Roadside Botany- Spring Spectacular

This evening I took a walk around the yard and neighborhood with the fam documenting the latest stage of the spectacular spring bloom we have enjoyed in this most beautiful place in which we live.

I have never seen so many trilliums in one place. In fact, I can't imagine that there is a place where there is a higher concentration of this lovely flower than what I saw on our street today. They were mostly white and light pink, but I also spotted some delicate burgundy flowers.

This property down the street from our house is carpeted in trillium flowers. Literally. 

 We also have azaleas beginning to show and spotted scores of fiddle head ferns, wild strawberries, and other dainty blooms unfamiliar to me.

 Then, as we were headed back up to the house, I spotted these purple flowers over near the fire pit my husband has been working on. Pardon the blurry pics- it was getting dark.

It looked orchid-like to me, so I promptly came inside and browsed some photos on the NC Native Plants Society website, and lo and behold, it is in fact a Showy Orchis!

Shucks, y'all. I just can't even find the words to describe how much I love it here and how perfect the mountains of North Carolina are! I can't wait to see what beauty is in store for us as the season progresses! 

Roadside Botany- Wild Orchids

A few months back while out running errands with the family, I noticed some pretty violet flowers growing throughout a vacant lot on the roadside.

I thought to myself that they looked remarkably like orchids, but then I reminded myself that I was nuts. Orchids grow in tropical climates, right? Why would they be growing wild in a lot in the mountains of North Carolina?
To satisfy my curiosity and reaffirm once more that I invent all sorts of craziness in my head, I stopped for a closer look.

Well, there was no mistaking that these were indeed orchids!
A quick Google search taught me that there are many orchids that grow wild in NC and are native to the area.  You learn something new every day! And now that I have recognized these flowers as orchids, I see them all over the place. Western North Carolina is a truly beautiful place, and I discover new things to love about living here all of the time!

Biltmore Part II- Vintage Luggage & Flowers

I went to the Biltmore with the fam again the weekend before last. I wanted to see the tulip garden in bloom. As this is an important time of year in the flower gardens, they had already changed out some of the displays in the greenhouses. And, Mother Nature had changed them up too, as some flowers had gone by and others burst into bloom. I almost skipped the last greenhouse, as we were a bit tired and ready to head out, but I ducked in and found a beautiful room arranged with vintage luggage which had been potted. Now that is my cup of tea! That would be a really neat use for some of the really smelly old luggage one encounters from time to time while out thrifting. Here are some photos. 

I love these pointy tulips 

My loves relaxing in the grass

This is my favorite! I love how the flowers reflect in that old, mottled mirror.

They filled the pockets! Love, love, love!

And again, a good time was had by all!

I Like the Biltmore in March, How About You?

Last weekend we made a visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville with the in-laws and some friends that came up from Florida with them. We bought year passes again, and we toured the house (my 4th time). It is really impossible for me to fathom having that kind of wealth.

Borrowed photo- thanks!

The house is positively amazing- it is worth seeing if you ever get the chance. It is the largest privately owned residence in the world. This is our second time buying the annual passes because the grounds and gardens are extensive (8000 acres!) and lovely as well. We like to pack a picnic whenever we visit Asheville and go eat it by the lagoon. 

Borrowed photo- thanks!

Well, we arrived a bit late in the day, and though we had time to tour the house, by the time we made it down the hill the greenhouses were closed. So, us gals left the guys behind and went back the next day. It is a 3 hour drive round trip, but it was so worth it. Here are some of my shots from both days.

I think the photos pretty much speak for themselves. We'll be headed back in a week or two to see the tulips come up in the outdoor gardens- there are tons just on the verge of blooming. I'll get more shots then. Well, spring has sprung in Western NC! In light of recent, tragic world events I think it is even more important that we take time to acknowledge and relish life's simplest pleasures. It is how we honor our moments and those we share them with. I am so happy to be where I am right now, doing what I am doing, and with whom I am doing it.