Crystal Clear

This little stream runs through the newly renovated Avondale Park into the pond.  Looks pretty inviting doesn't it.  I was tempted to slip out of my flip flops!

Learning From the Experts

Yesterday I had a delightful photo assignment.  I paid a visit to the New Merkle House Senior Center in the Cahaba Heights neighborhood of Vestavia Hills.  I got there just in time to observe a fine game of Rummikub and dominoes!  After watching this spirited game, I was invited to play a round with the experts.  This nice gentlemen helped me along, but as I was reminded that after this first game that would not be allowed!  Now maybe I can take on my grandchildren and have half a chance!

Dripping

This arbor at The Summit is amazing. Hard to believe this many blossoms in March! 

Patiently Waiting

Yesterday while having coffee at Continental Bakery, this cute pooch and his human were waiting outside.  This is one smart dog.  Any handout from this bakery is top notch!

Birmingham Rouge - Zoom, Zoom Zoom!

Wild thing, I think I love you!
( For me this IS wild! )

I'm Forever Blowing...........

bubbles!  Springtime means it's time to bring out the flip flops and of course the bubbles.  Love it.

Under the Shade of the Azaleas

sits one of my favorite pieces of sculpture at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Birmingham Rouge - For Sale

Oak Street Garden Shop - Crestline Village

a great place to feather your nest!

Swinging Into Spring - Tire Swing!

Spring Break, playgrounds, kids... can't beat it.  I just love goofy boys having fun!

Things Are Buzzing Around Here

Welcome to Birmingham.... The Pollen Capital of the South!

Calling All Artists!

Please join me for  Art in Avondale Park's annual art show on Saturday, May 5 from 10-4.  This is an  event that the whole family will enjoy.  In addition to the art exhibits, there will be many hands on art activities for the children, plus pony rides, clowns and much more.  Come and enjoy the newly renovated Avondale Park and support the arts and the community!

Admission fee for artists is just $25 and non-profit groups are FREE!  The artist application is HERE.

"The mission of Art in Avondale Park Alliance, Inc. is to inspire children to discover their

talents through a wide variety of artmaking lessons provided by local art teachers, artists and community volunteers. "

Face It

Oak Hill Cemetery

Spring makes even a cemetery seem a happier place!

When You Coach....

Girls' Soccer

You have to dress the part!

Allow Me To Brag....

but this is just a sample of what the whole city looks like this time of year. Azaleas, azaleas, azaleas....and much more!

Patio Surfing

Vestavia Hills has a marvelous library they've named Library in the Forest.  Nestled in the woods on Hwy. 31, it is an inviting place to come and spend time inside and out.  The patio area on the upper level proved to be an enjoyable place to do a little computer work.

Birmingham Cash Mob....Sojourns Fair Trade

Birmingham Cash Mob selects a small business in Birmingham for a hit to encourage shoppers to support our local small businesses.  Well today I heard that Soujourns Fair Trade was the spot, I had to go.  I took along Meeps, who is after all their Spokes Kitty.  She rode down in her pink polka dot kitty carrier, unwillingly.  Once there, Melissa, the owner, closed the door and gave her the run of the shop.  She headed for the front window that was decorated with carved cats and birds. Perfect!  After that she shopped a little, mostly for scarves, then sought the safety of a stool, and a skirted table. We attempted a photo shoot in a cute tie dyed scarf but that didn't pan out.  When we left she made it pretty evident that she was NOT riding home in the carrier. I didn't argue.

2017 3rd Avenue North

Euro Birmingham - Les Chaises

I love it when Birmingham and Paris collide.  Chez Fonfon is one of those places.
Located at Five Points South,  for me it's like a quick trip to the other city j'adore!

Charmed, I"m Sure!

Second Avenue North in downtown Birmingham is quickly becoming one of my favorite haunts.  Today the window of Charm . Now this is a great place. They have all kinds of neat and funky scarves, handmade and vintage jewelry, handbags, as well as new and vintage gift items.  Very cool.

Walking the Labyrinth

Last Sunday, Independent Presbyterian Church displayed a portable labyrinth for members and visitors to walk in their Great Hall prior to a Lenten prayer service.  This Santa Rosa design is just one of hundreds that have appeared for centuries. I had hoped to walk and photograph the very famous one in Chartres, France, but  didn't get there on my last trip.  For more information on labyrinths see this link.

A Friendly Push

Newly renovated Avondale Park, the perfect place to enjoy a swing with a friend.

Open For Business

Birmingham's newly renovated Avondale Park is open for business!  I stopped by this week to have a look around.  The ducks and geese were happily swimming, day school kiddos were crawling all over the playground equipment and people were walking or just sitting on a bench enjoying the springlike weather. Over on the baseball fields, workers were madly preparing the fields for the upcoming baseball season.  The city of Birmingham did a great job bringing this park, which has been around since the mid 1880's, back to life.

Come back tomorrow for more!

Bunny Food

I'm guessing Swiss Chard.  This big guy ( by artist Frank Fleming) sits here year round,  patiently waiting the varieties of greens that the good people at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens plant for him!

                          

March Came Roaring In Like A Lion

Leaf 'n Petal at the Gardens

 last week, but thankfully we are back to sunny skies and spring like weather.  I took a little morning stroll through the Botanical Gardens today.  

Up The Creek??

Here you go.  Seibel's in Homewood has just what you need.  

Table/Chair Series - Morning Light

Continental Bakery, one of the most photogenic places in Birmingham. I could hardly eat my pain au chocolat for taking photos. I've featured this place many times here.

The Florist

Maloy Love has been designing beautiful floral creations in Mountain Brook Village for a very long time.   I stopped in to say hello to him and his two spirited Yorkies last week and we chatted as he worked carefully on this tiny wreath of roses, while the pups tried their best to run me off!  Stop in Mountain Brook Flower Shop and see for yourself.

The Dancer II

"To dance is to be out of yourself.  Larger, more beautiful, more powerful."  

Agnes De Mille

Meet my friend Nancy.  She's a talented student of the  Devyani Dance Center  here in Birmingham.  Devyani is American Tribal Style (ATS) Bellydancing and it's a delight to watch!  

Ominous Skies....

but thankfully not as devastating.   Friday we all watched the weather non-stop, dreading the worst.  Thankfully, the storms that hit were north and west of Birmingham but sadly there was loss of life and property in other areas.  Here in Birmingham, we enjoy such wonderful weather practically year round, but it's a tradeoff with tornadoes and hurricanes that seem to come all too frequently. 

Service With a Smile

For me a night out for dinner at Little Savannah Restaurant in Forest Park,  is a huge treat.  The food is always fabulous,  but having my friend Derrick as our waiter makes it even more special.  Always friendly and knowledgeable, he makes the whole dining experience par excellence!

Hanging Out at Space One Eleven

A while back the Cliff Road Women, a lively group of the greatest friends and neighbors gathered after hours at Space One Eleven.  Board member Susan Colvin describes it like this,  " SOE is committed to bringing art and community together on many levels, from exhibits that might not be shown in conventional galleries or museums, to bringing emerging artists to the public's eye, to classes for inner-city youth as well as adults and more."  So to celebrate they have compiled a cookbook of recipes they have gathered from friends, artists, critics and collectors both locally and across the country.  The book includes art that has previously hung in the gallery.  The wooden utensils we painted will be a little extra gift with each book.  It was a fun evening getting to show our creativity for such a good cause.

CDP Theme Day - Electricity

HOW MANY SCARF DRAPED CATS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB????

Today, my City Daily Photo blog friends all around the world are posting their take on this  month's theme...ELECTRICITY.  Pardon my pride but I have a kitty that loves to don  my scarves from time to time and appear on Facebook.  She also has an affinity for this lamp.
 ( Why? Because she's a cat) Here you have the Diva herself!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants