sperlygirl

to remember...

the last few days, we have spent catching up and enjoying time with good friends. one day found us all on the beach, everyone was in the water and kai and i were taking a break on the sand...i just looked at the light glistening off the sea, watched the waves roll onto the shore, heard the laughter of those in the water, and felt the warm towel-wrapped body of my little boy in my lap - and thought to myself, truly this is what the essence of life is all about - these moments, rich with happiness, joy, and beauty. they are certainly not the big moments of life, but rather the quiet ones that slip in between. the ones that so easily could go unnoticed or be forgettable if we are busy with the bustle and hurry. in this particular moment, i simply wanted to capture all of it, and tuck it safely away in my memory.

to capture a moment of gratitude...

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to live on this beautiful and astonishing planet Earth. In the morning, I wake up with a sense of gratitude."
~Earl Nightingale

may you share a laugh with a dear friend, a warm embrace with a family member, may you have a moment of peaceful silence to appreciate the world and your place in it, may you find pleasure in a delicious meal, and find magic in an evening star, and above all - may you find comfort this weekend.

colors across the sky...

it's funny, sometimes vacations do not carry out the way you planned, but if you look back upon your time there you realize it provided just what you needed at the moment. amid some rain and cool weather, there was this beauty who graced the sky with her lively colors. which caused one little boy to delight in the pure joy of rainbow watching and allowed one mama to recall the wonder there is in these fleeting moments of color across an evening sky.

**and together we both sang this tune **

a little time to renew...

we are taking a little time to renew this week - headed for a bit of a getaway to take in some sun, sea, and the vibrancy of the season. hopefully, it will prove to be the answer to a much needed break, fresh scenery, a new city to explore, and a step outside of the routine. that's the hope, anyway - at least it will be a new adventure.

i wanted to share this gem that i came across on a favorite blog i frequent...i found it purely magical & tender.

may this week bring you inches closer to your favorite things.

happy father's day...

there are so many aspects of my life where i feel much gratitude - but the biggest one of all is experiencing the father j has become to kai. it's not easy to stay home with a little one all day long (and still pursue your creative dreams) but he does, and the bond between these two is like no other i have seen.

sometimes, i'll admit, that's a hard one to witness - as probably any working parent can acknowledge, but the rewards for kai in the long run far outweigh any longings i may feel from time to time.

j, you know every detail of kai's life and every inch of his personality, and for that foundation between you two, i am forever grateful. you are a wonderful father who is sharing the world with your son and i feel lucky to witness this.

all of our love, happy father's day, j! xx s, kai & baby

~a tune for you...and to all papas today~

a new work...

amid the whirlwind that has been our first week of summer, i wanted to share a new painting/poem with you.

"the winds sighed in the moonlight, and she whispered, 'life unfolds in the palm of our hand and in the openness of our heart'"
~sperl 2009~

i am so hoping the rest of this summer will open up some and allow for some more painting/writing. lately, i am feeling the need to really creatively "nest" right now - to really lay down some projects and decide where to go from there.

i am also loving spending the days with kai. we play, we read, we visit the library, we stomp waves and uncover and collect treasures (seashells), have picnics, practice letters, and just soak up all of this special time.

i also wanted to share with you a couple of children's books we have found and i have simply and completely fallen in love with...

All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant
The Robot and the Bluebird by David Lucas

summer sweetness shared...

there is a sweetness to this time of year...for me, although still a bit too busy for my tastes (hoping to settle into a more lazy pace soon), summer has always been rich with possibility, thanks to the gift of more time. time is something that i have grown to treasure - more than anything. lately, i have been searching and gathering up some inspiration, i thought i'd share some with you here (i have gathered some of these links from other blogs which i enjoy, but i cannot recall which - so i simply aim to share what i have found that has given a little lift to my spirit and a dose of inspiration to my soul)...after all, isn't that what summer is all about?
ihanna                                    lesophie                         summer surf
wish studio                            kt40

inspiration lounge                   autumn story (thx misty!)
hatch network                        art
swirly girl
jen gray

summertime...

finally, she is here...school is out, bed-times seem to linger, mornings waken slowly and gently, and the afternoons bathed in sunshine seem endless. the scent of sea water and suntan lotion permeate the air, ice-tea chills in the fridge, and the fruits from the market appear heavy with their ripeness. it's the time of the year when nothing feels more perfect than a swim in the sea...here's to starting your summer - and may it be full of all things joyful!

**a little summertime tune to ease you into the season **

to my teeny teacher, whom i have not met yet...

to my teeniest of teachers...we have not met yet, little one, yet you are already teaching me big lessons. this pregnancy has not been an easy one (yet i know it is not as difficult as others) and as this diabetes continues on its own course, i am reminded again that life is truly uncontrollable. that amidst the chaos and stress, it is then when silence needs to be sought, it is then when the mind needs to rest from its worry and take pleasure in the present moment, it is then when the body needs to unwind and feel nurtured, it is then when the illusion of control must be flown like a kite carried on swirling winds and left to the hands of mother nature and not those of my own. it is you, teeny teacher, that is reminding me of all these valuable lessons. you are allowing me to consider, be patient, find strength, and gather wisdom. your presence is already a gift, sweet one.

a beautiful day...

today was a lovely day spent enjoying a leisurely lunch which lasted for hours as we celebrated friendships and gathered to send off a special family to their next destination. the grounds were as beautiful as this lovely cake...truly there is nothing more heartwarming that a beautiful day, on a wonderful vineyard, in the company of good friends, enjoying conversation and wonderful food.