Hymn of Promise

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise; butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. ~~ words & music by Natalie Sleeth, 1986 United Methodist Hymnal

Thursday, April 30, 2009

My Birthday Trip!

Gosh, I feel like Christine! You know yesterday was her birthday too! Happy Birthday Christine!
Well, I just got back from a trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC! My DH had a business meeting in Pidgeon Forge and offered to take me to the Biltmore for my birthday! We had a wonderful time! I got to shop at some antique malls in Sevierville! (That will be another post!) We got to, I mean, "we arrived at" the Biltmore Tuesday afternoon and decided to tour the gardens, conservatory and the winery that afternoon and save the house for the next morning! I'm glad we broke it up like that. We enjoyed each without getting too worn out! I took lots of pictures but you can't take pictures inside the house!!!!! Trust me! It was drop dead gorgeous! I can't even imagine the amount of money that was spent on this house!!!! Everything inside is a priceless treasure! I mean everything! Down to the last little detail! But I could've spent all day just taking pictures of the outside! I love to take pictures of beautiful architecture! But alas I had to stop so we could actually tour the inside of the house!
I'll start with our tour of the conservatory 'cause that's where we started!!
Look at this beautiful hot house orchid!

I wish I had a place in my yard that looked like this!
Look at this gorgeous terrarium!
Here's a close-up!

I don't know what these are but they were beautiful!

And another terrarium! Look closely in the bottom left corner...venus fly traps!
Now let's go out to the gardens. For the most part, spring had done sprung and summer was just beginning to wake up. They had tons of roses but alas they were not blooming yet! This beautiful foxglove was surrounded by blue sky and wisteria! I have a planter just like that!

And look at this wisteria! I want to paint this! If only I was a painter! Hey, isn't that from a song? Sheila help me out here!
Some of the tulips still looked pretty good! I love the cream and magenta!
Now for the azalea gardens! You're not tired are you?! Just wait til you see!


These were the steps down into the garden!

I'd love to be able to paint this one too!

Well, ladies, I think I've captured enough of your time for this one post! I have to say I was pretty impressed with my camera! The DH gave me the camera last birthday! I just put it on auto and pointed, zoomed and clicked! I promise to post the house either tomorrow or Saturday! Thank you for sharing the first leg of my trip with me!

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful, just stunning. My husband and I went to the Biltmore Estate in 2000. This brings back a lot of memories. It was so awesome there and we loved the home and the wine house. We had gone close to christmas time and the home was decorated so beautifully.
    I do want to return in the early spring or summer again. Maybe next year.
    blossom

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  2. Laura--Your pictures are gorgeous!! If the grounds are that fabulous I can't wait to see the house. I have seen photos but not personal ones. Those two tone tulips are so beautiful and I bet you CAN paint all this. Thanks again for the award!!

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  3. Lauralu, these pictures are just WOW! I loved my tour of the gardens. I'd just be willing to bet that with your artistic talent, you COULD paint anything you'd like to paint. Thanks for this lovely tour. So glad you had a good trip and really glad that you are safely back home. laurie

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  4. Hey Girlfriend...

    You're home!!! Girl, it looks like you had a fabulous birthday at the Biltmore!!! I'm so happy for you..that you got to go! Darlin', all of your photos are gorgeous! The conservatory and gardens are spectacular, aren't they? I would just love to go...I've never been! All of the flowers are so beautiful and like you said, the roses weren't even in bloom yet! Thank you so much for giving a tour....it may be the only one I'll get to take! So happy you're home...

    Love ya,
    Chari

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  5. Wow! What a glorious garden, those flowers are simply breathtaking! I am glad you had a great time, Laura Lu. You had a really nice birthday treat. Can't wait to see pictures of the house, even just the outside and what you bought too. Beleated happy birthday again! Can't think of a better person to share the same birthday with...Christine

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  6. Oh please Laura Lu! Stop by sometime. We are 3 hrs. drive away from New Orleans...Christine

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  7. Hello Dearheart...

    Happy May Day!!!

    Just read your sweet note you left on my angel in a jar...thank you for the compliments, Sweetie!!! I was just looking through all of your beautiful Biltmore garden photos again...I'm so curious what they call that pretty red flower that grows downward? It's quite unique isn't it? I just love all of the terrariums...Ohhh, I'd love to have one! But I think my favorite photo is the hydrangeas behind that pretty bench...that's just a gorgeous photo, Laura!!! It would make a pretty header pic!!!

    Just dropping in to say hello and Happy May Day! I was thinking...May Day use to be a big deal when I was a kid...we always made may baskets and gave them out. I remember the deal was to ring a doorbell, leave a may basket on the doorstep, and run, run, run!!! It was supposed to be a surprise! Hehe! It was so much fun!!! And we always made a maypole too! I just don't think anyone does this anymore??? So sad...it was fun!!!

    Well honey...love ya,
    Chari

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  8. Beautiful pictures, Aunt Laura! I just read the post about the house, too. I would love to go during the springtime to see the grounds, and Christmas to see the "house" (castle!). Just beautiful!

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  9. GASP! You lucky girl. How beautiful and I saw where it is located too. ~Athella

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Hello and God Bless! Thank you for visiting "Hidden Promise"! It's wonderful to get comments from you all! I think they are a great way to show our love, care and support of each other! Have a wonderful day! Lauralu :)