An Old-Fashioned Christmas

Apples, oranges, lemons and limes lend color and natural "flavor" 

to Sturdivant Hall's Christmas Open House.

 Decorator Rebecca Bond Nichols of Shabby & Chic Events/Rentals

 added magnolia and native greenery, along with candles and lanterns

 to complete this mantel display.   

Linking to Monday's Mellow Yellows

and City Daily Photo Blogs

Ribbons and Wreaths

Sturdivant Hall  glowed Thursday night for its annual Christmas Open House. 

Ribbons and greenery hung on the front gate, and garlands and wreaths

 welcomed guests to its great front porch.

Linking to Good Fences

and City Daily Photo Blogs

Sunshine Cottage

Sunshine Cottage in the Old Town Historic District may just have

 the most cheerful exterior around,

 and it's perfect for Monday's Mellow Yellows meme!

Thanks to guest photographer Christine Weerts for this photo!

Linking to 

Monday Mellow Yellows and

City Daily Photo Blogs

Skywatch, Cotton Field Sunset

Can a field of cotton get any more stunning?

 That deep red sunset sure makes a it stand out!

Thanks to Christine Weerts, guest photographer!

Linking to Skywatch Friday

and City Daily Photo Blogs

Signs, Signs: Bama's Back!

So, with a win over No. 1 Mississippi State last weekend, Bama is back

 to the top of the College Football Playoff rankings,

 and I imagine that craftsmen of signs like these

 will be selling even more! 

This sign was for sale at the Orrville Tractor Show.

Linking to Signs, Signs

and City Daily Photo Blogs

S is for Smokey the Bear

It's "S" Week at ABC Wednesday, and SMOKEY the Bear hopped aboard

 the back of this fire truck for the parade at the Orrville Tractor Show. 

The annual event attracts thousands on what usually

 turns out to be a beautiful fall Saturday.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

and City Daily Photo Blogs

Autumn Colors at The Brownstone Manor

Autumn colors were brilliant at The Brownstone Manor this year.

 Our world in the Deep South changed quickly,

 and this morning we are shivering 25-degree F cold!

Guest Photo by Christine Weerts

Linking to Our World Tuesday

and City Daily Photo Blogs

The Maples Have It!

It's been an unusally short but gorgeous fall this year, and the changing colors

 of maple leaves were caught on camera by Christine Weerts.

 From green to yellow to scarlet,

 the maples may have won "Best of Show!"

Sadly, early freezes have claimed most of Selma's leaves already! 

 But I'll be posting more fall colors to help work our way

 through the hit of possible record cold temperatures this week. 

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows

and

City Daily Photo Blogs

Tractors Will Roll

Antique tractors will roll Nov. 8 at the  

West Dallas Antique Tractor, Car, Gas Engine and Craft Show. 

Sponsored by by the Orrville Volunteer Fire Department in cooperation

 with several other rural fire departments, the event also features

 live music and lots and lots of food.

 It is held at the Orrville Community Center. 

For info about the Minneapolis-Moline Power Implement Co., click HERE.  

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows and City Daily Photo Blogs

Covered in Cotton

What could be more beautiful than a field of cotton and a perfect October Day?

This cotton was grown in South Dallas County.

 The picture was taken by Olivia Watts and was originally posted

 to Facebook where it is drawing lots of likes and comments. 

Linking to Scenic Weekends and City Daily Photo Blogs

Autumn at Kenan's Mill

The festival is coming to Kenan's Mill!

Celebrating rural life and traditions of the Alabama Black Belt,

 the Nov. 1 event will feature live music, corn grinding, hayrides,

 mill tours, folklife demonstrations, arts and crafts and children's activities.  

This view of the  back of the 1860's mill is taken from across Valley Creek. 

Linking to Our World Tuesday and City Daily Photo Blogs

Pots of Gold

Pots of golden chrysanthemums and sculptures by Tin Man Charlie Lucas

 decorated the Carneal ArtsRevive terrace this past weekend 

to welcome guests for the Kathryn Tucker Windham

 Alabama Tale-Tellin' Festival.

 The festival features nationally known storytellers

 and musicians and was founded 36 years ago.

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows and City Daily Photo Blogs

Stories for the Children

Lyn Ford weaves a few of her "home-fried" and Affrilachian tales for students 

at Cedar Park Elementary School in Selma. She spent three days this week

 sharing stories with area school children as part of the

 Kathryn Tucker Windham Alabama Tale-Tellin' Festival. A teaching 

artist with the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, Lyn has won several 

storytelling awards and will tell more tales at the festival this weekend.  

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

The Terrace Gate

If you see a sunflower on the terrace gate, then you know it time for storytelling!

Most folks around here associate sunflowers with the late Kathryn Tucker Windham,

 who founded the Alabama Tale-Tellin' Festival 36 years ago.

 The festival has had many venues during those years,

 and now it's located at Carneal ArtsRevive

 on the banks of the Alabama River. 

The festival is this weekend, so join us for some great family fun!

Linking to Good Fences

 

Telling Tales

If you love stories, music and lots of fun, the 36th annual

 Kathryn Tucker Windham Alabama Tale-Tellin' Festival is this weekend. 

Last year, Donald Davis was a featured storyteller, and this year,

 three nationally known storytellers plus The Dill Pickers musical group will perform. 

Check out the details at the ArtsRevive website and Facebook page. 

One Fish, Two Fish

One fish, two fish,

Red fish, blue fish,

(plus some yellow fish!)

Dr. Seuss stories really come to life in the Children's Department

 of the Selma-Dallas County Public Library! 

The aquarium is simply awesome!

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows and City Daily Photo Blogs

Locally Grown

I finally made it to the Selma-Dallas County Farmers' Market the other day

 and BEFORE everything had sold! The peas and corn were already gone,

 but there were plenty of peaches, squash, okra, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.

 Today, the market will be full of vendors for its annual Market Day,

and gift baskets of produce, flowers and more will be given away 

every 15 minutes until noon. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Super Moon Rising

The Super Moon is rising tonight over Selma.

 It will be bigger and brighter early Saturday morning,

 but I might not be up that early! 

Linking to Skywatch Friday

and City Daily Photo Blogs

Z if for Alabama River ZEAL

It's Z Week at ABC Wednesday, and this 20-pound striped bass is just one reason

 why folks fish the river with ZEAL. The big fish was one of a pair caught

 by Barry Cole and photographed by his wife, Judy Cole.

Linking to ABC Wednesday and City Daily Photo Blogs

Celebrating Independence

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

...John Adams, American Founder and second President of the United States

Sundown

As if crepe myrtle isn't pink enough already, the summer blossoms

 just glow even brighter at sundown.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Y is for Yummy Supper

What could be more YUMMY than a supper of local farm-raised catfish,

 garden-fresh squash, green beans, new potatoes and cucumbers...

all topped off with a couple of hushpuppies?

 It's summertime, and the cookin' is easy!

Linking to ABC Wednesday

and City Daily Photo Blogs

July Theme Day, Celebrating Summer

"CELEBRATING SUMMER" is the City Daily Photo Blogs theme for July,

 and I just could not find anything more fitting than

my grandson as he kicked up his heels in the grass!

 I've already posted it on my personal Facebook page. 

Now I'm sharing it with my Selma photo blog.
Happy Summer, y'all! 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs 
and Our World Tuesday

The Battle Begins

So what would you do if invaders were about to storm your town?

Back in April 1865, there weren't many able-bodied men left to defend Selma 

from federal troops, but the city that supplied much of the Confederacy's munitions

 was surrounded with a three-mile long semi-circle of fortifications.

 After a hard-fought but brief battle led by wounded

 Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest,  Selma's arsenal, naval ordnance works

 and many private homes and businesses were burned. 

The 149th reenactment of the battle is this weekend at Riverside Park.

Blue skies are forecast.

Linking to Good Fences, Skywatch Friday and City Daily Photo Blogs

164 Miles to Go

It's 164 miles from Selma to Alabama's oldest city of Mobile,

 and there is a lot to see along the way...if you make the time! 

 This route takes you through rural towns along Alabama Highways 22, 5 and 43.

 Just 10 miles down the road, take a side trip to Old Cahawba Park,

 the state's first permanent capital. 

Then, head back through Orrville and have lunch at The Hungry Fisherman

 in Safford, where you really shouldn't miss shopping for things 

you haven't seen in years at Safford Hardware. 

Another great lunch spot is David's Catfish in Thomasville.

 Order catfish with cheese grits, one of our state's dishes chosen

 to eat before you die!

 Stop at Alabama Southern Community College and tour

the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum. Alabama's "Ghost Lady"

 and nationally known storyteller was born in Thomasville, then lived 

and wrote her many ghost story books and more in Selma.

The arts are alive in Grove Hill, so you might like to stop by 

the Grove Hill Arts Council gallery downtown.

If you enjoy hiking, birdwatching or wildlife photography, take a bit more time

 to visit the Fred T. Stimpson Wildlife Sanctuary 12 miles south of Jackson. 

On to Mobile!

Linking to Signs, Signs and City Daily Photo Blogs

O is for Old South

Fashions of the OLD SOUTH is one of several living history venues 

at the Battle of Selma School Tours. Hundreds of students will attend 

the event which begins Thursday. This year marks the 149th anniversary

 of one of the last battles of the War Between the States.

Linking to ABC Wednesday (O Week) and City Daily Photo Blogs

Because He Lives

HAPPY EASTER! 

"Because He Lives" by Bill Gaither.

God sent his son
They called him Jesus
He came to love
Heal and forgive
He lived and died
To buy my pardon
An empty grave
Is there to prove
My Savior lives.

(Chorus)
Because he lives
I can face tomorrow
Because he lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because he lives.

Time to Plant

The weekend was perfect weather for planting the warm-season garden 

in Central Alabama.  However, there is a threat of frost by mid-week! 

Uh OH!

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows and City Daily Photo Blogs

Confederate Headquarters

It won't be long before hundreds of students experience life in the 1860s

 during the Battle of Selma School Tours. 

Here, a wooden fence separates Confederate Headquarters from the battlefield,

 and there is plenty of firewood for cooking. The headquarters is among

 several stops where children will learn  about medicine, communication,

 clothing, weapons, period music and more. 

Linking to Good Fences meme and City Daily Photo Blogs  

Signs Signs, Directions at First Presbyterian

Getting around Selma's First Presbyterian Church

 is easy with this outdoor direction tablet!

Not only can visitors view a map of the buildings,

 but they can easily see the office hours and times of services.

Linking to Signs, Signs and City Daily Photo Blogs

M is for Magnolia

Although it's known as Old Live Oak Cemetery, this historic resting place 

is home to many magnolias too. The enormous trees provide much

 of the shade along the lanes. 

Linking to ABC Wednesday and City Daily Photo Blogs   

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/2014/04/m-is-for-mice.html

Signs, Signs, Take a Break

Selma artist Clayton Cogle's "Take a Break"  painting takes us back to the early 1900s

 when Coca-Cola Bottling was located in a building near Water Avenue

 and Lauderdale Street. The mural on the side of the building was refurbished,

 and you can view it HERE. 

Cogle's colorful painting is on display

at the Alabama Artists: Roots and Wings Art Exhibition

 and Sale at Carneal ArtsRevive. The show ends Saturday. 

Linking to Signs, Signs & City Daily Photo Blogs

Evening at the Bridge

With Daylight Savings Time, darkness comes slowly to the Alabama River

 and the Edmund Pettus Bridge. It is after 6 p.m., and the sky is still blue!

Linking to Skywatch Friday and City Daily Photo Blogs

Elvis at the Rock n Roll Diner

Imagine my surprise when I learned that Elvis was appearing live

 at the Rock n Roll Diner! Well, that is what the sign says,

 and sure enough, Elvis himself showed up at Henry Brick Company's booth

 at the Alabama River Chili Cookoff.

 His appearance was enough to get me "All Shook Up,"

 and I FORGOT to take his picture!

Linking to Signs, Signs and City Daily Photo Blogs

J is for JUMP

The Dixie Flips gymnastics team JUMPED upon the balance beam 

as part of their routine at last weekend's Alabama River Chili Cookoff.

 The Water Avenue event featured all the chili you could eat

 plus plenty of local entertainment. 

Linking to ABC Wednesday where the Letter of the Week is "J"

and City Daily Photo Blogs

Our World, Selma by Southwest

Besides tasting dozens of delectable dishes, part of the fun

 at the Alabama River Chili Cookoff is touring the themed booths.

 This one by International Paper took us to the desert of the Great Southwest.

Linking to Our World Tuesday and City Daily Photo Blogs

Dance-Off at the Cook-Off

Sparky and The Cow were crowd favorites for the final dance-off round

 at the Alabama River Chili Cookoff Thursday evening. Sparky won out over 

The Cow (who won last year). The event brought crowds to Water Avenue

 to taste all the chili they wanted from dozens of cookoff teams.

 Proceeds this year will benefit the Cahaba Center for Mental Health. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Historic Selma Pilgrimage

Pink camellia flags will be going up at Historic Selma Pilgrimage venues

 early Friday morning. Since all sites on tour (except Kenan's Mill) 

are in town this year, they will be easy to find!

 Pilgrimage Package and Day Tour tickets are available today only

 at group discount rates. Check the Pilgrimage Facebook page

 and website for more information.  

Signs, Signs

 City Daily Photo Blogs

Singing the Blues

"Singing the Blues,"  an acrylic painting by Sarita Gish, caught my eye

 at the Alabama Artists' Roots and Wings Art Exhibition Saturday evening.

 The show and sale continues every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through March. 

Linking to Blue Monday Meme and City Daily Photo Blogs

Art for Everybody

Based on last year's show, I would say there will be art for everyone's tastes

 at tonight's grand opening of the Carneal ArtsRevive

 Roots and Wings Art Exhbition and Sale. Doors open at 7.

This show features the works of talented Alabama artists

 in an historic building by the river.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Signs, Signs, Selma Welcome Center

It's Selma's big season for tourists, and over the next several weeks,

 the Selma Welcome Center will host visitors from all over the USA.

Beginning this weekend, our calendar of events 

 include Bridge Crossing Jubilee, ArtsRevive Roots

 and Wings Juried Art Exhibition/Sale, Alabama River Chili Cookoff,

 Historic Selma Pilgrimage, Butterflies and Bridges Run

 and the Battle of Selma Reenactment.

Linking to Signs, Signs and City Daily Photo Blogs

H is for HIGHWAY 80

Here is HIGHWAY 80 on Sunday afternoon in downtown Selma.

 Known locally as Broad Street, the Edmund Pettus Bridge 

anchors the east end. Downtown will be much busier this weekend

 and part of it closed to traffic due to the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee Festival.

Linking to ABC Wednesday and City Daily Photo Blogs

People on the Street 2

Keeping with City Daily Photo Blogs' March Theme Day of "People on the Street,"

 here's another. These men took advantage of warm weather and little traffic

 on Sunday evening to jog around town.

Linking to Our World Tuesday and City Daily Photo Blogs

Blue Monday: Sunset at Sturdivant Hall

Sun-washed clouds against a dark blue sky provide a beautiful sunset

 behind Sturdivant Hall.

Linking to Blue Monday and City Daily Photo Blogs

March Theme Day: People on the Street

March Theme Day is here for City Daily Photo Bloggers,

 and we're posting "People on the Street."

Visitors to last year's Spring Pilgrimage enjoyed horse and buggy rides

 throughout the downtown venues, and it looks like they had fun!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs March Theme Day

Opening Next Week!

 

Opening night for the annual ArtsRevive Juried Art Exhibition and Sale

 is coming up March 8, and it promises to be another great showing of works

 from talented Alabama artists. The show will feature 130 pieces 

from 260 submissions and 60 artists.

 Held at Carneal ArtsRevive in an historic building 

by the Alabama River, the show re-opens free to the public from 11-4

 every Thursday - Saturday, March 13-29 and from 1-4 on Sunday, March 16.

 Works include 3-D, photography, oil, acrylic, mixed media and works on paper.