BirmingHOME.

Itty Bitty Magic City opens!

Historic Lyric Theatre near completion!

The theatre district lights up!

Birmingham, Alabama, USA:
If you live somewhere else in the world, you might've only heard of or associated Birmingham with the civil rights movement. Others may have no associations beyond the fact that it is situated in the deep south, and so their stereotypes and judgments fall as they may.  For me, Birmingham is my home with many sentimental aspects -- but even more than that -- it has progressed and grown with the times in ways that legitimately make me proud to live here again.  

The Red Rock Ridge & Valley Trail System creates walking/biking routes throughout the city.

Woodlawn neighborhood reenergized

The always perfect view from THE Club

Kress building's amazing rooftop venue, RMTC’s Cabaret Theatre on lower level.

LightRails provides pedestrians and cyclists with a safer, happier underpass.

Sidewalk Film party at the Historic Rucker Place

I also have a second home... Nashville, TN, where I lived during graduate school and where we got married.  But since this blog is to act as my journal for my son, we have to start where it ALL began... in the 'Ham.

One thing that is interesting about the time in Birmingham history that I was born into was the decline of downtown Birmingham.  I don't want to get bogged down into all of the economics and causes, but basically -- corruption, many stores and businesses moving into the suburbs...et cetera, et cetera --  downtown B'ham deteriorated quickly.

BUT NOW IT'S A NEW DAWN, A NEW DAY...

Friday night fireworks at Regions Field are not only for those enjoying America's favorite past-time... but the windows of Children's Hospital have an unobstructed view of the show.

One of my favorite B'ham events... The Sidewalk Film Festival.

Sloss Furnaces produced iron for nearly 90 years, which gave rise to the city.

Why do I love Birmingham despite its tangled past and ever-present need for some major overhauls? Probably because Birmingham feels like a family member who made some big mistakes, but is trying so so very hard to turn their life around.  They have recently had some big successes, and you can't help but be really proud of them and cheer them on! 

Birmingham has some solid family activities, historical landmarks, delicious coffee, cool restaurants, vibey music venues, hidden gems, renovated parks, and quirky, local shops. 

BUT-- I couldn't begin to cram in all of my favorites in this one post. So just hold your dang horses if you want to see some of my favorite picks! 

Maybe I'll have a Magic City Monday or something perfectly blog-tastic. 
Or MAYBE I'll just do some Birmingham bragging whenever I feel like it, because I never said this blog had tons of structure, people!

We may not live here forever, but for now (and always in our hearts) -- this is HOME.

Uptown entertainment district opens

City schools partner with Jones Valley Teaching Farms

Alabama Symphony Orchestra at Railroad Park