This week, we say goodbye to 2007, and we said goodbye to "Charlotte" as well. Our garden spider in the kitchen window disappeared about a day after this photo was taken. Frankly, I thought she was either very sick or deceased here since we had never seen her "frozen" in place on her back before. She did survive through Christmas, and she leaves an unknown number of children in three cocoons that she wove into the eaves. 
Remember the Little Lost Cat that was looking for food and attention? Here she is at home, peeking out from beneath a curtain. She joined two other cats already in our household, so it has taken awhile for one of the others to accept her and to complete the adjustment. 
After seeing some other photo bloggers' pictures of hoarfrost, I noticed this dogwood tree in Old Live Oak Cemetery just covered in a frost-tinted Spanish Moss. It almost looks like hoarfrost...from a distance.
A pink camellia is entwined with Spanish Moss at Selma's Old Live Oak Cemetery. While the resting place is known for its spring beauty with blossoms of azalea and dogwood, it possesses a haunting grayness during the foggy, cloudy days of winter...that is, until the wanderer comes upon a camellia. This camellia bush is located near the Elodie Todd Dawson monument that was featured in an earlier post this year. 
A narrow, red-brick path leads from the St. James Hotel terrace to the park benches in front of the Bridge Tender's House for a good view of the Pettus Bridge and Alabama River. The red and white stripes are part of the American flag that flies at the bed and breakfast. This photo was taken in early December when there were still a few leaves on the trees.
Ever had pigeon for dinner? Apparently, this bird was an item a century or more ago. This old pigeon cote on the grounds of Heritage Village is an historic structure. It was built back when pigeons were raised for food. To see more pigeon cotes, some of which are centuries old, follow this link.
I wonder how many little girls received dolls for Christmas today. When I was little, a new doll always awaited me beneath the tree. That was back when Barbies were newly popular, and while I had several beautiful dolls, a Barbie wasn't one of them, although I did have a Barbie Fashion Shop. Strange, huh? So today, what did I get? My very first Barbie doll! 
"For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: 'Wonderful,' 'Counselor,' 'The Mighty God,' 'The Everlasting Father,' 'The Prince of Peace.'"
From this angle, the Christmas tree at City Hall looks almost as tall as the building. The municipal complex anchors the downtown shopping district, and oh my goodness! Monday is the last day to shop before Christmas! Now I wonder who is just getting started buying Christmas gifts today. 
The arched doors of First Baptist Church at Lauderdale Street and Dallas Avenue will open for Christmas services Sunday. The Sunday before Christmas typically draws large crowds, and many families gather for Christmas dinners and reunions... as will my side of the family. 
First Presbyterian Church is "the church under the clock" and sits at the corner of Broad Street and Dallas Avenue. It is also "Home of the Carillon," and hymns peal from its bells at designated times. The church first installed a carillon in 1948. It was dedicated in memory of the victims of World War II. The latest carillon was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2002, in memory of the victims of 9-11. The clock tower can be seen in the background of many downtown photos including the one posted yesterday.
Downtown Selma is filled with red and green both with real flowers (foreground) and artificial Christmas wreaths with red bows. It's a festive sight, even on a cloudy day! 
The Christmas lights downtown have been sparkling since late November. On this particular Friday, the parking spaces are filled with cars of restaurant patrons and a Christmas play at the Performing Arts Centre. 
Now the day is over.
We spotted this blue heron (?) wading in a fish pond on a cold, windy Sunday near Selma. I hope some of you bird watchers can tell me exactly what bird this is. It was a little too far off to get a good closeup. 
The newly renovated lobby of the St. James Hotel on Water Avenue is ready for Christmas. I left the ceiling and chandelier in the photo since they are decorative as well.
"Angel in Waiting" is among the works of art that are for sale at the frame shop featured in yesterday's post. The artist, Teresa Cammack, is the same one who took the first-place photo for the Riverfront Market Day photography contest.
These Christmas sun catchers are attractively displayed on a window frame in a Water Avenue frame shop. The shop makes room for all kinds of artistic work from the area's creative talents and sells it on consignment.
Sturdivant Hall's Christmas Open House is Thursday and Friday. That's when you can tour this antebellum mansion and museum free and enjoy the holiday decorations. If you attend the reception between 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday, you'll also get to enjoy musical entertainment.
It's Christmas in the courtyard at the St. James Hotel. Poinsettias fill the urns, and wreaths with red ribbons decorate the inner balconies. I read in today's newspaper that a local Master Gardener did the decorations. To see the outside decorations, scroll down to the December 10 post. 
The St. James Hotel is decked out in Christmas wreaths, and the fountain out front is filled with poinsettias. The hotel on Water Avenue has recently undergone renovation, and its restaurant is expected to reopen just before Christmas. The hotel, originally built in the 1800s, was gutted and rebuilt and reopened in 1997. For a view last May, link here.
Selma's former First Christian Church was organized in the 1850s, but this building was built in 1906. Today, the structure is the New Beginnings Center, which I assume is a church or religious mission.
Holiday House at the Performing Arts Center is among the merriest places in Selma during the Christmas season. Its halls and walls are decked with ribbons and wreaths, ornaments, toys, jams and jellies, tons of baby things, aprons, birdhouses, nativity sets and just about anything your friends and family can wish for! Many of the items are homemade by area artists and craftsmen, and all are for sale. I found stuffed toy puppies that really breathe, angel ornaments made from magnolia cones, monogrammed checkbook covers, drink holders, and keychains; all kinds of prepared mixes for that holiday cheeseball or salsa, jewelry galore, kudzu jelly and fabric totes. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Old Depot Museum.
Wreaths, red bows and garlands are going up all over Selma, and these are on the side door of the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. Reflected in the door's window panes is the former First Christian Church. 
