Best Nest

I love Sweet Peas Garden Center in downtown Homewood.  They have a grand selection of plants, shrubs, trees and accessories.  Outside are the most delightful vignettes just begging me to photograph.  Owner Jon Culver and his friendly his staff are so great to just let me poke around and capture whatever strikes my fancy!

The Kitchen Band

Many times I take a huge number of photos and save some to spread around. Today a delightful set that I took during the summer at the Pepper Place Market.  Cantley & Co. kitchen designers there  teamed up with the Children's Dance Foundation to provide a delightful and creative music experience for the kiddos.  Enjoy!

Sunday Church Series - The Bells

One of my favorite churches in my city, Holy Trinity- Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Put a Little South in Your Mouth!

Alabama ranks third in the nation for peanut production.  400 million pounds a year to be exact.  The Peanut Depot on Morris Avenue in downtown Birmingham still roasts them  on site in some fine old roasters.  I've eaten my fair share.

A Pumpkin Farewell

Today we bid a fond farewell to all things pumpkin.  This last photograph is courtesy of my neighbors who live across the street and had this charming array of pumpkins in their yard. Tuesday the tree had turned just the perfect color and I took a few steps up in my yard and caught it.  Around Birmingham, Christmas decorations are showing up at an alarming rate.  I won't knuckle under to peer pressure!!! I have Black Friday to get through with my new job. Wish me bonne chance!

Oh, and might I add a big WAR EAGLE!!!

Happy Thanksgiving......

to all of my dear family and friends near and far,

V 

Afternoon in the Studio

We've visited my very dear friend and multi-talented artist, Kevin Irwin's charming studio before.  I really liked this view because the late afternoon light just illuminated her work table so well. For those of you who haven't met Kevin, she specializes in clay, glass, jewelry, and is a fine painter. Almost doesn't seem fair that one person can be so talented!  If you'd like to see more of her work that I've featured on my blog, go here, here, and here.

Another Downtown Reflection

I liked this reflection in the window of Bromberg's  on 20th Street in downtown Birmingham. Since 1836, Bromberg's has been one of Alabama's leading jewelers.

Downtown Heroes

Meet the C.A.P. ( City Action Patrol)  guys.  If you're in the downtown area and have a flat, run out of gas, have a dead battery or need an escort ( not THAT kind of escort!) to your car, then the CAP is who you need to call.  They roam our city on bikes and in vehicles and just make us all feel a little safer.  In fact, statistics prove that crime is down in the CAP/B'ham area. How much is this going to cost me you ask?  Nothing but a big thank you,  and if you'd be so kind to leave a compliment on their email they'll be much obliged. Those emails go a long way in documenting just how much they do for the city.
P guys.  You're our downtown heroes!

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Oops, my real job got in the way of my blog job, and I let the deadline for the Title Contest get away from me.  But now The judges have spoken..............

3rd Place goes to bfarr for  "Alabama Yard Art At Its Best"

2nd Place goes to Rob with " A Little Privacy Please"

AND

1st Place winner is Eeyore whose title was " That's Not Quite the Porcelain I'm Looking For, Thank You"

Sunday Church Series - Shades Valley Presbyterian Church

This fabulous golden ginko tree framed the steeple of Shades Valley Presbyterian Church in Mt. Brook beautifully.

Up, Up and Away!

What's a parade without balloons??

Here's a tune for you here. You know who it is

Go On, Write Your Own Title II

Back by popular demand, today I bring you a photograph, and you know the drill, you pen the clever title. Enter as many times as you like.  More fabulous prizes will not be awarded.  After all, the honor of being a finalist should be all the reward you need, n'est-ce pas?  I'll announce the winner/winners on Sunday.  Ask my friend David McMahon says, " I'm throwing down the gauntlet NOW!"

All Shiny and New

The pavillion at Railroad Park, Birmingham's great new urban park is full of these shiny aluminum table and chairs.  Just perfect for a picnic or enjoying the many live performances that are scheduled.  In the late afternoon sun, I had to stop for a few shots here.

Veterans' Day III - Patriotic Critters

What are the chances...........

Birmingham's Urban Mural

I love this mural.  Created in 1995 by Space One Eleven, it enlisted the artistic talents of Birmingham's low to moderate income youth.  This colorful 60'x150' mural of cast concrete and clay tiles illustrates our city's history.  It's on the east side of Boutwell Auditorium and visible from the Birmingham Museum of Art. The portion visible celebrates Birmingham's participation as a soccer venue for the 1996 Olympic Games.

Veterans' Day II - The Boy Scouts

The Boy Scouts Of America were well represented in the Thursday's Veterans' Day Parade . I just had to share more than just one photo today.

Sunday Church Series I - Independent Presbyterian Church

For quite some time I've been featuring a Sunday Church Series on my Paris blog.  I have posted photographs from  Paris cathedrals as well as the lovely churches I have visited in the countryside of France.   I've had the privilege of taking many photographs of my own church, Independent Presbyterian, as well as many other churches and synagogues here in Birmingham.  I'd like to start this series today with gate detail on the stairway to the balcony of Independent Presbyterian Church on Highland Avenue.

Well I'll Be Dammed!

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  This was taken from the stone bridge on Shades Creek Parkway in Mt. Brook recently.  Sometimes I take my camera along on my walk. I don't know much about beavers etc. so I'm just guessing they built it. Surely there's a dam expert out there!

The Nation's Oldest Veteran's Day Parade- Birmingham, Alabama

1 Lt. Andrew Tsimpides

Alabama's Last Living Horse Soldier

U.S. Cavalry Mounted, 1936

What a day.  I have so many images from Birmingham's Veterans' Day Parade, the oldest in the country.  I struggled with what to share as so many touched my heart.  It think this one says it all.  I will post more in the days to come.

Autumn Afternoon's Light

Today I am pleased to feature the work of another one of my photography students, Sara Pennington.  We all thought that this was one of her best,  and one that really demonstrated what she had learned from our lesson on using light and shadows.

I am planning to begin a new series of classes: From Snapshots to Photographs right after Christmas.  If you are interested please email me !

Road Runners

This energetic bunch of young runners from nearby The Altamont School, were just ahead of me last week.  Believe it or not, after a little cold spell over the weekend, they are probably dressed almost like this if they were doing their run today.  We are enjoying some fabulous autumn weather.  I think I'll hit the Robert Jemison Trail for my walk right now. See ya! ( I'll keep my shirt on!)

Music To My Ears

A few weeks ago, the Birmingham Museum of Art held one of their terrific Family Days.  I was delighted to get to sit in on a wonderful concert by Birmingham students that participate in the Music Opportunity Program.  

A New View

Today, what I think is an intersesting shot of downtown Birmingham with the playground at the terrific Railroad Park,  with its colorful recycled rubber surface and this challenging "spider web"!!

The Rose

Several of my photography students joined me at Birmingham's Oak Hill Cemetery recently.  We found this rose that had been left on the gate of a mausoleum.  You didn't think I could pass that up did you?

Seeing Red in East Lake

and a touch of blue!

Autumn Becomes You

The Birmingham Museum of Art looks even better with these gorgeous autumn leaves don't you think?

Fall Feathers in the Garden

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Welcome to the Apple Store!

Many of you know that I'm learning my way around a lot of Apple products these days,  but this is an apple store of a different kind!   The Pepper Place Fall/Holiday Market has some lovely ones.  It's apple picking time somewhere I'm sure, but in Birmingham we buy our "apps" right here!

Dia de los Muertos 2009 - Bare Hands Gallery

I regret I'm missing this wonderful celebration tonight, so I will share a photo that I took last year.  I'm planning to visit Bare Hands Gallery on Wednesday morning to photograph the altars etc. and hope to have more to share in weeks to come.

GO VOTE AMERICA!!!

Patina?

One man's grunge is another man's patina, charm? You be the judge.


This is probably the first CDP Theme Day that I've not participated in since I joined up with this wacky and talented group of daily photobloggers.  The theme this month was "Public Transportation" and my choice was so lame I just couldn't bring myself to use it. I promise to be a team player again next month! Click HERE to see the other great ideas from around the world.