Saturday night...babysitting

We had the pleasure of watching Jordan Saturday evening while his parents attended the NBA All Star skills competition.  His mother is a colleague of Katie at Pepsico. 

He is a fan of baseball, basketball and football.

Our first snow (12 inches)

We left Chicago for this???

The view down the street.  Many of the neighbors were also outside taking pictures because the previous record for 24 hour snowfall was 7.1 inches. 

I believe this is part of our tree.  We lost a few branches. 

Katie's breakfast.

Painting

I have spent much of this week on a ladder touching up ceilings.  Spackle, sponge, repeat. 

We purchased the Wagner painting gun below.  It makes a huge difference.  The quality of finished product is significantly better than using a brush or roller.  Furthermore, it completes the job in less time.  Win-win!!!

The doors looked like this before the Wagner took control of matters.

Now...

I completed a few more feet on the fireplace.  Do not call OSHA on me because I was in clear violation of their ladder regulations.  We are up to 11 feet.  Looks like there are still 6 feet remaining. 

Finally, we received a new quilt today.  It is a Lidsmore Toile. 

Too much white???

Fireplace - first coat of paint

We have to get a second ladder because there are still about 9 feet to paint. 

Fireplace, continued...

With or without???

Fireplace

We are painting the mantle and bookshelf white. 

The mantle is finished, but I am contemplating how to reassemble the shelves (i.e., use a router or pins).  Also, I have been informed we will be painting the brick white.