Sally Knits!

Meet my sweet friend Sally Chew. Sally has been knitting all her life and a sells her beautiful scarves, wraps, vests and accessories all over the southeast. She also serves as my knitting advisor. As I plod along cranking out one scarf every six months, Sally's home is full of many projects that somehow she manages to keep going at the same time.

Wheeeeeee!

As I've often said, sometimes you get served what's on my plate at the moment. I have had a few Christmas photo shoots this week and today, you get to have a peek. Meet Millie and her dad. David is an assistant minister at my church, and we did a family shoot right after church yesterday. This took my breath ,and I'm very glad to report it had a good outcome!

Sunday Church Series - Cathedral of St. Paul

Downtown's beautiful Cathedral of St. Paul., built in 1890 for the cost of....$90,000.

Birmingham's Urban Mural

Located on the east wall of the Boutwell Auditorium, this colorful mosaic "depicting a mythical dragon rising out of Birmingham's industrial past." The 28,000 colorful tiles were created through participation from Space One Eleven and completed in 2000.

Back In The Classroom

They grew UP and I didn't!

Yesterday I got to do what I love. 

1. Talk to students 

2. Talk about Paris

2. Talk about photography

4. Share my photos

5. Be back in Homewood classrooms

 I was invited back to Madame Michelle Myer's French classes at Homewood High School to share my photos and talk about my love of Paris. This year, after my trip during the attacks in Paris, my photos and talk took another turn. I took her classes through my last trip day by day and tried to explain what it felt like to be there and share what I saw and felt. The bonus was that I was able to reconnect with two of my former third graders in her French IV class. They were working on a project concerning the Climate Conference in Paris. Mrs. J was left in their dust, but I was thrilled and impressed to sit and listen as they conversed en français!

Ron's Ginkgo

I will probably post this photo every autumn as long as I have this blog. My friend Ron Council planted these ginkgo trees in front of his home in Forest Park from seeds he gathered at Birmingham Southern College years ago. He loved them, and we all loved Ron, so seeing them in all their glory every autumn reminds us all of his wonderful spirit.

Under Wraps

August, 2011 this was shot in the mezzanine of the historic Lyric Theatre. I loved the old seats with all the dust, spider webs, and grime. Well times are changing and this old abandoned theatre is coming to life. I took my 12th trip to the Lyric Theatre on Monday and my jaw dropped at the amazing transformation since my last trip about 9 months ago. The Lyric is set to open in January, 2016. Just you wait, I will have many teasers leading up to the big opening and photos that night as well!

New seats under wraps for now at the Lyric

CDP Theme Day - Your Shop Windows

Today's City Daily Photo Theme is Shop Windows. I chose the eclectic Reed Books, The Museum of Fond Memories in downtown Birmingham. You can spend hours in this place that is full to the brim with old books and memorabilia.  To see the other entries of my fellow CDP blog friends, click HERE!

Things Are Looking Up

The Thomas Jefferson Tower ( aka Leer Tower) is approaching the end of its extensive renovation. This 20 story former hotel, has for long been standing empty and deteriorating, but will soon reopen as a mixed condo/retail space. Things are looking up in Birmingham!

Sunday Church Series - Holy Trinity- Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church

One of my favorite sacred spaces in Birmingham.  

Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church    

Hurry Up!

I am very grateful that all those years when I was responsible for buying, setting up and decorating our Christmas tree, that there wasn't this insane rush to get the tree up and house decorated by Thanksgiving. If I got it all done with a week or so to spare before Christmas, I patted myself on the back and had a glass of wine to celebrate. Christmas trees at Oak Street Garden Shop are standing tall and looking fresh. Better hurry!

Escapee

Last seen at Stone Hollow Farmstead,

Thankful

L-R: Kathleen, Chappell, Lindley, Davis, Eva, Laura Kate and Melissa

Today as we Americans gather with family and friends, I am grateful for my sweet family and all of my dear friends near and far. The events in Paris last week, made me even more aware of how fragile life is. Thank you all for your visits to this blog and your friendship. May we all pray for peace around this world today.

Unbridled Joy

Blackjack Farms