At the Grotto

The Vatican in miniature

I'm back! Not from Paris but back on the blog for a few days. After that, my friend Jean Reed is at bat. Thanks to Doug Stocks for sharing his photographs with us this past week.

In April, when bloggers Janet and Maya were visiting you'll remember we took a little field trip north to Cullman, Al to visit the Ave Maria Grotto. Known throughout the world as "Jerusalem in Miniature," it is a beautifully landscaped, four-acre park. It's a peaceful setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world crafted by Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk at St. Bernard Abbey.

Soaring

Ceiling Detail

* While I am in France, I have asked some of my photography friends to share some of their fine work with you. I hope you will leave them comments. I'm sure they will enjoy hearing from you as much as I do! While I'm gone I will be blogging on Paris Through My Lens. Stop by and follow my adventures in France!!!

Today we bid farewell to guest photographer, Doug Stocks. I saved my favorite photograph for the last. I think you will agree that this image taken at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrement at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville is superb. Thank you Doug for sharing your exquisite work with my readers!

Don't forget to visit Doug's website for more of his terrific photographs.

Optical Illusion

The Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital

* While I am in France, I have asked some of my photography friends to share some of their fine work with you. I hope you will leave them comments. I'm sure they will enjoy hearing from you as much as I do! While I'm gone I will be blogging on Paris Through My Lens. Stop by and follow my adventures in France!!!

This week's guest photographer is Doug Stocks. Please visit Doug's website to see more of his outstanding work.

Reflection

* While I am in France, I have asked some of my photography friends to share some of their fine work with you. I hope you will leave them comments. I'm sure they will enjoy hearing from you as much as I do! While I'm gone I will be blogging on Paris Through My Lens. Stop by and follow my adventures in France!!!

This week's guest photographer Doug Stocks, has captured a VERY special place here in Birmingham. The Children's Hospital takes very very good care of our city's youngest. How fortunate we are to have it as part of our UAB Health System.

If you haven't already visited Doug's terrific website, please do so.

Carousel

* While I am in France, I have asked some of my photography friends to share some of their fine work with you. I hope you will leave them comments. I'm sure they will enjoy hearing from you as much as I do! While I'm gone I will be blogging on Paris Through My Lens. Stop by and follow my adventures in France!!!

My guest photographer, Doug Stocks takes us back to the Shelby County Fair today. This merry-go-round is one of my favorites. Can't you just feel the movement and excitement!

Be sure to visit Doug's great website!

828

* While I am in France, I have asked some of my photography friends to share some of their fine work with you. I hope you will leave them comments. I'm sure they will enjoy hearing from you as much as I do! While I'm gone I will be blogging on Paris Through My Lens. Stop by and follow my adventures in France!!!

My guest photographer Doug Stocks shot this building on UAB's campus on the southside of Birmingham. How many of us would have walked right past this one? I know I would. Aren't we glad Doug stopped!

Be sure to check out the fantastic photographs on Doug's website.

Covered Bridge

Kymulga Covered Bridge

* While I am in France, I have asked some of my photography friends to share some of their fine work with all of you.  I hope you will leave them comments.  I'm sure they will enjoy hearing from you as much as I do!  While I'm gone I will be blogging on Paris Through My Lens. Please stop by and follow my adventures!

Today's offering from my guest photographer Doug Stocks, is the Kymulga Covered Bridge in Childersburg, just south of Birmingham.

Round and Round She Goes!

Ferris Wheel - Shelby County Fair

* While I am in France, I have asked some of my photography friends to share some of their fine work with you. I hope you will leave them comments. I'm sure they will enjoy hearing from you as much as I do! While I'm gone I will be blogging on Paris Through My Lens. Stop by and follow my adventures in France!!!

It is my great pleasure to introduce you to my friend Doug Stocks. We met last year in a photography class and we have been photography buddies ever since. I like to go shooting with Doug because I'm hoping that some of his expertise will rub off on me! This week Doug will my guest photographer. You are in for a real treat!

For more of Doug's great photographs, check out his website.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Yes, today's the day!  My daughter Melissa, Eva (7) , Davis ( 4) , and I will be leaving on a jet plane shortly for Paris!  I leave you in good hands.  I have 4 Birmingham photography friends (and an "import" from LA!) who have been kind enough to share some of their wonderful photos while I'm gone .  You will enjoy seeing Birmingham ( and a few other places) through their lenses, believe me.  I hope you will continue to stop by and leave comments for them.  Of course I will be chiming in frequently as well. ( What else would a control freak do!!)   While in France, I will be posting commentary and lots of photographs on Paris Through My Lens.  I can't promise daily, but I hope frequently, so drop by and follow our adventures in Paris and Fontaine-Fourches.   For now........au revoir!

The Tune du Jour

Au Revoir, Bon Voyage

la tour Eiffel est sur la table!

Last night was bittersweet.  I said a fond farewell to a small group of friends.  I may be gone for two months to France but while  it is a  glorious opportunity, I will surely miss my daughter Kathleen,  her family and my sweet friends. Last night was so much fun. We enjoyed wine, cheese and French baguettes.  This trip holds the promise of exciting new places and experiences, a gazillion images to be captured, and many new friends made, but my family and old friends will certainly be in my heart.

The Creativity of a Child - Shadow Series

Magic City Art Connection

" All children are artists.  The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up."

Pablo Picasso

This is second in the series of "Hands With Clay" from the Magic City Art Connection's children's art activities. 

Vidalias!

Say the word VIDALIA and southerners swoon! These are the sweetest onions you will ever put in your mouth and as with other regional favorites, we have figured out how to make everything from relish, bar-b-que sauce, and Vidalia onion tarts out of them. I found this box full of at the Oak Street Market, right next to Billy Angell's wonderful Oak Street Garden Shop. The sun coming in the window made them look like pure gold.

Lonnie Holley

Portrait of Lonnie Holley, Birmingham outsider artist.  His work is currently being shown at Lite Box Gallery at the Pepper Place.

Highlands

That one word....Highlands...... is all you have to say around here. Folks know that you are headed to Highland's Bar and Grill, Frank Stitt's flagship restaurant. If you read the NY Times article 36 Hours in Birmingham,  you know that it was ranked in the top 5 for the prestigious James Beard Award.  I featured another window here before my last trip to Paris.  Today, a photograph that was one of those "Christmas presents" as I like to call them.  A photo that when loaded on your computer makes you sit back and smile.  This is a personal favorite of mine. I love the reflection being the star and the interior of the restaurant taking a back seat. Coming to Birmingham?  Make reservations at Highlands.  Bon appétit!

Merci beaucoup mille fois to my friend PJ at Pensacola Daily Photo for her dear bon voyage post for me today.  Merci PJ, what a thoughtful gesture.

PARIS COUNTDOWN.......4 DAYS!!!!

Sniff!

Well the Pepper Place is indeed a great place to meet and greet.....even for canines!  Apparently it is de riguer to drag the family pooch along, although I'm still not sure why!  As I've said before, it can be a real  "Sniff and Snarl".   If I were going to be here all summer I'd do a mini series on  Pepper Place Dogs.  When I get home I might still give it try.  I got a good start on Saturday's opening day.  I'll have to admit that sometimes the dogs are more interesting than the owners!  I laughed myself silly over these guys!  See for yourself.

Group Sniff!

Rowdy Radishes

You've got to admit that this box of radishes looks like it could party till the cows come home! When I downloaded this photo I laughed out loud. Compare this with the " Rule Follower" group below.

Welcome Back to the Pepper Place Market

Those of you that have followed my blog since last summer are very familiar with our Pepper Place Market.  It's open from May through October on Saturdays.  Located around the old Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, it's the place to be on a Saturday morning.  There are wonderful fruits and vegetables from local growers, flowers,  homemade sweets, jams, salsa, crafts,  live music and demonstrations by local chefs.  I don't mind telling you that this is one thing I'll miss while I'm in France.  

Today a couple of photos to give you a taste of Pepper Place. Stay tuned, I have more this week, plus an artist or two!

These posies are from  Jones Valley Urban Farm in downtown Birmingham

Francophile... Moi??

Well a week from today, we'll be making the grand voyage.  It's seemed like so far in the future and now that it's almost here, I'm shifting into packing panic mode.  Why couldn't I have a hobby that required less "equipment"???  Embroidery would be good.  All you need is some thread, a needle and a piece of fabric.  Art? Well just by a museum pass, queue up at the Louvre and you're covered.  No, I chose photography.  This trip it's 3 lenses, a TRIPOD ( I'm sick of blurry night photos and I'm sure you are too), not to mention memory cards, card reader, discs, thumb drives, extra battery and the charger, photography books to read on the plane and on and on.......  I may end up with one change of clothes as a result but rest assured all 12 scarves are GOING!!!  

Today I unashamedly show off my collection of la tour Eiffel.  Some are Christmas ornaments that I couldn't bear to pack away, others I've bought here and in Paris. I'm certain there are more in my future.  I hope I have room in my suitcase to bring them home. If not, I'll ditch that extra change of clothes!

Chandeliers - The Mini Series

Lately I've been re-examining the photographs I've held onto for dear life but wondered if and when I'd ever use them.  Today a little Mini Series of chandeliers that I think together make a "statement"!  The top one is from an antique store near the Pepper Place. The bottom two are from Kevin Irwin's studio!

Nervous As A Cat.....

on a porch full of rockers!   

Last week I  visited The Commissary on Overton Road for the first time.  They had a terrific selection of gifts, furniture and artwork , but the building and the porch were a photographer's delight. I'm not a cat person but this stray cat, that the owner told us had just made herself at home in their rockers, was too good to pass up.  The porch was chock full of wonderful things from the great color on the concrete steps,  to the fabulous chair that I managed to sneak in for my Chair Series!

My thanks to Wildeve for this thoughtful award.  I pass it on to my friend FireLight at The Keeping Room.  Oh how I wish I had her writer's gift.  Her wondrous words move me to tears, smiles, and so much more.  I am so grateful for her friendship.

Fini! Well Almost...

Today, we jump to the signing of the piece  before firing.  Hope you've enjoyed getting to watch Wade Oliver at work. What an artist!

Steam Heat

We visited my new best friend, potter Wade Oliver, yesterday . Today I'll show you another step in the process.  Before Wade takes the bowl off the wheel, he uses a little blow torch to dry the clay a titch so it's easier to handle.  He set this one on the table by me and ohh the steam came up and I almost had a hissy fit!  Talk about at the "decisive moment".  Thank goodness I had my act together and caught it!  The photo below shows the finished bowls before firing. 

The Hands of a Potter

(Please click to enlarge this photo)

This week we're taking a trip to visit the studio of potter Wade Oliver.  Wade works at Cahaba Clayworks with two other artists in Leeds, AL.  The day we went he was the only artist there, but we were not disappointed.   Wade was a delight to get to know and photograph.  This week I will take you through the process in photographs.

Of course,  the first step is the clay.  Wade takes big chunks of that cold,  red clay in his huge, beefy hands and slaps them into balls.  If  you enlarge the photo,  you can see his fingerprints in the clay!  After that, he puts them on his wheel and within minutes has made a series of bowls. Come back tomorrow to see the results.

In Honor of Our Mothers

My hope today is that of the mothers that read my blog will have a very, very special day. For those of you who have lost your moms, may precious memories fill your hearts.

I picked this gorgeous full blown peony to honor our mothers.  Thursday afternoon I was strolling around the Birmingham Botanical Gardens seeing what was in bloom.  A nice lady stopped me and said, "The peonies are GORGEOUS, go right up that path!".  I smelled their sweet frangrance before I ever saw them.  How right she was.  I had a hard time tearing myself away.

The bottom photo is a rare family shot.  Usually the grandchildren are the subject of all our photos, and I rarely make an appearance in front of the camera!  My son- in- law Jason, caught my daughters Kathleen and Melissa with me on Easter. They are both terrific moms and I am very proud of them.  I wanted you to meet them.  They're going to strangle me for posting it.  Shhhh, don't tell them!!

I leave  you with some words of wisdom from one of my all time favorite authors, Erma Bombeck.  I regret I never got to meet her. I think we were kindred spirits!

“When your mother asks, "Do you want a piece of advice?" it is a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway.”

I resemble that remark.

14 days from today, we'll be staggering around Charles DeGaulle Airport,  bleary- eyed and sleep deprived looking for a  French taxi driver that drives an SUV capable of hauling all of our luggage. HA!  How do you say , "When pigs fly"  en français?

Merci Alice for: "When pigs fly" or "Quand les poules auront des dents" ("When hens have teeth")

Shadow Series VI - At the Garden Shop

We had a little break from the Shadow Series this week but I'm not quite through.  Bear with me.   Today, is Part VI.  I'm including two photos since I couldn't make a decision. Quelle surprise! The top shot was taken at Oak Street Garden Shop in Crestline Village.  I liked the background shadows in this one.  The bottom photo was taken at Sweet Peas Garden Shop in Homewood. The shadows on the orchid I thought were nice.

PARIS BLASTOFF.......... Two weeks from TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

(Do I need to start packing?)

Miss Myra's

Many of you saw the New York Times article 36 Hours in Birmingham.  Well it seems even those folks in the Big Apple, know good bar-b-que when they taste it.  Miss Myra's in Cahaba Heights was the place they picked.  I stopped in for a sandwich the other day and just happened to have my camera.  Aside from the great smoked chicken sandwich, the friendly folks behind the counter couldn't have been nicer.  Today I feature them along with what I call the "Trinity of BBQ". For those of you not in the know, that would be a roll of paper towels ( a necessity if you're eating ribs), red sauce ( vinegary, NOT sweet) and white sauce ( A mixture of mayonnaise, vinegar, black pepper. Fabulous on their chicken).  My Alabama viewers can tell you right off that the rack of chips in the background is Golden Flake, of course!  The last photo is a smattering of their rather extensive collection of pigs.  I'm not discussing the wall to wall photos of Bear Bryant and the Crimson  Tide.