EASY POLISHING SILVER TOOL

I know most people don't have a desire to polish silver.  I have scooped up so many pieces at estate sales and thrift shop for this very reason.  I like to polish silver.  I know it's quirky, but I do.  Whether I am setting up a display at home, or using the silver pieces to set a buffet table, I think it shows well.

As I was getting ready for a party, I pulled out the silver polish.  Most of the pieces that I needed to clean had intricate edges.  I always keep an old electric toothbrush, that still works, in my laundry room to use for stains. Applying Oxyclean to a spot that needs to be treated and then using the toothbrush before I put it in the washer loosens up the stain.

So back to the silver polishing.  I pulled the electric toothbrush out again and dipped it into the polishing cream.  Then, I turned it on and let it do the work on the engraved edging.  Why hadn't I thought of that before? I might add that it is gentle on the silver plate surface. I just wanted to share this tip with you.  It's a good thing!

 

THE BLACK MADONNA

On another Saturday excursion, I drove a friend of mine to a town about 1 1/2 hours away.  I was on the search for a Madonna to place in my new/old shrine.  We spotted 3 shops that were right together.  In the last shop, I was looking at strange Presidential election memorabilia when my eye caught this enchanting black Madonna.  Black being that the entire statue was painted black.  She cost $12.00.  I really thought that the Holy Spirit had guided me to her and I swooped her up without hesitation.

I don't know if I'm going to try to strip the black paint off or not.  I want a white, shabby, chippy surface, so I will move forward to see what the end result will be.

Both of their faces look sweet, but I think stripping the paint will be a necessity.

The statue fits perfectly in the recesses of the shrine.

This is going to be an amazing project.

MARY SHRINE FOR THE BEDROOM

Because I have a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and pray the rosary often, I thought it was time to make a shrine in my bedroom. The month of May honors the Blessed Virgin every year.  As a child, Mom would always let us make a Marian shrine in the house.  We would pull out the yellow, laminate child's table and lay a linen cloth over the top.  Every day we would replenish the vase of flowers that adorned our shrine.  This is such a vivid memory of mine growing up.

From time to time, I try to have a vase of flowers near my statue of the Blessed Mother during May.
Over the years, I have acquired many holy cards, some vintage, and multiple rosaries from over the years.  I even have a holy water fountain that belonged to my grandmother.  I thought it would be a wonderful idea to incorporate all of my religious items into one place and make a permanent shrine to Mother Mary.

In the meantime, I was really looking for an old hollowed out mantle clock to redo to use for my shrine.  Because I am impatient, I took note of my lantern and thought that it could be used until I came upon this elusive wooden shrine.  Wouldn't you know, about the time I was envisioning this shrine, I found my wooden shrine.  However for the time being, I could use the lantern until I had enough time to refinish the wood mantle piece.  Of course, this will be yet another posting. 

Mom bought this statue of Mary of Lourdes while she was in France.  Every year, millions visit the Grotto of Massabielle (Grotto of the Apparitions) where, in 1858, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, who was later canonized, or made a saint in by Pope Pius XI on December 8, 1933.  In the Catholic Church this is the feast day of the Immaculate Conception.

I placed my two mosaic crosses close to the lantern holder.

Taking a look into the shrine, I smile thinking of how I acquired so many religious effects. Vintage Holy cards, my scapula, the antique holy water font are some of my favorites.  Such treasures remind me of my Catholic faith.

 I draped my rosaries over the top.

Our sweet Lady of Lourdes.

After i had set up the shrine, I was in Krogers and spied these gorgeous pale pink baby roses.  How could I possibly pass that deal up?

I came home and pulled the outer layer of each rose off.  You would be surprised how this little trick

makes roses fresh looking. 

See the difference?

I pulled out a silver low floral container that had a frog in the middle to hold in the blooms.  It took just a few minutes to trim and place them in the vessel.  Absolutely gorgeous!  And all for $2.99!


When I wake up and get out of bed, this view is my first site.  What a start to a new day.

REUSING A VINTAGE SIESTA COASTER SET AND MENU

Cinco De Mayo is around the corner, so I thought I would do a write up along those lines.

When closing out our parents house, I acquired vintage serape like linens from my Mom.  They had come from her cousin who used to live in Albuquerque. I have used these linens in the past and regularly try to use them in table settings.

But recently, as I was going through a tub of old pictures, I found a menu that Mom had created when she had one of her gourmet parties.  Mind you, this was in the early sixties before the internet.  Planning parties was so different.  Mom took me to the library to borrow Mexican music albums, to the costume shop to find some Mexican costumes and then, she made her own menu.

Lets go to this March when I set the table for my youngest daughter's 18th birthday.  I was making fajitas anyway, so I thought, let's get out the linens. 

But, before I show you, I want to show you the menu for that evening long ago.  She had typed out each menu insert.  She carefully traced the image of the serape coaster man as her template.  I helped her cut them out and she filled the inside with the menu.  How clever, I thought.  Today, with the ease of purchasing any type of invitation, this was one of the first times anyone had created their own.

 Looking at the items on the menu might not seem like a big deal.  I tell you, in Peoria, Illinois in the 60's, grocery stores didn't carry these products to even make these dishes.  We would drive down to the South side of Peoria to an International store called Ciota's.  There we would find the ingredients to pull off making this dinner. It was a whole new world to me.  I loved going with Mom to be on the hunt for her exotic new ingredients.

Today, all of these foods could be picked up at your normal grocery store.  We have come a long way!



Preparing for the dinner consisted of hanging up Mexican travel posters, getting the record player ready and assigning 3 of her children to dress in costume and help serve in a limited capacity.  How fun this was for me and there began my interest in inviting people over for dinner and adding an aspect of entertainment to our meals.

And now for the inspiration for this vintage menu. 

 Isn't this coaster set unique?  Let's look at the simple table setting.  Nothing fancy, but oh so colorful.

Nothing really fancy, but we had some amazing fajitas that night!( Sorry for the blurriness!)