Homegrown in Alabama - The Kids of the Pepper Place

I had way too many to choose from. Photographing the kids is one of my favorite things.

Homegrown in Alabama V - Know Your Famer!

Farmer Hamm

I love the fresh produce at the Pepper Place Market, but getting to meet and visit with the farmers is always the best part.

Homegrown in Alabama IV - Mushrooms Galore!

I'll be honest, never knew all of these gorgeous varieties were grown in Alabama!

Homegrown in Alabama - Salad Bar

Homegrown in Alabama II - Homemade Goodness

You can't pass up the homemade jelly and pickled peppers!

And my favorite...pickled okra!

 

Homegrown in Alabama I - Fill Your Basket

Today we're starting a little mini series featuring Alabama farmers' markets and produce. Today, grab a peach basket and let's start our stroll around the Pepper Place Market. The Market at the Pepper Place began in 2000 as only a summer market but has grown to become almost year around.It's the happening place on Saturdays from 7-12. There are of course fresh produce but now it's expanded to hand crafted goods, music, chef demonstrations as well as baked goods and so much more. 

Road to Change

Today, I was privileged to attend and photograph a Town Hall held at Highland United Methodist Church. A group of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas students along with others from Alabama and Miami, spoke to a standing room only crowd. It was an amazing afternoon. I will be sharing photos for the next few days.

First, I will share the images of Zo Shauku, a 17 year old anti gun violence advocate who was shot in his bed last week here in Birmingham, was the first speaker.  As he made his way slowly to the center aisle microphone on his walker, holding his side, he shared his experience and powerful words for us all.

For the next few days, I will share more photos from this amazing event.

From Snapshots to Creative Photographs!

For my Birmingham area readers, I will be teaching my 5 week series From Snapshots to Creative Photographs again this fall at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Conservatory of the Arts. I hope you will join our class and pass this information to friends and family who might be interested.

Back in the Water!

After a few weeks off to mend from an injury, today I'm back in the pool, figuratively.
 I visited a very special place, the Children's Fresh Air Farm. IPC's  STAIR of Birmingham graduates, grades 2-5, gather there for our Summer Learning Program. It's academics, and so much more. This special program bridges the summer gap when so many students lose ground during the summer. They get two hot meals, study hard on math and reading in the morning with certified teachers, and in the afternoons swim, have art and so many other wonderful activities. My church, Independent Presbyterian Church sponsors, and I"m just happy to be along to photograph the fun!

Old School

Ginger's Garden

Ginger's garden again. I love it because she has formal areas, ( to please her husband), lovely loose , natural plantings with shrubs and flowers. But the best, is the upper garden that is loose and funky with an old bathtub of salad greens ( tub 'o salad), some fruit trees, wildflowers, bee hives and wine bottle line beds. I have always loved nasturtiums, since I planted them as a child. 

You're A Grand Ole Flag!

This Americana vignette was too good to pass up for the Fourth of July.  Barbara Adkins' Black Sheep Antiques in Harpersville always had vintage flags.

     Black Sheep Antiques 

39509 AL-25, Harpersville, AL 35078

The Last Magnolia

Magnolia blooms are one of the many things that I love about summer in Birmingham. I love them even when they are waning.

National Peace and Justice Memorial - Part III

Today's photo essay is the Part III of the National Peace and Justice Memorial in Montgomery AL. If you have missed the previous posts, scroll down.

As we left the lynching memorial building, we followed a path around to the back of the grounds. Artist Dana King's three sculptures are "dedicated to the women who sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott."