Vintage Reflection

Homewood Antiques and Marketplace

930 Oxmoor Road

Today I join James' Weekend Reflections right HERE!

Ice, Ice , Baby!

Well we got a dusting of snow Wednesday night but a lingering of ice yesterday. I really have to share this from my iphone. Within hours.......gone!

Late Breaking Snow!

I was headed to bed when I had one last look outside and saw snow falling. Children, home from school today, waited and watched, waited and watched but at last there are flakes! From my balcony.

Snow Joke?

You need to know this. Here in Birmingham, we get maybe one snowfall a year. It usually lasts a day or two at the most. Last January 29, the weather gurus predicted a light dusting and what we got in spades was what is now dubbed, Snowmageddon! It shut the city down and thousands were stranded far from home in what was a huge event in our city. Oh I hear you all up there in the north snickering. Well we are a hilly city built between two mountains, no snow removal because we live in the south, and nobody knows what snow tires are. So we were in a predicament that we and the weather forecasters, have not forgotten. For the past week, we've had scare, after scare of ice? snow? icy snow? We've dodged the bullet but maybe, just maybe, tomorrow afternoon or night, we might seem some inches. Don't you worry about us. We have all been to the Piggly Wiggly and stocked up on our snow staples of choice. Some grab bread and milk. Others grab wine, wine and potato chips.

Today's shot is from a bank of snow photos I've had stashed for years. How many can I reasonably share in a week or so? I live for these days when I can drag out some more favorites. Stay tuned. You might get more new snow or you might get some potato chip/wine photos for a few days.

Afternoon Sun

Loved this chair in Kevin Irwin's studio.

Mercedes Marathon Bell Center Runners - This Is How They Roll!

These kids and their parents along with the loving staff at the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs make this event so very special!

On your mark!

Get Set!

Go!....ummm not!

GO!!!!!!

Go!!!!!

You're almost there!

Get your medal!!!

Mercedes Marathon Bell Center Runners 2015- The Teaser

Yes, today is the teaser. I photographed the Bell Center Runner Event as part of the Mercedes Marathon weekend yesterday for the third year. If I had to choose a Birmingham event that I love the most...this is it in spades. Today, Chambers as she shoots off the starting line. She and her family are very special to me. For the next few days you will have more precious kiddos to ooh and ahhh over.

Have A Seat

Barber Motorsports Museum

SATURDAY...

10:00 a.m.... be there or be square. I can't post enough precious photos to drum up business for the Bell Center's Runners. This, in my humble opinion, is the BEST part of the Mercedes Marathon Weekend in Birmingham. Great cause, great kids, great parents...... my heart.

The Face of the Bell Center

This Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m., the Bell Runners will take to the streets as part of the annual Mercedes Marathon Weekend. These precious children are running to raise money for the Bell Center For Early Intervention. It is a loving place that touches so many families in our city,  and I would put up a photo every single day on this blog if I could. There will also be terrific runners and relay teams running for these fabulous kids all weekend long. It is a great weekend for Birmingham and the Bell Center.

Vintage Zoom!

Today we're back to the Barber Motorsports Museum. In addition to the motorcycles, on display, there is also a staggering collection of racecars. You can find the world's most extensive  collection of Lotus racecars right here!

I Love Bell Runners!

Forgive me if I overdo the cute photos this week but I LOVE the BELL RUNNERS. That's the run shortly before the Kids' Mercedes Marathon Run this coming Saturday. It benefits the FABULOUS Bell Center for Early Intervention and is the best event I have the privilege to photograph all year long.

Stones and Leaves

Today I'm sharing a photo taken for my photography class. I'm leading a book study on Chris Orwig's VISUAL POETRY at Independent Presbyterian Church. It's my second or third reading and I never tire of Chris' photos and marvelous text. This chapter is on photographing ordinary objects. I found these smooth stones at the columbarium at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook. 

Sunday Church Series - St. Luke's Episcopal Church

St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Vintage at Barber Motor Sports Museum

Yesterday I started off our tour with a taste of the 700 motorcycles on display at the Barber Motor Sports Museum. Today a closer look at a vintage motorcycle. Don't quote me.... I think an Indian.

Built For Speed

If I shared all 350 images I took last Wednesday at the Barber Motorsports Museum, you still would not have the sense of how amazing this place really is. Today we'll start with the motorcycles.  George Barber houses 1350 motorcycles spanning 100 years at this state of the art,five story facility. At any given time, 700 are on display. The variety is staggering and for the most part, except for the really old bikes, the others are in mint condition and look as if they have never been ridden. To say it's sensory overload in an understatement. I told my photography students if they had never been, they needed to put their camera on their shoulder and take a few minutes to just take in the place before they decided what to focus on.

These racks flank the center elevator on four sides and soar from the ground level five stories up. Tomorrow, a closer look at the bikes and later this week, race cars!

The Chase

Yesterday I took a few photography students to the Barber Vintage  Motorsports Museum. It was my third visit, but the first for most of the group. This is by far one of the most outstanding attractions, not only in Birmingham but I wager, the nation. Today I share this amazing sculpture, The Chase by artist Ted Gall , that greets you as you enter. For the next few days, I will be sharing some of the almost 400 images I took in just over an hour in this amazing place.

Fatigue Relief 5 Cents

Last night I was lucky enough to join a group of friends at a renovated downtown loft on 2nd Avenue North. The original brick walls and signage are still in place and I had to pull out my phone and take a few shots. As luck would have it, we heard a wonderful slide presentation by Linda Nelson from the Jefferson County Historical Commission, featuring many of the historic Birmingham landmarks that have been saved, and sadly some that have not.

The Writing on the Wall

Looking out from Kevin Irwin's studio window on 2nd Avenue South.

Chloe and Her Human

My talented friend and artist Kevin Irwin, will laugh when she reads my title today. Chloe is her constant companion and comes to the studio every day. Let's just say Chloe has several cushy beds and an abundance of toys to keep her happy while Kevin creates fabulous art all over the place!

Sunday Church Series - St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church

I love presenting Sacred Spaces of Birmingham, a photo talk of Birmingham's churches and synagogues. I think it's important to share not only Birmingham's larger and more well known churches, but also the smaller ones, that I've found are some of the most beautiful. Today, St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church. 

Saturday Night Bath!

There is so much to love about Kevin Irwin's art studio. I'll bet you didn't expect this step back in time bathroom! For the record, I love the tub but the ratty towel, I loved!

Selma

The opening of the new movie SELMA has brought a lot of attention back to this town and it's important role in the Civil Rights Movement. A while back, I met two bloggers there. Janet from Selma Alabama Daily Photo was our hostess, along with Annie from This is Belgium! After lunch we took the chance for some photos and I captured a few of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Drawn To The Flame

Glass artist Kevin Irwin, studied in Italy to learn this skill. It was fascinating to watch her work.

Afternoon at the Museum

I love this curved bench at the Birmingham Museum of Art. 

Inside the Florentine

 

The second floor of the historic Florentine Building was deserted for far too long. The new renovation seems to have preserved the architectural details over the windows and the lovely features coming down the stairs. This space will become an event venue for the city and brings to life another Birmingham treasure. 

Euro Birmingham

Bottega Café and Restaurant are always a fine dining experience and offer a lovely taste of Euro Birmingham as well. 

City Daily Photo Theme Day - What Would You Miss?

 

The first day of every month, my fellow City Daily Photo blog friends challenge ourselves with a new theme. This month's theme was overload for me. How would I ever choose? I decided to go with something this if so local and so delicious.........Alabama peaches!

To see what my fellow bloggers chose click HERE!