10 Days in Alabama

It was so sunny in Alabama with temps almost 80 degrees what a difference as I look out this morning to dark gray skies. But before you all move they don't have the flowers we have.

I stayed at my daughters home in Huntsville in the north of the state. I was surprised to see almost every house was made from brick with VERY large lawns but no flower beds.

Red clay soil can be seen at every turn, this could explain the bricks. It was hard to see what crops had been planted but there were cut fields of cotton and corn.

We drove past cotton bales as big as a house and I couldn't help jumping out of the car near a field to pick this piece.

The mixed woods are beautiful and so full of color. We took a picnic to this nature park and sat in wood rocking chairs overlooking the lake.

                                                         A trail of red chips and confetti colored leaves surrounded the lake with a magical covered bridge to transport you back in time.

I took some arty shots of the kids and fell in love with this one as they are trying to make a serious face.

 

I had great plans to bring home loads of old rusty stuff to do art with but for the life of me we couldn't find much. I did buy an old white wash paint brush but that was about it. This old home looked so rich with color, the red walls against the yellow fall leaves, brick and rust yummy my palette.

Drinking from this sink you can feel the history flow into you.

  Women's Christian Temperance Union - click on image below to read the sign.

After talking to several local artists it became clear I was not in the north west. How lucky we are to have the arts in abundance here. One glass artist told us about Lowe Mill a huge brick building with wonderful light and three floors of mixed arts.

 
 If you don't take the stairs you ride in an old fright elevator operated by this young man.

 I wanted to take lots of photos but was almost tackled and told NO photos (sorry).

 We did spend some time visiting with a puppet artist and learned the history of the artist cooperative. When I go back I will have to spend some more time here. I would love to take a workshop from her.

 As every trip when you are visiting loved ones the time passes to quickly....