My trips or places I would love to visit

My Visit to the Biltmore ~ part 2

/in , /by

Here is the second part of the tour. Now I did not take pictures of everything. There was just too much but my family and I really enjoyed the tour and the home.

This space was outside on the balcony. So serene….

The library….

The ceiling in the library… breathtaking isn’t it?

I could not get over the details in the ceilings!

Mrs. Vanderbilt’s room







The bowling alley….

The swimming pool







The kitchen…

The servant breakfast room. This looks better than some of our rooms!

A room full blue and white vases!

The gentlemen quarters

The outside balcony….so gorgeous!
The Biltmore was just glorious and I am so grateful that I got to see it. It was a wonderful opportunity to see something historical and beautiful. It was also great to see my family’s faces when we approached the home. Just smiles all over.
Here is my personal video of the view from the Biltmore
Enjoy!
(all photos & video via Mrs. Shockley)

My Visit to the Biltmore ~ Part 1

/2 Comments/in , /by

I have returned home from a week long vacation! It was wonderful! I enjoyed it! As I last left you all I told you that we were visiting the Biltmore Estates and it did not disappoint!

I have lots of pictures and will be sharing them this week and maybe even next week. I hope that this will inspire some of you to add this historical and beautiful home to your “visit list” the next time you take a trip! I have already inspired my boss to visit it in August!

My photo of the Biltmore. So spectacular!



The front lawn






The views were so grand!
When you walked in you saw this grand cake!

Beautiful hallways

Indoor garden

Just stunning!
Next was the Billard’s room

This is the Tapestry Room

Chandeliers in the Tapestry Room

The organ at the top….
Here is the next room….




The details in the ceilings….


The view from that room

The Piano Room

The artwork above this fireplace was beautiful but they don’t let you get too close to
the furniture.

An upclose look at the cake….


This is just the first half of the tour. I will share the rest of the tour this week!

Thanks for reading!!!!




(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

On Vacation ~ Florida and the Biltmore Estates 2016

/3 Comments/in , /by


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

/2 Comments/in , /by
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

/in , /by

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

/2 Comments/in , /by

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

/in , /by

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)