Peep! Peep! Peep!

Hello ladies,

I spent the past couple days at my sister's house. There I became acquainted with the new baby chicks in residence. They are soft, sociable, and love kisses.

Why, hello there, gorgeous!

A calisthenics demonstration. Bend over and touch your webbed feet.

Curiouser and curiouser!

Two to tango.

A surly lass.

Chinny chin chin!

A backwards glance.

All the girls together...though there might be a secret rooster among them.

I hope you enjoyed the fauna and the whimsy of the day.

Happy painting, ladies!

Candied flowers: BB Couture Plums and Sugar

Hello ladies,

I have a simple and sweet manicure for you today. The drifts of snow made me long for the white petals of Spring. The blossoms and pearls look sugared on my nails, like candied flowers.

With Konad white special polish, I stamped the delicate flowers from design plate H28. I alternated the design placement. I added pale blue, lavender and cream pearls to the flowers centers. The pearls remind me of candy buttons.

Don't let your monitor engage in any trickery. BB Couture Plums and Sugar is purple!

Above are pictures of my niece Shannon in her tutu before her performance in the Nutcracker. As part of a local ballet troupe, she performed with the international touring Donetsk Ballet Co. from Russia. Shannon just turned 15. Isn't she beautiful?

Plums and Sugar is completely opaque in two coats. The application of this polish is salon perfect. The color is amazing as well. Red micro glitter along with blue and silver shimmer mingle in a purple base. Plums and Sugar is one of my favorite purples from any brand. Truly gorgeous and worth seeking out!

I hope this manicure and the ballerina added some sweetness to your day.

BB Couture Plums and Sugar was sent to me for review. This shade along with the rest of the Christmas Collection can be purchased from overallbeauty.com

Would you like the chance to win the entire BB Couture Christmas Collection along with a fashionable wristlet and skin care products? Stop by the Get Festive Giveaway to enter.

Image plate H28 was provided for consideration. To shop the full line of nail art stamping products, please visit chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Request for prayers, good thoughts, and positive energy

Hello ladies,

I know some of you are aware that my sister has been having health issues. For all of your kind inquiries and well wishes, I thank you. I expect what is to come will be a long journey back to health for Claire. The first MRI detected a brain tumor. She will be going in for a second MRI tomorrow that utilizes dye.

She will be meeting with a specialist in two weeks. Then we will learn more about the exact situation with the tumor and her treatment options. While the appointment does seem like it's a long time away, this is standard procedure in the U.S.

The tumor has been causing complications that affect basic motor control. Claire can't stand without leaning against something solid to help support her. She can no longer walk regularly. She can only make it a short distance before needing to sit down. A walk across her backyard to visit the chickens will exhaust her. Her legs will start to tremor and she will lose her balance if she stands still or attempts to walk slowly. She can't remain standing long enough to take a shower or even to wash a dish.

My sister has been understandably very anxious dealing with these symptoms. Along with physical health, I also really wish for her to feel peace and be able to rest mentally as well.

I really believe that positive energy can create change and facilitate healing. For those of you who do pray, I request that you include my sister Claire in your prayers if that feels right to you. Meditation, good thoughts and well wishes are very appreciated at this time.

I am still planning on continuing with blogging. Painted Lady fingers is something I love working on. My sister reads my blog every day. If she can manage this with a brain tumor, I surely can find time to create a manicure and take photos she can see and enjoy.

Right now I am started to get caught up on preparing for giveaway drawings. The Nubar drawing will be posted late Wednesday night. I already have a helper in line. The others I will handle once a week thereafter. I have a couple new giveaways to launch as well. Keep an eye out for the first later in the week. I have a great time putting giveaways together and I am looking forward to it as soon as I have the time. I don't feel any pressure or sense of expectation. I just want to keep everyone updated.

I know all of you are good and understanding people. I am sure a few of might advise me to take some time off. My position right now is that I will do everything I can to help my sister. This week that will mean hanging out with her and her menagerie of dogs and chickens, a cat and a rabbit. It will involve taking her out for a canoe ride along the creek and staying up watching Japanese horror films. There will be late night phone chats and lots of laughter.

I will do my best to support my sister and I am thankful there are people to comfort and encourage me when I need it. My goal at this time is similar to what it always is: to recognize the beauty in each day. The difference now is the need to share it is stronger.

Happy painting ladies and lots of love to each of you.