend visiting. Depending on when you go, the ticket price can be high, but you can easily spend an entire day touring the house, the gardens, the winery and the trails. An annual pass makes sense if you live in the area. There are often special offers online and ticket prices are always cheaper if ordered online in advance. Click here to visit their website.

About the photos...I always like the effect a wide angle lens has on architecture. It not only can squeeze more real estate into the frame, it also distorts the perspective in interesting ways -- making walls lean dramatically into the center -- and exaggerating the size of objects closest to the camera.

Garden Encounters

I think that if ever a mortal heard the voice of God it would be in a garden at the cool of the day.
--F. Frankfort Moore (1855-1931) British novelist

When most people think of the Biltmore Estate they think of the monumental (gargantuan) 250 room house. But the main reason to visit this time of year is to see the extensive gardens. This was the scene last Friday in the walled garden. You can the see that thousands of tulips are getting ready to put on their annual show. The Festival of Flowers runs from April 5th thru May 18th. Click here to see the current bloom report.

Christmas at the Biltmore Estate

We had gorgeous weather yesterday for visiting to Asheville, NC, and taking in all the sights of this wonderful city. The 8,000 acre Biltmore Estate is absolutely amazing -- the real draw this time of year are the Christmas decorations in "America's largest privately-owned home." It seems that they decorated every square foot of this 175,000 square foot behemoth for the holidays. The Christmas celebration will continue through January 1st with more than 100 Christmas trees (including a 35 foot Fraser Fir in the Banquet Hall), thousands of wreaths and poinsettias and miles of garland. It's a tad pricey (buy your ticket beforehand online and save money), but you can literally spend all day at the estate (there are gardens, conservatory, winery, hiking, and more). If you're from the area, you might consider an annual pass which basically pays for itself if you plan a return visit. They don't allow photography inside the house, but I found plenty on the grounds to keep my busy.

Festival of Flowers

The Biltmore Estate's Festival of Flowers begins this Saturday -- but you should try to get away early because of the threat of freezing temps this weekend. Last weekend one of the Biltmore gardeners suggested that they expect the tulip blooms to reach their peak on Wednesday or Thursday. The picture above is a view of the gardens from this past Saturday (just a few days too early!). The Festival of Flowers runs from April 7th through May 20th.

Biltmore Gardens

 
 No matter what time of year it is, there are always flowers blooming at the Biltmore Estate. In the Conservatory there you will find some of the most amazing plants and flowers you've ever seen. Even if you're not really into this sort of thing, I'd still recommend you peek in during your visit to the Biltmore Estate (see yesterday's post). I think you'll be surprised by the diversity and by the unreal beauty of the plants on display. The plants in the gardens outside the Conservatory are getting ready to put on quite a show this spring and summer. Over 50,000 tulips will bloom in April, followed by 1,000 azaleas and 2,300 roses in May. Click here for the "bloom schedule." While the 250 room Biltmore House is certainly spectacular, the gardens and the Conservatory cause a completely different sense of awe and wonder.

Biltmore Estate

Went to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC today. The Biltmore is an icon of Asheville and a huge tourist draw -- and rightfully so. It is gargantuan. Ticket prices are expensive but you can easily spend an entire day at Biltmore. There is much more to do than just tour the house. The least expensive time to go is January and February. If you live in the area and think you'll visit at least twice, then a season pass is the way to go. The house itself can take a couple hours to tour. I definately recommend renting the headphones which adds a great deal of interesting stories and detail to the tour. Intricate details are found everywhere both on the inside and the outside of the house.