Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday & Rose Wednesday at Graceland, Home of Elvis

Celebrating Outdoor Wednesday with Susan, from "A Southern Day Dreamer"~ Thanks Susan for hosting this awesome fun event! Please be sure to slide by Susan's to visit all the other participants today by clicking on the link above after viewing my fabulous and fun experience of touring Graceland, the home of Elvis in 2008 to celebrate my Mother's 75th birthday.
Since Wednesday is also Rose Wednesday with Jan at "Rose Haven", I'll have some roses from the Graceland gardens to share with you.
When I was a little girl, the music of Elvis infiltrated our home. My older siblings adored his music, and listening to him and watched his movies; I fell in love with him too. My mother wasn't too much in age difference from Elvis herself...and she was also a huge fan of his. We, (three of her daughters) took her to Graceland...let me show you just a few small things that made us fall in love with Graceland, Elvis's home. First were his roses we found in the back of his home, along a path that went from the back of the house over towards his pool. They were stunning the day we were there.
This is the view from the back of the home, the rose garden was further on down on the left in this picture. The arbor was so lovely, and the weather perfect that day.
This is one of the lovely statues that is home to his meditation garden. It's very near where he and his family are buried on the property.
This is a view in the meditation garden area...I looked up in the sky and it just seemed like such a perfect view...
Another statue near the meditation gardens, this one is my favorite.
This flower, a gladiola, was also in the meditation garden area. It was absolutely the most perfect color, with a lipstick pink edge to it.
Another view of the meditation garden area...the fountain.
The pool that was built right off the back of the home. This home is a very modest size home for a star as huge as Elvis. We were quite surprised to see that even though he was as famous as he was, the size of the home itself was small in comparison to the homes many stars have today. The property and other buildings built on the property are quite large.
This is the front view of the Graceland Mansion while looking up. I have this "thing"...that I love taking pictures of the sky with the tip of the building in view...crazy, I know! Well this is the "tip" of Graceland while gazing up at the sky!

And...last, but not least, is the Graceland Mansion herself! My mother, Myra, is sitting on the little white wrought iron love seat bench in front of the home. What precious memories we made together there.
And...for anyone who's never gone to Graceland, "Elvis does truly still live". Everywhere we went, his music played 24x7. We stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel and his movies were on 24 hours of the day. There were certain radio stations that played his music 24 hours a day. It was so serene, as if he were still alive. So...for those Elvis fans out there that have not had the privilege to visit Memphis, go to the Sun Studio (another fab trip while there), or visit Graceland Mansion...do yourself a favor and go visit! We all had a lovely and memorable time!
Now, don't forget to visit Susan and Jan to visit the other Outdoor Wed. & Rose Wed. posts by visiting their places!
Till later... ;)
~CC Catherine

26 comments:

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday CC Catherine!

The photos of Graceland ae beautiful! I haven't ever been there...maybe I need to go!

Thanks for sharing your photos!

Susan

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Catherine,
Thanks so much for sharing Graceland with us.
I have never been and this is all so lovely.
I love the front entry area and the fountain.
~Melissa :)

Anonymous said...

You got some great shots at Graceland. I'm very impressed. Especially with that upshot of the column. And how did you manage to get a shot of the house without anyone around??

Too funny that you posted about Memphis, because I was actually going to post some from my trip to Memphis last year. BUT, at the last minute I changed my mind.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

CC, those roses are so lovely, and I loved touring Graceland. I loved the King, too, and I miss him. Even my father liked him, and he was pretty much of a fuddy duddy when it came to rock and rollers. LOL!

Happy OW!

XO,

Sheila :-)

santamaker said...

Great post!
I hope you'll be able to attend the Ga blogger's lunch. It will be fun to meet!
Smiles,
Rose

Kat said...

Great photos Catherine! I especially love the sky shot up through the columns, just beautiful. Thanks for sharing your trip. Kathy

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday my friend..What beautiful memories you made on your visit. The grounds are beautiful.. thanks for the tour I truly enjoyed it.
hugs ~lynne~

Anonymous said...

Oh Graceland.
Thank you thank you very much " )
Yes we were there with Elvis in his house. It was very moving to say the least. I have a Foto Friday of my family with the Graceland gates in the background (the fake ones of course) I haven't told you bur R.J. (hubby) sings just like him, and he plays the guitar. It embarrassing him when I ask him to sign, but that's one of the things I feel in love with.
So cool that you stayed at the Heartbreak hotel. I think we stayed at the "broken heart hotel" it wasn't very nice but the tour was amazing.
Happy OW
TTFN
Love Claudie
xoxo

Tealady said...

How special to share a mother/daughters trip! You ladies created wonderful memories, I'm sure. Graceland looks lovely.

Blessings, Lana

xinex said...

What a memorable day! I bet your mom will never forget it. How nice of you all to take her there. I am glad I got to see it even in pictures...Christine

Kathy said...

Hello Catherine, what a beautiful home and gardens, I loved your sky photos with the buildings in them, I do that sometimes, my son went to Gracelands and loved it, I am glad you all had a wonderful time, Happy OW, Kathy.

Maryrose said...

Hi Catherine,
Loved your post. I will have to put Graceland on my must see list. The flowers were beautiful as were your photos. What a wonderful way to celebrate your mother's 75th. How lucky is she? Thanks for sharing, Maryrose

Light and Voices said...

Graceland, the Home of Elvis is in Memphis and luckily, I got to go with my sister and niece a few years back. Lovely house, garden, pool and horse. Happy Outdoor Wednesday!
Joyce

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

CC,
That looks so much fun and I bet your mom really loved it. Cindy

The Bliss Journey said...

Beautiful photos, did they serve fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches?
Kathleen

Terri Steffes said...

Beautiful pictures! My mom is a huge Elvis fan. She graduated from HS in 1956 so she was right in the era.

I might have to take her to Memphis this summer!

Jewel Sauls said...

What a special trip for your mother and for yourselves! I have to say that gladiola is one of the prettiest I have ever seen! :D Jewel

Alisa Lucas-Brown said...

Hi CC,
I loved looking at your photos of Graceland. I've never been there before but it looks lovely. I lived in TN for 11 years but never managed to make it to Memphis.
I love roses and rose gardens. This year I am going to try my hand at planting a rose garden near my back deck and patio. I don't have a green thumb but my husband does, so hopefully it will turn out nicely.
See ya soon.
Alisa

Lori said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely photo's of Graceland. I have never been there. I love the fountains.
Thanks for sharing.

Sue said...

Hi Catherine,
I have always wanted to visit Graceland, and now I must take the time and go. Graceland is a very appropriate name for this home. ardisThank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Sue

Belinda said...

What beautiful photos...aren't the sweet garden statues captivating? :-) And the roses...gorgeous! I didn't know that there was a rose Wednesday...I'll have to check it out!

Lynda said...

What wonderful photos! It brought back great memories of fun vacations we had visiting Graceland. We took my mother one summer, and she was awed by it all!

♥ Kathy said...

The gladiola is beautiful!

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

I've neevr been to Graceland either. Would be a fun tour! Happy Out door Wednesday!

a quiet life said...

that was fun, thanks!

Beth at Aunties said...

Thanks for posting the pictures. Our son lived for four years in Memphis and although we drove by on several visits, we didn't stop with their babies. Thank You for sharing the details about this romantic legends home. Love his music!