Barking Up The Right Tree

 Architecture Works on Birmingham's southside has a wonderful inclosed courtyard planted with these wonderful trees with chairs for their employees to hold meetings, enjoy lunch, or just take a few minutes to enjoy the quiet and relax. What a great idea.

Bamboo on 2nd

Yesterday we visited The Collins Bar on 2nd Avenue North, today we cross the street and have a look at my talented friend Sarah Soule Webb's terrific octopus now hanging at Bamboo on 2nd. Bamboo features not just sushi but Asian fusion dishes.  I am hearing rave reviews for this place.

Collins Bar

Thankfully our downtown is hopping with new restaurants, bars, shops and so much more. Second Avenue North is especially cool right now. Saturday I snapped a few photos from curbside at Collins Bar. The umbrellas hanging from the trees caught me eye, of course. I"ll try and visit one night and report back.

At Last....

My very dear  friends,  Jeff Johnson and Sonny Williams were married last night. Independent Presbyterian Associate Minister, The Reverend Susan Clayton performed the ceremony, at Work Play, as we all gathered to celebrate Sonny and Jeff's 25 year long commitment to each other.  This celebration was a long time coming, but at last.....

Autumn in the Gardens

I love our Botanical Gardens. It's near my home and I pass it almost every day. Sometimes I just stroll around for half and hour with my camera and am reminded always how lucky we are to have this peaceful place.... with no admittance fee!

Stop And Smell The Last Flowers of the Season

Eudora, and her pal Sunshine live amidst Cathy Adams' beautiful garden. Yesterday, the shy Eudora who was hiding from all the luncheon guests, humored me and posed, and posed, and posed.

Light And Shadows

This tranquil spot near the lily pond at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens always draws my eye. The light and shadows of the wrought iron tables and chairs are hard to resist.

Birmingham Rouge - Japanese Maples

Fall is finally showing her stuff in Birmingham although most of our trees are just thinking about changing colors. I did a little walk about at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens this week and found this glorious Japanese Maple at Leaf 'n Petal's garden shop there.

Art Is Where You Find It

Meet my very good friend and well known Birmingham photographer Larry Gay. Larry and I have been friends a long time and run into each other all over town. He is exhibiting his work "Art Is Where You Find It" at The Abbey coffee shop in Avondale.  Stop by and have a look and buy LOTS of prints!

Glass Act

Every October Sweet Peas Garden Shop in  Homewood invites area artists to share their work for an art show in the garden. I stopped by Saturday morning to say hello to some of my talented friends and found Chris Champion giving glass blowing demonstrations. The process is fascinating to watch.

Church Series - Prayer Shawls

A few months ago I had the good fortune to attend a Friday Shabbat Worship Service at Temple Emanu-El. These prayer shawls, tallits, have always drawn my eye outside of the synagogue. 

Bicycles Bult For YOU!

Birmingham is pleased to be the first city in the state to offer bike rentals. This week the ZYP Bike program kicked off at Railroad Park. 300 bright green bikes with over 30 docking stations in the downtown and southside areas will be free for the first 45 minutes. The program is sponsored by Regions Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Alabama Power, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex and the Community Foundation. For our city, sorely in need of a rapid and reliable transit system, this offers an affordable way for some of our citizens to get around or just enjoy a family outing. Welcome Zyp!

Drummer Boys

High school football season is in full swing and you have to love a good marching band!

Amazing Grace...

how sweet the news! Yesterday preciousGrace who has been a mighty girl throughout her  year long chemo treatments received some good news from her doctors. Her scans show she is clear!!! (You can follow Grace right HERE on Facebook). Those of us who know her and her wonderful family couldn't be happier.