sperlygirl

technical difficulties...

this weekend, cafe spilled into my laptop, so not good. hope to be back soon...

in the meantime, this has totally become my new theme song, love

these days...

these days i am working to remove obstacles out of my own way. i am powering through but working hard to allow for self-care along the way (as i am soooooo good at side stepping it). tiny changes, nothing drastic, but tiny changes that allow for greater change. for example, i wanted to be practicing yoga daily before going to work - so i now get up far too early. i am still snarling about it until my foot hits my mat and begins to move - then a shift happens, as i feel life awaken in my body with every asana. and time and the fact i am up so early seems obsolete. 

i am back to running (albeit on a pair of orthotics to help align my rehabed knee and surrounding tendons) a mile or so in, those suckers hurt with each foot strike, but i narrow my gaze and focus my mind and run on. 

in the kitchen, i have taken the juicer out and have been grinding up some delicious brews. my fave now is a blend of cucumber, celery, carrot, lemon, green apple and ginger. oh how i love that moment when i toss in the fresh ginger, the scent is so vibrant. a big thanks to maddie for the suggestion to freeze the pulp to add to smoothies and muffins!

now that everyone is back at school/work, my time to create becomes much more compartmentalized but i am allowing for it, with more ideas brewing.

and yet, there are still moments such as this sunset from the other night that j called down to share with me. a brief moment that allowed me to stop, take a breath, and be reminded of the beauty that resides in simple stillness.

ps:: loving that this has found the repeat button on my playlist...

plotting a new year...

it's true, i believe i have tried every planner on the market in my attempts to find a system that works for me. and while it's not perfect, it definitely is the best match for me and my wandering mind. i use the planner pad and then trick that sucker out until it looks/feels like something i want to have hanging around.

it all began last year, when inspired by kelly rae's use of fabric on a planner cover - bingo! love the texture and contrast this brings. so this year, i free-styled with some scraps i had laying around. i created the tabs to mark the months out of cut-outs from an old anthropologie catalog. they have such great textures captured in their photos. 

i do plan on putting a vision page in there too to help me stay focused on some of my big intentions for 2012. but nothing too formal. formal is what kills me and shuts me down. it's got to be organic, flowing, and easy - then i my attention stays glued. i have some images that i have been collecting and, of course, i have a great little drawing from 'pirate kai' that will find a home there too. 

                    
~here's a new set of tunes for you to plan your year to~

*also, a guest post from mindy on creative everyday for another way to customize your planner

she sees beauty...

with some days off, i was able to create a few things and complete a few more. this is a new painting i have hanging in my etsy.

she reminds me of what i would whisper to myself throughout the year, in attempts to recalibrate when life began to feel heavy. 

the words read: 

"her tears fell gently, reflecting in each one
the heartbreak, heart opening joy, and simple beauty
she sees in the world around her" ~ssperl 2011

welcome 2012...

enjoying the very last bits of vacation time around here. the reality of it sounds more like this: two little boys yelling, laughing and tearing through the house leaving a trail of toys and whatnot behind them until one ends up in tears for whatever reasons. then repeat...only with more volume and greater momentum. voices become raised (even though i sooo wish they didn't), tempers grow shorter....and then ryder out of the clear blue looks up at me and says, "Ommmmmmm".

what's a mama to do? in that moment, i melt. all frustrations fade away and i am reminded of the wisdom our children can hold (even if they are only trying to crack me up for a moment...that's a big lesson). he does this, ryder. he says "Om" at the perfect moments, completely in context to a chaotic or frustrating situation - albeit at home or out in public. he doesn't make a production of it, doesn't call attention to himself, it's merely a subtle reminder, and it gets me every time. 

let's step into this new year with some inspiration, shall we?

this story and sculpture is wonderful - take a moment and read, please!

i am so taken with her beautifully crafted words

this one has made the rounds, but i seem to watch it every time - such a powerful reminder

she is such a bright light, loved listening to her speak

this one is pure inspiration

dwelling in the in-between...

i love this quiet time between christmas and new years. for me, it's a time of reflection and renewal. time to take a look back, to dream forward, but also find some simple stillness within the present moment. the rush has settled, yet the bustle of school and schedules has not yet begun and there is this real sense of peace and quiet that these days bring. it is such a gift and i am grateful for it all. 

i have decided on my word to guide 2012, it is, express. inspired deeply by some events this past year that broke my heart wide open a bit more, it feels all the more important, fitting, and precious.

2011, my word was gratitude and i feel she stayed with me, close at hand - close to my heart, all year long, whispering gentle reminders when i became lost in the whirlwind of the everyday. her whispers grounded me back to the present and allowed for space to appreciate - even if it was only momentary. she taught me a lot ... reminded me of a lot this year and for that i am grateful.  i hope to hold on to all that she brought me this year.

a heartfelt thank you to each of you for sharing this space with me, accompanying me on my journey, taking the time to pen comments of support, encouragement, well-wishes or shared stories.

wishing you buon anno and may 2012 be the fullest expression of you! 

a holiday greeting...

embracing light...

may you gain strength from the darkness and find possibility within the light...

winter solstice blessings

(much gratitude to pixie and all those who lit up the sky with their flames)

release from suzanne sperl on Vimeo.

 

 

simple joys ~ gioie semplici...

things i am cherishing right now...

my family and my family of friends - whom i hold so dear

life's reminders of how important true connections are to our hearts

sunlight breaking through the clouds

watching the sea roll up to the sand...again, and again, and again

having ryder hold onto my finger (still...sigh) as he drifts into a nap

watching the wind rustle the leaves against a grey sky

this little face as he pretends to sip cafe between fits of giggles

 

 

 

over here...

i have been...

experiencing cortisone shot in my leg and hoping it will help

watching creations find life from my sewing machine

baking sweet treats in the kitchen

filling up with hot tea in our mugs

taking long walks along side a desolate beach

gathering items for my contribution to the solstice fire/release

cultivating quiet thoughts to line my heart with whispers

listening to little boys giggle with unbridled excitement and anticipation

winding down the evening gazing at a beautiful tree glistening with teeny colored lights