How do you know when you need a manicure?

I was never one much for fingernail grooming.  If God wanted me to go to a salon, He wouldn't have given me such sharp teeth for biting cuticles. Normally, I pay them no mind but yesterday, while trying to clean the oil stain out of them (even though I had gloves on) I was reminded of a favorite saying of my folks-"it's easier to make a new one."  The stain came while I working on my Union Jack.  I can only give you another peak, because it is still uncompleted. I'm really loving this piece.  Hoping to be done by Wednesday, because other promised projects are going to sneak to the head of the line.

~.~.~.~.~

Yesterday was November 30th, the Feast of St. Andrew, always a good memory from my childhood.  It was the start of The Christmas Prayer, a short prayer said 15 times a day until Christmas, for a special intention.  This year for unknown reasons, it is allowed to start today, December 1st.  My special intention this year is for son, Paddy, to find direction, and know that he is loved.  The prayer is as follows:

"Hail and Blessed be the hour, in which the Son of God was born of a more pure Virgin Mary, in a stable, in Bethlehem, at midnight, in piercing cold.  In that hour vouchsafe, Oh My God, to hear my prayer, and grant my desire, through the merits of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother."

                                                                       ~.~.~.~.~

I've always loved windows and their function; to be able to see nature, but not necessarily be IN it. I love keeping a window open at night to hear the sound of the rain beating on the roof.  And, when it is too silent, tying an aluminum pie pan on the window to hear the "clink-clink".

This is a little Pella sample window snagged from David's barn.  I love the idea of using the muntin/mullion bars as natural picture frames. Here is the Before look:

and After.

I know you have to crick your neck a little to see the one picture.  Uuntil I get another photo transferred, we can all use the neck exercises.  The photos are my Mom and Dad's high school graduation pictures. My mom was the prettiest person in her class. The other students I'm sure were absent that day so used their grandparent's photos.  Will post the price when new picture is available.

                                                                        ~.~.~.~.~

The next photo is my restored Washboard.  Also, to advertise my soap teaching class.  It will happen on Friday night, December 14, 2012, at 6:30pm.  For details contact me in the comment section, or email me at lookingsilver@gmail.com.

                                                                        ~.~.~.~.~

Be well everyone on this day before Advent starts.  I hope you find time in your day for The Christmas Prayer, and for those around us that are so like the woodwork that they are too invisible to see.

As ever,

La Verne

hope&salvage