EVENTS - Lent, My TV Crutch, & One Large Dose of Honesty

On this Ash Wednesday, I have a confession to make about the Lenten season. It has always irked me in a discomforting way, eliciting strong, gut feelings of judgment and eye rolls. Typically, I treat similar forms of worship with the utmost reverence, and I love celebrating Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter. So what is it about the beginning of Lent that doesn’t quite sit well with me?

Image via Pinterest (Maggie Miller - google.com)

Until just recently, I never fully understood the point of giving things up for Lent. I grasped the deeper concepts of temptation, reliance upon God rather than other comforts, and observance of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Still, something about the way we, humans, translated this incredible remembrance into action felt like a pretense, like a veiled excuse to look great in a bikini come spring break after “selflessly” giving up those carbs “for God”. It seemed like a second, somewhat sick, attempt at our failed New Years' resolutions, and my inner Simon Birch erupted, “What does cokes and candy bars have to do with God?”

I always patted myself on the back for trying to build a closer relationship with God during this season by adding things to my life – perhaps a prayer journal or more time in scripture. (I still think these additions can be wonderful ways to observe Lent.) Then, this morning, I read a blog post titled “Fat Tuesday and the peace of God” by Dr. Jim Denison. Reading about "Jesus fasting in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights, the Hebrews wandering the wilderness for 40 years, and Noah’s flood for 40 days", I started to reconsider my negative and embarrassingly dismissive attitude towards fasting for Lent. I asked myself, “What do you turn to for comfort and reliance before you turn to God?” “What are you making an idol by placing it above time or relationship with God?” The answer was glaringly obvious – TV.

Much like carbonated drinks and candy bars, I don’t think TV is some great evil in and of itself. In fact, I strongly believe in TV’s immense ability to enrich society by opening our eyes to others’ perspectives and teaching valuable information in an engaging, visual manner. For the majority of my adolescence, I wanted to be a television writer. Nevertheless, I’m currently using TV as a crutch, just as many of you may turn to certain foods or other personal idols. While I’m still hyperconscious to consider my possible self-serving motives for limiting TV intake, I no longer hear that obnoxious inner voice berating the intentions of others. I guess I’ve learned that for some, cokes and candy bars actually do have something to do with God. Who am I to determine the difference?

INTERIOR DECORATING/HOME - Container Gardens

With spring on the mind, I want to spruce up my apartment’s patio by delving into some container gardening later this week. Unfortunately, my minimal budget, zero experience, and high boredom probability undermine my newfound enthusiasm for uncovering my green thumb.

Tentative about my first grown-up gardening venture, I turn to my favorite experts for gorgeous yet attainable container garden ideas. Whether your garden wins top prize every year or like me, you haven’t planted anything since the preschool days of potted Styrofoam cups, you can always revamp your outdoor spaces with new, creative container ideas. Follow the below links for even more tips and photos!

From Left to Right: BHG.com via roomtoinspire.blogspot.com, Martha Stewart, Midwestliving.com, Southern Living, Martha Stewart, Southern Living, Southern Living, Whiteonricecouple.com, Southern Living, Martha Stewart, BHG.com, & Martha Stewart

First-ever Giveaway - And the Winner Is...

After carefully tallying the entries and randomly drawing a name from the batch, I am proud to announce that the winner of Merriment’s first-ever giveaway is…

Shannon Slingsby Plowey!

Congratulations on winning this Dooney & Bourke handbag and Swarovski Perfume, valued at $278 and $89 respectively. I want to thank everyone who entered the contest by liking Merriment’s Facebook Page, repinning on Pinterest, and following on Twitter. I can’t wait to get to know more of you through your comments and future contests. Have a merry night! 

DOONEY & BOURKE MEDIUM ZIPPER POCKET SAC IN ‘DESERT’; AURA BY SWAROVSKI PERFUME

EVENTS - Valentine's Day Gifts for the Man in Your Life

With all the fuss around your kiddos and all the fun with your “gal” friends, don’t forget to spoil the man you love with your attention and affection this Valentine’s Day!

If you have decided to keep things more low key in the gift category, you can still express your love through a thoughtful note, delicious dessert, burned CD, hearty breakfast or some other memento that celebrates your years together. Most importantly, set aside the time to appreciate one another and remember the romance you share as a couple.

Still looking for the perfect gift? Here are some great ideas for the man in your life!

 

ROW ONE: Antique-Silver Beer Stein - $49 (Pottery Barn), Kiehl's 'Men's Refuelers' Gift Set - $29.50 (Kiehl's), Candy Heart Boxers - $18.50/2 for $28 (JCREW), & Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad 2 - $99.99 (Brookstone)

ROW TWO: Custom-Fit Pink Twill Plaid - $89.50 (Ralph Lauren), Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN - $17.06 (Purchase at Amazon, Image via Hollywood Reporter), Marmot Mavericks +40 Sleeping Bag - $89-$99 (REI), & Under Armour ColdGear Top - $59.99 (Nordstrom)

ROW THREE: Victorinox Swiss Army Pocket Knife - $20 (Nordstrom), Silver Plated 4 Piece Shave Set - $28.99 (Target), Suede Yukon Moccasins - $90 (Gumps), & Bocce Ball Set - $89 (Pottery Barn)

EVENTS - Happy Galentine's Day!

Every February 13^th, Leslie Knope, the hilarious leading lady portrayed by Amy Poehler on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, honors her “gal” friends by hosting a “Galentine’s Day” celebration. Let’s join in the festivities by showing our gal friends how much we love them!

Host a luncheon or movie night, enjoy an extra long phone chat, or send a heartfelt card or gift like one of these thoughtful yet affordable Valentine’s goodies.

ROW ONE: She Walks in Beauty: A Woman's Journey Through Poems - $24.99 (Anthropologie), Cast Iron Fondu Set - $39.95 (Crate & Barrel), Red Polka Dot Blouse - $17.95 (H&M), Essie Nail Polish - $8 (Nordstrom, also found at Target/drugstores)

ROW TWO: Native Union 'Pop Phone' Handset - $29.00 (Nordstrom), Pink Mums, Batik & Crinkle Journals - $18.95 (Paper Source), 3-ball Hanging Vase - $7.95 (CB2), Now and Then DVD - $5.98 (Amazon)  

ROW THREE: Voluspa Cut Glass Jar in Goji Berry - $26 (Anthropologie), Rubbish 'XOXO' Folding Umbrella - $12 (Nordstrom), Lollia Imagine Bubble Bath - $49 (Layla Grayce), & Tovolo Red Heart Turner -$9.95 (Sur la table) 

MERRIMENT MOMENTS: Girl's Best Friend

I lost one of my dearest and most beloved companions yesterday, my dachshund of nearly thirteen years, Bandit. Gasping through my tears, I start to question, “Why do we put ourselves through this type of pain?”

And then I remember…meeting Bandit for the first time as a little girl. The owners brought him over for a few minutes as a quasi test run for my family to see if he was a good fit. I was upstairs taking a bath, so my mom brought him up to me. He leapt up on his little hind legs and proceeded to energetically lick the tub and my plump-cheeked face.
       “We want him. He’s the one!”
       “Are you sure, Meredith? This one?”
       “Yes, yes! We have to have him.”

Bandit and Cosmo

Bandit quickly became a cherished member of the family –homework buddy, Christmas fanatic (I have never met a dog who loved stockings as much as Bandit), night owl TV partner, food connoisseur, my only sibling at home when my sisters went off to college, my comforting companion throughout so many years.

While I know that I will love many more dogs in my lifetime, I honestly doubt that I will ever share the same connection I did with Bandit. We grew up together, from our puppyhood and childhood into adulthood. From elementary school through high school to leaving for college and later marrying the love of my life, Bandit shared in all of my biggest moments, always there to offer his love and bring me back home.

In the end, he passed away peacefully in my father’s arms. Watching Bandit grow older and frailer, I dreaded this day for some time. While a dachshund’s death may seem trivial or small in the scheme of life, God took the notice and care to handle it with His perfect timing.

He chose to take Bandit on a Wednesday, my father’s surgery day/half day, so my dad was able to make it home just in time to hold and pet Bandit during his last breaths. He orchestrated a seemingly random set of events that caused Evan and I to purchase new phones at this time. Late Monday night, I received my new phone in the mail with FaceTime capabilities, so I decided to try it out with my parents. I was able to see Bandit and talk to him less than 48 hours before his death. Finally, Bandit was still able to run and play up until the end – a blessing, especially for such a strong-willed dog.

To the “not pet people” out there, I know that I must sound embarrassingly melodramatic and sentimental, but I don’t really care. For me, Merriment is the celebration of the simple joys in life, and Bandit brought me merriment every single day. He deserves a celebration.