Our yard has taken a couple of hits this year....

We didn't discover this snow plow damage until the snow melted.  I called the streets department to come out and fix it and they put us on the list.  Somehow we thought they'd put some sod over it but they just moved the clods of dirt around. 

Now it's all lumpy & bumpy.

We lost our bradford pear in the storm Tuesday night. Actually, I was surprised that it lasted as long as it did because we've been in the house for 5 springs now and everyone knows how weak these trees are.  I don't understand why they're planted so profusely because they never last. 

At first Jim said we could salvage it but thank God he realized we didn't want a half-tree!

Although Jim was upset to lose such a nice tree, I think he was secretly excited to use his chainsaw!

The Latest Redecorating

When Jim & I talked about a winter project this year, we thought we'd work on putting tile, granite or some other solid surface on the fireplace & shelving in the family room.  After some investigating & trips to a couple of tile stores, we decided the job was more than we wanted to get into.  We talked about it and agreed to remodel the powder room instead.  I really liked the way it looked with the dark blue paint color beneath the chair rail & flowered wallpaper but after almost five years I was ready for a change. 

I had a picture that I had torn out of a magazine a couple of years ago of a bathroom remodel that had bead board installed and I really loved the look. Luckily, Jim is pretty handy with his saw & nail gun and he agreed to my plan. I had also seen a paint technique that looked like leather at Home Depot that I wanted to try. 

Here are the results:

This time we didn't fight or get into any disagreements because since it was such a small area we had to work at separate times.  I did all the painting first and then Jim did all the bead board & trim and installed a new faucet & light.  We're both happy with the way it turned out.  

Maybe next winter we'll get to the fireplace & shelving......