Change In Plans

Well the weather through us a curve ball here in Alabama, and was suppose to be a "light dusting" proved to be a delightful fluffy snow day. That meant no schools, no Lessons and Carols and no just about anything but staying inside and enjoying watching the snow fall. I did venture out several times, just around my apartment for photos so you'll be seeing a few for the next few days. It will be back to business as usual tomorrow I hope!

For my Birmingham area readers, I hope you will attend Independent Presbyterian Church's 68th Annual Holiday House Tour. You can purchase tickets online, at each home or at the church. Saturday and Sunday the church will be open for you to see the exquisite floral decorations and have tea in the Great Hall. All proceeds go to fund so many wonderful projects such as the Children's Fresh Air Farm and the STAIR reading program. 

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!

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.

Covered Up

View from my balcony

This has been a challenging weather month for those of us in Birmingham ( remember, we're in the Deep South).  We're not all that comfortable with ice and snow.  Last week, Mother Nature DUMPED a lot of snow on us within a few hours and that left our fair city in a horrendous mess.  This week, we've had ice/snow scares all week, which after last week's surprise made us all more than a little careful. Bottom line, we have waited and waited, but got some lovely, fluffy stuff late this afternoon. I'd say about 3 inches at my home. Enjoy!

More Snow On My Roof?

Pardon, we are all bit shell shocked from the last snow dump that left everyone in Birmingham scrambling to get home. Now there's a hint of icy rain etc and we have already shut down. Stay tuned.

Guest Photographer, Michael Anderson

Today my friend Michael Anderson shares this fine image of Avondale Park during the recent snowfall.

Last Rose

The snowfall in Birmingham was predictably short lived. It was gone by this morning for the most part. Still another image to share.

Bama Snow

Rockford Road International Airport closed due to snow

I think I've rubbed this in enough, but just in case... here in Alabama we have the best snow situation. Most of the time it snows, well we might have to close the city down for a day or two, but then it melts and life moves on.  Sometimes.. it's even better. Well it snows like the dickens and then the next day by noon we're back to normal. Talk about the best of both worlds!  That's what happened Wednesday night.  We had us a really pretty, fluffy snowfall but by morning we were all good to go!  I can't even remember a time we had snow when the schools were open that morning. Lord have mercy, we're acting like a bunch of Yankees around here! :)

My thanks to Maureen and Cliff Holt , Little Savannah Restaurant and Bar, who graciously allowed me to exhibit my photographs for the coming month. We had an opening reception tonight and I was so thrilled and touched that so many of my dear friends stopped in.  Special thanks to my daughter Kathleen and friend Martha Ann Doyal who helped me hang the exhibit. Without them, it would not have happened. My Right Brain has totally taken over.... I was pretty useless.

Snow Capped II

The Lenten Rose post yesterday was a cruel joke I fear, because today, we're right back to the snow photos.

As many of you know, I am presently teaching a photography class. I pleased to be featuring some of my talented students' work right here. Today, Tom Cronier's grand view of the historic Alabama Theatre in the midst of last week's snowstorm. Tom is an terrific volunteer at the Alabama, so he didn't mind a bit braving the cold for this shot! ( He also thought it would earn him some brownie points with the teacher.......it did! )

photo by Tom Cronier

Snow Capped

I'm sure you thought I was over it with the snow photos. NOPE!

Another Magical Snowfall

This gives, "Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton....." a whole new meaning. Dried seed pods piled with snow, became winter's cotton crop!

Oh this was a delightful surprise. I was photographing my neighbor's beautiful evergreens, and I captured the cardinals in the background!

BADP Update - Baby, It's Cold Outside

This morning around 11:00am I went out in the car and it looked like this on

Highland Golf Course.

Now it's about 2:45 pm and it looks like this around my home~

And this

And this

became this, very quickly!

Frosting

Today, I'm hoping to be on my way to Paris. The weatherman has predicted snow again, AGAIN in Birmingham!! Well I'm sorry I'll miss that, but I've posted so many photos from last December's morning of snow that maybe it's best I'm not there to take more! I fear I've pushed the limits, but that said, I'm sharing one more, just ONE more from that glorious morning. La neige est trés belle!

Santa Claws?

When it snowed a few weeks ago, this lion, and his matching pal, looked even more festive all decked out on my neighbors' front porch. Ho Ho Ho......grrrrrr.

DON'T FORGET!

I'll be giving away a Paris Through My Lens Calendar on Christmas Eve. Go to my Paris Blog

and leave me a comment letting me know you want to put your name in the chapeau for the drawing!

Snow Saw

Last Saturday's snowfall was just magical. Forgive me for posting more photos, but you must understand that snow here in Birmingham is such a rare sight, that we relish every minute and every image. Bear with me, not many more.

Keeping Watch

Saturday, our first stop for snow photographs was the playground at Triangle Park in Forest Park. It was deserted except for this one little guy perched on the railing keeping watch.

I'm joining Aileni's Monochrome Weekly group again this week. Click HERE to see the other participants!!!

The swings seemed to be waiting as well

Snow Fell on Alabama

Yesterday morning we woke up to a winter wonderland of sorts. Who knew the weatherman would be right for once? A nice covering of very wet snow made for a perfect photo op. This is the way we like snow down here. It snows, the roads stay clear, you get all the photos you can take, and by noon it's all melted and you're done for the winter. What could be better! A little like ordering a snowfall online! I came home yesterday with almost 400 pictures in my camera. No, I won't make you look at them all, but you'll have to humor me and let me share quite a few!!!

The Star, a Homewood Tradition

The star hanging at the top of the hill in downtown Homewood has been shining at Christmas for as long as I can remember. (Yes, we had electricity back then! ) I like it when communities honor longtime traditions! I featured it last December from another angle here. I decided to try it from another perspective a few nights ago. Twinkle, twinkle!!

LATE BREAKING WEATHER NEWS!!!

For days the weather man has said we'd get snow flurries late Friday night. We all laughed and laughed and said our usual, "It won't stick!" Well hello snow. This is what I saw from my bedroom window this morning. The roads are clear so we're good to go but it is a lovely scene to enjoy with my morning coffee.

It's Snow Joke!

Alabama Snowmobile

I did two years of hard wintertime in Iowa and Wisconsin many years ago, and I haven't forgotten one minute of it.  I'm not one of those pie in the sky southerners who spend their whole winter yearning for some kind of snow. Let's just say I've been there, done that. Yesterday's snow was just like I like it.  It snowed hard , made for some gorgeous photos, all the kids got to build snowmen and sled a little, the roads stayed clear, we didn't lose POWER, and it was over and done in a day!!!!  What could be more perfect?  Wayne asked me if we had snow plows in Birmingham. I told him we didn't have anything down here that started with the word SNOW. (Well we do.... Snow Cones).   Birmingham is very hilly and when it ices that pretty much shuts us right down.   One day is plenty thank you.  Now you have to look at a few more photos today cause I'm not through.

BLOG UPDATE: Please hop on over to my producer/manager Wayne's redesigned blog....Meandering in Lotus Land.  Same great photos of Vancouver BC,  just not always daily. My oh my, isn't he the smart one!

Just when you think it's time to sit outside on the porch...... it snows in Alabama!

Mixed message

Transformation

March Theme Day - GLASS

As I am famous for, I used my really best "glass" photos a few weeks back,  so I have been scrambling for something for today's City Daily Photo Theme Day.  I regret that this entry is not from Birmingham, but that's how it goes.   Welcome to the  Museé Carnavalet in Paris' Marais district.  A beautiful place that you should put on your "to do"  list if you ever get lucky enough to visit Paris.  I took a lot of photos through this unusual window,  and I am giving you two different shots so that you get the feel.  It overlooks the gorgeous rose garden.  I think this might be my favorite window in Paris.

City Daily Photo bloggers around the world are sharing their interpretation of GLASS!
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

LATE BREAKING WEATHER!!!

Well look what happened in Birmingham overnight!  This happens every few years - a very late snowfall when we THINK spring is here.  Enjoy these images I captured this morning.  It's still snowing and baby it's COLD outside!!!!

PS, Come back tomorrow for more. I've been jealous all winter of all your fabulous snow photos, I'm going to milk this one for all it's worth!

This is Chez Virginia!

My neighbor's yard. 

10:00 a.m. and it's snowing again like crazy!!