Only four weeks of winter remain...

So I am making the most of edible winter delights, 

like slow cooking,

long bubbling rice pudding.

Roasted white meat, 

crusty breads,

butter lettuce,

Lebanese cucumber

(always cucumber!)

...as well as every good thing!

And posies of jonquils to perfume my home office all the way to spring!

How is your season treating you?

Shell xx

By Graveside of Youssef Taneus Abdo...

For those dear friends of mine who may not be knowing, I am a true-blue multi-cultural Australian!

My father was born in Wells, Austria - and my mother was born an Abdo - of the Syrian family who came to Australia from the region of Mount Lebanon as Maronite Catholics in search of a better life in a country where their beliefs were in the majority...

On Sunday, I got to stand where so many of my family would have stood 95 years ago, on a very sad day when their beloved son, Joseph was laid to rest in the Catholic section of the Queanbeyan cemetery. He was a young man, of only 27.  His death was an innocent, tragic accident.  From all accounts he was a decent and hard working man, and though I know his soul is in heaven - and not beneath the ground on which I stood, I felt a great desire to honour him, and all of the Abdoo family by standing here in prayer and gratitude that they came to this country - and therefore gave me everything I have today - my freedom, my coffee coloured skin, my love of the Middle East, and of our Lord, God.

The inscription on Youssef's grave is in Arabic, and translated it reads;

I stood by the tomb of Abdo Youssef's son;

May the soldiers of Heaven water him with showers of mercy.

The historian, in praise, revealed his virtues.

Youssef died in the fullness of Grace.

Youssef Taneus Abdo

From Mazrat Abisaad.

Born on 4th August in 1888 A.C. 

Our God is a mysterious God in so many ways, and I think a God of numbers...  My son Campbell's birthday is the 4th of August - he was born 112 years after my uncle Joseph.

So often you see numbers and dates repeated in family histories - I don't know what it all means, but I think perhaps it serves to remind us that we all have our turn here, on this Earth.  That we all must make the most of our short time, and leave it better than we found it.

And remember we are all bound together by one thing, not the time we walk this Earth - but the God who made it, and put us here.

I have learned so much about who I am, from who they were.  I would hope that everyone might do the same.

Shell xx

On the radio!

I had a ball on QBN FM yesterday chatting with presenter Lynn, and promoting the process of the upcoming album, as well as playing tunes from my most beloved Twelve Short Stories album which this here blog is so gleefully named after!

It was a great afternoon, and lots of listeners have written and made friends and sent warm reviews of me, the interview and the songs.  Here is one of my favourites from the album, and my favourite film clip too!

Hope you'll pop over to iTunes sometime and search The Tullys, and support indie musos in, and out of your town.

Shell xx

Winter Blue...

I am really feeling the winter blue.

Not, the blues as such.  But more that wintery blue which some days fills up your entire head and chills you down to your toes.  It's not sadness, but rather, it's reflection.  It's a little weary at times, but nothing a good book and a toasty fire cannot remedy...

I cannot express how sorry I am for being so quiet here of late.  I'm sort of here, but not really - reading blogs like a lurker - not commenting, just absorbing...  Not giving back to my faithful friends for their efforts and heartfelt accounts of life and living.  But I shall no more be this way.

I feel this winter has thrown me into a world of unknowns, some exciting, and some a little frightening.  Or all a little of both.

One thing I can assure myself and you of, is that I am growing.  I am challenging myself to be braver and bolder than ever.  I may feel a little cocooned at present, but I am nearly ready for blooming.

Like the wintery twigs,
which seem lifeless and still,
inside are growing,
and plotting pink blossoms
for the spring.

Shell xx

With a little help from my kin...

...I've been a busy little bee

this last weekend

making an apartment in the city

into a homely place

where every place you look 

is inviting,

 is delicious,

is beautiful.

Shell xx

ps: may this be my second installment of indoor posies?  Please?