MeriWil Design

Spending some time in Baltimore and surrounding areas this week. Day one started off with a quiet walk for lattes and pastries from a sweet little local shop. This afternoon we walked to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles take on the Washington Nationals and the weather was absolutely beautiful! This evening we picked up dinner from Wiley Gunters and it was 😋. It is time for some rest because tomorrow morning we are hopping on the train and spending the day in DC.

Y'all we are officially entering into my favorite time of year... Spring/Summer! I love all the things! The weather, the flowers, the life that springs forth!

It is also yardsale season and the best time for thrifting and finding hidden gem antique shops on long drives with no set destination.

This morning my mom and I hit the road for an estate sale in Dadeville, AL an hour away and it was a beautiful drive through the country and around Lake Martin. That sale didn't pan out but it was a nice drive.

Then this afternoon Chase and I headed down the road another direction to Tallassee, AL about 30 min away to check out Mill Collective. It was a great little find and full of treasures. I picked up quite a few things but the most notable were a complete set of Griffiths Milkglass Spice Jars, a set of hammered copper canisters, and a Fenton Hobnail bud vase. I can't wait to find creative ways to display/use each piece.

There is just something about finding well loved pieces from the past (and getting them at a bargain).

We finished up our little venture with a fantastic lunch @ Talisi Grill located just down the street from the Mill.

It was a great way to spend the first Saturday of Spring! If you're in the area (or even if you're not) take a little country drive and check it out.

In the days leading up to Valentines Day, which comes with a spectrum of emotions for some. I thought we could use a little reminder of what love really looks like.

Love isn't always showered in rose petals and seldom wears lingerie. Love doesn't always give us butterflies or come with showy gestures for the world to see.

Love is found in small things that become big things when you need them. Love sits with us in hospital rooms and on cold bathroom floors. Love meets us at the door to help carry in the weight of a heavy day. Love takes the scenic route even though there are quicker paths. Love cries with us in moments of sorrow and rejoices with us in victories.
Love shelters. Love protects. Love stands up against injustice and fights for what is good. Love never leaves .

When everything else is gone, love stands firm!

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not boast
Love is not proud
Love is not rude
Love is not self seeking
Love is not easily angered
Love does not delight in evil
Love rejoices with the truth
Love always protects
Love always trusts
Love always hopes
Love always perseveres
Love never fails
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

If y'all have not tried Amish Farm soap do yourself a favor and get you some! When I love a product I will share it with y'all and this soap is fantastic. Pure, clean ingredients and the skin benefits are 🫶! Then the face cream!!! 100% grass fed beef tallow with bentonite clay and organic oils! Yes please! You can order directly from the company or even find it on Amazon.

It has been a while since I have taken the time to sit down at my computer or had a moment to think about what to say. This girl was tired! Work has been crazy busy since the end of October and I am not sure when/if there is a slowdown coming. Thankfully, I was able to take some much-needed days off. Tomorrow, I go back to work, hopefully rested and feeling a sense of renewed purpose.
There wasn't a fancy vacation, or days filled with activity during the off time, that wasn't what was needed.

But....
I caught up on the things that had been neglected at home.
I was able to spend time relaxing and resting with Chase. We were able to spend his birthday celebrating the entire day, including a trip to Birmingham enjoying Ruth's Chris for dinner.
All of my laundry is done (this is a huge accomplishment for me, despite only two humans living here).
Today, I have the time and energy to meal prep, which has not happened in way too long as we have traded healthy for convenience on most days.

Sometimes you just need a break, a moment to reset and rest. We all need it, we all rarely take it.

I am striving for more intentional moments, less overwhelm. Taking moments to do more things I love. Things I can share with you.

What helps you balance all the crazy life sometimes throws at you?

I had all the plans this December... I know the month isn't over but I was going to fill it with all the small town charm and festivals and lights and warm coziness I could fit in... but sometimes plans fail and things you had hoped don't always get to happen. And it is okay! After being knocked out by pneumonia last month this month has been a bit more hectic with work and things not planned. Friday I am having oral surgery that will take me out of commission for a few days and then Christmas will be here. I have learned over the years I can't beat myself up over any of it... I do what I can, some of what I want and make sure to finish the have to's. I share this with you in case you need the reminder that if your December hasn't been what you planned, it is okay! Take a moment, take a breath. Do what you can, some of what you want, and finish what you have to and let grace cover it all.

Y'all... life hit pause for me for a couple weeks in the form of pneumonia and knocked me all the way on my tail. This week was my first week back at work and it was crazy getting caught up and back into the swing of things but I am feeling better and stronger each day.

That being said, all my plans to get my home decorated for Christmas (I know we still have Thanksgiving to celebrate) took a detour and nothing I had planned was accomplished. However, I have full intentions of getting it all done soon ( I have to persuade my man to get the boxes out of the garage 🤣).

I love the holidays and all the cozy that comes with them. I honestly don't get too caught up in the gifts and the shopping, we do those things too but the things I love most can't be bought.

The twinkle of lights, the music, the sappy movies, the cooking and baking, and making memories with the ones we love. I am here for all of it!

But the HOPE!

I don't know how your year has been. I don't know how hard, how heartbreaking, what you have lost. But one thing I do know is there is HOPE.

HOPE, the expectation of good!
HOPE, a promise fulfilled!
HOPE, that light will overcome the darkness!
HOPE, that brings rejoicing to a weary world!

I pray that this HOPE radiates to the very depths of your soul this season ❤️

Okay y'all I have never decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving but it's time... I need it...

I realize I have been quiet lately... at least here. That has not been my intention but the result of some serious busyness and overwhelm. There are several projects at my day job which require lots of time and attention and life outside of work has been filled with its own busyness and projects to come.

Each day filled with both happy and hard. That is how life goes. It always has its highs and lows and we ride the waves as best we can.

This past Saturday we said our final goodbyes to a sweet coworker.

Last night we celebrated the life of my cousin taken from this world far too soon.

Today we are prepping for our team Halloween costumes and party tomorrow.

This coming Saturday we will celebrate a new little life that will soon be joining the world.

The happy and hard intermingled together because joy and sorrow can and often do walk hand in hand.

Whatever wave you're currently riding breathe it in and feel it deeply.

After all we only get one life. Let's live it by design.