sperlygirl

sunshine and shadows...

it's that time of year again, where the chill of winter begins to take its toll. and while it's usually just that...a chill...where we are - it does bring with it all those nasty viruses regardless. and they have found us. we are all mending but certainly tire of the symptoms. so today, i flung open all the windows and let the sunshine and fresh air work their magic in here. it made me feel really good to do this, so i am taking this as a sign of healthy days ahead. these shadows on the wall made little ryder squeal with delight and dance around this kitchen this morning.

congratulations to kate, you have won my beach photo give-away! i hope it will bring you warmth and sunshine.

here's another great mix to bask in sunbeam with your headphones on

spreading some warmth (and a give-away)...

the winter months can feel long, cold and sometimes weigh heavy on our hearts. lately, i find myself dreaming of sunshine ~ feeling her warmth and basking in the subtle colors of the beautiful sea. i thought, surely there are others who are feeling this same pull right about now? 

so i decided too that i should extend this warmth to someone else...i am hosting a little give-away this week. i would like to gift my photo (shown below - actual one will not have the watermark) of a beautiful beach at sunset that i was so fortunate to be able to capture.

nothing is required, simply leave a comment and you will be in the running. a winner will be selected at random and announced on monday. you have until sunday midnight to enter.

an unexpected happy...

the other day, i was dreaming of the sea and decided to try my hand and creating a treasury on etsy. after much searching, i found what i thought represented the colors, the feeling, the ambiance, and the aspects of the sea that i find so compelling. i came home today to discover from one of the artisans that the treasury had been featured on the front page of etsy! i thought this was wonderful because there are so many wonderful artisans here. maybe this will bring them a new sale or perhaps simply the nudge of encouragement that is always welcomed, regardless, it is my heartfelt wish is that they keep on creating their lovely works and sharing them with the world!

 

 

 

a perfect sunday...

today was such a perfect day. the weather was beautifully sunny yet cold. we bundled up and headed out for lunch. kai worked on practicing with his skateboard. while we were coming home; i was taking it all in - the day, the sunshine, the laughter, and the glimpses of my babes - i heard kai say quite confidently to j (who was holding his hand as kai found his balance on the skateboard) 'okay, now let go of me'. and then it hit me - those six precious little words - and how they epitomize the journey of parenting... and i felt my hand rise up to my heart to find my own balance, a little.

cinque anni...

buon compleanno, tesoro mio (happy birthday my treasure)!

i am almost not sure where the last five years have gone as they feel like simply a flash of light - like the tail of a comet that zips across a star strewn sky leaving behind it only the memory of the sparkle. you are the one who made me a mama, a gift i didn't quite understand until now. you are a tiny teacher that brings new (and not so new) lessons to me daily. you are the gift.

i wish you a lifetime of wonder. may you continually seek out goodness even when the world feels bleak or heavy. may you create stillness and peace in your heart so that when life whispers to you, you are able to hear her wisdom. may you reach out to others with an open heart and a generous hand. may you discover and remember the beauty that surrounds you in nature. may you never forget the healing power of laughter. i wish for you to surround yourself with those who support and lift you yet challenge and inspire you. may you find what is that makes you truly happy and follow it with your beautiful heart. and lastly, may you always remember that you are loved.

*to my little wishing star...this one is for you*

one from my tribe...

i am really so fortunate to have a tribe of incredible women in my life that support, teach, inspire and nurture me in so many ways. i decided that i want to introduce several to you here, simply because they deserve to be recognized for the amazing women that they are.

this is my friend, diann. we go way back to my life in arizona. living there began to feel hard and disconnected until i discovered a garden who needed volunteers. it was here, that i met diann. she has a warmth and love for life (and all things natural) that is nothing short of infectious. i love being in her presence. my saturday mornings became the highlight of my week as i drove out to the farm early in the morning to help harvest vegetables and set-up for the farmer's market. i loved witnessing the earth, the chickens, and the plants wake-up while we were out among them. i loved this place and my experiences there so much, that we had our wedding there.

diann lives in such a 'green way' that is admirable. she marries her passions with the way she lives and i find that so inspiring. it is a part of her, an extension of her, and it radiates from her like the sunbeams through a tree.

our friend recently sent me this clip of diann talking about her sanctuary (her beautiful porch) - i smiled as i watched this as i recall many a delicious dinner with lengthy conversation spent at her home.

she is a true inspiration and a woman that i cherish and hold very dear in my life. you can find out more about her here (and let me just say their cleaning products....amazing!)

approaching...

i have been feeling really reflective lately, for lots of reasons, but one being that kai will turn five next week. five seems so huge. within it there feels like there is a letting go a bit that's happening along with the excitement and embracing of how he's growing up.

part of that melancholy of motherhood as we watch these little beings pass through our lives, ever changing, and witnessing the speed at which life passes.

motherhood proves herself to me to be a constant vehicle and vessle for change and transformation.

...a continuing lesson ...

simple joys...

gaining my health back from this nasty virus

kai's comment, upon seeing the newly laundered bed i made him, 'what a beautiful bed, mama!!' (totally made that chore worth it)

the beginning of misty's class and meeting the wonderful women taking it

seeing someone find the extraordinary in the ordinary of the everyday - watch this

witnessing your dear friend bloom into their art with such an open heart

watching the sun break open the night sky with brilliant orange, pink and red in the morning on the way to work

ryder's big dimples and mile wide smile when i walk in the door

i keep watching this and it makes me smile each and every time

 

plotting & planning...

i spent new year's day organizing and sorting. first of all, i should admit that i have an addiction to trying to become organized. i have tried so many different types, systems, planners, approaches over the years and none have really meshed with me. i am creative and with that lots of times, all over the place, in my thoughts, to-do's, etc. kimberly and mindy talked about planner pads and i tried it last year and CLICK - it works for me. with that though, i wanted to trick out my planner so that it became a tool that i am connected to, therefore, will actually use. inspired by kelly rae's blog post (sorry, couldn't locate it) about how she embellished her planner case with a fabric quilt square, i tried my own hand at sewing up one yesterday with my scrap fabrics. ta-daaaa...i am so happy with how it all turned out. thought i'd also share some further inspiration should you be willing to journal into the new year.

   

here is a peek at the 'vision' board that i created inside the planner to hold my intent for the year and, of course, artwork by kai of my two favorite pirates that totally make me smile