Still Lovely

The former Sheperd-Sloss Building, 1928, has housed many cafes and businesses over the years but so thankful they left the beautiful architectural details!

Sunday Church Series - Columns

The beautiful Highlands United Methodist Church in Five Points South. This church was probably the first church I posted way back in 2008.

Guess Where I Had Lunch Yesterday?

Paris you say? Well I wish, but I did the next best thing....déjeuner à Chez Fonfon, Five Points South right here in Birmingham.  I had the pleasure of lunching with Jett Gibson Brooks. Jett is in town from Tacoma to attend the Shades Valley High School Reunion this weekend.  We have connected through Facebook and had a lovely day together. 

Concert on the Lawn

This bagpiper was giving a little noonday concert on the front lawn of Highlands United Methodist Church.  Not something you see every day!

Birmingham Rouge - Rennaisance Records

Renaissance Records in Five Points is old record heaven!  I was all about the awning!

Sunday Church Series - The Bell Tower

One of the most beautiful churches in Birmingham,  not only on the outside, but inside as well.  Their passionate commitment to community outreach is a blessing to this city.

Highland United Methodist Church

1045 South 20th Street

If You're Lucky Enough...

to get to here for lunch or dinner, I hope it's open!  Chef Frank Stitt's flagship restaurant,  Highlands Bar & Grill   at Five Points South, after hours.

Euro Birmingham - Les Chaises

I love it when Birmingham and Paris collide.  Chez Fonfon is one of those places.
Located at Five Points South,  for me it's like a quick trip to the other city j'adore!

We're Hobos ma'am Part III - Bracelets and Rings

This is the third in my series.  If you've not followed the previous posts, click HERE and Here.

This young man was braiding bracelets and rings from balls of twine to sell on the street.

We're Hobos Ma'am Part II - Man's Best Friend

Obviously these two were pals that traveled together. I'll be honest, I was more afraid of the collar than the dog!

See yesterday's post for Part I of this series.

We're Hobos Ma'am Part I - Guitar Man

About a month ago, my friend Patty and I took a Saturday afternoon to go out for lunch in Five Points South and then we walked around the area looking for photos. We walked up on a small group of men and Patty and I started chatting and she asked, "What are ya'll doing here?".  One answered, "We're hobos Ma'am." I'll be honest,  I haven't heard that term used since I was in elementary school, and we dressed as hobos for Halloween when we didn't have a costume.  One played his guitar, another cuddle his dog, another made bracelets and rings from twine, while we took their photographs.  No one asked us for money.  Apparently they move from city to city and it's a way of life that they have chosen. It's not for me to judge their lifestyle. I wish them well.  Today is the first of a short series of photographs from that day.

Vintage Record Heaven

Renaissance Records in the Five Points South district is a fun and funky place to browse around.  Old music buffs could wander in and never be seen again.  Nice to know places like this can stay in business when they're up against the Big Boys and the internet.  Owner Gary Bourgeois has owned it since 2003.  He's fun to talk to, tell him I sent you!

2020 11th Avenue South

Birmingham, AL 35205

Flamingo Love

Magnolia's Cards and Gifts in Five Points South.  Go there for the quirkiest gag gifts, and the funniest and yes,  naughtiest cards in town!

The Waiter

It's no secret that Chez Fonfon in  Five Points is one of my favorite places to dine.  I"ll bet can see why.  This is about as close to Paris as I can get in Birmingham. Even the waiters look familiar!

This weekend my Paris amie Mary Gilbert is coming in from Cincinnati and NYC blogger Daryl Edlestein is  flying in from the Big Apple. Mary has requested an encore of Chez Fonfon's marvelous coconut cake. It's at the top of our To Do list!

A Paris Moment à Birmingham

Ohhh la la, I met my chère amie and fellow Paris blogger Genie, at Chez Fonfon yesterday . She and daughter Lauren were up from Mobile and when asked where we should lunch, I knew just the place.  We all agreed that it has a very French feel. They even have moules and frites on the menu!! This is one of internationally known and James Beard finalist, Chef Frank Stitt's fleet of three outstanding restaurants in Birmingham.  Located in Five Points South right next door to his fabulous Highlands Bar and Grill.


My friend and photography buddy, Bill Dixon has shared his photos here many times when I've been away.  Guess blogworld rubbed off on him, so he's gone and created his very own photoblog....Southern Stuff.  Please stop by, have a look, leave a comment and Follow his blog!

Temptation!

I spotted these scrumptious lemon meringue tarts at Chez Fonfon recently. They're lucky all I did was snap a photo instead of raking them all off into my handbag and heading for the door!

Dave's Pub

Lest you think I spend all my time in bars and pubs, let me just tell you right now, that I took these photos of Dave's Pub on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Well now that I've spotted these great wire chairs on the front patio (very French I think) , I might be a threat to drag some friends and actually go at night and taste one or two of their zillion fancy beers! I'll have to pass on the chic cigar offerings. Dave's has been in business for 13 years, which for a pub is probably something to crow about. It's located in Birmingham's trendy Five Points district in the vintage Court Towers. Then again, I might wait till the weather warms up, and we can enjoy sitting outside!

We're Waiting For You!

Ever wonder where all of those gorgeous carousel animals come from ? Well I was shocked when I heard there was a place right here in Birmingham for carving them. Chaffin's Carousel Carving School is located upstairs from Five Point's well known Dave's Bar. I was on my way home from lunch yesterday and passed these wonderful creatures peering out of the windows at me! Well I just parked my car and took a few dozen photographs. I'll bet you're wanting to see more, right? Well me too! I'll be paying another visit when they're open, and I'll have photos galore! Today a few shots to whet your appetite.

I especially like this photo. The reflection is the wonderful old apartment building, Terrace Court, where Chaffin's School is housed.

These giraffes looking down on me made me smile!!

The Storyteller

If you've ever been to Five Points South , you've seen this fountain. This piece, along with various other animals, titled The Storyteller, transformed an ordinary fountain into something very special. The artist is one of Birmingham's most talented sculptors, Frank Fleming. It caused a stir when it was installed but I think everyone's calmed down now. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Frank. He lived only a block from me for many years. I chatted with him a few times as he walked down Saulter Road with his big straw hat on. What a kind and gentle man he was. I regret that he moved from my neighborhood before I got a chance to visit his studio and see his wonderful gardens. A very talented man and I am proud to have met him.

I'm still in Paris but am posting here for a few days before I turn it over to another Birmingham photograper!

For Whom the Bells Toll - Skywatch Friday

The bell tower at Highlands  United Methodist Church, in the Five Points area, is probably one of the most photogenic !  You may remember this unique and beautiful church from an earlier post here,  and the reason that this church is close to my heart.  This is where they serve breakfast to the homeless and those in need,  six days a week.  One morning when I was standing outside chatting with some of the breakfast guests, one of the men told me all about the chiming of the bells and how beautiful it was.  He was very pleased that I stayed around long enough to hear them.  Indeed he was right.  A heavenly sound that brightens the days of all those that hear it. A blessing to the community in more ways than one.

To see all the other Skywatch Friday participants around our world,  go here.  You are in for a treat.

The Tune du Jour is " The Highlands" by Michael Dulin.

Discover Michael Dulin!