Whatever Works!

Well this is one way to repurpose Grandma's sewing machine. Mamanoes Grocery Shop, downtown Birmingham.

Cookin' With Frank!

Frank's small baby heirloom okra grown from family seeds that date back 40 years

OK, I must share what a great day I had on Saturday. Daughter Melissa and Rose Nguyen have a small food co-op called The Rose Bowl. They cook meals twice weekly but are now offering some really fun cooking classes. Saturday, internationally renowned Birmingham sculptor, Frank Fleming made a return appearance to share his old family recipe for pickled okra. Several weeks ago Frank led a fig preserves class and he was a hit. After the group of 7 finished their work, we enjoyed prosecco with chevre and fig preserves on sliced baguette. Refreshed, we all loaded up and adjourned to Frank's home to tour his garden, his studio and ohhed and ahhed over his work. (More photos from that coming soon.) We ended the day with a delicious lunch back at Melissa's home and enjoyed lingering at the table after for good conversation. A great day.

East Lake United Methodist Church

This Sunday I'd like to take you to East Lake United Methodist Church. Founded in 1887, it is still just a beautiful place to worship. I took these photos while shopping at the East Lake Farmer's Market that is held in their parking lot every Saturday.

Mario Batali...Move Over!

Meet my friend Mitchell. Mitchell recently did a cooking demo at the East Lake Farmers' Market, sporting these great red Crocs. What did he prepare you ask? Well honey, a mighty fine blackeyed pea/corn salad. I had .....several tastes. It was delicious!!

BTW, the East Lake Farmers' Market is located in the parking lot of the East Lake Methodist Church. Great produce, friendly folks and the parking is easy. You need to pay them a visit!

Farewell Dear Friend

Sunday, Birmingham and the state of Alabama lost a dear friend. Cecil Whitmire who was responsible for the renovation and preservation of our beautiful Alabama Theatre passed away. Cecil began playing, what we all call "The Mighty Wurlitzer" in the late 1970's . In 1987 he became the president of Alabama Landmarks and is credited with giving our fabulous 83 year old Alabama Theatre a new life. I was privileged to have met him in recent years when I photographed the Alabama and another of his loves.....the Lyric. We mourn the loss of a wonderful friend and hope that others will step up to continue the renovation and preservation of the theatres that he so loved.

I have many posts of the Alabama and the Lyric here, here, and here, and here,

Alabama Geisha?

Last week I attended the Artwalk Preamble on Second Avenue at Rogue Tavern. This lovely geisha greeted us at the door. East meets South ??

Retirement Home Bingo!

Today one of my former photography students, Shelly Shook, has graciously offered to be my guest photographer. Shelly took this great shot while watching her mom and friends play a "cutthroat" game of Bingo! Everyone in the class agreed that this was one of Shelly's best photographs.

Today I am pleased to be a guest photographer as well. Richard Nahem asked me to be his guest on his Eye Prefer Paris blog. Have a look!

I will be offering another series of "From Snapshots to Photographs" , a five week photography course for amateur photographers, beginning September 13th from

6-8 pm. Contact me for more information.

Empties

On a Shoestring - Bluff Park

Back "in the day" you turned these back in and got about 2 cents per bottle. That was a great incentive. Hmmmm... maybe back in the day they had the right idea to encourage recyling.

Art Camp Rocks!!

What could be more fun than to spend a week or so of your summer vacation at the Birmingham Museum of Art for ART CAMP!!! Darn, I wish I could have been small/young enough to join in the fun this past summer. I found this little guy sketching that sculpture one day when I should have been working my shift in the Museum Store, but was sneaking around with my camera. Shhhh, don't tell!

Mother and Child

This beautiful plaque is found inside the small courtyard of St. Mary's on the Highlands Episcopal Church on Birmingham's southside.

1910

Spotted on the alleyway between 19th and 20th Streets in downtown Birmingham.

I'll be joining many of my Auburn Kappa Delta sorority sisters for a reunion of sorts this weekend. I'll be back to commenting on Sunday evening. Bon weekend everyone!

Heads Up Alabama!

Corinne Cox's Creative Whirl

Today we have a guest blogger/photographer...Eva Singleton! She and brother Davis joined me for a wonderful afternoon at Aldridge Botanical Gardens in Hoover yesterday. These gardens are lovely anytime of the year, but right now there is a most unusual art exhibit. The Alabama Psychological Association Foundation sponsored "Heads Up Alabama! Psychology Promotes Healthy Living". Twenty Alabama artists were chosen to put their creative touches on 3 foot tall ....heads! This is a not to be missed exhibit. Originally these pieces were placed throughout the gardens, but rain damaged the stands so they are now being placed around the covered pavillion. Some remain nearby. The exhibit runs through August 31.

My Eva has shown a lot of interest in photography lately. In fact she's taken over her mom's camera , probably a good thing. Today she has chosen two of her photographs to share with you. I captured the photographer at work shooting her favorite piece - Back to Nature by Tracie Noles-Ross. Eva says she likes this piece because " it has people and animals on it and it's just cool!" I'll have some more to share in the weeks to come.

Merci ma chère Eva for my new profile photo as well!

Bises,

Mumsie

FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS

My next series of five two hour classes will be starting again soon. For those in the Birmingham AL area, contact me for more details. These classes are designed for the amateur photographer who wants to improve their vacation and family photos!

DISCOVERING THE MAGIC

For the more experienced photographers out there, I have a new class starting in September that will focus on creative ways to photograph our city!

"A Set Goal" by Palo Pallas

Vintage Settee

Old painted wrought iron pieces are very common in southern yards. Granted they are not the most comfortable, but they are long on charm! I found this vintage piece at the Children's Fresh Air Farm recently. It was in a cool shady spot by a pretty little fountain near the children's garden plots.

BADP On The Road - Cincinnati Reflection

Today the doors of one of the most beautiful churches I've ever visited, St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati. I loved the reflection of the Isaac M. Wise Temple ( or the Plum Street Temple) across the street. It was not open that day so Mary and I were unable to tour it. I will have more of this church however. It contains some amazing stained glass.

FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS

My next series of five two hour classes will be starting again soon. For those in the Birmingham AL area, contact me for more details. These classes are designed for the amateur photographer who wants to improve their vacation and family photos!

DISCOVERING THE MAGIC

For the more experienced photographers out there, I have a new class starting in September that will focus on creative ways to photograph our city!

Wavy Lines

I "fell about" as my friend Jilly would say, over these terrific glass pieces at the Pepper Place Market recently. Designed by artist Amy Soverow at The Glass Studio, they are enamel fused to glass. They are part of a series, " Life is Non-Linear". Amy explains, "I did this series when my Dad was dying of cancer. Wavy lines on a wavy form remind me that life has a way of throwing curves at you." I think this is a fitting tribute to her Dad, because it is so full of life! I love them even more now!

FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS

My next series of five two hour classes will be starting again soon. For those in the Birmingham AL area, contact me for more details. These classes are designed for the amateur photographer who wants to improve their vacation and family photos!

DISCOVERING THE MAGIC

For the more experienced photographers out there, I have a new class starting in September that will focus on creative ways to photograph our city!

BADP on the Road.......Cincinnati!

I spent a terrific three days last week in Cincinnati, Ohio with my Paris amie Mary and husband Jay Gilbert. We had some fun!! Mary showed me all over her beautiful city, and I must share some of the photos from that trip with you over the next week or so. Today, the nostalgic and well preserved Esquire Theatre . Built in 1911, it now features independent, foreign and mainstream films on six screens. It's located in the charming Clifton neighborhood.

Sharing

There's enough for everyone!

Caught Redhanded!

On a Shoestring Antiques and Collectibles, in Bluff Park has a huge collection of old costume jewelry. I'm going back and pick around and find me something fabulous the next time I visit!

A Cool Drink.........

is welcome on a hot summer day.

The Dancer

This beautiful young Indian girl wowed the appreciative audience at the Pepper Place last Saturday.

Reflections in a Puddle

As you know by now, we are in the throes of a brutal heat wave. I can't remember when my yard has looked so ......crispy! This puddle in a downtown alley is a nice memory of a rainstorm a few weeks ago.

I'll be short on comments for a few days. I'm off to spend time with dear friends. I'll check in from time to time!

Pepper Place Hats

Well I've been quietly collecting hat photos at the Pepper Place Market for the last few months. It's been so hot, more and more are showing up. I decided to show you a few of them today.

Welcome to Birmingham

Feel free to fry your eggs on any of our sidewalks!

(Grits available by request)

Oh Marilyn My Dear!!

Don't you just love this? I wish I'd bought it, but where on earth would I put it?? I'm telling you, if you can't find it at What's on 2nd?, you didn't need it!

Bike Talk

Spotted at the East Lake Farmer's Market

Crystals in the Window

On a Shoestring Antiques and Collectibles

Fashioning Kimono

Yesterday I was very fortunate to be able to photograph our newest exhibit at the Birmingham Museum of Art for this blog. My thanks to Director of PR, Nick Patterson, who kindly arranged the photo shoot.

This fascinating exhibit titled FASHIONING KIMONO: ART DECO AND MODERNISM IN JAPAN, opened last week and will run through October 10, 2010. The 97 stunning kimonos include formal, semi-formal, and casual kimono, haori jackets, and undergarments worn by men, women and children. They are drawn from the * Montgomery Collection in Lugano, Switzerland and are featured along with a selection of period photographs on loan from the International Hokusai Research Center in Milan.

As a photographer the colors patterns, and the striking way these beautiful garments are displayed makes this a must see. I plan to go back and have a very close look at each one as well as the wonderful black and white photography.

*This exhibit was organized and circulated by Art Services International, Alexandria VA.

( And just for the record, my first title for this post was......KIMONO TO THE BMA!)

Antiques.......On a Shoestring!

Yesterday I took myself to a place I've been eyeing for a long time. On a Shoestring, in the Bluff Park neighborhood on Shades Mountain, is just a great place for photographs, antiques and collectibles, of course. ( Note to self: Take photography students here!!!) The couple that owns the store are just so friendly, and I had a grand time poking around the place. I have a lot of photos to share in the future. Today, the back of the old, red caboose on the property that houses the 50% off items!

Goodness Gracious, Great Balls of ......

Outside the McWane Science Center, downtown Birmingham.

limestone?? I have no clue.

What I do know is that the McWane Center is a terrific place for kids of all ages. Four floors of interactive science exhibits, plus an IMAX theatre. There's always something new to see and do. My grandchildren never tire of it. It's a wonderful addition to the downtown Birmingham area.

Chill Out!

I know Birmingham Alabama isn't the only spot that's had record temps hovering around 100F/32C for what seems like months, so I thought I'd try and find something nice and cool for all of you that experiencing the same heat wave. How about a cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade for the lemonade guy at the Pepper Place? Ahhhhhh.......

CDP Theme Day - Bright Colors

Today CDP bloggers around the world are posting some terrific photographs with the theme - Bright Colors! This was a no-brainer for me. I spotted this clothesline full of brightly colored beach towels at the Children's Fresh Air Farm a few weeks ago. Although the children worked hard on math and reading skills all morning, their afternoons were filled with lots of play. Of course swimming was at the top of their list.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants