Leaving on a Jet Plane

Yes, today's the day!  My daughter Melissa, Eva (7) , Davis ( 4) , and I will be leaving on a jet plane shortly for Paris!  I leave you in good hands.  I have 4 Birmingham photography friends (and an "import" from LA!) who have been kind enough to share some of their wonderful photos while I'm gone .  You will enjoy seeing Birmingham ( and a few other places) through their lenses, believe me.  I hope you will continue to stop by and leave comments for them.  Of course I will be chiming in frequently as well. ( What else would a control freak do!!)   While in France, I will be posting commentary and lots of photographs on Paris Through My Lens.  I can't promise daily, but I hope frequently, so drop by and follow our adventures in Paris and Fontaine-Fourches.   For now........au revoir!

The Tune du Jour

Au Revoir, Bon Voyage

la tour Eiffel est sur la table!

Last night was bittersweet.  I said a fond farewell to a small group of friends.  I may be gone for two months to France but while  it is a  glorious opportunity, I will surely miss my daughter Kathleen,  her family and my sweet friends. Last night was so much fun. We enjoyed wine, cheese and French baguettes.  This trip holds the promise of exciting new places and experiences, a gazillion images to be captured, and many new friends made, but my family and old friends will certainly be in my heart.

The Creativity of a Child - Shadow Series

Magic City Art Connection

" All children are artists.  The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up."

Pablo Picasso

This is second in the series of "Hands With Clay" from the Magic City Art Connection's children's art activities. 

Vidalias!

Say the word VIDALIA and southerners swoon! These are the sweetest onions you will ever put in your mouth and as with other regional favorites, we have figured out how to make everything from relish, bar-b-que sauce, and Vidalia onion tarts out of them. I found this box full of at the Oak Street Market, right next to Billy Angell's wonderful Oak Street Garden Shop. The sun coming in the window made them look like pure gold.

Lonnie Holley

Portrait of Lonnie Holley, Birmingham outsider artist.  His work is currently being shown at Lite Box Gallery at the Pepper Place.

Highlands

That one word....Highlands...... is all you have to say around here. Folks know that you are headed to Highland's Bar and Grill, Frank Stitt's flagship restaurant. If you read the NY Times article 36 Hours in Birmingham,  you know that it was ranked in the top 5 for the prestigious James Beard Award.  I featured another window here before my last trip to Paris.  Today, a photograph that was one of those "Christmas presents" as I like to call them.  A photo that when loaded on your computer makes you sit back and smile.  This is a personal favorite of mine. I love the reflection being the star and the interior of the restaurant taking a back seat. Coming to Birmingham?  Make reservations at Highlands.  Bon appétit!

Merci beaucoup mille fois to my friend PJ at Pensacola Daily Photo for her dear bon voyage post for me today.  Merci PJ, what a thoughtful gesture.

PARIS COUNTDOWN.......4 DAYS!!!!

Sniff!

Well the Pepper Place is indeed a great place to meet and greet.....even for canines!  Apparently it is de riguer to drag the family pooch along, although I'm still not sure why!  As I've said before, it can be a real  "Sniff and Snarl".   If I were going to be here all summer I'd do a mini series on  Pepper Place Dogs.  When I get home I might still give it try.  I got a good start on Saturday's opening day.  I'll have to admit that sometimes the dogs are more interesting than the owners!  I laughed myself silly over these guys!  See for yourself.

Group Sniff!

Rowdy Radishes

You've got to admit that this box of radishes looks like it could party till the cows come home! When I downloaded this photo I laughed out loud. Compare this with the " Rule Follower" group below.

Welcome Back to the Pepper Place Market

Those of you that have followed my blog since last summer are very familiar with our Pepper Place Market.  It's open from May through October on Saturdays.  Located around the old Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, it's the place to be on a Saturday morning.  There are wonderful fruits and vegetables from local growers, flowers,  homemade sweets, jams, salsa, crafts,  live music and demonstrations by local chefs.  I don't mind telling you that this is one thing I'll miss while I'm in France.  

Today a couple of photos to give you a taste of Pepper Place. Stay tuned, I have more this week, plus an artist or two!

These posies are from  Jones Valley Urban Farm in downtown Birmingham

Francophile... Moi??

Well a week from today, we'll be making the grand voyage.  It's seemed like so far in the future and now that it's almost here, I'm shifting into packing panic mode.  Why couldn't I have a hobby that required less "equipment"???  Embroidery would be good.  All you need is some thread, a needle and a piece of fabric.  Art? Well just by a museum pass, queue up at the Louvre and you're covered.  No, I chose photography.  This trip it's 3 lenses, a TRIPOD ( I'm sick of blurry night photos and I'm sure you are too), not to mention memory cards, card reader, discs, thumb drives, extra battery and the charger, photography books to read on the plane and on and on.......  I may end up with one change of clothes as a result but rest assured all 12 scarves are GOING!!!  

Today I unashamedly show off my collection of la tour Eiffel.  Some are Christmas ornaments that I couldn't bear to pack away, others I've bought here and in Paris. I'm certain there are more in my future.  I hope I have room in my suitcase to bring them home. If not, I'll ditch that extra change of clothes!

Chandeliers - The Mini Series

Lately I've been re-examining the photographs I've held onto for dear life but wondered if and when I'd ever use them.  Today a little Mini Series of chandeliers that I think together make a "statement"!  The top one is from an antique store near the Pepper Place. The bottom two are from Kevin Irwin's studio!

Nervous As A Cat.....

on a porch full of rockers!   

Last week I  visited The Commissary on Overton Road for the first time.  They had a terrific selection of gifts, furniture and artwork , but the building and the porch were a photographer's delight. I'm not a cat person but this stray cat, that the owner told us had just made herself at home in their rockers, was too good to pass up.  The porch was chock full of wonderful things from the great color on the concrete steps,  to the fabulous chair that I managed to sneak in for my Chair Series!

My thanks to Wildeve for this thoughtful award.  I pass it on to my friend FireLight at The Keeping Room.  Oh how I wish I had her writer's gift.  Her wondrous words move me to tears, smiles, and so much more.  I am so grateful for her friendship.

Fini! Well Almost...

Today, we jump to the signing of the piece  before firing.  Hope you've enjoyed getting to watch Wade Oliver at work. What an artist!

Steam Heat

We visited my new best friend, potter Wade Oliver, yesterday . Today I'll show you another step in the process.  Before Wade takes the bowl off the wheel, he uses a little blow torch to dry the clay a titch so it's easier to handle.  He set this one on the table by me and ohh the steam came up and I almost had a hissy fit!  Talk about at the "decisive moment".  Thank goodness I had my act together and caught it!  The photo below shows the finished bowls before firing.