sperlygirl

a glimpse of italy...

a glimpse of italy...

a glimpse of italy...

a glimpse of italy...

 dear italy, i am so in love with your light...still.

the magic of wandering...

this weekend we headed out with the simple intent to break free of our routines and wander through a new city. we found ourselves in portofino. meandering down side streets, taking in beautiful seaside views, seaglass scavenging, long lunch lingering, chocolate covered gelato enjoying, and talking with a wonderfully talented artist...it was what we all had been needing. 

this is one of my most favorite things to do...to wander...to show up to someplace new and simply allow it to wash over you. 

 

 

small celebrations...

this weekend was my last of the summer, although the italian schools do not begin until september, i return to work this week. summer is always a tough one for me to let go of - especially when we are able to spend it all together. we chose to celebrate the memories this summer made for us this past weekend...and of course, a celebration is deserving of proseco. 

don't get me wrong, living over here is my dream, and we hope to hold on to it for as long as possible. but as with all life, the moments here are not always rosy. some days i wallow in the trenches of "am i doing this right" self-talk about parenting issues, or simply miss my girlfriends back home and wish we could easily meet up, or get frustrated over my seemingly slow understanding of the italian language, or ponder still what i'd like to be when i grow up ;)

but i'm taking a new approach around here lately - choosing to celebrate the moments we are in - to acknowledge them, give them voice, and then allow them to gently filter through to memory. with the good ones, there is always that bittersweetness that follows. with the not so rosy moments, it's much easier to shoo those suckers away; but i am really trying to appreciate the lesson, the opportunity they present before completely putting them behind me. i suppose this is the notion of mindfulness, being present, or living more fully in the moment. i am okay with this.

here's to celebrating the bittersweet passing of summer with the clink of our glasses...cin-cin

buon ferragosto...

today is ferragosto here. it's a day to celebrate, to enjoy, to relax and savor summer, to gather with friends and share a meal, to soak in what means the most to all of us - to connect.

i love the atmosphere in the air today. it feels a little like this, and i think that's a good thing.

so wherever you may be today, i wish you buon ferragosto, and may you enjoy life to the fullest!

 

a glimpse of italy...

luminaria...on the eve of 16 june, pisans celebrate their patron saint ranieri. all along the river, buildings, churches and bridges are outlined and embellished with white painted frames holding real flickering candles. even the leaning tower glows from the flicker of oil lamps. the candlelight reflects and dances creating a magical reflection along the river. the streets are full of vendors, music, people and a vibrant energy...all adding to the soundtrack of summer.

a glimpse of italy...

love & light...

it seems italy has had a sad and challenging weekend, so today, i simply wish to send out light and love to all those who affected...