Baby, It's Cold Outside!

I'll take the red one with the green stem!

I hope you bought your baby one of these very cute knitted hats at the Pepper Place Market! It's been very cold the last two days with a few snowflakes spotted this morning.  Last Saturday, I didn't even need a jacket!  Fall and winter in Alabama is always interesting.

City Lights

Last Saturday my friend Patty and I had a great photo shoot around town. We met up later at Brad Morton's studio for his show at his home and studio on 1st Avenue South. ( More photos to come.)  As we were leaving she suggested that we cross the viaduct to see what photos we could find there.  I caught her and the lights of downtown Birmingham. Thanks my friend.

The Face of Hope

May it never be replaced with fear.

Sunday Church Series - The Tolling of the Bells

One of my favorite Birmingham churches,  the beautiful Holy Trinity - Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Birmingham's southside. I've featured it here and here and many other posts..

A Rose Among the Thorns

Even the alley behind Bare Hands Gallery's Dia de los Meurtos Festival was decorated for the occasion.

Show Biz

Jim Reed owner of Reed Books /TheMuseum of Fond Memories must have one zillion books in his eclectic shop and can usually lay his hands on just about anything you might want.  The term "organized chaos" originate right here I think.  Actually some or most ( how do you know?) are shelved in categories.  That's how I found Audrey.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.  


If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."  Mother Teresa

Details

The Massey Building, completed in 1925 is one of my downtown favorites. Have a look at the details and you'll see why.

B'ham Wiki says: ""Built in 1925, Massey Building was named for its original developer, R. W. Massey. It was designed by William Leslie Welton. Taking inspiration from Spanish Moorish architecture, the building features spiral-fluted columns and pointed elements atop the parapet meant to mimic minarets."

218 Richard Arrington Blvd. North

Belle Inspiration Magazine is featuring a number of my Christmas in Paris photographs this month. Have a look !

Leftovers

I pulled off the highway near Harpersville a few weeks ago to photograph this cotton field,  but it had already been picked.  So all I have for you today is leftovers.

NO Diving!

Until next summer. 

Homewood Pool

Sunday Church Series - Preparations

Saturday morning I slipped in the side door of the Cathedral of St. Paul.  I was alone in this beautiful place except for this gentleman, hard at work getting the church ready for services.

Signs of the Times

Admittedly Occupy Birmingham is small time compared to other cities, but here are a few of the faithful that I snapped at a red light yesterday.   They want to have their voices heard.  Thankfully we live in a country where that is possible!

STOP!!!

... and take this shot through the windshield!

( With grandchildren in the backseat shaking their heads)

Morning on the Lake

There's something about a screen door that reminds me of my childhood. It also reminds me of this song from way back.  Grab a cup of coffee and a slice of that pumpkin bread and join me out here on the porch!

Moonlighting

Ev

I'm not going to rant about how I feel about decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but ...... everywhere you look, Christmas decorations are going up.  I'll bet after a very long day wrapping lights around every tree in Mountain Brook, this guy's going to leave the tree lighting at home up to his wife!

Bragging Rights

Admittedly I took this about a week ago ( picture more leaves on the ground), but our weather here in Birmingham has been pretty great considering it's the middle of November.  Aside for a few chilly days, we are still enjoying some fine fall weather in shirt sleeves/sweaters and for some....running shorts. Another reason I love where I live!

Good Day Sunshine!!

We interrupt this blog to bring you Martha and Ron Council's glorious ginkgo !

Returning the Salute

I've been blogging here for over three years. Often I cover events over and over, hoping to find a new focus.  This was my third Veteran's Day Parade, and while it's a wonderful event for my city, I wondered if I could capture anything different this year.  As luck would have it, I met up with a Viet Nam veteran that I remembered from last year ( on the left).  We reconnected and as we stood near each other during the parade,  I was able to watch as the passing servicemen, young and old, give him a salute.  The special moment I was looking for.

Hail and Farewell

As the Veteran's Day Parade ended yesterday, I have no idea why I turned my camera straight into the afternoon sun and took this shot.  I'm glad I did.

Thank a Veteran

Baubles, Bangles and Beads

Sweet Peas Garden Center in Homewood recently hosted a great little art and crafts show.  This lucky little girl was getting some hands on experience melting glass for her very own bead, from Chris Champion.

Meet the Mud Cloth Artists from Groupe Bogolan Kasabané

  Two of the six artists that make up Groupe Bogolan Kasobané from Mali, West Africa joined the Gee's Bend Quilters as part of the week long workshop, Common Threads at the Alys Stephens Center at UAB.

Using handspun and handwoven cotton cloth, they apply a mixture of clay and plant dyes to the cloth.

Meet the Gee's Bend Quilters

Yesterday was one I've looked forward to for many years.  FINALLY, I was able to meet and photograph some of the now famous Gee's Bend quilters.  They are here for the week participating in Common Threads at the Alys Stephens Center at UAB, along with Groupe Bogolon Kasobane mud cloth makers from Bamako, Mali.  This partnership brings together textile artists from West Alabama and West Africa.  It's free to the public and what I loved the most was the access to interact and move around and watch them work. I took a LOT of photographs, hung over their shoulders while they worked, and asked a million questions.  Everyone was delightfully patient.  The artists from Mali tolerated my weak French, and the Gee's Bend ladies even sang a few spirituals while they worked.  I'm sorry I didn't have a video cam for that!  Today I wanted you to meet these ladies, but this week I'll have more from both groups.  I LOVE THIS "JOB"!

Autumn Show Stopper...

or maybe a walk or run stopper.  This tree along the Jemison Trail in Mt. Brook stops me every autumn.  While it has the appearance of an evergreen, at this time of year there's not a green needle to be had.  Maybe some of my expert readers can enlighten us.  For now, enjoy the color.

Capturing the Sunset

A few weeks ago three dear friends and I gathered on Lake Martin for Girls' Night at the Lake.   The weather was perfect, and I had my camera clicking almost nonstop (when I wasn't talking, laughing, eating and drinking wine).  My good friend ( and former photography student) Angelyn couldn't let the sun set without a few snaps herself.

A Walk in the Park

Saturday morning proved to be the perfect autumn weather for a visit to Overton Park.  I caught these cute kiddos enjoying the sunshine!

Tailspin

I attended a lovely 50th anniversary party for some friends last weekend at the Southern Museum of Flight.   This is a terrific museum for your folks in the Birmingham area. I'm glad I remembered my camera!

Dia de los Muertos Festival II - Remembering Sara

la Tour Eiffel, I think Sara would have loved this.

Two years ago,  at this very festival,  I met Sara Jones and her husband.  She recognized me from my blog and if you knew Sara, you wouldn't  be surprised that I got a big hug, and we became friends on the spot.  We kept up via Facebook and I met her for coffee a few months later to help her plan a trip to Paris where they would be joined by her precious daughter.  We ran into each other from time to time at the Pepper Place or at Art Price's openings.  I wish I were a better writer and could describe Sara as she deserves.  I will just say I'll always remember her gentle spirit, her smile... no her LAUGH, and joie de vivre.  She was truly a blithe spirit and lived her life to the fullest.  She is greatly missed.

Wednesday night as I turned the corner to the alley at the festival,  at almost the exact spot where we first met, this stunning portrait of Sara by our friend Art Price took my breath.  A loving tribute as only Art could create.

Dia de los Muertos Festival

Bare Hands Gallery on 21st Street South was again the venue for Birmingham's Dia de los Muertos Festival.  I arrived early and have many very special photographs to share in the days to come.  We'll start with some of the faces of the festival.

Autumn Color - Liberty Cemetery

Last week while staying at Lake Martin with some dear friends, we passed Liberty Cemetery.  They were kind enough to go back later that afternoon so I could take a few photographs.

I Love a Parade!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be a photographer for the Mountain Brook Mystics Halloween Parade.  It was great fun seeing the creative homemade neighborhood floats packed to the gills with very cute costumed kiddos, plus local businesses and of course cheerleaders, dancers, firemen and much more.  I couldn't pick just one so you get a collage today!

PS I caught a Milky Way thrown from a float. Life is good!