Bonne année!

All Is Calm, All is Bright

Christmas blessings to all of my readers around the world who celebrate Christmas.

Birmingham? Paris?

ETC. in Mountain Brook Village always has the most fabulous Christmas window. Could easily rival any windows I've seen in Paris.

Foggy Day on Altamont

On my way home from work this afternoon, the fog and the trees on Altamont Road were too good to pass up. Luckily, I had my phone!

Magic City Nutcracker III

These adorable ballerinas found a good way to stay entertained and quiet backstage, until their time to dance.

Magic City Nutcracker II

The rosin box is just off stage. The ballerinas dancing en pointe use it often.

Magic Citiy Nutcracker 2018 - Part I

This past weekend, I enjoyed seeing our ballerina, Chappell, perform in the Magic City Nutcracker at the Virginia Samford Theatre. On Sunday, I was invited to photograph back stage. What a wonderful experience. For the next few days I will share some of my favorite images.

Our Ballerina

Looking forward to seeing my talented granddaughter Chappell performing for the Magic City Ballet's Nutcracker, at the Virginia Samford Theatre. Click the link for tickets.

Bittersweet

We southerners covet bittersweet. After finding a nice stand of it once on a road trip to Tennessee, and trying to drag the sticky vines out of the undergrowth, haul it home, and only to find most of the berries in the bottom of my trunk, hence the name. Whatever your *garden shop wants to charge you for this lovely vine...pay it.

Oak Street Garden Shop for the win!

Welcome Fall!

I am declaring this a Sweetgum, but will welcome an expert opinions!

Autumn Vines

These autumn vines remind me so much of Paris. Actually this is right here in Birmingham at my daughter's home.

At Last!

Fall, we've been waiting for you.

Papa's Hands

and Susie's toes.

Dazzling Dahlias III

Today, we again tour Kathy Whitfield's amazing dahlia garden. I have no idea how many varieties they grow but do know that they show at dahlia shows across the SE.

Dazzling Dahlias II

More from Kathy Whitfield's dahlia garden

Dazzling Dahlias

I visited Kathy Whitfield's home recently to shoot her fabulous dahlia gardens again. I think I'll share a few this week with you.

I"m putting the finishing touches on my newest phototalk, GARDENS OF BIRMINGHAM, and I will include the "Dahlia Lady" as well as the Adama and Clark homes and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. I love to present my phototalks to civic, church and study clubs, as well as garden clubs. 

Homework I

I"m currently enjoying an online photography class, Creative Workout, with my friend Meredith Mullins who now lives in Paris. Each week she introduces 1-2 well known photographers and we explore their work. She then sends us off with our cameras to complete a homework assignment with their work as our inspiration.

Week 1 was Robert Frank, who was able to capture the essence of a place while often breaking the rules. We were to do the same. I never realized how hard breaking the rules would be for me. I offer up my image taken at Sam's Super Samwiches. The bottles, smack dab in the middle of the photo is in focus while the others, although out of focus, give the viewer reference.
BTW, the BEST HOT DOGS on the planet!

The Faces of STAIR

Most of you know that one of my favorite assignments is photographing for STAIR of Birmingham. I'm lucky enough to visit the 13 sites all over Birmingham and capture the essence of this outstanding program for Birmingham students. This week I tagged along to 4 sites. This guy, just made my day. Learning to be a better reader is really the best gift a kid can ever get. Please visit the website of STAIR of Birmingham for more information on how you can become a STAIR tutor AND donate to keep this wonderful program going!

Sunday Church Series - First Pres

 One of my favorite churches in Birmingham, First Presbyterian Church. 

New Friendships, New Understandings

Today wrapped up the weekend long retreat of Kids In Birmingham 1963.  This group, with contributors from across the country gathered here to meet each other and share their experiences. I was privileged to join the group for church yesterday at the 16th Street Baptist Church and again today at Parker High School. We were delighted to be joined by an impressive group of the school's leaders. This activity of joining hands and showing appreciation for each other was especially meaningful for me.

For those of you who grew up in Birmingham in 1963, I encourage you to share your story on the website. If you are a teacher in the Birmingham area and would like some of us to come and speak with your class, please contact Ann Jimerson via the website.

Many thanks to Ann Jimerson and her committee for planning a most memorable weekend.

Never Forget

Today I joined fellow Kids in Birmingham 1963 contributors who were in town for a weekend long retreat.  Each of us were growing up in this city during the Civil Rights Movement and have our own stories to tell. I was fortunate to join the group today for services at the 16th Street Baptist Church, the site of the September 15, 1963 church bombing. We gathered before for a group photo surrounding Birmingham artists Elizabeth MacQueen's beautiful memorial sculpture, The Four Spirits.

A special thank you to the congregation at the church for a warm welcome. I wish you all could have heard that wonderful message and music. It was very special sitting in that sacred space on this day.

* Many of the members of this group live here in Birmingham are eager to come speak to school or other groups in at the Birmingham area.  Contact Ann Jimerson on the website for more information.

Sunny Day

Wade Sand and Gravel on a blue sky day!

The Dahlia Lady

Kathy Whitfield is renowned in Birmingham as The Dahlia Lady. Visiting her backyard Bluff Park garden is breathtaking. She and her husband show dahlias all over the country and often sell blossoms to florists and flower arrangers in the area.  I'm featuring their garden on my newest phototalk: GARDENS OF BIRMINGHAM. 

Wade Sand and Gravel Part I

I recently revisited a favorite venue. I was at Wade Sand and Gravel to reshoot in a higher resolution some peeling paint that has been haunting me for years. Today, while wandering around after the shoot, I decided to do a little challenge. I just shared with my photography class the benefits of shooting the same thing a zillion ways. Thank  you Kim Riegel for this assignment in 2008. Here's my "homework" for my class.

BTW, I teach a five week class for amateurs who want to improve their photographs at Vestavia United Methodist Church Conservatory of the Arts. Please check the website for my next class series.

Come back for more photos from this shoot!

Homegrown in Alabama - The Kids of the Pepper Place

I had way too many to choose from. Photographing the kids is one of my favorite things.

Homegrown in Alabama V - Know Your Famer!

Farmer Hamm

I love the fresh produce at the Pepper Place Market, but getting to meet and visit with the farmers is always the best part.

Homegrown in Alabama IV - Mushrooms Galore!

I'll be honest, never knew all of these gorgeous varieties were grown in Alabama!

Homegrown in Alabama - Salad Bar