Who Knew...

that those root vegetables that are so GOOD for you,  could be so gorgeous???

 Eat Fresh, Eat Local at the Pepper Place Market 2012, is my newest calendar,  now available, along with Paris Through My Lens 2012 on Zazzle right here!

Reverend Mickey...

preaching to the faithful at the Church of Disney?  No, just a fanciful arrangement I found upstairs at What's On Second? in downtown Birmingham.  You just never know what you'll find, that's why I go so often!

Lines, Lines, Lines.....

Homewood Park

This new year I'm offering a Birmingham calendar 
Buy Fresh, Buy Local
At the Pepper Place Market 
2012
Have a look right here!

Afternoon Light

Winter seems to be the season when I have the time to share photographs taken during the year that just never seemed to make it to the blog.  My daily photobloggers know the challenges that winter brings.  I hope you won't object to some photographs from my archives from time to time for the next few months.

Today, a beautiful garden in the English Village area of Birmingham

Good Advice For The New Year

My Mother's Words

by Boston Sculptor Jonathan Borofsky

Bellewether, English Village

Mother's Bells

On Christmas Eve eve, we gather at our neighbors' for a lovely, old fashion carol sing.  Two baby grands with four pianists play for us while we all eat and sip and catch up with one another.  Then, out come the song sheets and we sing our hearts out.  Their home is a wonderful old Forest Park jewel that has been lovingly restored. In the glass bookcases beside the fireplace, this year I discovered Carolyn's mother's bell collection.  What a treasure.

What can I give Him..

Charlotte Woodson Antiques, Mt. Brook Village

Colin's Creatures

...poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

Yet what can I give Him...give my heart.

                              Christina Rossetti


In a Bleak Midwinter sung for you here.

Waiting For Santa

Meeps and I are enjoying our new home this Christmas.  We even have a fireplace so Meeps has been waiting and watching for Santa.

As my Facebook friends know, I've been posting photographs of Meeps all dolled up in assorted scarves and holiday bling.  Today she chose this photo to share with you all.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and
Joyous  Holiday!

A Quiet Holiday Moment

This is a meaningful, but busy time for so many of us.  However you are celebrating, I hope you take time to relax, remember, reflect, and rejoice!

Deck the Deck With ....

SNOW!   Some of you may remember that last Christmas Day right here in B'ham, it SNOWED!!!  Our weather this week has been in the sixties,  so I don't look for a repeat, but thought it would be fun to have a look back to Christmas past.   This was taken on my daughter Kathleen's deck last Christmas.  White Christmas in Dixie.  Who knew!

Paris Through My Lens 2012 by VKJONES
Begin selling my art online at zazzle.

Time Flying?

I just thought it was cool when I looked up one night and the clock faces seemed to be floating over Crestline Village!

Paris Through My Lens 2012 by VKJONES
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Old Timey Yard Santa

Jim Reed's Museum of Fond Memories, of course!  Does this Ho Ho bring back fond memories for you?

Paris Through My Lens 2012 by VKJONES
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Vintage Record Heaven

Renaissance Records in the Five Points South district is a fun and funky place to browse around.  Old music buffs could wander in and never be seen again.  Nice to know places like this can stay in business when they're up against the Big Boys and the internet.  Owner Gary Bourgeois has owned it since 2003.  He's fun to talk to, tell him I sent you!

2020 11th Avenue South

Birmingham, AL 35205

Sunday Church Series - All Saints' Chapel, Sewanee-

A few weeks ago I traveled to Sewanee-The University of the South in Tennessee with some very dear friends.  We made the trip to attend their Service of 9 Lessons and Carols, one that draws attendees from all over the south and who stand in line for hours to get a seat. for the three services.  My friends have been going for over 20 years and I was delighted to make the trip with them this year.  It is a beautiful campus, chapel and a candlelight service. I'm looking forward to next year already.  Today, a few photos for you.

Sweet Faces of Christmas

Shooting parades is NOT my forte. I find them crowded, fast moving (duh!), and often with really low light.  I struggle trying to capture just a few that for me represent the spirit of the event.  After shooting this year's Homewood Christmas Parade, I was convinced I had very little to show for it, but these two sweet faces made it all worthwhile.

I have published two new Paris weekly calendars on Blurb, in color and black and white.

Paris Through My Lens
2012 | Make Your Own Book

Santa Needs to Shop Here!

Mary Charles' Doll House in Mountain Brook is a charming little shop that offers new and antique dolls, doll houses, furniture and accesories.  She's been in business for over 40 years.  This precious little shop is a delight for any little girl.

Mary Charles' Doll House

2820 Petticoat Lane

Mt. Brook Village

Still Shining After All These Years

About 60 years ago, Homewood resident Douglass McConnell took some steel, wielded it together and made a giant star that was hung at the top of the hill on 18th Street in Homewood. Well, amazingly it's still around and is one of Homewood's most beloved traditions.  Recently the city rededicated it, and you can read about it here. The photo in the article is one of mine from an earlier Christmas.  You Birmingham readers will recognize Vulcan in the background.

I'm pleased to announce that Paris Through My Lens 2012 weekly planner is now for sale on BLURB!

Midnight Train

Downtown Birmingham

Flamingo Love

Magnolia's Cards and Gifts in Five Points South.  Go there for the quirkiest gag gifts, and the funniest and yes,  naughtiest cards in town!

It's My Blog.......

and I'll post my cute grandchildren on a whim. Taken last Christmas Day when it started snowing in Birmingham.  I've lived here most of my life and NEVER had it snow on Christmas until 2010.  Laura Kate sends her sweet wishes for a magical holiday season. ( The cute pink cap I knitted for big sister Lindley when she was a BABY. We've gotten some miles out of that one!)

Sunday Church Series - First Pres

A few weeks ago I attended the Pancake Breakfast to benefit First Light Women's Shelter.  It was held downtown at First Presbyterian Church, and rightly so, First Pres (as it is affectionately known) founded this wonderful shelter for women and children.  My church actively supports FIrst Light so I have had the privilege of serving dinner there on a number of occasions.  The Pancake Breakfast is an annual event and I enjoyed a delicious breakfast and later Re. Shannon Webster was kind enough to show me around the Sanctuary and allow me to take a few photographs.

Hanging Around

This gorgeous red maple at my church apparently decided to hang around and be a part of the holiday decorations this year.  IPC's 62nd Holiday House Tour is this weekend and features not only 5 homes but of course the beautifully decorated church sanctuary, chapel, parlor and tea in the Great Hall. Tickets may be purchased at the church or any of the homes.  Proceeds benefit so many of IPC's wonderful missions and community outreach.

Meet the Newest Reindeer....Glizten!

Artist: Merrilee Challiss

Oh I wish I had this hanging over my mantle this Christmas.  Where can you lay your hands on this?  Why Charm on Second Avenue of course.  It's a great and funky place to shop downtown with vintage and handmade jewelry, handbags, scarves, art, and all sorts of delights. GO!

Charm

2329 2nd Avenue North

Shop the World This Christmas

My Chappell  loved this cute frog cap so much that
 Katleen bought it and she wore it out of the store!

Looking for unusual handcrafted gifts this Christmas?  Well Soujourns in downtown Birmingham is the place you need to shop.  Owner Melissa Kendrick opened this unique store in 2005, and is committed to supporting the fair trade movement.  Every item in this shop is created by artisans that receive a fair wage for their handcrafted goods.  I visited her new location on 3rd Avenue recently with four of my grandchildren and we had to drag them out of there.  It's full to the brim with art and colorful, well made items from around the world. What could be a better place to spend your Christmas dollars this year?

Soujourns
Adventure-Art-Peace
2017 3rd Avenue North

Y-L-F

Last Sunday, I introduced you to the terrific kids that make up this year's Youth Leadership Forum.  I spent time with them at Railroad Park as they carried out an photography assignment. They were assigned to groups of about 9 and as I wandered the park I took some photos myself. This group was being quite creative as they used their shadows to spell out Y-L-F.  The groups were given the task of photographing Railroad Park as they would for a brochure and the catch was that they must only shoot 24 photographs, as in a roll of film. My intent was that they would be thoughtful as they composed their photographs and really thinks before they "pulled the trigger".  I was very impressed with their work.  They worked and planned their shots as a group. Afterwards, their leaders downloaded all of their images and we selected a large album of the work we felt followed the criteria.  I couldn't be more proud!

Let's Get This Holiday Started!

Nothing like a Christmas Parade to get you in the Christmas spirit.  Last week I attended the Homewood parade and I thought I'd share a few with you today.  It's was chock full of homemade floats with shepherds ( Mary and Joseph?) throwing candy and Santa cheerleaders slinging Mardi Gras beads.  I think here in the south, our various holiday parades have morphed into one! Oh and I guess you're wondering if Santa showed up. He did, but I'm saving him for another day!:)_

Dear Santa...

I think Santa still prefers snail mail, don't you?  Looks like his in-box is full!

Reed Books/Museum of Fond Memories

Art Day with the YLF

Last Thursday I had the privilege of meeting and working with the 44 area high school juniors that are participating in this year's Youth Leadership Forum, an outgrowth of the highly successful Leadership Birmingham.  This elite group gathers once a month for a full day learning every aspect of our community.   This month the focus was art,  and I was was asked to talk with them about taking better photographs and guide them through a photography project at Railroad Park.  After hearing the day's agenda, I asked if I could tag along! They started with a drum circle with John Scalisi, and after our outing at the park, they moved to the Birmingham Museum of Art for a guided tour and lunch with area actors, musicians, and videographers. For the afternoon, they were divided into interest groups for recording, cooking, dance and drama.  A full day of learning, working and learning together. Thank you YLF for letting me share the day with you. I hope I can join you again! ( Of course there will be more photos in the days to come!)

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

Quiet night at the Shades Valley Optimist Club's Christmas Tree lot.  These nice folks have been selling trees at Shades Cahaba Elementary on Oxmoor Road for as long as I can remember. They do good work in the community. Please give them your business.

Catch a Ride

The carousel at the Birmingham Zoo is magical at night. I shot this last December at Zoo Light Safari, which will be held this year December 9-11.

CDP Theme Day - Action Shots

It's the first of the month.......already and you know what that means after 3 1/2 years.....City Daily Photoblog Theme Day. This month's theme, voted on by the thousands of CDP bloggers around the world, is Action Shots.  I liked this one taken last summer at The Magic City Art Connection in Linn Park. These dancers were colorful, talented and fun to photograph.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants