Sweet Memories

With a heavy heart, we bid farewell to our dear blog friend Karin Bugge. Her blog Altadena Hiker, was one of the fist blogs I followed way back in 2008. In 2010, my blog reader Judy Dunn and husband Dave flew me to Los Angeles so I could meet my Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena and Palo Alto blog friends in person. Karin was a talented writer and animal lover and I loved her dearly.

It's About Time!

Bob Crowe's St. Louis Daily Photo blog caught my eye shortly after I started this blog.  Through the years he's given advice, support and become a dear friend.  This weekend we FINALLY met in person.  Bob and his delightful wife Carolyn flew to Birmingham and we have had a marvelous time together. You don't even want to know how many photos we taken and we still have today left...Color Run, Sloss Furnaces and BBQ!!!  Yesterday we did the Children's Hospital, downtown B'ham and the Civil Rights Institute.  We polished off the day with dinner am my house with a few friends.

BADP On the Road - Selma, Alabama Of Course!

I had some pretty smart folks that guessed Selma Alabama yesterday.  Yes, I traveled south of Birmingham to Selma for a blog meeting with Belgian blogger  *Anni ( This Is Belgium) and we were greeted by Selma Daily Photo blogger Janet ( Rambling Round) and her cute daughter in law Jenna ( who took this photo).  After a lunch full of blog speak we took photos outside by the Alabama River with the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which you saw on yesterday's post.  Read about this historical bridge here.

Today I share a photo of the happy bloggers and a look at one of the most beautiful cemeteries I've photographed.   For those of you not from these parts, that's Spanish moss hanging from the trees.  I could hardly contain my excitement when we drove up and I saw the afternoon light shining through the trees and moss. Oh don't you worry, I'll share a few more photos from Old Live Oak Cemetery in a the days to come.

* If you're wondering what Anni to Alabama, well her husband was born in Auburn and grew up in Thomasville, AL, and graduated from Auburn.   He moved to Belgium after law school and the rest is history.  He and Anni visit his family here every two years. I'm so glad Anni and I met through my Paris blog and were able to find a spot halfway from Thomasville and B'ham.  Selma was just perfect and I was able to meet Janet for the first time as well!

A Window Seat

Lunch at Chez Lulu. My very fun and dear blog friend, Genie and I had a WONDERFUL lunch here yesterday. BTW, Genie has a terrific new blog that was birthed right here on my i Mac! .......Paris And Beyond. We met through my PTML blog, and share a very special love of Paris and France. After a delightful meeting last month, Genie met me in Paris and we had such fun seeing and photographing the city we both adore . Blogging has brought so many wonderful people into my life.... Genie you're one of em!

California Dreaming

What happens in the "Denas", stays in the "Denas"

Well I've been home from Southern California a week, but the fond memories linger. Many of you have asked for more photos and of course I'm happy to share!

Today a trip to the Huntington Gardens. Our rowdy band of bloggers photographed every leaf and petal there. We also enjoyed a delightful tea in the Rose Garden Tearoom. Much talk and laughter ensued. I'm pretty sure we were not their typical "tea" crowd. :)

A little tune for you today. You know what it is!

By the way, there's a bit of California on my Paris blog today as well! Have a look here.

L'arbre faux bois était trés belle!

The Cast of REAL Characters

Judy (My terrific hostess), Kathy (The Chieftess), Ron (Mr. Earl's Musings), Petrea (Pasadena DP), Laurie and Raine (Glimpses of South Pasadena), Karin (Alatadena Hiker), moi

Thanks to our dear fellow blogger Tash, Palos Verdes DP, we have this nice group shot. Most likely the only time we stayed together and had our mouths closed or almost closed at the same time! We were touring the Huntington Gardens in San Marino and they were spectacular. More to come from this beautiful place.

Blog Friends - Making Plans

Forgive me for yet another personal post today. As I have stated many times, through this blog I've met met so many wonderful friends, here and across the globe. Today another example. Through another reader, Sara and I connected. . Last fall, we met face to face at the Day of the Dead Festival. We recognized each other immediately ( from Facebook), and she told me she and her husband read my blogs often. We chatted a bit, and she told me she and her family were going to Paris soon. Imagine my delight when she emailed me last week and asked if we could meet and talk about their upcoming trip to Paris.... next week! Small world, we'll be there at the same time! Today we met at Forest Perk on Clairmont. I gave her my condensed version of how to survive in Paris with limited français, the places I visit over and over, and most of all, why Paris j'adore! Well it wasn't all that condensed.

Sara et famille... bon voyage!