My trips or places I would love to visit

On Vacation ~ Florida and the Biltmore Estates 2016

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Well, today is Friday and next week I will be on vacation! My family and I are headed to Florida but we have a wonderful stop along the way!

We are stopping at the Biltmore Estates! I have been wanting to go here since I was a kid. I first saw it in the movie called Richie Rich in 1995. Once I found out it was a real home I have been longing to see it ever since!

photo via Ms. Shockley 

We are taking the 2 -hour self-tour of the home. Then it’s on our way to tour the gardens…



After the tour of the gardens, we will then head over to the winery for a complimentary glass of wine…


Once we finish taking in the Biltmore we will stop in Savannah and then head to Florida!


I can’t wait to hit Cocoa Beach! Then I hope to do some antiquing, take my daughter to the American Girl Store in Orlando, and just enjoy my family. 



I will do my very best to take photos and maybe a small video at the Biltmore. I am not sure if we are allowed to. So enjoy your week and I will see you soon!



photo credit: Guillaume Lorain

My Tour of the Governor’s Mansion

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This past week my co-worker and I took a tour of our local Governor’s mansion. The tour was free and the butler that took us around has worked there for 40 years!!! It was a wonderful tour and I will be going back in the spring. They have a garden tour then. They take you on a tour of the grounds. There are magnolia trees, lilac bushes, lilies, roses and spearmint. I can’t wait! I am looking forward to seeing all the beautiful flowers and maybe learning something too. 
Me at the entryway

The entryway chandelier 

The chimney

Blue and white vases

But of course I must take pictures of the chandelier 

Overview of the living room

The upstairs was blocked off. You can only tour
the downstairs.

The governor’s office

The dining room

Dining room chandelier 



The hand painted mural in the dinning room. 

Love the silver!

The breakfast room

The kitchen

The family room

Very cozy….




The outdoor entertaining space

The butler “Mr. Dexter”. He has been working here
for 40 years! 

If you would like to tour the Governor’s mansion, see here.



(all photos via AHFE)




Our Trip to the State Museum

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Last week I volunteered to chaperon my daughter’s field trip to the Indiana State Museum.  I was a bit nervous about having a group of hyper 5th graders to look after but I was looking forward to viewing some of the art work and spending time with my daughter.

The first 2 hours were left to us to explore the museum. We went all over. It was interesting seeing some of the exhibits. Especially, the exhibit dedicated to the 90’s! That hit me hard! They had a big-wheel on display and my kid just looked at me and said, “You rode one of those”? I thought, “oh goodness”.

I didn’t think I was old but now I guess I am. After we finished looking at “old stuff” we headed to the art room. They had some beautiful paintings on display. Below are a few of my favorites.

Summer Bouquet (1933)
by J. Edgar Forkner
Oil on Canvas
 A Garden is a Lovesome Thing
ca. 1919
Maude Kaufman Eggemeyer
Blooming Redbud
Maude Kaufman Eggemeyer
1919
Chinese Things
1926
Edna Stubbs Cathell
Foggy Landscape
1895
John Elwood Bundy

When we walked in we saw this. Just beautiful.
What a good combination, Christmas and artwork. 
photos via AHFE

My Tour of the Manor House Antiques Mall

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Everyone has ways to relax. Visiting antique stores is one of mine! I love looking at furniture! It is a great way to unwind and be inspired. The Manor House Antique Mall  has been one of my favorites. They closed sometime ago and I was very sad. But this weekend I found out that they have re-opened at a new location!!! I was so excited. I had to take a trip….

I loved this chinoiserie inspired screen!!!

I really liked the bird prints. 

Fantastic artwork

All of these milk glasses were $1!! I had to use self-control for this.

I loved the floral arrangements on the table.
I tried to get the clerk to sell them to me. I was not successful. 



Photos via AHFE

My Visit to the Butterfly Floral Garden

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Having a whimsical garden has always been my dream. My husband and I have planted quite a bit this spring. We planted some lilac, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, peonies, lilies, gladiolus and dahlias. I have really enjoyed my garden this spring and summer. But it was nothing like the flower garden at the Butterfly Gardens here at our zoo.

Our friends were in town from New York and my husband and I decided to take them around our city. Of course Indianapolis is nothing like New York but we knew there were some excellent places to visit.

This was my first visit and I did not expect to see this gorgeous garden when we entered the courtyard. I was completely stunned! It was breathtaking to me…

The entryway….

The weeping willows were so majestic….

Yes, they were growing real pineapples!

This was one of my favorite spots.
The lily pads 

Me enjoying the garden







(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

The Butterfly Garden

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Our friends came in from New York so we decided to take a trip to the zoo. We spent the whole day looking at animals and catching up on each other’s lives. But once we were finished with the zoo we decided to visit the Butterfly Garden.

I have never been here before so it was a nice surprise when we entered the giant greenhouse….

This was a giant butterfly covered in flowers.

The butterflies were flying everywhere. 

This butterfly was huge

A butterfly mural 



(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Antique Shopping in Belgium

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I love watching Youtube videos in the morning while I am walking on my treadmill. I recently saw this video from One Kings Lane. The co-founder went antique shopping with designer Bunny Williams in Belgium. It is absolutely stupendous! Enjoy the video.


Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash








(video via One Kings Lane)