called to create: a life story

wisdom. day 48.

2012-02-17T19:23:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 47.

2012-02-16T18:52:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 46.

2012-02-15T19:27:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 45.

2012-02-14T18:35:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 44.

2012-02-13T19:02:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 42.

2012-02-11T18:06:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 41.

2012-02-10T16:13:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 40.

2012-02-09T18:16:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 39.

2012-02-08T17:36:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 38.

2012-02-07T18:14:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 37.

2012-02-06T16:39:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 36.

2012-02-05T18:21:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 35.

2012-02-05T06:03:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 34.

2012-02-03T15:46:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 33.

2012-02-02T18:21:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 32.

2012-02-01T18:22:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 31.

2012-01-31T09:19:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 30.

2012-01-30T11:50:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 29.

2012-01-29T13:29:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 28.

2012-01-28T18:17:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 27.

2012-01-27T17:56:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 26.

2012-01-26T10:40:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 25.

2012-01-25T17:02:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 24.

2012-01-24T10:41:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 23.

2012-01-23T11:49:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 22.

2012-01-22T13:40:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 21.

2012-01-22T13:40:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 20.

2012-01-20T18:30:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 19.

2012-01-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 18.

2012-01-18T17:20:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 17.

2012-01-17T10:48:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 16.

2012-01-16T17:32:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 15.

2012-01-15T14:38:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 14.

2012-01-14T15:05:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 13.

2012-01-13T12:48:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 12.

2012-01-12T11:55:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 11.

2012-01-11T09:45:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 10.

2012-01-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 9.

2012-01-09T12:10:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 8.

2012-01-08T14:11:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 7.

2012-01-07T15:14:00.001-08:00

wisdom. day 6.

2012-01-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 5.

2012-01-06T04:02:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 4.

2012-01-04T15:40:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 3.

2012-01-03T11:35:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 2.

2012-01-02T15:37:00.000-08:00

wisdom. day 1.

2012-01-01T12:43:00.000-08:00

speaking wisdom. a practice for 2012.

2012-01-01T12:42:00.001-08:00

returning to the practice...

2011-12-31T10:05:00.000-08:00

believe it or not, on the final day of 2011, i'm stirred to action. i've spent a bit of time reflecting by returning to the days not marked on this blog.

so... i've returned to the practice by looking through online albums and the calendar. my memory is sparked by image. i see the images of living creatively and glimpsing the sacred in the art of daily living and remember. it's a fantastic time of reflection, delight, and pleasure. i'm thoroughly enjoying the time doing so. thus, the days will be filled with the last 2.5 months. i'll continue adding, doing what i'm able.

while i'm sorry to have lost the practice back in october ((for which i still have no real explanation other than, i just did)) i am enjoying this moment and finding it the right time to share. enjoy. xo. suzanne

delay

2011-11-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

i've been so absorbed in life that i've let the ritual of uploading these photos slide. i'm working on them. they're stored and being transferred. then added slowly, as i'm allowing myself the breathing space after so much running about! october was WILD. wonderfully wild, mind you. forgive the need to move at a snail's pace... i am going to finish this!

sacred day two hundred ninety-eight.

2011-10-31T19:11:00.000-07:00

where i stand.

10.22.2011

standing here. on mulch & pinestraw. breathing deeply. ready to help. ready to serve. ((at the country living fair in atlanta, ga.))

sacred day two hundred ninety-two.

2011-10-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

afternoon walk. flowers open.

10.16.2011

walking with my boy each afternoon after school is a sacred task. we love these steps together.

sacred day two hundred ninety-one.

2011-10-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

stitching in the afternoon light.

10.15.2011

what an honor. to stitch thread through beautiful, colorful fabrics. each stitch is a sacred act.

sacred day two hundred eighty-five.

2011-10-29T18:25:00.000-07:00

life.

10.12.2011

seeing her bright smile on display in Main Hospital at VCU Medical Center is a gift. she radiates beauty and life. her smile is bright and her stories are delightful. she's meesha and four now. she loves glitter and ponies and she is amazing. she is a sacred soul.

sacred day two hundred eighty-four.

2011-10-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

making apple juice.

10.11.2011

making apple juice at the market. he loved the fun of seeing the apples crushed and juice pouring into the bucket. we love our tuesday evenings at the byrd house market and are so thankful for the bounty our farming friends produce daily.

sacred day two hundred eighty-three

2011-10-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

lunch lights.

10.10.2011

delighting with my love in a space filled with lights. we've visited this place many, many times over our years together. i love being with my one-and-only-true-love.

sacred day two hundred eighty-one.

2011-10-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

celebration!

10.8.2011

celebrating my love's birthday with a homemade carrot cake. we delighted. laughter. love. light.

sacred day two hundred eighty.

2011-10-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

a gorgeous bloom.

10.7.2011
love this bloom. spotted on a morning walk with my boy to school. gorgeous hibiscus.

sacred day two hundred seventy-nine

2011-10-25T06:23:00.000-07:00

yoga toes.

10.6.2011

standing in this spot. rooted after a glorious hour and a half of yoga with a guide. practicing. seeing what's before me. rooted.

sacred day two hundred seventy-eight

2011-10-06T05:41:00.000-07:00

morning loaf.

10.5.2011

sitting on the cutting board is a freshly baked loaf from the afternoon before. my love has cut into it and enjoyed his breakfast. i am making my sweet boy's lunch and preparing for the day. the loaf is there reminding me of sacred vessles. our bodies are a sacred vessle. our lives. the bread itself. we are fed in the spaces of our days. may we each find exactly what we need and in good measure as we live and move and have our being in this moment.

sacred day two hundred seventy-seven

2011-10-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

natural yarn.

10.4.2011

there is something so wonderful about our tuesday afternoon/early evening trips to the farmer's market. i love the routine and rhythm of the market. i love knowing the vendors and participating in their life story by returning again and again to their booths. i keep seeing this yarn stacked in a wooden crate. i want some. i want it to fill one of my beautiful baskets in the studio waiting for the perfect use. i want to hold it. i want to look at it in it's beauty. i'm caught. the color, texture, and love that is seen here catches me just so.

sacred day two hundred seventy-six

2011-10-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

two hearts.

10.3.2011

i brought my boy some new headbands from the studio and he took them and made two hearts. he curled up in a loving shape and grinned so sweetly. he was proud. he was showing me love and said so. one for me. one for him. *tears*

sacred day two hundred seventy-five

2011-10-05T17:40:00.001-07:00

a pot of goodness.

10.2.2011

returning home. chopping vegetables. solving problems. loving well. living well. leaning into truth. naming what isn't right. honoring one's self. seeking rest. creating rest. honoring the body. creating sabbath. delighting in each taste. being present to this moment. knowing yourself. all add flavor to a pot of goodness.

sacred day two hundred seventy-four

2011-10-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

looking up.

10.1.2011

looking up so thankful for a new ride. a ride that is new-to-me and will get me from place to place. a ride that will see me to my retreats, workshops, and art shows. a ride that will carry groceries, family, and sleeping bags. a ride that will become a part of our life story as we live. i am thankful. i am thankful. i am thankful.

sacred day two hundred seventy-three

2011-10-05T17:30:00.002-07:00

a market meal.

9.30.2011

setting aside time to create in the kitchen, i gather the work of their hands! all of this comes from the love and sweat of the various farmer's market farms. i am thankful for each of their hands. i know them each by name and i give thanks. i honor their work by taking time to be inspired by the ingredients, to create a shared meal with love, and to savor each bite mindfully.

sacred day two hundred seventy-two

2011-10-05T17:30:00.001-07:00

baby hands.

9.29.2011

holding this sweet boy is a delight and a gift. his mama is working beside us getting her art+craft pacakged for a big weekend show. she's a dear, kind spirit who delights in his company. she shares the gift of this sweet one with me as i hold him. he snuggles close and snoozes most of the day. sacred. sacred. sacred.

sacred day two hundred seventy-one

2011-10-05T17:29:00.003-07:00

tree climber.

9.28.2011

i love that he runs toward trees. he stands under them, looking up. he notices the shapes of the leaves and asks their name. he grabs hold of their limbs outstretched to the sun, lifting his feet from the ground and allowing the tree to hold his weight. sometimes he steps into their limbs and finds himself in another world. he's happy. he's at home.

sacred day two hundred seventy

2011-10-05T17:29:00.002-07:00

sacred circles.

9.27.2011

letters. shapes. symbols. each of these represent something special to the one who created this sacred circle. this act of meditation, creativity, naming, listening, and learning is a sacred act. i am honored to witness the sacred flow of this creative statement.

sacred day two hundred sixty-nine

2011-10-05T17:29:00.001-07:00

tree of life.

9.26.2011

making the second tree of life canvas for a dear family, this tree of life celebrates a family of four. love grows here. truth telling. truth sharing. a canvas to hang in the sacred space of a bright life's room. may all be blessed.

sacred day two hundred sixty-eight

2011-10-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

bread of life.

9.25.2011

baking bread during sabbath. watching the dough rise. slicing open a fresh, warm loaf. adding butter. adding plum jam. realizing i only took an instagram photo of the occasion & needed to have taken one more. knowing that i was living in the day and not through the lens. marking moments with photos. appreciating our daily bread.

sacred two hundred sixty-seven

2011-09-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

bright light.

9.25.2011

you should never look directly into the sun. i love the way the sun came into blurred view as i snapped a photo of what you shouldn't look into. its good light fueled my spirits as i moved from place to place. stepping into the light, feeling the light on my skin, looking near. aah...

sacred day two hundred sixty-six

2011-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

gardenia.

9.24.2011

gardenias in bloom represent goodness, love, and safety. i love that smell as i walk into the back yard. i love that this gardenia bush blooms multiple times throughout the year and looks the best ever right now. i love the gardenia's connection to the deep south, sweet tea, and outdoor play. sacred space. sacred smells. sacred memories.

sacred day two-hundred sixty-five

2011-09-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

brick wall.

9.23.2011

there's a beauty in this wall. the color. the texture. the way the paint is peeling away. today's reflections moved me into a space that allowed time to look at the walls around me. walls that keep me safe. walls that provide warmth & rest. walls that are good and necessary. sacred spaces for reflection.

sacred day two hundred sixty-four

2011-09-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

mom, come and see!

9.22.2011

my son's excitement over nature is overwhelming at times. running into the house he was so excited to find a quiet cricket along our front walk. perhaps this cricket was approaching the end of life. i'm not sure. he delighted in its company. i delighted in witnessing his joy.

sacred day two hundred sixty-three

2011-09-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

sitting by the glow.

9.21.2011

sitting by the candle. sending light and peace into the world. praying for those who live, those who die, and those who are left to love and grieve.

sacred day two hundred sixty-two

2011-09-21T04:44:00.000-07:00

open house.
9.20.2011

open house means getting to sit in the chair where my boy's been sitting during school. open house means seeing some images of what he's been doing while in school. open house means getting glimpses of the life he's leading in the spaces of his day. moments i can only glimpse and can only witness in this way. soon i'll be in the classroom volunteering. yet there's a sacred process of knowing when to let go, when to release. there's a sacred process in witnessing and holding on as well.

sacred day two hundred sixty-one

2011-09-21T04:41:00.000-07:00

holding hands.

9.19.2011

still creating routines on these walks to and from school, i love that my boy holds hands with me. he takes my hand first. it's a sign of love, comfort, safety, and trust. we are for each other in these steps. we walk together. i am given the opportunity to witness his goodness and independence in these days. i stand back and watch. sometimes i hold on, but not too tight.

sacred day two hundred sixty

2011-09-21T04:38:00.000-07:00

fishing.

9.17.2011

spending an evening fishing with friends is a good thing. we love this spot that's a gift for us a couple times a year. a church member offers his space for fishing & camping. we love, love, love to go and share this good time worshipping the spaces of the outdoors! creation is sacred. settling into our breathing, stopping to watch the fire dance, and listening to all that is alive in the world that surrounds us: such goodness!

sacred day two hundred fifty-nine

2011-09-21T04:37:00.000-07:00

a proud boy.
9.16.2011

decked in his purple gear we get ready to roll outside after his second week of kindergarden. he's dressed well, with high spirits. he is ready to play. he knows he's a cool kid with his headband and rockin' socks. i love, love, love my sweet boy. he is a gift. he is beautiful. he is sacred.

sacred day two hundred fifty-eight

2011-09-21T04:35:00.000-07:00

new layers.

9.15.2011

there is something special about getting a haircut. yes, it's for the moment of rest and relaxation that it brings. it's special for the pure joy of someone playing with your hair. it's also a space to look at yourself, really look in the mirror and see. to look into your reflexion and take a good breath and know that you are you. wholly, holy, sacred you.

sacred day two hundred fifty-seven

2011-09-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

well preserved.

9.14.2011

chopping and canning these pears was a sacred act. my boy was in bed, getting rest. i was in the kitchen listening to the rhythm of the knife as each pear was chopped into small, coarse pieces for the dutch oven. again and again, my ancestors show up and are present. they were with me in this kitchen.

sacred day two hundred fifty-six

2011-09-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

porch wisdom.

9.13.2011

Kindness Girl has a lot of heart. she creates a great space for her kiddos, neigbors, and the world. i am happy to receive her kindness and her voice. she calls my work "soul work" and that is a gift to my soul. i receive her words and allow the power of her voice to move through me. she is a gift. her voice, her words, her rocking chairs. powerful. sacred.

sacred day two hundred fifty-five

2011-09-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

a celebration of women.

9.12.2011

gathering women in the studio, surrounded by light. encircled by the presence of those gathered & those whose lives impact our own. we lit candles & tied colorful strings to a giant wire wreath base given by a kind, caring friend. these lights represented a small number of women we celebrate. the time together was a gift. a wish that was granted. a sacred time among sacred souls.

sacred day two hundred fifty-four

2011-09-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

a feast.

9.11.2011

even a pear can be a feast. today marks a day that is filled with memories, sadness, laughter, stories, feelings, hopes, and dreams. today is filled with food, rest, and love. today is a day that i stand in my kitchen and look out my window. i listen to NPR. i mark this moment. i stand in awe of the beauty of a pear. i stand in sabbath rest.

sacred day two hundred fifty-three

2011-09-11T03:45:00.000-07:00

morning light.

9.10.2011

the sun brings that good vitamin D and that jolt of energy. the sun's light streams into my kitchen window and flavors our morning meal. our bodies are restored with these days of good light after rain, wind, and cloudy darkness. we're revived and rested. we love the light!

sacred day two hundred fifty-two

2011-09-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

stepping.
9.9.2011

my boy has paint on his right shoe. his socks usually don't match. he's a delightful boy to be around. he gets excited. he can get frustrated & demand attention. he's cute when he's angry. i love that he knows what he wants, and tries to articulate with a very long and drawn out story as to what that is. he's imaginative and creative. of course, i'm his mother. i'm biased. yet in this moment i am watching him take slow steps. he's bird watching. it's amazing how still he can be when he listens to and watches birds. i love this boy & his sacred steps.

sacred day two hundred fifty-one

2011-09-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

garden observation.

9.8.2011

perched on the rosemary was this moth. it's such an interesting creature with amazing textures & colors. i love exploring the garden to see what's new, what's changed, and what's creeping and crawling within it. what a glorious find!

sacred day two hundred fifty

2011-09-10T17:09:00.000-07:00

stepping together.

9.7.2011

we're starting new rhythms, new patterns. walking beside one another, holding hands. i'll take this every day. i love the walking. i love the hand holding. i love the morning stillness & movement. i love the shared stories as we walk and talk together. i love being mother to this child.

sacred day two hundred forty-nine

2011-09-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

show me what today was like.

9.6.2011

my boy's first day of kindergarden. how sweet. he was a little uncertain. he was a little scared. he was excited, too. all of those mixed emotions. at the end of the day, in that moment of picking up, hugging, and lovin' i asked him to show me what today was like. this. this exuberance. this joy. this delight. it spoke of the day and the day's end.

sacred day two hundred forty-eight

2011-09-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

returning home.

9.5.2011

flying like a bird. watching my boy look out the window of calm after a previously bumpy flight. enjoying the memories and sounds of the national folk festival still within. happy to be traveling home.

sacred day two hundred forty-seven

2011-09-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

lion dance.
9.4.2011

witnessing youth dance as lions. seeing the tamer tame. watching and observing. listening. aware of all that is taking place as the rain gently falls. watching my boy as he witnesses their craft. we are so blessed to witness such color, such sound, such beauty that surrounds us.

sacred day two hundred forty-six

2011-09-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

familiar sights.

9.3.2011

meeting printmakers from nashville was tremendous. witnessing their creative hands, watching them add ink to the press as they were printing. oh, my. i met kindred spirits who shared their work, shared stories, and shared excitement. what a joy to meet so many creative souls.

sacred day two hundred forty-five

2011-09-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

adventure.

9.2.2011

excitement and a little nervousness welling up from within. witnessing the afternoon light from a window on a plane that's carrying us to places familiar. excited for the adventure that awaits. trusting. listening. being. welcoming the sacred on this adventure with us. life's a grand adventure with this little lad.

sacred day two hundred forty-four

2011-09-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

beginnings.

9.1.2011

walking into my sweet boy's new school, there was so much energy and life. these are sacred moments for parents and children alike. my love and i grabbed hands after dropping our boy at his class with his new teacher. as with our life journey together, we hold hands walking into the orientation. we are in this together. for that, i am abundantly thankful.

sacred day two hundred forty-three

2011-09-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

praying mants.

8.31.2011

holy smokes! this praying mantis came crawling from beneath the leaves of my hosta as i was weeding a few vines. it was so long and came unexpectedly. once atop the leaf, it watched me so closely. we were only a couple of feet apart. we stood and looked at each other for a few moments, then i had to capture the moment. seeing. witnessing. standing in awe.

sacred day two hundred forty-two

2011-09-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

sacred soup.

8.30.2011

making meals for the family is an act of love and gratitude. i am so grateful for those who create these foods through the work of their hands. i am so thankful for our home and life together. creating a soup can be a sacred act. in the sight, smell, and tastes, i see the sacred.

sacred day two hundred forty-one

2011-08-30T08:58:00.003-07:00

savoring.

8.29.2011

savoring a tasty drink among good women at the tail end of a gathering. recognizing the lightness in the air. naming the moment as a good one, in which my voice is shared and i listen well to stories told. we dream a little togeher, sharing stories of writing and laughter. breathing together in a shared space. thankful and whole. looking into this sacred circle and sipping. sipping life a little at a time.

sacred day two hundred forty

2011-08-30T08:58:00.002-07:00

hearts.

8.28.2011

cutting little felt hearts on the sabbath. reflecting on what is good. listening to wisdom. learning from the moments of rest and stillness and creative rest. present to what is before me. listening to my heart. a sacred moment on a day of sabbath.

sacred day two hundred thirty-nine

2011-08-30T08:58:00.001-07:00

well preserved.

8.27.2011

the winds blew & the rain streaked the windows. the world outside was a movin' while the world in my kitchen was warm and busy. the sacred space of my small kitchen fills me with peace, mindful practice, and appreciation for the bounty from the earth. canning the figs picked the day before into whole figs & preserves brought delight to my morning. canning these figs restored my spirit and brought me joy.

sacred day two hundred thirty-eight

2011-08-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

picking figs.

8.26.2011

picking figs is a delight! picking figs at the home of church friends brought back memories of picking figs over the years at my grandmother's homeplace. fig picking in this day was a sacred act, connecting hospitality, memory, the earth, the promise of sustinence. oh, what a gift. what a gift.