This past weekend Chris and I spent some more time at one of our favorite places – The Biltmore in Asheville, NC. Everytime we visit we discover something new and it is so fun to find those new things. Chris booked a night at the Biltmore Inn to celebrate our upcoming 36th anniversary. The stay included a luxurious room, decadent dinner at the Dining Room, night time viewing of the amazing Chihuly glass exhibit, shopping, walking around and enjoying the views. It was a great little get away and as always I left in awe of the whole Biltmore experience.
One of the fun places in the Inn is the library area and I discovered that they had this wonderful bound book which was a replica of an original Nonsense Book that George and Edith Vanderbilt kept in the home for their visitors and guests to leave fun drawings and poetry in during their stay. The Inn now has one on display for guests to leave their own remembrances and doodles in to commemorate their own stays.
While I suspect the tenor of the entries in the latest Nonsense Book is a bit different than the original ones they are still fun and intriguing to read. (Click on any picture to enlarge for easier reading.)
The book itself has copies of original posts from Edith and George’s book interspersed amongst the blank pages. I think you can figure out which ones are from that era and which ones are current day posts.
The current posts are less poetic and more celebratory which seems perfect. Many people come to The Inn for special occasions and the book helps document those.
And in case you wondered if we left an entry – well of course we did. I do love to write, after all, and I had to share the secret to our long marriage. Shhhhhhhhh.
Come back later this week for more pictures from The Biltmore including the promised night photographs of the Chihuly Exhibit. To say that it is a stunning exhibit is an understatement. We were so excited to be able to see them in all of their beauty both during the daytime and at nighttime.
If you were to leave a comment in the Nonsense Book would you write something silly or serious? Draw a picture, write a poem? Let me know in the comments section and remember to Comment for a Cause.
16 Comments
Leave a commentWhat a very cool idea! I loved seeing the different handwriting. Your note was especially inspirational. Goodness…I would have to say, “Hang in there.” That is something that my mother always told me, and I try to keep it in mind each day.
Hang in there is a great inclusion in the book and I agree. Some days that is about all you can do!
The nonsense book is such a cool idea. I love your entry. What a wonderful get-away. Congratulations on 36 years of marriage!!!
Thanks, Darlene. It was a lovely weekend and just the way to celebrate! Here’s to 36 more!
Happy Anniversary! Yes- laugh and have fun together!
Everybody has better penmanship than I.
Oh really? I doubt it!
What a great idea. Silly, me? No. It would be something serious. Love your entry.
It really is a fun idea and of course your entry would be serious. 🙂 But it would be perfect for the book!
Between your posts and all the other things I seem to find about the Biltmore and Asheville, I will definitely have to stay for a night or two before we head home. And if it’s truly as amazing there as everyone says it is we may have to shift our vacation there next summer so we can explore more and for longer. 🙂
Happy Anniversary!!! ❤️
I hope you do. It really is a great area with a lot of things to see and do and it would be an amazing visit for you!
First, early Happy Anniversary wishes to you and your husband.. What a wonderful gift for you both. What a good ideal with the book. Will be waiting for more wonderful pictures and information about Biltmore.
Thanks so much, Shirley. I have done tons of posts about the Biltmore already –it truly is a magical place. They are always offering something new to get people to continue to visit and their gardens are amazing any time of year. Stay tuned!
Oh what fun! Happy 36th and many, many more!
Thanks so much!
I’d try to think of something silly/funny…might or might not succeed.
“If Chihuly glass you adore
Come see the show at the Biltmore…”