WBW - The Biltmore

I figured I should probably just combine this week's WBW with current events, so here we go, the Biltmore Edition.

My only other trip to the Biltmore was a rather strange experience. I was there on a magazine assignment in which my SLR BROKE. So I relied heavily on my point and shoot, which was rather crummy at the time. I was there to photograph the Land Rover Driving School, where people learn to offroad in Land Rovers. For example:
I stayed at the Biltmore Inn, and I have traditionally ALWAYS loved having a hotel room to myself. But maybe it was that Gomar had just passed, or that I was not used to being in Asheville away from my sister, but it was just a little sad. So I decided to use my free pass to the Biltmore House.
I entered as they were closing the doors for the day, and I had the entire house to myself, aside from the staff. I breezed through the rooms like they were my own, not having to fight crowds, lingering where I felt like lingering and bypassing what didn't interest me in the slightest. Oh, and I was able to pull out the little point and shoot and grab some photos (which are strictly prohibited). Like this:
When Brooke told me that her sweet friend Chele was able to secure us day passes to the Estate and that we could tour the house if we wanted to, I was all for it. Not only so that I could take photos with my big camera, but also because I wanted to share the awe that is that mansion with someone else. And once we told Taylor that she was going to visit a castle, she was all for it.
It was a little breezy, and T kept saying, "Get out of my face, Hair!" Ha!
She was very impressed with herself on these steps.
We got there early, so we had the lawn to ourselves for photos.





The light was perfect for exterior shots, and I'm refalling in love with the D200 kit lens (18-70mm). It's not super sharp, but as Chap would say, it also doesn't way as much as an "anchor".
Then we headed to lunch at Cedric's Tavern, where Taylor rode Cedric the Saint Bernard.
And then she got ice cream for being such a good girl. Except, she picked out the pinkest one {of course} which was actually a raspberry sorbet instead of ice cream. I don't think she minded.

I was so fortunate that I was able to replay this Biltmore experience. The first time was very introspective, the second was just outright fun. I wish that someone would make a movie or write a book about what it was like to be a servant in that house. Brooke? Wanna volunteer?

Double Ugh

Is it possible to have TOO many creative outlets?! I mean, one is great, but what about a blog, a flickr, a freelance photography fan page, jewelry, photo editing, etc.? Becoming overwhelmed by work, I can see, but becoming overwhelmed by all the fun things I have to do when I leave work?! Ridiculous. So I'm sorry my blog is suffering. I apologize for not having time to find anything witty or meaningful to write (not that anything I've ever written has been witty or meaningful.)

I am still in love with my new camera. Every photo I take seems like the best photo I've ever taken. Our Theme last week was "Straight Out of Camera" so the photos I'm going to share are exactly that.


Spending Thanksgiving in North Carolina was just what we needed. Dirk and I haven't gotten to spend that much uninterrupted time together since the beginning of August, so it was so wonderfully relaxing to spend three whole days with no agenda. And in such a gorgeous setting.


Taylor (aka Brooke) made everyone these super fun turkey hats to wear on Thanksgiving. It made for a great family photo.
I love this photo of Granddaddy watching his son-in-law and grandsons-in-law clean the kitchen after our feast. We called him the Vice President of clean-up.


Here is my 90-year-old Granddaddy proving a point using his ipad. And guess who's getting one for Christmas! ME! I am so excited to have a new toy, and have already started a list of all of the fun apps and games I'm going to download when it's mine! It's been killing me that Granddaddy, and even my Mama, have ipads and I don't! I'm used to being the one with the fun toys who then takes all the phone calls and explains how to use said toys to the rest of my family. I feel like Phil Dunphy on his birthday when all he really wanted was an ipad :)



Taylor's new thing is to tell you that she "needs something in my mouth" instead of just telling you that she's hungry or wants a snack. She's smart, that one. She's at a great age, and is so much fun to be around. Except when she hears the word, "No," so Dirk and I just tiptoed around that subject.



We spent a chilly afternoon wandering around downtown Asheville, Christmas shopping, taking pictures, whatever.


While we were downtown, Taylor got this "ugly action figure" instead of a $40 Princess Book. At the bowling alley, while Taylor bowled three whole games, the grown-ups (minus our Designated Pregnant Driver), drank a pitcher of beer and bowled ONE game.



I keep holding out hope that once the holidays are over and people aren't banging my door down for Christmas Card portrait sessions, I will have some time to breathe. And when that time comes, I'll probably end up missing the extra income those sessions bring and seeking out new shoots for new clients. Thus is my life. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Phishville

So the concert we've been looking forward to for almost six months has come and gone and it was amazing! My body is still recovering from six hours of boogeying in a confined space on a hard concrete floor, and I'm feeling super old, but whatever.
It was Brooke's first Phish show, and since she's been listening to them for years and years, it was super exciting to be there with her and watch her experience it. And yes, at one point during the night she made me laugh so hard I peed my pants a little bit.
Taylor was very excited for us, and very excited for a visit from Pamela, her super sweet babysitter, whom we talked about all day long before she showed up.
Piper has found a new best friend. I took Piper up with me and Dirk and Sips joined us a few days later, so Piper had two days to bond with her cousin. And by bond I mean wrestle and mouth and jump all over each other.
All I wanted was a "Backwards Down the Number Line" and a "Loving Cup" encore, and I got both and it was fabulous.
Can you feel the joy in this photo? Dirk has always been more of a Widespread Panic guy, and I've always been a Phish gal, and I've slowly but surely brought him around. Now he's constantly downloading and listening to shows, keeping up with their set lists, etc., and it's so fun to share this with each other!
The light show was so amazing. The fact that the band had no set list and was just playing whatever they felt like and that the lights could be so 100% spot on with transitions is just amazing to me!

So all in all, it really pumped me up for the next two shows we'll be seeing in Colorado the end of July! Woot woot!