Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Orton Plantation and Gardens-Part II


I hope you saw yesterday's blog telling about Orton Plantation and Gardens. Today, I'm giving you six more pictures taken on that vacation to the Wilmington, NC area in May of 2007. Above is a photo that many of my blogger friends (the ones who love butterflies) will LOVE. Below are six more. Hope you enjoy our tour of Orton Plantation and Gardens.





When we were there, it was cloudy and drizzly. BUT--I still think you can get an idea as to how beautiful these gardens were.





This picture above is for Barb (Bird Girl). She visited Orton --and wanted to see a picture of the chapel on the grounds. This precious little chapel is where they have weddings almost every weekend. SO pretty!!





Take note (above) of the beautiful fountain and little statue in the middle.. Look carefully at the statue before going to the photo below.





Okay---don't laugh!!! Don't you think she makes a good statue???? Tee Hee!!!





Aren't the Azaleas gorgeous???





As a good southern girl would say, "Y'all come back now!"

43 comments:

Kim said...

Lovely pictures. The gardens are goregous. That church house is so quaint and you make a fantastic statue Betsy!!! LOL

Jayne said...

Betsy, you are just adorable! Thanks again for taking us along. :c)

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures and YES, I love the first one! The Chapel is so adorable too. Love the photos of you too. Have a great weekend.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Such great pictures...you make a lovely statue...but it would be hard to stay still.
LOVE the azaleas. just gorgeous.
The chapel? LOVE IT. I would love to get married there. well, if I were not already married that is....

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Looks like a wonderful place and it is so good when a person can laugh at themself with the statue photo. Very revealing post.

amelia said...

Beautiful pictures!!

I just love those old plantation homes.

dot said...

Betsy, I love this post! The butterfly, the azaleas, the little white chapel...all of it. Your pictures of you are cute too. I especially like the one at the end.
This makes me homesick for south Alabama. If you've never been to Bellingraph Gardens near Mobile it's worth a trip especially if you can get there when the dogwood and azaleas are blooming.

SmilingSally said...

I do love azaleas. Thanks for sharing.

Jessica said...

What a beautiful place! It reminds me of the Biltmore Estate that we visited a few years ago. I love visiting places like this. The gardens are always magnificent.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Betst thank-you for allowing me to experience this garden through your camera lens.
Blessings,Ruth

Mary said...

This looks like a fabulous place! LOL at the "statue". Gorgeous chapel!

Shelley said...

Betsy - you are just a cutie! Loved that chapel! I told Greg I want to renew our 5 year anniversary vows at a little log cabin chapel that they have at one of our favorite parks. That will be in October 2010~!

jlshall said...

Looks like a beautiful place to visit! Really makes me want to see it in "real life," too. And that chapel would make such a perfect place for a summer wedding! Thanks for all the gorgeous photos, and have a great weekend.

Diane said...

Those formal gardens boggle my mind. Gorgeous place to visit. You look so cute and relaxed.

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

This place is absoslutely gorgeous! That chapel is so charming! And that road leading to the mansion with the trees overhead is beautiful! If I ever get that way, that's definitely a place I'd love to visit!

Blessings,
Tammy

Susie said...

I love gardens like this Betsy. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

Rose said...

I like that last picture of you!
I wonder how many people work on keeping those grounds like that! They are beautiful.

Cedar ... said...

that must be one busy gardener! Or maybe a whole team of gardeners is more realistic!

Unknown said...

Just beautiful, cute girl too!

Tina said...

Wow, loved your photos of the plantation and gardens..how we all would love to see those greens and beautiful flowers right now. Looks like you had a great trip! and ...ah of course you make a great statue..he e hee..You do look happy!! :)

Nonie said...

Betsy, since I am from Louisiana I really appreciate the plantation homes. My husband and I took a tour of some of the old ones along the Mississippi River around New Orleans two years ago and I want to go back and do more. Beautiful pictures.

Karin said...

You are absolutely fun to be with! Your post was amazing and you put so much love, fun and work into it! I loved everything - the lovely azaleas, the beautiful chapel,the stunning gardens the butterfly flower bed and that delightful statue!

Anonymous said...

What a great tour Betsy. I love to see places I've never seen even if they are through the lenses of other people.
I was going to say that the chapel would be a great place to not only get married but to renew your vows. I sure would if given the chance but that won't ever be possible.
You look ever so happy in your pics. Bless you.

Leedra said...

I liked today's photos better than yesterdays. Saved the best until last I see!

Leedra’s Photos For Fun
Leedra’s Greeting Cards

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Kallen--Yes, the gardens and chapel were gorgeous. Do you think I can get a job being a "statue woman"?????? ha ha

Jayne---Glad you enjoyed our tour of Orton.

Mildred--I knew you'd love that butterfly one!!!! You have a great weekend also!

Suzanne--Love your 'mitten' blog today!!! So cute!! Do you really think I have a chance being a statue????? HA HA HA---IF you only knew how I fidget --you'd know that I couldn't stand still for long!!!! ha ... Well--you and Coach could renew your vows??? Or just wait til one of your girls gets married....

Tom--Oh I can always do something crazy to me both George and me laugh.. That's just ME!!! ha ha.. It was a wonderful place to visit.

Amelia--I love the old plantations also. I've been to several through the years. Thanks!!!

Thanks Dot---we'll put Bellingraph Gardens on our LONG list of places to go... Glad you enjoyed our 'tour'!!!

Sally---I too love Azaleas. We have several bushes in our yard.

Jessica--I've never been to Biltmore but I have seen pictures. They are probably similar but Biltmore is more touristy and we prefer others better.

Ruth--You are quite welcome!!! We enjoyed taking you on our 'tour'.

Mary--Yes, Orton is a fabulous place!!!! You mean you don't think I make a good statue??????? ha ha

Shelley-- Oh that would be neat---renewing your vows at a little log cabin chapel. One of my favorite log churches is in Chapel Hill, Texas. We used to go to Chapel Hill every April to see the bluebonnets and wildflowers in bloom. SO gorgeous!!!

Hi Joy--Yes, photos are great--but seeing something like Orton in person is much better!!! That chapel would make a beautiful place for a wedding for sure.

Diane-- Yes, those manicured gardens puts our little yard to shame.. We grow flowers and roses--but our yard is NOTHING like Orton. So do you think I could make a living as a statue????? ha ha

Barb--I was wonderful what movie. I'll check into it. Thanks!!!! I thought you'd enjoy seeing the butterfly!!! Oh yes---those gators were lurking!!!! ha

Tammy-- Those beautiful trees are Live Oaks. Aren't they incredible??? Yes, put this on your list of places to visit for sure!!!!

Thanks Susie. Glad you enjoyed our 'tour'...

Thanks Rose. I'll bet they have a HUGE crew working on the gardens. They were watering and keeping things in order even when we were there. I guess it's a 24 hour job.

Cedar---Busy GardenerS I'm sure... There has to be a big crew to keep those gardens manicured.

Darla---What girl????? ha ha.... You mean that SILLY one??? ha ha

Tina-- That's one reason I posted this set right now---to give us some Spring/Summer to look forward to!!!! Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you can get there sometime.

Nonie--I love the old plantations around New Orleans. We have visited several of them also (Oak Alley, San Francisco, Nottoway, Destrehan, and others I can't remember)... Gorgeous aren't they????? The Live Oak driveway at Orton reminded me to the drive into Oak Alley.

Karin--Well--we do have fun, so I hope I'm fun to be with (a little silly at times)... Glad you enjoyed the 'tour'--and even that crazy statue!!!! ha

Lola-- I'm sure the chapel could be used for many different things. The setting is just gorgeous!!! Glad you enjoyed our trip!

Leedra---Thanks!!!! I tried to divide them out fairly equally.. Some people liked yesterday's better. I guess that is what makes us all unique and different. Have you had a great day????

Gardener's Garden said...

Betsy these are beautiful photos and I'd love to have just a little piece of this to call my own. I'm definately thinking spring and starting to pour through the catalogues. I'm really hoping to do some mass plantings this year and your photos are very helpful.

Wendy said...

I love the butterfly garden! And the azaleas are so beautiful! THis was fun! Oh, and the statue was really special. LOL!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks Barb... The good news is that January is almost over.. Spring will come! Keep looking at those catalogs. Thanks for coming on our 'tour'!!!

Hi Wendy... Aren't you proud of those grandchildren???? Glad you enjoyed our tour of Orton.. I love the Azaleas also. That silly statue was acting like a nut.. Ha Ha

Mary said...

It's nice to see you Betsy!

My daughter attended UNC Wilmington, graduated in 04. She loved it there and I always enjoyed visiting, any time of the year.

Great photos!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Mary, We like the Wilmington area also. Our beach place is south of there at Ocean Isle. It's a beautiful area and beach--and not too touristy!!!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Breathtaking!!! Have a very Blessed Sunday...m.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks Mary... You have a blessed Sunday also!!!!

Anonymous said...

You and George really know the best places to go. Those gardens are to die for...

Cassie said...

Wow.Lovely place.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos! And I DO love that butterfly garden. Butterflies are to me...what birds are to you. I'm a bit obsessed with them.

Grammy said...

Wow, you have been to so many beautiful places.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Michelle, WELL--George and I do love to travel. We search out places to visit when we are going to specific places. Lots of fun!! Thanks!

Cassie--Thanks... It is a lovely place. Hope you all can get there sometime..

Carla--I thought of you when I posted that butterfly picture. I knew you'd love it!!!!

Grammy--Yes we have seen alot of beautiful places. But--we haven't been out west yet....

Loran said...

OH! I miss azaleas, those are definitely gorgeous! Plus you make a very good statue.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hey MM---Thanks!!!! I worked hard at being a statue...HA HA HA... And yes, the Azaleas are gorgeous!!! We have several Azalea bushes in our yard!

Unknown said...

It really reminds me of a formal English garden at one of our many grand houses - apart from that alligator!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Well Sarah, I've never been to England but this plantation did have beautiful gardens. BUT--they DO have gators!!!

Natalie said...

Wow! That is gorgeous!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks Natalie... Hope you and your precious family can go there sometime!!!