Showing posts with label Biltmore Estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biltmore Estate. Show all posts

The Sculptures at Biltmore

Visiting Biltmore Estate in the late fall and early winter, when the foliage is all gone draws my eye to the beautiful classical sculptures. I thought I would share some of those with you today.


 A statue of Diana stands in a small temple at the top of the hill overlooking Biltmore House. Diana was the twin sister of Apollo and was one of the twelve Olympians. She is the protector of wild animals especially deer and also goddess of the hunt and woodland. Appropriate here since Biltmore Estate has a lot of deer. She carries a bow, arrow and quiver. The dog is said to represent fidelity or chastity.


 Looking at the house from a distance, it's hard to believe how many sculptures, statues, grotesques and gargoyles are incorporated into the exterior design. Most of these are high up on the roof and I had to zoom in to photograph them. Some are difficult to see with the naked eye. I wish I knew the story of all these.



Is this a cat on the roof? Was it the family pet?

This appears to be a dog.

And a monkey!

One of the entrance lions all dressed up for Christmas.
The entrance lions are said to be carved of Rosso di Verona marble from near San Ambrogio Valpolicello in Italy. They are believed to date to the late nineteenth century and were placed here in late 1899 or early 1900.

This little guy stands in the Italian Garden.


 Here are the sculptures on the South Terrace. I haven't been able to find out anything about them yet.




This appears to be Pan.




I hope you enjoyed this sampling of the sculptures and statues at Biltmore. Of course there are several more. Hope you get to visit Biltmore and see them in person.


The French version of My Fierce Highlander (Le Guerrier Sauvage) will be released Friday, Dec. 5. I've already started getting good reviews on it in French. The English Kindle version is on sale for .99 cents at Amazon.

Gwyneth Carswell, an English lady banished by her father to the harsh Scottish Highlands, wants nothing more than to take her young son away from the violence of two fighting clans--her own distant kin, the MacIrwins, and their enemies, the MacGraths. She risks everything to rescue the fierce MacGrath warrior from the battlefield where he’s left for dead by her clan. She only knows she is inexplicably drawn to him and he wants peace as she does. When her clan learns of her betrayal, they seek vengeance. Dare she trust the enemy more than her own family? 

Laird Alasdair MacGrath is driven to end two-hundred years of feuding with the MacIrwins. But by taking in and protecting Lady Gwyneth and her son, he provokes more attacks from his mortal enemy. As the danger and conflict surrounding them escalate, Alasdair and Gwyneth discover an explosive passion neither of them expected. With the arrival of a powerful man from her past, a horrible decision confronts her--give up her son or the man she loves. 




Thanks!
Vonda
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A Walk at Biltmore

Hi, everyone, yesterday was my birthday. A good friend and I went to Biltmore Estate for a few hours. Here are some scenes from our walk.

Biltmore House
 First we drove to the garden parking area and walked through part of the gardens.

A primitive bench among the azaleas

Reblooming azaleas

Japanese Anemone
 There is a trail through the woods I'd never walked on. So it was neat to discover what was along this woodland trail.

A bridge over a stream or swampy area.

Some sort of brightly colored mushrooms.

The trail.

Looking from the trail toward the bass pond.

Wild asters in front of the waterfall.


The trail emerged from the woods just behind this bridge. We walked over it and along the drive then crossed a footbridge (where we saw a snake.) As we were walking up the other side of the pond, I took this photo.

Here is another cute rustic bridge.

The footbridge I mentioned above.

The bass pond.

The resident ducks.

The bridge leading to the boat dock.

The boat dock.
Reblooming azaleas.

The gardens.

Walled garden.

Butterfly on Lantana.
A hidden bench just outside the conservatory.
Roses.
Hope you enjoyed this walk around Biltmore.

I received a wonderful review for my birthday. :) Thank you so much, April!!

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! A Scottish Highlander fans dream!!, September 22, 2014
By 
April A. Renn 
 #6 in the Highland Adventure series, but can be read as a stand alone. I love this series! Fast paced, adventure filled with the right blend of suspense and romance. From the beginning "Rebbie", Robert MacInnis, Earl of Rebbinglen and Lady Calla Ferguson will steal your heart as their love story blossoms. Ms. Sinclair has once again weaved intrigue, danger, secrets, passion and romance together into a compelling "Highland Adventure". A wickedly delicious tale that will keep you reading long into the night. Intriguing and compelling characters with a suspenseful, soulful "Highland Adventure". A must read for Scottish Highland Historical fans. I was in awe from the beginning and the story lingered long after the last page. Thank you, Ms Sinclair for such an enjoyable read! Well done!
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Hot
Reviewed by: April R, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

My Rebel Highlander
Known for his wicked wit, fierce loyalty, and skills in battle, Robert "Rebbie" MacInnis, the Earl of Rebbinglen, loves freedom and has no plans of marrying anytime soon. But when his father, a powerful Scottish marquess, signs a contract betrothing Rebbie to an earl's young daughter, he is furious. If he has to marry, he's determined to choose his own bride, though he has no inkling who he would wish to wed until fate intervenes to remind him of one fair-haired, nameless beauty and the passionate night they spent together years ago. A night forever etched in his memory. 

Lady Calla Ferguson, a penniless widow with a young son, is forced to seek employment as her cousin's companion in order to pay her late husband's massive gambling debt. Having been ignored or mistreated most of her life, Calla has become a resourceful survivor who will stop at nothing to get what she wants—safety and security for her son and herself. Wealthy merchant, Claybourne cares little for the money the Earl of Stanbury owed him; he simply wants the earl's beautiful, voluptuous widow and he'll do whatever it takes to get his hands on her, even kidnapping and blackmail. 

When Rebbie happens upon Claybourne abducting Calla, he rescues her and hides her in a secluded castle deep in the wild Scottish Highlands. Calla conceals her passionate spirit beneath reserve and duty, along with closely-guarded secrets which, if exposed, could ruin both her life and her son's. Years ago, she lost her heart to a dark-eyed stranger she never thought to see again, but now he's her protector. Rebbie craves another pleasurable night like the one they shared in the past, and she cannot resist the fiery passion that echoes deep in her heart and soul. Soft but strong, Calla sparks within Rebbie a desperate hunger and a need to protect her. But will her secrets tear them apart? 

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Biltmore's Water Gardens


I visited Biltmore Estate with a good friend a few days ago. The day started off cloudy, as you can see here but after lunch the sun came out. I enjoy walking from the highest parking area and through the woods to this elevated lookout. I don't know the story of these two old cars but I thought they looked great sitting in front of the house.


Biltmore House is a 250 room, 178,926 square foot privately owned house museum and tourist attraction in Asheville, NC. The architecture is similar to French chateaux. George Vanderbilt had it constructed between 1889 and 1895. Richard Morris Hunt was the architect.


The Vanderbilts lived in Biltmore House until 1956. George Vanderbilt's daughter, Cornelia and her husband opened Biltmore House to the public in 1930. The grounds include 75 acres of formal gardens and the whole estate is comprised of 8000 acres.


The Italian Garden which consists of three ponds or water gardens is one of my favorite. I love seeing all the different colors and types of water lilies, various other plants and the fish.

Butterfly Koi

Tropical water lily

Koi

Click to enlarge.





I hope you enjoyed this visit to Biltmore's Italian Gardens.
Thanks!
Vonda
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