Ringing in the New Year

We rung in the new year in an original kind of way this year. On New Year's Eve Steve got the great idea that we would build a mantle. "It'll take what, a couple hours?" When Steve comes up with an idea like this I have to run with it, even if I'm not in the mood to undergo a project. It is just so unlike him to want to do something like that. SO around 2 we made it to Lowe's. I had sketched out and measured what I wanted and how much wood. Let it be known, I was the brains behind this project. Thanks to the Sawyers for their inspiration (basically this is a rip-off of their mantle.) Owen was super excited to help us out...he was able to use his "Handy Manny" tools. He loved using his screw driver and hammer. No, the project didn't take 2 hours. It took more than I even kept track of. We had the mantle mounted and assembled on the wall by about 11:50 p.m. Just in time to watch the ball drop. Owen was such a trooper, he lasted almost until midnight.

New Year's day consisted of calking and painting. We were proud of ourselves for A. starting and finishing a project and B. making a pretty decent mantle...It has yet to come off the wall!