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Deeper Still Birmingham - can't wait!

Sophie - October 4, 2010

I'm always excited about Deeper Still events. I love the cross-generational teaching, I love worship with Travis and the praise team, and I love how all three women (four, counting Kelly Minter!) share what the Lord has been showing them through and in Scripture. It really is an event like no other.

But whatever my normal level of DS excitement might be under normal circumstances, you can pretty much triple that for the upcoming Deeper Still in my beloved hometown of Birmingham. Like so many people who live here, I LOVE THIS PLACE, and the relational side of me is just flat-out giddy at the thought of being able to share it - even indirectly - with the women who'll be in town December 3-4. I bet all you other Birminghamians are feeling the same way.

So, in the spirit of unbridled enthusiasm and expectancy, I thought I'd offer a little Birmingham tutorial on places to eat and shop on your way into town or on your way out of town. As most of you know, the event schedule doesn't leave a very big window for getting out and about, but if you're here early enough for lunch on Friday or late enough for supper on Saturday, this info might help. I hope it does.

1) The Summit - Highway 280 & I-459 - There's something for everybody there food-wise (The Cheesecake Factory, a brand-spankin' new Chuy's, Flip Burger, PF Chang's, etc.) and you can shop all day long and still not make it into every store. If you have a daughter or friend who loves Anthropologie, then I believe The Summit will be something akin to a mother ship calling her home.

2) 18th Street South in Homewood - Highway 31 & Red Mountain Expressway - This is one of my absolute favorite places to shop, and it has a local feel that the malls just can't touch. If it's not too cold, park your car on the street and take yourself a little walking tour of the area. You'll feel right at home. And if there's any way you can arrange it, go to O'Carr's for the chicken salad and fruit plate. It should be a requirement for every Birmingham visitor.

3) Mountain Brook Village - Highway 280 and Hollywood Boulevard - I can't describe it. You just have to go. Make sure you stop by Smith's Variety (so fun to browse there) and then walk over to Gilchrist's for a limeade. The zoo and the (lovely) Botanical Gardens are in that same area, but since it's probably going to be a smidge on the cool side, retail establishments might be a little more practical.

4) Brookwood Mall - Highway 280 and Lakeshore Drive - This is an old mall that's been completely renovated, and the result is an indoor mall with plenty of outside dining options (Five Guys, anyone?), great parking, and enough stores to keep you occupied but not so many that it's overwhelming. I feel like it's a great little local secret, and did I mention that there's a Five Guys?

5) Any BBQ establishment - We have a ton of barbecue places in Birmngham, and you really can't go wrong with any of them. There's Full Moon, Golden Rule, Jim and Nick's, Johnny Ray's, Miss Myra's, Saw's - I could go on and on. In Alabama we like our barbecue sauce thick, we like it sweet, and we even like to put a little slaw on top of our meat when we eat a pulled pork sandwich. It'll bless your heart. Figuratively speaking, of course.

If y'all have any Birmingham-related questions, just let me know in the comments. I may not know the answer, but I'll find someone who does - and we can't wait to see y'all in December!

Category: Events