Winged Victory

This stainless steel sculpture by Birmingham artist Brad Morton, stands outside The Financial Center on 20th Street North in downtown Birmingham.  Installed in 1999, it's a tribute to Fred Sington by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Winter Approaches

Here in Birmingham, we find that winter creeps in most years. Oh we get some near freezing weather in early December but today, five days after Christmas,  I didn't even need a heavy coat. Most of the year Birmingham is lush with greenery and blooming plants. We're very fortunate that way.  One of our favorites is the oakleaf hydrangea.  In summer it's glorious with huge white blooms that hang to the ground. Now their big leathery green leaves are a lovely red/orange.  As a photographer, I've learned to celebrate every season of growth.

Sunday Church Series - Sound The Trumpets

The beautiful Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham.

Lighting Up The Lyric

                      

These bulbs were part of the Light Up The Lyric Theatre campaign to restore this 100 year old treasure in downtown Birmingham.  They have been installed and I had great fun trying to figure out how on earth to shoot them!  Thanks to countless donors who gave so generously, the Lyric's goal of 7 million dollars has almost been met. Things are moving forward with the renovation. 

If These Walls Could Talk

I love the walls and surrounding Railroad Park.  An ingenuous way to reuse these old hand cast bricks that were uncovered from this property to create Birmingham's urban park.  

Legion Field Detail

Built in 1927,  Legion Field has hosted many many great football

games, not to mention soccer events for the 1996 Olympic Games.  

Angels We Have Heard on High

The fifth grade Christmas Pageant at Independent Presbyterian Church is so sweet and brings back  many childhood memories. Thankfully, it has remained unchanged over the years, except the bathrobes worn my the shepherds have been upgraded.  My favorite part is when the angel lowers the STAR down on a rope.  Nothing high tech about this pageant!


Warmest wishes to all of my dear readers who celebrate Christmas this day.  May this be a special time with family and friends.  

Here We Come A-Caroling

A caroling party in my neighborhood is an evening I look forward to each Christmas for many reasons.  It's a glorious mix of talented pianists, joyful voices singing Christmas carols, delicious food and drink,  and the gathering of old and new neighbors of all ages. Thank you Sam and Carolyn for opening  your home to us!

Zoo Light Safari

Zoo Light Safari at the Birmingham Zoo.... awesome!

Kirking of the Tartans

Last Sunday, the St. Andrews Society, Independent Presbyterian Church.

Say Cheese!

I did of course!

December Sunset

Just as I was packing up my camera gear and heading home, I saw this amazing sunset. 

The Greatest Gift...A Book

This week the STAIR ( Start The Adventure In Reading) students who come to Independent Presbyterian Church for tutoring twice a week, enjoyed a wonderful Christmas party with their two tutors, and of course Santa and his Elf.  Each tutor gives a book and the STAIR program provides a  stocking STUFFED with wonderful things!  

Deck The Pugs

From time to time I photograph the children of my friends.  Often it's even more special "children".  Meet my adorable neighbors Harry and Lulu.  They visit often, mainly because I have a jar full of dog treats and Meeps' food,  if I'm not on my toes!  That said, Meeps likes them a lot, ( mainly Harry).  We did a little photo shoot last week.  Feel the pug love!

Christmas in Birmingham - The Historic Alabama Theatre

From the Mezzanine of the Alabama Theatre

Christmas in Birmingham - Paperwhites

I have a pot of paperwhites opening right now, a sweet gift from a friend.  I love the fragrance, a nice addition to the evergreens.  These I found at Sweet Peas Garden Shop in Homewood.

Merry Christmas From The Lyric

Last week I took some out of town friends down to the Lyric.  Things are  hopping down there and as you can see, the lobby is looking better and better and was decked out for Christmas as well!

Hand Made By Wade

This week I received a wonderful Christmas gift....... a piece of Wade Oliver's pottery. I met Wade years ago at Cahaba Clayworks and featured him on my blog. What fun to be given another piece of his pottery to use and enjoy!

Holiday House Weekend

This weekend marks the 64th annual Independent Presbyterian Holiday House Tour.  As always, the tour includes four beautiful homes and the church decorated by the fabulous floral talent of the IPC Guild and of course, the annual favorite, tea upstairs in the Great Hall. This is a wonderful tradition and provides much appreciated funding for the church sponsored Children's Fresh Air Farm.  Tickets may be purchased at any of the house tour homes or at the church.  I hope to see you there!

Helping Hands

Yesterday I had the good luck to photograph our STAIR students participating in the Advent Workshop at Independent Presbyterian Church.  Normally these hard working second graders are reading and working with their STAIR tutors, but this week, after snack, they were treated to Advent Workshop where they made Christmas necklaces and a sweet manger scene.  STAIR tutors and IPC youth lent helping hands all along the way. It was a great day!

Magical

I think that Mountain Brook Village needs to win some magical Christmas lights award. I drive through there often and it's still hard not to stop in the middle of the street and jump out for more photos!

Alabama Gold

Around here we say pe-CAHNS, but some folks say PEA-cans. No matter, pecans are pure gold around here and if you've ever cracked and picked them from the shells you can appreciate the time and effort and thus the price even more. Keep your walnuts, I'll take pecans every time!

Les Lumières

Antiquities in Mt. Brook Village, has this enormous basket of small mercury glass votives. Who could resist the purchase or the photograph? Actually I indulged in both!

Something To Crow About!

Meet my dear and talented friend Kimberly Wilson.  She has started a great new photography business and this past week was asked to show her work at a pop up shop at West Elm at The Summit.  Her Red Rooster Images were a huge success and rightfully so.

No Outside Dining

Well we've had some spring like winter this week but rain, rain, and more rain. I think the outside dining at Vino, while very appealing, might be on hold for a while.

Farewell to Fall

We had late fall color here in Birmingham this year.  You get lots of opinions as to why, but here it is December 6, and I found these fabulous Japanese maple leaves still fluttering to the wet pavement yesterday. C'est magnifique!

This Caught My Eye!

Actually it's not Paris of course,  but probably a loading area when Parisian's department store in downtown Birmingham was a very popular place to shop.  I loved shopping there in high school and college and the fact that the name is still on the doorway of this Birmingham alley, brings back good memories.

Wedding!

Last Friday I attended the wedding of some very dear friends at Swann Lake Stables in Cahaba
Heights.  What a beautiful venue for a fall afternoon.

Readbox

I spotted this downtown during Revive Birmingham's event, but the Readbox is popping up everywhere Revive goes all over this town. Leave one, take one. I love this.

Fabulous Fall Part II

Gallery 1930 shares a space with Vino in English Village and with our glorious fall weather, they both offer outdoor seating.

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Looking Out

A few weeks ago I visited Regions Bank on 20th Street downtown Birmingham. As I walked back to my car in the parking deck, this reflection from the inside looking out,  caught my eye.  Today I join my fellow City Daily Photobloggers around the world celebrating this December Theme Day right HERE! http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com.au/