nemours mansion and gardens

last week we took a trip to delaware with my parents to tour nemours mansion and gardens.  i really didn't know what to expect before we got there, but it turned out to be absolutely incredible!

we toured the 47,000 square foot mansion (yes, you read that right) as well as the expansive gardens.  you couldn't take pictures inside the house, but take my word for it, the house was amazing.  105 rooms, each more insane than the last.  there was a cedar-lined refrigerator specifically for fur jackets, two bowling lanes, a room dedicated to making and storing ice cream, and priceless art and antiques from all around the world.  i have truly never seen anything so lavish or extravagant in my life.  the most incredible part was that it only took 18 months to build this elaborate mansion.  by far, it was the most magnificent home i have ever seen.  the mansion and the gardens were absolutely pristine.  i felt like i was walking straight into the great gatsby.

^this is the view when you walk out the front door of the mansion.  i mean, come on . . . unreal!^

^this sweet boat floating in the pool next to the fountain was so very gatsby.^

^can you see the rainbow in the fountain in the top left corner?^

^the family swimming pool is an acre large.  i just cannot even comprehend that.  it's 5.5 feet deep and takes 4 days to fill with water.  craziness.^

^of course we cannot forget about the garage.  filled with a collection of insanely gorgeous custom cars: 2 cadillacs, 2 rolls royces, 1 buick, and a boat . . . oh you know, just the usual.^

^all of that walking made us hungry, so we stopped at bella coast for dinner after the tour.  i had eggplant parm for dinner and all four of us split the dessert sampler.  we thought it would be a small little thing and we would each be able to take a bite.  it turned out to be four full desserts on a wooden plank.  needless to say, we rolled out of there.^

love, laurie