SEASONS - THOUGHTS ABOUT MOTHER'S DAY

When you are a step-mother, Mother’s Day can seem bitter-sweet.  How do I know?  I married a man who had four kids, all less than 10 years old.  The first few months we were married, they were living with their birth-mother and visiting with us every other weekend.  I enjoyed those special weekends immensely!   I kind of felt like I had the best of both worlds, I could have fun with them, and I could send them home and have alone time with my husband.  My plans are often changed by God's plans.  About six months into our marriage, their birth-mother ran into some huge personal problems and a judge reversed the custody of the children.  All four of them came to live with us overnight.   So, I know from experience.  

That was part of my own personal journey through life, which I will explain more about later, but there are so many varried reasons for this day being a bitter-sweet experience for many women, depending on the hand of cards that living life has dealt them.  Some women have wanted children a long time and have been unable to conceive or adopt.  Some have lost their children, either to death, divorce, addictions, disease, bad choices, and some have lived to regret abortions that they didn’t contemplate enough, making this day a pain they can't even speak about or share with others.  Some women raised their children not realizing what a treasure and a gift they were; they simply didn’t have time for them; and time ran out before they woke up and changed.  Every woman has their own personal story.  Fortunately, mine had a happy ending. 

When four small children came to live with me in the twinkling of an eye, my whole world changed in an instant. I was forced to give up the carefree, luxurious, pampered lifestyle I previously enjoyed, and I came to the hard place of making the decision that I needed to cancel my career life for awhile. I had worked hard in my profession.  I never expected this to happen, and I wasn’t at all prepared for the sudden change; but as I look back now, over 24 years later, I can only see what a miracle from God this change became in my life. I would not trade those wonderful, magical days for anything. This unexpected burden turned into a great big huge surprise package of blessings from God. Living with what I had considered to be “less” was actually “more” because of the richness of those blessings that come with invisible price tags, those blessings that can’t be measured in monetary value.  For example; the solid gold experience of flying kites with them over our little bit of farm land, passed down from my grandfather to my parents to us.  There was something that felt solid about having another generation to pass things on to one day.  I cherished all the simple things like this, those times of laughing and jumping on new mowed hay together, and the priceless experience of making mud pies in our own driveway, or maybe the valuable memories of fishing in the little pond in our front yard, or the way I felt like a million dollars after teaching them how to ride their first bicycles on a hill near our first little rental house. We shared many pets together, and we created many adventures together.

Now that the kids are all grown, I can clearly see that my living with less made me a much better person, and it taught them more about life too. Though my own Mom and Dad were a perfect example to me; what I knew about being a part of a family from practical experience was almost zero before they came to live with us. What I learned about love through raising them was priceless.

The neighborhood where we lived became a much more creative place because by day; we ruled it! We hiked through the pastures, and waded in the creek and mud puddles that God provided especially for our entertainment. We played in the tree house and put a tire swing in the old tree by the road. There were those one million "little things" that just seemed to sneak up on you, unplanned and unexpected, which were worth more than all the jewels in any famous queen’s jewelry box.

I have fond memories of building huts and hideouts in the woods on a hill by the lake near our first rental house.  I can vividly recall sitting inside and reading all of my favorite children’s classic stories to them. I got to take them to school every day, and we often sang in the car.  I knew all the lines to all their favorite songs on the radio. We took trips to the mountains and the beach together. We went to the movies together. We went skating.  We went to the zoo.  We drove out to Sportsman’s lake a lot.  I got to participate in the excitement of the proms, the beauty pageants, the school plays, banquets and awards and graduations.  I got the calls when the teacher was concerned, and I relayed the messages to my husband in the careful ways of a mother’s heart. I got to help with the science experiments and the literature projects that we still talk about from time to time (We covered Narnia very well - four times!)  We enjoyed many exciting days at the ball park, and we spent lots of sleepless nights when they had sleepover friends, roasting some-mores and having pillow fights. I planned the “Sweet 16” surprise birthday parties with their friends.  We camped in the back yard some summers. I was the one present when they gave their hearts to God. I helped them pray their way through to the Kingdom; and I knew when their hearts had arrived safely home. I knew their favorite colors and their favorite foods, their favorite clothes, and what they liked and what they did not appreciate.  Then there were those every day, normal things of childhood that you always remember, times when they were sick and stayed home from school and we watched movies all day; and nights we skipped the schedule and ordered pizza and played games in the den, those emergencies, like when one stuck his toe under the lawnmower and I played guessing games with him while the doctor sewed it up, or when one fell off the school bus steps and was embarrassed to tell anyone else but me, or when one got car sick from riding in the back seat, or when one got in trouble for swapping classes with her twin sister. 

We shared so much.  We shared those great omelet and pancake breakfasts their Dad was famous for on sleep-in Saturday mornings.  I showed them how to pinch a lightning bug and make a ring to put on their finger, and how to put them in a jar and make a lantern. After all, I am the one who showed them how to tie a string onto a June bug's leg to watch him fly around in circles. I pointed out the tadpoles in the pond, and explained how they would turn into frogs one day.  We spent hours gazing at the stars in the night sky on our little farm. I told them how butterflies came from caterpillars in a cocoon. I could go on forever with these little/big moments and memories of childhood, that only become significant when you are looking back.

Now I am speaking of these special memories with my grandchildren, and because I was given this gift of raising these particular kids, I strongly suspect that I will also have the privilege of always sharing the gift of life with their children! 

The years have passed by like sand through an hour glass, and we have enjoyed some really sweet Mother’s Day memories together, not to mention some magical Thanksgivings and Christmases. We’ve shared some awesome springs, summers, winters and falls. My scrapbook is full of handmade cards and notes and photos of special gifts received. I’ve captured all the major milestones of their lives in photographs. going on now in 25 scrapbooks of approaching 25 years of life together and those scrapbooks and memories line my bookshelves now.  I have many gifts, memories and experiences to cherish, and for that I am so thankful!

So, taking all of the above into consideration; whatever could seem bitter sweet?  It is quite unlogical and silly actually.  In the child custody case we experienced, the birth mother always got the children on Mother’s Day.  Is that not the silliest, most selfish statement I’ve ever worried about in my life?  I know it, yet it is true.  Talk to a million step-moms and you will get this same observation.    

We would all agree that this Mother’s Day cross to bear was just the right and good thing to do.  It was the healthy thing for everyone, and we all know it was the best thing for the kids and for their birth-mother too.  Yet, somehow on that day, as the Mom who was actually living in the trenches and raising them day in and day out; I often felt sad.  I often felt completely alone, because it always seemed as if no one else was even coming close to understanding how my heart protested the irony of that day from my own broken and personal perspective. 

It was a place that a husband and a Dad could not fully understand or share with compassion.  It was something that only another woman could relate to, and most of the other women in my life were not in such a place.  I had no sympathy from anyone on this day.  My parents didn’t feel sorry for me.  My friends didn’t even think of it; much less ponder how I must have been feeling.  It was just something between me and God, like a silent prayer all day long, like a little  cross of suffering.  I knew that God understood how I felt, because it had occurred to me, after all,  that He had been in such a place many times.  His children often went other places on the days he had set aside especially for them to come and celebrate life with Him.   But, I soon discovered that I couldn’t even use this analogy for comfort, because God was truly God, and I would never be the birth-mother, the one who received the honor and glory of this day.   So, I talked to God anyway, because I knew He understood suffering and pain.  I held on to whatever little tidbits of encouragement I could find from the scriptures on this day.    

Finally, one great day, I woke up and realized how selfish and foolish I was being.  I knew God had to change my heart and help me to realize that I truly had been given the greater blessing in having the opportunity to be with them every day of their lives.  Why should I resent this one public man-made day?   I had to learn, on this day above all others, to live out the meaning of that scripture that says “in all things give thanks.”  Finding this place was like being let out of prison. In my pitiful pondering one year, God reminded me that I should take my mind off my own silly selfish problems, and try to do something positive for a change.  Maybe there were others who needed a little love on this day.  It occurred to me that maybe I needed to spend a little more time, and put a lot more emphasis on the time I had left to spend with my own mother.  I also had a wonderful mother-in-law that I could show my thanks to.  That is when my heart opened up and truly began to enjoy Mother’s Day.  I had discovered, like most of the best things in life, it isn't about me!

When the kids left the house to spend a happy weekend with their Birth-Mom, instead of dwelling on the fact that they would be having fun with her all day, and imagining that they would be honoring her publicly, going to church with her and spending the hours with her; I would concentrate on making the most special occasion that I could design to honor my Mom and my Mother-In-Law.  So I put aside the idle hours of self pity and moved forward.  They both were delighted with the new-found extra attention, and I was freed from my own traps. 

Don’t get the wrong idea, I had always honored both of these wonderful women in the past, but I put a lot more “special” into this day after I reached this higher level of maturity.    It was a win-win situation for all of us.  I have some awesome memories of those days.  One day I took them both to a local tea-room and we enjoyed a lovely meal.  I bought them imported tea and a special cookbook from the gift shop there.  One time I took them to a spring concert in the park, where we were served a special boxed lunch with wine and cheese and were given a lovely outdoor concert. All the Moms received a rose.  Many times we had reservations for the newest upscale restaurants.  Once I took them to a restaurant that specialized in fondue meals, and they were given roses and had their photos taken.  Sometimes I made them special decorative baskets full of little books, framed family photos, candies, soaps, etc.  Sometimes I gave them flowers, sometimes I cooked them a special meal at my home.  
God arranged it that the last meal I shared with my mother-in-law was on one of these special Mother's Day outings.  She died unexpectedly a few weeks later.  I was so glad we had shared that very special day, and I will always remember her profound and sincere thank yous afterwards.  It comforts me on the days that I am missing her sweet and thoughtful presence in our lives.    My own Mom is now widowed; but thank God, she is still in good health and enjoying every day of her life.  She spent so much time being a caregiver for my Dad who suffered long with Parkinson's disease.   I realize more than ever how much it means to her to get out of the house and away for awhile to do something happy and uplifting.  I cherish all of the memories of these days gone by, and look forward to making the next memory with her in the coming days.

And you know what?  

As the kids got older and older and grew in understanding and love, they began to make my day very special too, in spite of the fact that they were always leaving and going away from home on that day.  

They often left sweet hand written cards on my pillow with words of thanks for what my presence in their lives had meant to them.  They always remembered to say “thanks for all the things you do that make our lives so much easier and so much more fun.”  Many times I would have breakfast cooked and on the table when I woke up on that morning, with special little designs in the food and fresh fruit or a vase of flowers left in an obvious place.   If they were away, the phone calls would always come.  They would often make a date to do something with “just me” on another day during the upcoming week, and we would always have a great time.  One of my fondest memories is going to a local festival with one daughter.  I also have great memories of middle of the work day lunches. 

Now that they are grown and living happy fulfilling lives of their own, I’m glad I taught them the true meaning of love and respect.  They all reflect it with their calls or visits or by giving in their own special way and saying “thanks for always being there for us.”  

I truly have come to believe that verse of scripture that people used to quote to me long ago…..”And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,” (Joel 2:25).    I think the verse is true for their Birth-Mother too, especially because I did not express my sad feelings or protest their visits with her, but just let them love her without restraint.  Now we both know the joy of their love.  You know what….there IS enough to go around, because love never runs out, it just multiplies.

   

So, I hope you enjoy a blessed Mother’s Day, whatever your situation is in life! 

Take my best advice and go for the good in this day.  Don’t let the devil make you bitter or angry with his perversions.  Don’t listen to the lies of this world.  If you are a step-mother and can’t see your children today, put some emphasis on your own celebration with YOUR birth-mother.  If you are a birth-mother, but because of divorce, or distance, or whatever reason, and you will not be able to see your children on The Day, focus on your own mother too.  If your child has gone to heaven before you, look around and see if there is someone else out there who feels lonely on this day too.   If your mother has passed away, there are lots of very sweet ladies living in this crazy world with children that aren’t paying attention to them, or children that live too far away to be with them. Go find one of these ladies and celebrate the day with them.   

I attended a funeral just the other day that put me in a waiting line next to a total stranger, a sweet, smart, beautiful woman who told me that her daughter's career had taken her many states away, and she had no other family, as she had become a widow about four years ago.  I would never have guessed her loneliness, had we not been expressing our concern for my newly widowed friend we were waiting in line to greet.   Maybe you are single, and without children, and do not have a family to celebrate with.  Quite possibly, like me before God opened my eyes wider, you are wishing this day would just go away.  I would urge you to make the effort to get out of the house and just take a trip to a local nursing home on Mother’s Day.  Go into the cafeteria and sit down with those eating lunch.  Listen carefully and see if any of the women there have memories of their children that may not be with them anymore.  They may need someone just to listen to their Mother’s Day stories.  You might just be the one that makes this day happy instead of sad for them. Take a bunch of flowers with you.  Flowers are better spent on the living.  

There is a way to let all of the innocence and the happiness behind the good original intentions of this day come shinning through.  Find it!  Remember what Joseph told his brothers during the famine in Egypt, “What you meant for harm, God turned to good.”  That is a statement worth living out.  The whole world wins.

OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO - THE GREAT OUTDOOR MARKETS OF ALABAMA

(Writing and photography by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Open air markets are scattered throughout the beautiful state of Alabama.  Every year many locals and visitors take advantage of these wonderful outdoor markets.  Some of my favorites are found in and around the area of Birmingham, Alabama.  

Each market has its own set of interesting qualities.  You leave each one with healthy food and lots of other great finds.  More than likely you will be entertained in some unique way; and you never know what surprises will greet you as you move through the booths in the sunshine.  It is an absolutely lovely way to spend a relaxing day, plus you get the benefit of the good exercise of a nice walk as you stroll along.


When choosing from the many open air markets of  Alabama, please don’t discount the smaller ones.  I’ve experienced lots of fun at the smaller area of outdoor booths open every Saturday in the parking lot of the Faith Presbyterian Church on Valleydale Road in the Inverness area.  They are only open on Saturdays from nine till noon, and there are a limited amount of booths, but they have good live music and tasty refreshments.  I like to browse here first, grab a bite of brunch from the vendors and then move on to the larger markets  that stay open all day later.   The vegetables for sale are great, the people are friendly.   Several unique artists are displaying their wares at fabulous prices in this spot.  I always find something novel and different.  Check it out!  Also, if you don’t find all the veggies you need here, drive straight down the road a bit and look to the right.  A very well organized local curb market called "Pops" sells fresh Alabama grown vegetables, plants and other unique items.  It is well worth a look.  Their inventory is ever changing with the seasons. 

I do love how each open air market seems to take on its own special personality.   The character of the market seems to depend on the people displaying their merchandise, the location of the market, the merchandise itself  and the people living in the area surrounding the market.  No market is ever the same, which makes exploring all of the open air markets an exciting adventure.  I always look forward to checking in with my favorites anytime I find myself free on a pretty summer day.  

Here are two favorites of the locals of Birmingham, Alabama: 

THE MT. LAUREL FARMER'S MARKET

Mt. Laurel is a lovely place, even if you aren’t there on Market Day, but Market Day is very special. 

The day I was there it felt like God had put up His bluest sky just for me!  It seemed He had intensified the landscape with bright blazing colors. The delicious scents of fresh cut flowers and the heavenly aroma of the amazing foods being sold at the market were so inviting.

 

The moment I drove into the community, I felt completely surrounded by beauty.  This urban-type community is conformed to the land, and serves its inhabitants well by keeping everything needed for a rich daily life within walking distance of their homes.  There are beautiful churches, a school, shops, restaurants, a library, a grocery store and a hardware store, as well as other business establishments.  The architecture is lovely, quaint and well planned. 

 Each front door of the homes seem to say "Welcome!  Come visit me today."  I passed rocking chairs on porches that whispered, “Come sit a spell.”  There were comfortable benches scattered in shaded little nooks.  I resisted the temptation to stop at a few of the open houses, though I really wanted to peek into their lovely rooms.  I even resisted the temptation to wonder through the streets and step inside the very interesting and unusual shops and restaurants.  I had to keep reminding myself “it is market day.”  Every little area looked like a place where I would enjoy sitting down with coffee and a good book.   

I had no time for that today though, after all, I was here for the out-door market which is held every Saturday starting in the spring and lasting through the summer.  The day can get away before you know it, and those marketers like to start early in the cool morning air.  I’m told that most of what is sold here is grown local and organic on the community farm property.  The growers host various educational classes to teach people the science of maintaining and growing your own food and eating and living nutritionally.   

I didn’t need anyone to tell me that I had stumbled upon a good thing. 

Who could resist the smell of freshly baked bread?  I certainly could not pass it by.  The samples get you every time, especially when they have all those jars of fresh jam and honey to add to the already perfect baked goods.

If anything can be canned, you can find it here.  Amazing assortments of flavors are just waiting to be tasted.

Veggies and flowers make a perfect combination on any table.  Forget planning out the tablescapes; this is a natural tablescape, totally designed by the greatest of all designers.

 Just look at the beautiful sunflowers!  You know, I'm sure I passed the field they came from on the way in.  It took my breath away.

Do you have a little girl in need of a dance costume?  You've come to the right place.

Or maybe she only needs a pretty hair bow.  You can find them here, and there is even a tea party going on for Moms and daughters.  You will spy it around the corner after the market in the main part of town.

Maybe you would like some cheerful glassware for your summer table.  Aren't these wonderful?

If you don't want to prepare your own veggies for cooking, someone here has done it for you!  Just refrigerate or freeze until you are ready to cook.

This is truly a fruitful place.  The peaches are to die for.

Soon my tummy and my shopping bag were full of fresh foods and crafts for the home.

I passed the people walking their dogs and the moms pushing their babies in strollers and made my way back to my car.

A beautiful window box caught my eyes as I was leaving.  It looked "just perfect."  It said in flowers how I felt about this beautiful day.  I gave thanks to God for the experience and headed for home to try some of the goodies I had found.

THE PEPPER PLACE MARKET

 There is another jewel of an outdoor market hiding in Birmingham and it is called The Pepper Place.  If you haven’t discovered it yet, you’re missing a great treat!  It is one of my favorite places to buy groceries underneath the bright blue sky.

You must come to The Pepper Place if you love open air markets!

The Pepper Place is located at 2829 2nd Avenue South in Birmingham, Alabama.  It usually opens outside in April.

You won't find the green grass and rolling hills that we saw at Mt. Laurel here; but you will find the skyline of an interesting old historical city.  The art of concrete and steel seem to emerge as a greeting.  Old, almost dead buildings, warehouses and factories seem to have found some type of new life in this place.  The Pepper Place is a modern day portrait of resurrection.  It is as if everything here is waking up from a long, long sleep to a new day and age.  I think if you listen very close, you will hear the stories of eras gone by.

 The streets here DO have stories.  This area was once known as the Lakeview District, and it once had an artificial lake surrounded by a hotel, a pool, a skating rink, a bowling alley and a ball park.  A trolley ran through the area.  Can't you just imagine how special it must have been for the people living in the area back then? 

 That was back in 1893.  Things have changed a bit since those days.  In the 1920's the area became more industrialized.  Two companies took over the main part of the landscape.  They were The Martin Biscuit Company and the Dr. Pepper Syrup Plant.  Dr. Pepper also built a bottling company in the area.   A new viaduct was completed on 24th Street bringing in even more traffic and several light industrial businesses. 

 Now, many years later the area hosts a busy design center, the Farmer's Market and The Terrific New Theatre.  Restaurants, galleries and business offices dot the scene.  

The minute you step onto the property you can feel the energy of this place.  Signs welcome us from all entrances and there are human smiling faces to back them up and make their greetings true.

  

Did you catch that delicious aroma from the gentle breeze of the alleyway?  Can you recognize what it is?  I think maybe a mixture of grilling BBQ, the scent of fresh flowers, the smell of ripe peaches, strawberries, and flavored coffees; as well as some other interesting scents mixed in for good measure and variety.  

The wonderful fragrances compel me to move closer to the busy merchant's booths, seeking to know what else is hiding there.  Just as I am about to indulge in the joys of the sweet tales my sense of smell is speaking of, I am drawn to listen to what my sense of hearing has found.

Out of the street noises comes the sweet melody of a song.  There is music here!  It is indeed very good music.  Several talented musical artists are entertaining openly outside the bistros and inside the coffee shops.  One famous coffee shop is called The Red Cat.   Many a local talent has become well known here.  Their songs float through my head like old friends that I bumped into unexpectedly.  I pick up my feet and walk with a little more rhythm, subconsciously moving to the catchy tunes I hear.   Pepper Place is all about music.

There are others affected in the same way that I am.  I see people walking their dogs, and I see dogs walking their people.  Some ladies pass me pushing puppies in a baby stroller.  They stop and listen to the music too.  Many are sitting around the scattered table areas with lunch and/or brunch, several of them with their pets at their feet, resting, enjoying the sights and sounds of the market. 

I see parents with children, teens, older couples, and grandparents with their grandchildren.  There are no age barriers here.  Everyone is moving and living together.  It is lovely; and I soak it in so as not to forget how all things do not have to fit into neat little categories, but collages are nice and sweet and paint a much better picture of love. 

The people here are relaxed and friendly.  I think a few only came to socialize with their neighbors and to spend quality time with their families.  I see a few wives and husbands as well as dating couples.  I am here with my husband, my daughter and my son-in-law.  It is a great way for us to talk about life, laugh and share our hours. 

The Pepper Place is all about community.

 

Instantly we are captivated by the food.  Some of the local restaurants have booths.  The locally famous cooking college has let its students use the market as a testing place.  I would say the tests have gone very well!  Their food is disappearing fast. 

Local bakeries and even those who are working out of their homes are displaying tempting treats.  Samples are waiting on you at every turn.  Coffees, cheeses, cookies, cakes, candy; the list goes on and on.  Fresh home-baked bread!  It is all amazing.  The Pepper Place is all about wonderful food!

 By the time you load up on all the calories you dare to spend in one place at one time, you spot the unique displays by various artists.  Most of them are local.  What an amazing selection! 

Each work of art is a different masterpiece.  This is not your typical arts and crafts show, this is genuine artwork crafted by genuine artists. Most of the artists are local to the Birmingham area.  They tell their stories if you take the time to talk to them.  Paintings, pottery, jewelry, carvings, you name it, you will spy it here.  

I tuck notes in my brain from the creative ideas these craftsmen spark in my imagination for my own projects later.  Their creativity is contagious!  Some of this art is so very unique though that I have to fork out the cash and pay for the originality, because I know I would never be able to duplicate it in quite the same way.  The bright vivid colors paint their own canvas over the day as we wonder through the merchandise.  The Pepper Place is about beautiful works of art!

 

When we get a little warm from all our walking in the sunshine, we begin to explore the other interesting "inside" shops in the old refurbished warehouses that frame the alleyways where the "outside" booths live.  We go inside to cool off, but again we are surrounded by a multitude of pretty treasures and keepsakes.  I make a mental note of the permanent stores that I want to revisit when it is closer to the Christmas season.  I love antiques and collectables, and I am not disappointed. They are here.  I also love modern upscale furnishings, and they are here too.  I fall in love with several pieces and remind myself to start budgeting for them.   The Pepper Place is all about unique and whimsical shops! 

It is all so good, and we haven't even arrived at the main focus of our journey for today......The Farmer's Market. 

It is a common practice these days for the women in Birmingham to skip the large corporate grocery stores that have fruits and vegetables shipped in from other countries.   Why would they spend their money there when they can enjoy their day at this market and buy fresh, locally grown produce?  It is a great way to have fun and keep your family healthy too.  The prices are comparable if you are looking at quality.   So we come to The Farmer's Market with great anticipation.  We are not disappointed! 

 

Every type of vegetable and fruit are displayed along with cheeses, spices, jellies, jams, pickles, soups and other canned goods.  If you don't want to shell your beans, buy them already shelled in handy sizes fresh from this market.  The selection is amazing and the quality is excellent.  Do you need recipes and fresh ideas?  They can be found here in abundance. 

The Pepper Place is all about excellent fresh grown fruit and vegetables.  I fill my shopping bag with luscious food that will serve my family well in the coming week. 

There is a booth in the fruit section selling fresh smoothies.  Delicious!  Also, a good cool treat are the amazing flavors that Steel City Pops sell in their popsicle booth.

 We turn out of the Farmer's Market section and come to an area selling wine grown just for The Pepper Place!  Samples are being poured and we help ourselves.  My daughter decides to purchase a bottle for later in the evening.  This local wine is made, bottled and sold on site.  

We walk through a little trail that takes us into a lovely outdoor garden.  It's Charlie Thigpen's Garden Gallery!   You have to see this to believe it.  The mix of beauty and whimsy is delightful.  No "cookie-cutter" gardening here, it is all very unconventional.  Unusual statues and beautiful plants grow all around the neatest garden supply shop I've ever encountered.  There is also original artwork displayed right beside the rakes and shovels, not to mention that the garden is a work of art in itself. 

   After a lovely walk through the garden and some excellent tips from the proprietor about how to plant for spring, we chance upon a little cantina that is serving up some great plates.  We stop and eat a bite, but not too much, and we go on our way browsing through the other stores in the area.  On the way out my daughter and I had to gander at the lovely flowers in the fresh cut flower section of the market.  Our guys were so nice.  They bought us a bouquet to take home! 

  Moving on through the district, the four of us, my husband and I along with my daughter and son-in-law, stumbled upon some restaurants that were awesome.  If you go to Pepper Place, be sure to check out the fine restaurants as well as the lunch and coffee shops.  Nothing could be better!
We  decided to come back for dinner later because we had also discovered there was a wonderful art exhibit going on this afternoon in some of the nearby warehouse bays.  Off we went to the warehouses anticipating resting over dinner later. 

We were greeted by wine and cheese as we walked into the exhibit that Mr. Arthur Price had magically displayed for us.  We browsed through his awesome collection of paintings and spent a good while marveling at each beautiful and interesting creation by this very talented artist who seemed to specialize in beautiful, large canvas murals.  He took the time to speak to us personally about many of his favorite paintings and how his ideas were formed for them.  It was so much fun to get to hear his thoughts regarding his own work.  His favorite work seemed to be a painting of a Spanish scene.  We learned that he is a gardener and a visionary, and that he was born in Alabama.  He has spent his life studying myth, culture, legends and fables from the past and the present.  He lives with his wife, Caren, on a farm near the Cahaba River in Shelby County, Alabama.  He paints on very large un-stretched canvases.  His pieces show serious and fantastical images of people, animals and spirits that are submerged into nature.  He uses interesting and unusual combinations for his subjects, most of them recognizable, yet having a dreamlike appearance.  The best word I could use to describe his style would be "enchanting."  His work still haunts me, especially one painting that I took to be of Ruth and Naomi, yet, I didn't ask him if that was correct.  Some of the paintings captured the beauty of the Native American Indians and their lives.  They were beautiful and ghost-like, not at all typical of the paintings we usually see of this culture.  Each painting carried a story of its own that only the artist could tell. 

I wished we had taken more time here.  The exhibit would only be around for a few days.  The next time we came it will be a different artist. 

 It seems The Pepper Place is all about art and beauty!

  After the much enjoyed art exhibit, we strolled back over to the area of the restaurants and enjoyed some fine food.  We had worked up an appetite by now and this place knew how to make food an adventure! 

It seems The Pepper Place is all about excellence in food! 

We had definitely made a day of it.  We left happy and content at about 9 p.m. after some rather tasty drinks from their bar.  We found ourselves pleasantly tired and ready to go home and bask in the memories of a great day.

So I have given you a taste of just a few  of the good open air markets in the Birmingham, Alabama area to check out.  Don’t be surprised if you discover more on your way to these.  This wonderful way of shopping has become very popular; and you even see the old fashioned curb markets springing up everywhere along the Alabama roads. 

If you want to leave Birmingham and go out to the country a bit, I highly recommend that you take a peek at the flea markets in Collinsville and at an area called  Mountaintop.  They too have vendors with wonderful fresh produce.  There are also many others sprinkled all across the state.  As I mentioned before, not one of them is the same. 

So enjoy life this summer and take in an exciting adventure at an open air market.  You will find it a delightful experience.