Grande Finale ~A Day at the Biltmore Estate ~Sweet Ending to our Vacation

Meet our Host and Hostess, Bob and Becky.

We have been friends for a little over a decade.

We all got acquainted when their son proposed to our daughter.

Reservations for us to spend the day at the Biltmore

started with a Trolley Ride to the gate.

The historic Biltmore Mansion was built by

George Washington Vanderbilt from 1889-1895,

in the Châteauvesque Style.

It remains the largest privately owned home in America.

The tour is self guided, with these hand-held listening devices.

It took us 2+ hours to see the entire home.

There are 4 Stories plus a basement, 250 Rooms in all.

It features a huge banquet hall with 70 ft ceilings.

However, I would prefer this smaller, more intimate, dining room where

the family would eat breakfast. The table is is set with lovely linens

and beautiful China.

Even breakfast was fancy.

There are several parlors.

Here is the Music Room and the

10,000 volume Library

The mansion has 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.

I loved this sweet little bedroom, the Nursery.

This is where babies were born and cared for as newborns.

I lost track of how many steps we climbed up… 

and then way down again to the basement,

Where there’s a Bowling Alley, Work-out Room,

Swimming Pool, and Dressing Rooms for the Guests.

All the work to keep this massive home operating happens in the basement.

The first kitchen is the Pastry Kitchen.

But, are three kitchens in all, and three laundry rooms

One for washing, one for drying, and one for pressing.

and three pantries, at least.

On the 8.000 acre property there are beautiful, breathtaking gardens.

There is a designated room for the florists to create the massive arrangements

 on display through the house. Yes, all fresh flowers on the tour.

We did not have time to take the walking tour of the Gardens.

Here’s what’s “in season”…

What we missed.

We ate lunch in the Stable Café,

Located in the historic stables next to the house.

We had a few minutes to walk around on the grounds.

The Dairy Barn was converted to a winery in 1985.

We had reservations for a private tasting of

Wine and Chocolates.

We started in their shop with their Blanc de Noir,

a soft-pink sparkling wine.

Upstairs we were seated at a table with these four wines:

Pinot Noir, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.

Each sip was paired with one of these decadent Chocolates.

Roast Pear, Bourbon Pecan, Dark Chocolate Fudge,

Cranberry, and Red Raspberry.

Timothy McGuire is the Biltmore’s featured Chocolatier.

His chocolates have been featured at major events,

like the Grammys and the CMAs.

This was an amazing experience,

perhaps one of the highlights of our day.

This highlight was a close second.
Driving through the gardens on the way out,
we came upon this Mama Bear and her three young cubs.
They were right..beside..the..road…
Just Adorable.

Thank you, dear friends.

We will cherish these memories for a lifetime.

Take care,

~Natalie 

We’re Home ~How We Got Here ~Visiting North Carolina

These Retired Empty Nesters like to take a side trip

when on our way home from our Spring Trip.

It was a beautiful Saturday Morning when we loaded our vehicle

and said our goodbyes…lots of hugs and a few tears.

Our mid-day break found us at a small town Grill sharing the Master’s Burger.

Yes, it was Master’s Weekend. This creation starts with an 8oz Steak Burger,

Pimento Cheese, Corn Cob Smoked Bacon, Caramelized Onions, and Red Cabbage.

So Tasty and Perfect for Sharing.

It comes complete with a Big Foot Sighting.

Our friends in Asheville invited us to visit for a couple of days.

They showed us what makes Asheville a Vacation Destination for many folks.

It happened to be our host’s birthday and we arrived in time for a Four Course Family Dinner.

These individual Charcuterie Boards were perfect for small bites of meat, cheese, veggies, and crackers.

Hubby had created this set of mini boards for them two years ago.

Our Birthday Celebration concluded with a decadent 

French Cream Strawberry Cake.

The next morning we were up and out early to visit the 

Omni Grove Park Inn.

We took a self-guided tour to learn the history of that Rustic Old Hotel.

We appreciated this view of the Great Smoky Mountains.

We enjoyed the warm sunshine, a grapefruit mimosa,

and great conversation on the balcony.

The Great Smoky Mountains got their name because of

the blue mist that hovers in the valleys.

The Great Smoky Mountains are a subrange of the Blue Ridge Mountains,

which is a major range of the Appalachian Mountains.

Upon returning home, we relaxed outside with a glass of Iced Tea.

This is the view from their Patio.

Our afternoon tour ended here with a scenic drive,

leading up to this lookout on Mount Pisgah.

No matter what the name of the Mountain Range,

there’s beautiful views in every direction.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Our Annual Spring Trip South ~Week Three ~Spring Break ~Family Fun Together

The grandchildren had Spring Break the week following Easter.

This Papa and Gigi made the most of our time.

We prepared and ate Dinner together.

We worked on Creative Projects.

We went for a walk…

…and looked for fish from the bridge.

When Daddy was home, we used the Simulator

and practiced our golf swing.

We enjoyed live music at an outdoor concert in the park.

We enjoyed a meal in the Burger Bus…

a favorite outing.

We prepared an easy dinner at home…

Sheet pan Salmon and Broccoli.

And we played lots of games and toys.

Best of all, we enjoyed the time we spent together.

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie 

 

Our Annual Spring Trip South ~Week Two ~Easter Week Report

 

Our daughters and their families live fairly close together,

approximately a 40 minute drive.

I love that the cousins can get to know each other,

and that this Papa and Gigi can spend time with both families.

Looks like Baby Boy enjoys hanging out with the older guys.

After a week of sleeping in one home, we pack up and move to the other.

And that way, we get to be a part of bedtime and breakfast with both families..

Of course, a favorite Easter Week tradition is to dye Easter Eggs.

Here’s Gigi dying eggs with the boy that made us grandparents,

eight years ago.

Easter Morning we were treated to an amazing Brunch at the Country Club.

There were four stations of delicious food: Appetizers and Salads,

Breakfast and Dinner Entrees, Freshly Carved Beef and Ham,

Waffles and made-to-order Omelets,

And of course, a separate room for just desserts.

The children enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt and

Petting Baby Farm Animals

A Three Generation Selfie

It was a dreary, drizzly day,

so we didn’t spend a lot of time on the patio.

Our photo may not be Christmas Card worthy,

but it is evidence that we celebrated the holiday together,

making sweet memories.

I hope you all had a Blessed Easter, with Worship,

 colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, delicious food, those that you love.

Take Care,

~Natalie

Stop back for my Week Three Report

Our Annual Spring Trip South ~Week One Report

Our Fourth Annual Spring Break Trip South…

We escape the Spring Snowstorms in the Dakotas,

plus we get to spend time with our family.

That’s the best part.

As you know, we prefer to drive,

as we enjoy seeing the countryside. We travel through seven states:

South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia.

And we cross five big Rivers:

Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, and Missouri.

You also probably remember, we stop for lunch, and for years,

we have been searching for the best burger.

So far, the best one might be in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

Frequent stops allow us to get out of the vehicle

to stretch our legs and to get some steps.

This pretty view is at a Rest Area in Tennessee.

That’s Lake Nickajack.

We stayed with Emily’s family for the first week.

Hubby and Moose watched a little 

March Madness together.

Our Budding Artist

There was quite a story to this creation.

Gigi was invited to add just a few Blue Birds in the sky.

This little guy is about ready to walk.

We spent a day at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo.

It features over 100 exotic and native animals.

They have been rescued due to being orphaned, abused, illegally purchased, 

or just in need of a forever home.

The animals appreciate donations of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.

They welcome gifts of Toddler Toys for the little monkeys…

Especially toys that the monkeys can sit on.

Our favorite was a darling little baby bear. 

When we got home,

Jojo and Gigi made Homemade Pizzas for dinner…

One Pepperoni & Black Olive

One Chicken Alfredo

Making Sweet Memories

Stay tuned to see my Easter Report and all about Week Two!

Take care,

~Natalie