Brain confusing, ever amusing!

I wonder, if you wonder where I've been? I've been wondering the very same thing!

Well, even if you weren't wondering, I shall list some of the time consuming, brain confusing, ever amusing activities that have been keeping me from updating daily in this place of late.

Caution: List may include ranting!

I have been;

• Building a new Tullys website - which is not easy when you're a singer by trade!
• Creating a Facebook Ad for The Tullys page.
• Making Asparagus & Leak Soup - essential Winter comfort food - & easy to eat while at the computer!
• Buying an apartment - so there goes extra money for more red & sequined shoes!
• Organising a Tullys photo shoot for this weekend.
• Thinking, planning & shopping for my two August babies who celebrate their birthdays this coming Saturday & Tuesday.
• Walking up the round hill - trying to calm my nerves - and my curves!
• Generally feeling like there aren't enough hours in the day to get all that I want done!

But all is well. Very well. I feel like I'm getting somewhere! And as long as I jump up everyday and get stuck in to my life, I know I can succeed!

Enough about me! How been you?

Shell xx

Wrapped!

Wrapped am I with my new wrap dress! Paisley be one of my favourite patterns on Earth!

On days like today when the sun is shining and I am sporting a new frock I just like to pose amongst green winter foliage; so there!

Shell xx

Spending Sunday morning...

Today it was decided that a breakfast outing, followed by a market visit in our cold, but beautiful city would be just the ticket to relax, and spend a Sunday morning wisely.

I just needed a break from breakfast dishes, and domesticity in general for a few hours, so we went for breakfast at Ricardo's in Macquarie {who didn't seem to have their own website I could link to}, after which we ventured into the Kingston Markets to find some fresh produce, perhaps local art, and on the way in, we found this very small door..!

And these sizable windows...

We did eventually find an opening big enough for us all to get in! And emerged some time later with these treasures...

Including a paisley wrap dress for moi! Made by a local seamstress specialising in stretch fabrics {which I find perfect for "wrapping" around my curves} as well as being a beautiful line {as I am obsessed with dresses at the moment} and they're extremely comfortable!

Morning tea was a bounty of raspberry tarts and and fresh strawberries, hot tea, thick cream and pure bliss!

I have taken time to feel blessed by this day. Having survived a long week, or should I not say 'survived' but indeed 'triumphed' and infact 'prospered'.

Shell xx

Standing in the sun...

I love to watch the sun rise over my green house, especially at this time of year - in the winter - where I watch it slowly encompass the ground melting the ice in it's way...

And I notice, on my way to the clothes line this morning, a point at which one half of the ground it frozen, shivering cold in the darkness, and the other, glistening, thriving, having been warmed now, by the sunlight...

The poetic voice inside my mind says; this is an analogy - this is the choice to be made everyday, and for our lives...

If I may think of the darkness and the frozen ground as the place of fear - where nothing grows; in fact staying here, will not only be cold and lonely, but will see me slowly rot, as nothing thrives in the darkness and the cold...

And if I think of the sunlight as a place where all is seen, then surely, if I am to stand here I want all that there is of me, fit to be seen... Only in this light can I aspire, can I grow, can I stand brave, and be seen...

Then the thing that occurs to me, is that before this light rose over my green house this morning, all was in darkness. And slowly the light is delivering life.

I stand in the sun and feel ready to grow. Ready to be seen for who I surely am, and in absolute understanding that this day is a gift, that the Lord has given.

Shell xx

{Sun-smith}

She's Got a Way.

"She's got a way about her,

I don't know what it is,

But I know that I can't live without her;

She's got a way of pleasing,

I don't know why it is,

But there doesn't have to be a reason,

Anyway...

She's got a smile that heals me,

I don't know what it is,

But I have to laugh when she reveals me;

She's got a way of talking,

I don't know what it is,

But it lifts me up when we are walking-

Anywhere...

She comes to me when I'm feeling down,

Inspires me without a sound,

She touches me and I get turned around,

She's got a way of showing,

How I make her feel;

And I find the strength to keep on going,

She's got a light around her,

And everywhere she goes,

A million dreams of love surround her,

Everywhere...

She's got a way about her

I don't know what it is

But I know that I can't live without her

Anyway" -Billy Joel

Shell xx

Your soul to a health spa!

I've had a fulfilling day! And week in fact! Full being the operative word...

Today I am babysitting my four nephews - who are two year old twins, a four, and five year old. So as well as my own four, I have today been Mother to eight children!

I must tell you it's been wonderful! To give my Sister-in-law a day long break from some of her chores and responsibilities is a pleasure, as she has so often done the same {and so much more} for me. And I also feel that a good honest days work helping others, would be better than taking your soul to a health spa!

I must run along as I am reluctant to take my eyes off these precious children for too long - I am determined to hand them back to their parents unscathed! Only to fill up their tummies with homemade choc-chip biscuits, yellow frosting butter cake, and a fun day, at the Green House!

Blessings,

Shell xx

Should I stay, or should I go?

Ever do you feel out of place?

Like you've stayed too long?

Like the moon in the morning sky...

Who says I should have to go?!

With a day to look down on

as well as this...

Shell xx

Morning Skies...

...awaken me from weariness,

call me from my rest,

cause me to reflect underneath them;

Showing me orange 'slices' of sunshine-

amidst a fading grey night;

Oh I am a bird for the morning!

my spirit sits up in those trees...

And sings of the wonders and the woes,

Of this world below.

Songsmith xx

The Pursuit of Happyness

{title deliberately spelled incorrectly in tribute to the film}

I know this is not a new film, but while I came across it last night on free-to-air, as it drew me in and pulled on all of my heart strings, it was surely new to me.

The Pursuit of Happyness {which I'm sure you know about} is a film based around the formative trials in the life of Chris Gardner. It deals with a single parent who is devoted to his very young son, striving to provide a prosperous lifestyle for them both out of nothing but raw talent, and pure determination. If you have not seen it, then do. I won't spoil the story line except to say that it is painful, and wonderful all at once...

It's the sort of emotional content I try so often to avoid - I seem to have no 'backbone' when it comes to movies - if something is upsetting I get too sensitive about it, and have been known to cry on and off for days afterwards. But sometimes you need to see a film like this. Sometimes we must be reminded of how lucky we are, those that are safe in their homes, with somewhere warm to sleep tonight.

I did some reading about Chris Gardner today and I am such a fan of his spirit. I am this day enraptured by a human with so much passion. All day I have been inspired and emotional, so I took this passion into my recording studio and laid down two songs in a row!

It's always amazing to me how hope filled stories can be found anywhere, anytime, and can speak to you so deeply in that moment when your heart is open. I think God can speak to you when you're in this place. I know I was spoken to after I watched The Pursuit if Happiness. And for it I am more humble, grateful, inspired and motivated to live my dreams, and serve my beloveds. From my safe, warm, blessed corner of the world tonight.

Shell xx

Winter picnic weekend...

{I take as much pleasure in the way ingredients look, as I do in how they taste...}

This weekend I made a hearty pumpkin soup, packed it up amongst other goodies for a Winter picnic/road trip/family exploration to Tidbinbilla Tracking Station.

So the soup;

The Dish;

The long, winding Australian roads;

...and all four of my children were a pleasure to taste, see, and just be with this Winter weekend.

Shell xx

In my place...

This be one of my favourite places...

Where I can take snippets of reality and fantasy - scribble down poetic phrases - make them into songs.

Songwriting is my first love and craft. As a child it was my escape - something I knew I could do well, it was a different, secret world, where I could live...

As an adult, and a Christian it is still my love and my craft. It is now my {though humble} income, a big part of my identity - I have lived out so many of my musical dreams already. I have found a band in my husband and brothers - such gifted and fine men. I have recorded at Studios 301 in Sydney with Abbey Road producer Richard Lush, I've taken my music to America and played for what I think are the nicest audiences in the world. And it seems that my music in part, has become my ministry.

Still I am asked so often, 'what kind of music do you play?'

I'm not "fashionable" - so it can't be Pop!

I'm not cool - so it shan't be Rock.

I'm not classical, or tutored, or trained -

I am organic. Handmade.

Sepia toned.

Folk geared.

Mildly hysterical!

Commercially inept...

Slightly teachable?

Whole heartedly passionate.

Wide awake-

{if daydreams don't count?}

and above all,

I am Yours!

I'm anxious to know what you may call it?

Songsmith xx

The moon in the morning...

Found unexpectedly by early morning walker;

Captured spontaneously with iPhone;

Shared unreservedly with fellow lovers-

Of this beautiful world.

Shell xx

{Songsmith}

Winter Feet

I love the crunch of ice under my winter feet. Walking early, all by myself, on a frosty Winter morning is what gives me such satisfaction, the rest of the busy day.

Shell xx

Where to begin?

I feel ambitious,

Full of plans, ideas;

And a little bit scared of them too...

I suppose such anxiety is the fuel for action,

{Or should be}

And I know that now is the time to take the step,

In faith, that this is my gift and I want to give it.

With, or without you.

I am ready

To begin.

Shell xx

Thank you Sunday!

This morning I went out in search of flowering Winter bulbs in my own front garden...

And had the pleasure of putting them, along with some fresh Rosemary, on my {finally} finished kitchen cabinet!

Newly painted, edged, primmed and completed -somedays, things just come together. And today my friend made our kitchen cabinet come together, which then allowed homemade Asparagus soup and Pane' Di Casa to be a worthy reward and christening for lunch!

So today I can smell fresh paint, {wonderful!} sweet Jonquils, hot soup - and between all three, I'm in heaven!

Thank you Sunday!

Shell xx

Snow wonderful!

Feet provided by Tara & my good self...

Footprints courtesy of my good friend, and sister Kathleen...

After long walk in the snow, we shared hot tea from my Thermos flask, dark chocolate and giggles in the cool air this Saturday morn. Winter seems extra wonderful when it's white!

Shell xx

Take to the sky...

Oh the goodness of Friday mornings!

Of not rushing out the door...

Of staying in, by the fire;

Of having L-O-N-G cups of tea;

Planning a peaceful, fruitful weekend;

Of just sitting still {when possible}, and reading wonderful, inspiring blogs - friends whom I have found, and have also found me...

Such delights and insights doth include:

Songs Of Light - by the amazing, insightful Kerri.

Thoughts & Biro Sketches - by my {chanced upon in paper shop} kindred spirit, Emily. {Which we both know was never a meeting of random chance..!}

In a Nutshell - by the wise, sensitive, sewing, mother heart that is Allison.

Snap That - by the passionate, Godly, explorative, joyful - Joyful. {Possibly the coolest pen name ever!}

This list could go on and on and on and on, and how you all make me feel, and smile, and inspire me to be more, and do more, and calm down, and make art - spread out my wings, and take to the sky!

Thank you.

And do tell me, what blogs make you want to fly?

Shell xx

{Songsmith}

Above the streetlights...

There are times we all feel,

a little under the weather

consumed by the everyday-ness, of life

But consume you it will -

devour all your heart's wishes and hopes,

If for a time we don't stop, look up,

above the streetlights,

to see our Rescuer.

So special are the days made of rainbows,

Reminding us of His promise,

and blowing our minds,

that there He is-

Today!

Shell xx

Genisis 9:13-16

¹³ "I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."