City Sunset

My talented artist friend Kevin Irwin's studio looks north towards downtown Birmingham. I liked the reflection of her studio in the window.

Today I again join James' Weekend Reflections right HERE. 

Along Morris Avenue

I have admired this gate with the lion heads for many, many years. I've  photographed them every way I know of to get them just right. Morris Avenue is an historic cobble stoned avenue just as you enter downtown Birmingham, off 20th Street. It's famous for the Peanut Depot across the street but this office gate is my favorite.

Eclectic

Well that's one way to describe Fritz Woehle's Garages on Southside. I have visited this most unusual combination of antique/junk/found objects/bar and grill many times. I always find something new. This carousel horse seemed trapped inside wanting to mingle with all of us having lunch that day.

I've Forever Blowing Bubbles!

I do not consider myself a children's photographer by a long shot, but do from time to time for neighbors and friends. Yesterday, three precious girls from my church. Mom had a pretty fabulous plastic bubble machine that took the shoot to another level. (I'm ordering one on Amazon tonight!)

Chilton County

Best peaches on the planet and don't you forget it!

Sunday Church Series- Amazing Grace

... how sweet the sound. This is the old organ at the First Presbyterian Church in Union Point, Georgia. Don't imagine they still use it for services but what a treasure.

Chillin'

Nothing like a popsicle on a hot summer day. 

Wacky Nanny Art Camp

City Views

I am a lucky girl. I have some dear friends whose homes overlook our city from atop Red Mountain. This time of  year it's spectacular.

Standing Watch

Civil Rights leader Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth stands watch outside the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, just across the street from the historic 16th Street Baptist Church.

Summertime...

and the living is easy. Fish are jumpin'....

These fish aren't jumping' but certainly liven up Sweet Peas Garden Shop in Homewood! And not to mention it too HOT to fish!

Rest Home

I love this aged bird house with the ivy growing gracefully across. My friend Jeff's garden abounds with sweet vignettes such as this.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Finally, after 2 years, yesterday I got INSIDE Regions Field. This terrific new stadium, just across the street from Railroad Park, opened in April, 2013. I've been dying to get inside ever since. Yesterday I attended a sparsely attended game with my daughter Kathleen and her girls. It was HOT, 98 degrees thank you, but we had a great time and the crowd was enthusiastic. I gave my camera to grand-daughter Lindley so I could concentrate on my heat stroke. Today's photo is hers!

Sunday Church Series - Edmonds Chapel

The Edmonds Chapel, Independent Presbyterian Church

Take One - Leave One

These Little Free Libraries are popping up all over town... I hope. We have two in my neighborhood! What a great idea. Leave some you've read and take one you've been wanting to read. 

Vacancy

As is often the case on this blog, you get served whatever I'm working on at the moment. Right now, I'm exploring a lot of macro/abstract possibilities. I went to a neighbor's to photograph her mother's vintage dresses the other day, and she had a bowl with an old wasp nest .... I got out my iPhone and macro lens. Not the prettiest photo but interesting I hope. Emily had an "active" nest hanging above her front door. I declined the offer.

Meet the Artist - Darius Hill

I caught my neighbor, artist Darius Hill biking recently at Avondale Park's Bike Parade. Darius is the Chairman of the Visual Arts Department at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and exhibits his work throughout the southeast. It's an artistic family. Darius' wife is the talented artist, Bethanne Hill and they have three of the greatest kids I know! 

Remembering

This wonderful lady, who participated in the Civil Rights Movement here in Birmingham, is seen studying the powerful images of Birmingham photographer Spider Martin and South Africa's Peter Magubane, at the opening reception for the Freedom Exhibition: Two Countries, One Struggle. This important exhibit at the Abroms/ Engel Institute for the Visual Arts at UAB, runs through August 8. In addition to the photographs,Willie Coles' Transformations and selected pieces from the collection of Lydia Cheney and Jim Sokol are included. This is an exhibit that those in the Birmingham area should not miss.

Cool In The Pool

Have mercy, it's 100 degrees here this week, and I'm thinking this evening shot of the pool at the Country Club of Birmingham might just cool us off!

Into The Light

The bamboo forest at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is magical. You can wander among the towering bamboo and then find this light through the tunnel.

Sunday Church Series - Kirkwood By The River

Kirkwood By The River is a retirement living facility located on the beautiful Cahaba River. The chapel features unusual and quite contemporary stained glass windows.

Petal Soup

These lovely watermelon colored crape myrtle blossoms ( my favorite color) were floating happily in the birdbath at Charlie Thigpen's Garden Gallery at the Pepper Place.

75 Years Ago...

a beautiful 12 year old wore this lovely dress. 

A Healing Place

Tonight thinking about what a wonderful, caring, healing place this is for children here in Birmingham, around our state and across this country.

Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children

Open??

Doubtful

Parkside Cafe

Avondale

Sexy?

I'm exploring new avenues with my photography and this curvaceous column on Birmingham's Massey Building caught my eye with renewed interest. Amazing  how marble can be so fluid and yes...sexy.

Walk Softly...

and carry a big baguette! Luckily there are some great baguettes to be found at the Pepper Place Market on Saturday mornings.

Sunday Church Series - First Church

First United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham was founded in 1872 and draws members from all over Jefferson County. To quote their website: " At First Church, our wonderful history is combined with a dynamic vision to create an engaging authentic experience of worship, discipleship and service." 

You're A Grand Ole Flag

A grand old flag indeed and one I love. In honor of the Fourth of July, I chose a tune for you. I selected this version because it is sung by children. When I taught third grade at Shades Cahaba Elementary, our Character Partners were Mrs. Mooresmith's first graders. We often shared activities and her class taught us this song. Wonderful memories of our first and third graders in a circle together singing this song! Click right HERE for a patriotic treat!

Hot Box

Hot Box, a semi-permanent food truck is parked now behind Parkside Bar in Avondale. Love that it's in an old Airstream. BTW, it was closed the afternoon we stopped by so I'll have to report on their food offerings another day.

Picking Peaches

They teach them early down in what is know as peach country, Chilton County!

CDP Theme Day - Upside Down

It's already the first of the month and that means our monthly CDP Theme Day. This month's Upside Down theme almost stumped me but then I discovered this shot of the historic Massey Building in downtown Birmingham that I took years ago. I loved the color only seen by looking straight up.

There are a lot of creative CDP bloggers around the world. Have a look HERE to what they have posted this month.