In the Conservatory at Biltmore

Recently, I blogged about our trip to the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, N.C. just a few weeks ago.  As I promised I am back to share a little more of that trip with you now.  Here we were outside of the beautiful Biltmore Mansion about to make our way inside.

I like to wonder about what kinds of gatherings they may have had here in the main courtyard.  I would have liked to be able to share more photos of the home with you but unfortunately they have a thing about taking photos inside the home.  So, as you have guessed there are none from inside that I can share with you.

I snapped this photo as we were leaving the house after having a wonderful leisure afternoon of touring the home.  It was cold and icy outside that day but, OH, so worth it!  In January, not only are the rates lower for admittance but the crowds are significantly lower too.  The shuttle bus driver from the parking lot said they went from 10,000 people a day in December to 400 a day in January.  Wow!  I have been to Biltmore before with one of my sons on a school trip and it was extremely busy, rushed, and quite a different experience.  This was sooooo much nicer!

Here's a wall on the opposite end of the courtyard filled with sculptures.  Do you see the turtles in the arches on the bottom?  While touring the house I learned that the Lady of the house loved and owned several different types of animals, including turtles.   I also learned that the Vanderbilt legacy is one of a family filled with love that were quite fun and entertaining. I was amazed to read that they were scheduled to be on the Titanic's disastrous voyage but changed plans at the last minute to take her sister ship home to New York instead.  Sadly, some of their acquaintances did not change and were lost to them.  Can you imagine?  I just enjoyed hearing everything about their lives!  How very grand!  

Our next stop after the house was the conservatory where many rare exotic plants and orchids are grown.  I was too cold and worried about slipping on the ice to get outside pictures so you will just have to enjoy the view form inside, okay?

If you are a garden lover like me you would adore this place.

There were three maybe four greenhouses, I can't remember.  I do remember there was one listed as cold and one as hot though.  LOL!  

The orchids were blooming and I was over joyed to see them!

I wonder how much time the Vanderbuilts spent wandering around here.  I would have to visit this part of the estate daily for sure.  Wouldn't you?

The leaves on this plant were humongous!  

I loved seeing the gorgeous plants spilling out of birdcages.

It was truly a wonder land of comfort in the midst of a cold and dreary day!  There is also a store below to shop for all sorts of garden goodies.  After leaving the conservatory we went to the winery  for another tour and then the village for lunch.  It was such a fantastic day stepping back in time. 

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed the tour.  If you get the chance ever you really should visit the Biltmore in Asheville.  It's quite magical!

Have a great week friends!

Valentines in the Foyer

Well, I just couldn't stop myself!  Even after I said I wasn't going to do it this year, I just had to break out the Valentines decor.  Blame it all on the mirror okay, my NEW mirror that is! 

I just recently added this new larger mirror to my foyer and moved this old cabinet back into the foyer again.  After seeing how dark it all looked I decided I needed a pop of color.  

And what better color to pop then RED right?

So, I pulled out all of my old Valentine tricks and decided what I wanted to use.

I knew I just had to use my sweet lil cherubs!

I love how dreamy they look!

There's also something about a bouquet of roses and carnations that just speaks Valentines to me.

The new mirror even got a Valentine topper of it's own.

And on the other side of the foyer by the front door I added a few welcoming hearts.

Truth be known, I had to move this welcome sign inside because the wind keeps blowing it over on the porch outside.   Oh, look!  Do you see one of my sweeties down there in the corner looking in?  I think she wants a little lov'in too!

Well I am off today and getting out and about to look for some other bright colors to brighten up this spot after the Valentine's decor comes down.  I'm thinking a new lamp, maybe more greenery in larger deco jars, and a statement piece of some sort.  Oh, what fun!

Thanks for joining me today for

Tabletop Tuesday

It's always so nice to hear from you!

I hope you also have a great day! 

Delicious SL Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole

Hey Yall!  Just like a lot of ladies out there, I wanted to cook up something fun and appetizing for Super Bowl Sunday.  I spent a little time this afternoon on Pinterest pinning all sorts of appetizers and dreaming of how delicious they would taste.

In the end, when I rationalized that it was just going to be me and the Mr. sitting around watching the TV tonight I decided to go with one of our all time favorite "go to" meals.  I've made this one so many times I can do it w/out the recipe.  It's a Southern Living recipe, called Texas-style Enchilada casserole.

This is how it looks fresh from the oven, without any toppers yet.  Soooo Yummy right?  Well we sure do think so!  I do apologize if this post is redundant and I've shared this meal with you before.  This is one of those meals that I've made on several occasions for just my husband and myself, my whole family and guests and for taking to potluck style dinners as well.  It's always a win-win!  In any case, I'm sure it's been awhile since I shared this and I don't think I've ever actually walked you through making it.  So, tonight's the night!  Are ready for some football.... food????

Here's a peek at most of what you'll need.

Now I tend to follow a little different direction of my own when it comes to cooking.  Like here for example you will want to cut up one half of a red onion while your ground beef is browning.

Then you want to add the onion and a small can of green chilies to simmer and sautee as well.

While this is simmering I pull out a big bowl and break up my package of 12 taco shells.  They don't need to be crushed just broken apart.  Don't worry about getting them small because when you mix this up later they will break even more.  I then begin to add the rest of my ingredients like cream of mushroom soup as shown here.

Next you add the black olives which are supposed to be sliced but the Mr. bought chopped today.  LOL!  Oh well, it's still the same taste.  Then add your enchilada sauce and sour cream.

Right about now your hamburger mixture will most likely be ready to add to the mix as well.  The recipe actually calls for adding everything to the meat mixture after it is done but I kinda like to do this in reverse order to speed things up.

After mixing in part of your shredded cheese your stir it all up and spread it out into a slightly in a greased baking dish.

Cover the top with the remaining cup of cheese and you are ready to bake it in the oven at 400 degrees for only about 20 to 25 minutes.  How easy is that?

While your casserole is in the oven you'll want to prepare your toppings of shredded lettuce and fresh diced tomatoes.

After letting it cool for just a bit it's ready to serve.

Warm and delicious with just the right amount of freshness from the toppers.  YUMMO!

Well, I gotta run now ladies and get these trays out there.  Do you see that man sitting there in the den.  He's very patient, but this IS one of his favorites!

Can't wait to see those commercials!  Oooops!  Did I just say that outloud?

LOL!

 Here's the actual recipe from Southern Living for your convenience and just so you can see how I like to switch things around in reverse order.  LOL!  

Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole

Southern Living NOVEMBER 2005

• Yield: Makes 6 servings
• Cook time:6 Minutes
• Prep time:10 Minutes
• Bake:25 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chuck
• 1/2 medium-size red onion, chopped
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
• 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

• 1 (2 1/4-ounce) can sliced ripe black olives
• 1 cup mild enchilada sauce
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 (8-ounce) block sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomato, finely chopped red onion

Preparation

Cook first 3 ingredients in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until beef crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain well.

Place beef mixture in a large bowl. Stir in tortilla pieces, next 4 ingredients, and 1 cup cheese; spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 cup cheese.

Bake at 400° for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly. Serve casserole with desired toppings.

"Lightened Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole:" Substitute 1 pound ground sirloin, 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup light sour cream, and 1 (8-ounce) block 2% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese. Proceed as directed.

Ann Scates, Bethalto, Illinois

I hope your having a wonderful Sunday!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

He tweaked my Den!

With just a few days off I've managed to cram in a little mini vacay and help the Mr. finish off a few changes around the house.  Earlier today I shared a post about our lodging on our trip to beautiful Asheville. NC.  While I love the style I shared with you today about our hotel, it's quite different from what we have here at home.

  So tonight, I want to share a few changes in the den for Metamorphosis Monday.  We still have several other rooms in transition, funny how it all happens at once.  However, I want to share this one with you because this room is the closest to being finished with the exception of a few painting and refinishing details.

Here is our den as it looks today.

Here's the den from last summer.  Notice anything?

That's right!  We removed one of the sofa's and relocated it to the loft area upstairs.

Well, I say we.  Actually it was the Mr. that got this change started.  I came home one night and he had moved the sofa back and pulled the club chairs around facing the TV.  

 He said, he was tired of sitting on the sofa and really just wanted to sit in the club chairs to watch television at night.  See what happens when you leave a man at home alone too much!  

After I let this big change settle in, digest, swallow, and gulp... because I really do love my double couches.   I decided to just go with it and make a few additional changes myself.

I brought down my old office chair that goes with a beautiful desk from upstairs to fill an empty space by the fireplace.  It's temporary, but gives me an idea of what I might want to look for.  I love the pop of color it adds too.  

Then I dug around the attic and pulled out one of our very first tables.  It's an English pub table that my husband purchased when he was a bachelor and has been returned to us last year from our son when he moved and didn't want to keep it.  Like our other two tables, it also needs a little TLC and a new coat of varnish.

We do have the chairs that are original to this table but these are not it.  I thought these would be more comfortable and cozy for this room.  I am going to paint them black, unless you have a better idea on what you think would look best.  I am open for options on this.  I am excited to have a table in the den now.  The Mr. and I eat in here all the time on TV trays now that it is just the two of us.  I hope we will use the table now too.  If we don't it will be a great place to set up games and or puzzles.  

I felt like it was needing a centerpiece so I pulled out this green bowl I bought a few years ago.

Unlike the hotel we just stayed at, I didn't have any green apples on hand even though I usually do because I love green apples.  After being sick with the flu during the holiday though, I have been keeping oranges around instead.  So, they will have to do for now!

So, what do you think?

Do you like the new look?  I think I can live with it a bit.  How do you handle things when the hubby decides to decorate on his own? Also, If you have any suggestions for the chairs I would love to hear them.

I am joining the following parties today because things are changing around here for;

Metamorphosis Monday

and 

Tabletop Tuesday

Thanks for stopping by again today!

I hope you all have a great week!