Why didn't we do this years ago?

Like every family, when we moved into this house, we had a list of projects we wanted to tackle. Some projects were massive - like redoing the kitchen. Some were minor - like switching out light fixtures.

But one project that never occurred to us until this week was to paint the fireplace surround. We love the mantle and switched out the cover last year (the original cover was a lovely 80's brassy gold). But the ugly brick and tile we never gave much thought to. 

However, this month's HGTV magazine spotlighted a young couple who painted their huge fireplace white. The article left us scratching our heads...Why didn't we think of that?

Before

Up close shot of brick

We love a quick weekend DIY project. After scrounging around downstairs, Mike came up with some primer and a paint brush. Game on.

Three coats of white primer later, we had ourselves a lighter brighter fireplace. Then we used our date night babysitter to accomplish two tasks: purchase some tile for the floor in front of the fireplace and go get some sushi.

Brick be gone! Looks better already.

We chose a porcelain tile that looks like white marble. It's going to look great after we chip up the odd ceramic tile. We're not sure what it was grouted with... maybe silicone? But it's definitely not standard grout. And the tile is very thick so we may need to lay down concrete board first.

But won't this look pretty when it's done?

Stay tuned for the next update... we hope to tackle the tile this weekend.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming

What is it about the day after Christmas? Is it the wrapping paper overload? Too much sugar? Why am I already dying to put some of the Christmas clutter back into it's properly labelled box?

Well, I'm taking a moment to record my resolutions for this coming year (the big ones, the little ones) and take note of the stuff I put in place this year that worked well (Hi-five!) 

I'll be mulling this list over in the next few days, but here's my initial take on what I'd like 2014 to look like. I know I want it to be simpler. I want it to be more about living life and loving than I do about gathering items. I want it to be lived more fully.

Frankly, I've already made a few commitments that I'm questioning -- probably can't do much about it at this point, but I will let this year also serve as a learning experience. If I am committed to helping my kids clear their plate and de-schedule, then I've gotta set those boundaries for myself.

So I ask you now... Have you thought about your resolutions yet? Any good ones to share? Anything rattling around that you want to get out of your head?