Ground Level Frost

Thought I'd photograph frost at ground level! This picture was taken on Tuesday, the 28th.

A Holly, Jolly Frosty Morn

It was a holly, jolly frosty morn and around 20 degrees F. The frost looked like snow on the hollies in my front yard.

Tuckered Out!

Even cats get tired of all the holiday activity! This kitty practically dove into a basket of clean towels and immediately fell asleep.

Covered Yet? (Camera Critters)

She used to frolic in flurry phenomenons. Now, she just sits amazed as if she is watching every snowflake, and she doesn't seem to mind sporting a little snow on her back.

See more critters that posed for the camera over at Camera Critters HERE.

A White Christmas?

Merry Christmas! Parts of Central Alabama may have an historic white Christmas today, and while our area should get some snowflakes, it's not too likely they will stick. This photo of the snow-sprinkled holly was taken in my yard a few years ago.

Today, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Peace on Earth, goodwill to all.

All Snug in their Beds

Tonight's the night, and what children wouldn't be more snug in their beds in these pajamas and gowns?  And in the middle of all the cozy sleepwear, I spy a really cool pair of cowboy boots!

Sweet Divinity

We southerners love our pecans, which add a tasty crunch to sweet divinity candy. I found these sweets at Selma's Holiday House.  

Follow the Laser Light!

Some cats just don't see the point in chasing an elusive laser light on the carpet!

Four More Shopping Days

Four more shopping days til Christmas!

Shopping for the holidays this year has been either warm and rainy (above) or cold and windy (on which days I stayed home).

Deck the Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, but please don't use this holly! Savannah  hollies line Selma's downtown, providing perennial Christmas colors. White lights are strung upon the trees for the Christmas season.

Watching You!

"You may think I'm asleep, BUT I've got my eye on you while you decorate for Christmas!"

I Love My Cat Stocking

Yes, Fluffy and Spotty and Princess and Miss Kitty, there IS a Santa Claus! Stockings for pets are big business, it seems.

Jams 'n Jellies

Dear Santa,

 All I want for Christmas is homemade jam 'n jelly from Holiday House, but hurry, 'cause there's only one more day til it closes!  Thanks! 

Love, Rambling Round

Holiday House at the Striplin Performing Arts Centre downtown annually benefits Selma's Old Depot Museum. It's filled with arts, crafts and homemade treats. 

Christmas Caroler

While this year's Christmas tree has yet to be decorated, here's a picture of The Christmas Caroler, one of my favorite ornaments from my Tree of Christmas Past.  This one was handed down from my parents, and being a sentimental soul, I treasure it! Do you have your tree up and decorated yet?

Courtyard of The St. James

Before the current extreme cold weather, the courtyard of The St. James Hotel looked almost tropical.

Salvation Army Angel Tree

Christmas will be merrier for hundreds of children in Dallas County after all the Salvation Army Angel Tree tags were picked up to send to Santa!  This Angel Tree waited for Santa at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. 

Morning Sky (Skywatch Friday)

A red sky at morning is usually a warning of a storm on the way, and sure enough, Selma experienced heavy snow showers later this past Monday. The snow even stuck to trees and grass for awhile before melting.

More skies at Skywatch Friday!

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Turning the Bridge

I've lived here more than three decades, but today was my first time to see the railroad bridge turn as a barge maneuvered through. The river pilot's expertise attracted a bit of attention from the riverbank as you can see men on the riverwalk (far left) watching below.

The Trial of Santa Preview

Here's a little preview of The Trial of Santa production that will be presented this Friday at the Performing Arts Centre.  The Christmas comedy is sponsored by ArtsRevive and Off Broad Street Productions. Seems Santa delivered the wrong present to a little girl...or did he? Whether Santa is found guilty or not, milk and cookies will be offered after the play! For information, click HERE.

Blog Vacation

After more than 3.5 years of daily posts, The Selma, Ala., Daily Photo is on vacation! Back tomorrow! So thankful for my readers!

And yes, these are fresh tomatoes from our Methuselah tomato plant!

Cat on a Cool Leafy Roof

Nothing like a cat nap on a cool, damp and leafy roof! Perhaps she's in her camouflage blind to await the next foraging squirrel.

 

Scandinavian Star

This handmade Scandinavian Star tree topper was available at Riverfront Market Day. 

It is similar to the Carolina Snowflake design, except it has either instead of six points.

The Rose of Autumn

Fall is the best season for the Confederate Rose, and it blooms until frost. However, this one is blooming after frost due to some shelter and location on the south side of our house. A type of hibiscus, the flower turns from white to pink to deep rosy red, lending credence to its name. Legend says that it is stained by the blood of a Confederate soldier.

The Hay is Done

The hay is done in Dallas County, and already farmers are feeding their cattle. Now, if the crop will just last until spring!

Hayground

Hay bales made the perfect playground for children at the tractor show last weekend.

Making Music

Art and music venues at the West Dallas Antique Tractor show last weekend attracted lots of future artists and musicians!

Ginkgo 2010

I woke up this morning and knew it was time for the annual autumn ginkgo shot. Monday's rain helped save the golden glow just in time. Some leaves had already withered with the drought and fallen before turning. So, thank you God for the rain and the majestic autumn ginkgo!

Drivin' Her Tractor

Even little girls wearing pink bows and pink cowgirl boots like to drive tractors!

 

This was one way to get around the tractor show in Orrville on Saturday.

Take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon!

Homecoming for the Hornets

It's Homecoming Weekend for the Concordia College Hornets, and the band's percussion section marches through downtown Selma Saturday morning. 

The college, founded in 1922, fielded a football team for the first time about four years ago.

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Red and Gold and Still a Little Green

 

"When the trees their summer splendor
Change to raiment red and gold,
When the summer moon turns mellow,
And the nights are getting cold;
When the squirrels hide their acorns,
And the woodchucks disappear;
Then we know that it is autumn,
Loveliest season of the year."
-   Carol L. Riser, Autumn

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Skywatch Friday, Concordia Cross

The cross atop the chapel at Concordia College looks even more dramatic against an unsettled sky.

Concordia, formerly Alabama Lutheran College, 

was founded in 1922 and today has 650 students. 

See more Skywatch photos at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com/

Thanks to Christine Weerts for sharing her photo!

American Legion Memorial

The American Legion Memorial in New Live Oak Cemetery honors local veterans who died in World War I.

To veterans of all our wars and in our service, thank you!

Tomahawk!

You never know what lies beneath your feet or mower! Robert Gordon found a tomahawk while mowing the grounds at Kenan's Mill,

and now it's on display.

My World Tuesday, Outdoors in Autumn

Autumn typically brings perfect weather to the Selma area, and outdoor festivals abound. Here, visitors to the ninth annual Kenan's Mill Fall Festival and Bluegrass Event stroll the mill grounds on an unusually cool and windy day. Earlier this fall, outdoor events have included Riverfront Market Day, Haunted History Weekend and Valley Grande Art in the Park. This weekend brings the West Dallas Antique Tractor Show.


To see more worlds round the blogs, click HERE. 

Learning the Loom

Children enjoyed looking and sometimes working one of the demonstration looms at the Kenan's Mill Festival on Saturday. Weaving demonstrations by Nancy Kenfield were a first for the festival. She also teaches weaving to young people every summer at the Selma Art Camp.

You can check out her weaving blog at Alabama Weaver. 

The Carrell Family at Kenan's Mill

Kids enjoyed sitting up close to the music at Saturday's Kenan's Mill Festival.

On stage is The Carrell Family, a bluegrass gospel band from northeast Alabama.  

Also playing were The Grasshopper String Band and young fiddler Caleb Bryant. Below is a festival video of The Grasshopper Stringband.

Take the Challenge!

Today, visitors at the ninth annual Kenan's Mill Festival can "take the challenge" of crossing Valley Creek on the swinging bridge. It's not as easy as it looks here! The bridge leads to a brick charcoal kiln. You can also park across the creek and take the bridge to the mill or walk across an old iron bridge that doesn't swing. The festival, which features live bluegrass music, arts and crafts vendors, Alabama clay pottery workshop, hayrides, mill tours, cornmeal grinding and children's games begins at 9 a.m. Open til 5.
You might also win a handmade quilt!

Check the website at www.kenansmill.selmaalabama.com.

Smith-Quarles House in Autumn (Skywatch Friday)

It's autumn, but the sky is blue, and antique, old-fashioned roses still bloom along the fence in front of the Smith-Quarles House. Built in 1859 by Col. Washington Smith, descendants of the original family still occupy the house. You can read more about the Civil War history of this home HERE. 

You can view more skies over at Skywatch Friday.

The History on the Wall

Wow! I hadn't been to The Restaurant on Grumbles Alley in a long time, so when I lunched there this week, I was impressed with the renovation and the cuisine. The old has come down to reveal the much older in this antebellum riverfront building. I enjoyed looking at the Selma photos, and the chicken and pasta salad (Nov. 3 post) was my kind of meal!  

If You Like Pasta Plus Chicken...

If you like pasta plus grilled chicken, then try this special at The Restaurant on Grumbles Alley. It was delicious!

Acrylics Pavilion

A popular activity at Valley Grande's first Art in the Park was an acrylics painting workshop under the pavilion.

The novice painters were instructed by Mary Katherine Moore, a former Valley Grande resident.

Creating a Caricature

Ever wonder what you'd look like as a cartoon character? 

Caricatures by Leon provided that opportunity at last weekend's Art in the Park in Valley Grande.  

A Painted Window (Weekend Reflections)

A Painted Window at Carter Drug. Co. reflects the library across Broad Street.

 

A LEAF
by Aileen Fisher

If I were a leaf
(but I wouldn't be)
I'd have to be tied
to a tree, tree, tree.
I couldn't walk off
(or skip or run)
and my nose would get burned
by the sun, sun, sun.
In summer I'd roast,
(in winter I'd freeze)
and all through October
I'd sneeze, sneeze, sneeze.

 

You can ponder more reflections over at the Weekend Reflections Meme here.

Pumpkin Fairy

Five-year-old Kelbi Woods of Selma dressed as a fairy and carried an electric pumpkin at the PALS (Police Athletic League of Selma) Halloween party this week.  Tonight, perhaps she'll join hundreds of  other children for trick-or-treating a day early. 

Photo courtesy of Christine Weerts

Skywatch Friday, Bright and Spooky!

So who is brave enough to open this gate and find his way to the treats that will be waiting amid spooky Spanish Moss, spiders and cobwebs? Well, it doesn't look so frightful with an azure sky overhead, but come Saturday night, you better watch out for things that go bump in the night!

More skies and possible spooks  await you over at Skywatch Friday!

Changing!

Autumn is finally arriving, and we can actually see the changes! Our area also received  some relief from the drought when thunderstorms

moved through yesterday.  Now, we might even have a little frost by Saturday. 

Decorating Pumpkins

Students from Clark Elementary had fun decorating little pumpkins 

at The Pumpkin Patch last week!