Check Mates

At last Mountain Brook's new City Hall is finished and the giant chess set is back in the front yard. I found this cute family have some fun. I think they made up their own rules!

Look Up Birmingham - City Federal Building

Once Birmingham's first skyscraper, the City Federal Building is now some very nice condos. At least they didn't take the wrecking ball to it. I love it at night!

Birmingham's Version....

 of  the living wall.  Found on the alley off 20th Street downtown.

Learning the Ropes

One of the best parts about visiting the Pepper Place Market on Saturday mornings is getting to know the Alabama farmers and their families.  These sweet girls were  helping out by selling fresh picked corn. They could sell me anything!

Look Up Birmingham - Massey Building

Built in 1925, the Massey Building in downtown Birmingham building has my favorite columns and lovely detail work... but you have to look up.  I was on Third Avenue N. this week and decided to try and find a new way to look at this wonderful landmark.

BADP On The Road Again - Mt Gilead Baptist Church III

The old player piano has played it's last hymn.

This is the third in a series of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Abercrombie AL. 

BADP On The Road Again - Mt Gilead Baptist Church II

Yesterday we saw the lovely old bell tower and front porch of this 100+ year old church in Abercrombie, AL.  Today we step inside this old and deteriorating church.  A treasure that is sadly left to the elements.  If these walls could talk.

There will be more to this series in the coming days. I hope you will stop back and visit.

BADP On the Road Again - Mt. Gilead Baptist Church I

Just outside Centreville in Abercrombie, nestled in a pine grove we found a treasure.  Mt. Gilead Baptist Church founded in 1832 and this structure built in 1890, is so close to being lost to us all. I felt like I was on hallowed ground. This tiny clapboard church with it's lovely bell tower is open to the elements. As we stepped onto the front porch, the two sets of open doors welcomed us inside. Today our entry. Tomorrow more. I don't often do a series but this one begs for that. I hope you will return and step inside with us.

BADP On the Road Again.... Centreville, Alabama

Yesterday I had the most wonderful day south of Birmingham in Centreville, Alabama.  My thanks to Dan Cash for showing us all around the countryside. We saw old farms, churches, cemeteries and grocery stores. I have many images to share.

Today, his family's church, the Sandy Chapel Church, established in 1800 and this lovely little cemetery.

Through the Garden Gate

Christopher Glen, in Homewood, has a marvelous selection of outdoor containers and statuary.  A walk through these beautiful doors, one finds many delights. I'll share more from time to time. Oh, and inside the shop, lovely antiques, lamps and collectibles as well!

TIme After Time

Full Circle is a delightful shop right down the street from me on Clairmont Avenue in Forest Park.

Today a treat. One of my favorite singers, Eva Cassidy.

HIgh Five!

At  VSA ArtPartner's Day at Dr. John Cortopassi's office, I quickly learned that it's a lot more fun to paint WITHOUT a brush!

Click here to see the video about the day!

The Carver

Opened in 1935, it now houses the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. In the beginning it was the only place in Birmingham that blacks could see first run movies. How great that it has been preserved.

GIve a Hoot...

 DON'T POLLUTE!

Does anybody say that anymore??

Sweet Peas Garden Shop

Homewood

Can You Spare a Dime?

This phone booth brought back some memories for me. How about you?

The Retriever Antiques

3024 3rd Avenue South

Buzzzzy Work!

M Power's wonderful Community Garden on 4th Avenue South in Avondale.  These happy bees are living amongst the tomatoes, okra, beans and glorious flowers.  A beautiful, well kept neighborhood garden. More photos to come.

Garden Shop Cat

Bella lives at Sweet Peas Garden Shop in Homewood. Last Friday, she was feeling a little shy.

The Reader

It never hurts to get started on that summer reading list.

Christopher Glenn

2713 19th Street South

Homewood, AL

Honey, something's growing in the fridge!

Well if you're looking for a late night snack the fridge at Sweet Peas Garden Shop in Homewood might not be the place to raid. On the other hand, if you're looking for some healthy plants creatively displayed, this is the place to come. 

Waiting

Our Max bus system is our only public transit system in Birmingham.  That often means long waits. It's certainly not "rapid".

The Orange Pillbox

The Retriever Antiques had so many great photo ops. I don't know if I would have worn this orange pillbox at the time but I would NOW!

The Retriever Antiques

3024 3rd Avenue South

Birmingham

Grand Entrance

Serious work in the lobby of the Lyric Theatre has officially begun.  Last Saturday, we found a large hole on the 18th Street side wide open and of course we had to investigate. Shortly after, Glenny Brock stopped by and had to use the "new" entrance!

A Rainy Afternoon with Eddie

I love the Eddie Kendricks Memorial Garden on 18th Street and 4th Avenue North for many reasons.  I spent many an hour listening to him and The Temptations growing up and I think this memorial with the sculpture by Alabama's Ron McDowell is excellent.  It's nestled in a garden of flowering crape myrtles and hydrangeas, a lovely setting for the stage with Eddie singing into the microphone and the Temps in the background.  It was drizzling Saturday when we took a stroll through this quiet little urban garden... Eddie was still singing.  I'm certain this is the song .... My Girl!

Frankly My Dear,

you're still a heart throb!!!

The Retriever Antiques

3024 3rd Avenue South

Alley Cat???

My good friend and excellent photography buddy Michael Anderson, will take me anywhere I want to shoot....including downtown alleys...even in the rain!

Horsing Around

Today's photo and the new header were taken at the stables at Blackjack Farms, Irondale.

A Sparkling Evening!

I know a lot of you out there don't blog or use Facebook but I wouldn't trade the friends I've made on both for all the money in the world. Last night, July 4th, was another example. Photography friends gathered on photographer Caroline Wright's wonderful front porch on Southside and watched the fireworks, and....... almost set her house on fire with the fabulous sparklers she'd bought.  A sparkling night with new and old friends.  I'm grateful.

Celebrate Our Patriotic Kids!

Last Saturday I photographed the Fishing Rodeo and Bike Parade at Avondale Park. I knew right away that this would be my 4th of July post. Enjoy!

Art Partners I - In The Beginning

Sunday, I was lucky enough to be invited back to photograph ArtPartners' Day at Dr. John Cortopassi's office in Hoover.  VSA ArtPartners pairs local artists and children and young adults with disabilities or chronic illnesses to create amazing art all year long. Later in the summer, this work will be auctioned off at their annual fundraiser. More on that later!

The blank canvas

Lily gets a warm welcome from Dr. C.

Each year, Dr. Cortopassi opens his office to his very special patients and what a fun time it is. There's lots of laughter and hugs, but also face painting and the making of art going on. In the middle of all the glee, the ice cream truck pulls up in front and well, you can imagine what happens next.  All in all, it was a wonderful day for the young artists, their art partners,  parents, Dr. C... and the photographer.

Today a little about how it looks at the beginning.  I will feature more photos throughout the next week.
Enjoy!

Artist Jayne Morgan and her friend chat about what they are going to
create together. 

Mary Susan Lewis and Ryan get started!

Have A Coke And A Smile

but don't forget to return your empty bottles for that deposit back!

On a Shoestring Antiques and Collectibles

601 Shades Crest Road

Bluff Park

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Facade

These old ghost signs all over downtown Birmingham intrigue me.  I think this one's a good choice for the  City Daily Photo Theme Day....Facades.  I hope you will visit my blog friends around the world and see their take on the theme today!  Click HERE to see them all.