Light all my lights...

Inspired by this.
And still here
am I.

Shell xx

Sounds like Sunday...

I said an early morning prayer
to the sun
and kissed my love
goodbye
made more tea
fed the baby boy
stripped sheets
made beds
washed dishes
hung clothes
upon the line
all the while
listening
to soothing tunes
wise songwriters words
which sound like Sunday.

Shell xx

Five months and a lifetime...

Before the incredibly wonderful blessing of Oliver George five months ago today - I might have told you that my family, and perhaps my life were complete.  And how wrong I'd have been...

He is the most beautiful, smiley, cuddly, clever & lovely piece of heaven to ever be so adored by his siblings, his parents and pretty much all who behold him!

It both humbles and puzzles me that I have been so blessed.

Welcome home, little one.  I'm so glad you're here.

Shell xx

Taking time, & making space...

I've been doing some growing up these last few weeks.  And as such I feel a bit raw - in a good way - a bit new, bit fresh and brave and ready to make some changes in some of my attitudes to some things...


I think the thing that has brought this on with me has been admitting to myself, the loneliness I often feel.  Now I know what you're thinking - how can she be lonely with five kids & a husband + a large extended family?!  You would think it impossible!  But I've been forgetting in some ways to more often keep the company of somebody else.  God.


The maker of my days and the protector of my nights is with me always, and not to watch me and catch me out if I do wrong (the way people have often viewed it, myself once included), but rather to be beside me always, like a loving spiritual father who I need never fear will leave me, or misunderstand my intentions.  And more so, if I save a seat beside me for Him in my life, I stand the chance of gaining that which we humans need most of all to survive and prosper in this world.  Wisdom.

*          *          *

We took a day trip to Sydney last week to go to IKEA which frankly, is one of my favourite things to do!  I am running an apartment which is let out for short term stays, as well as living in and nurturing the historic Green House Cottage on Hillview - so a day trip to the home of Swedish home wares and every good homey thing was just the ticket!


I bought my sunroom some new curtains which now need hemming (a task I am finding difficult to make time for), so in the meantime I have a fabulous curtain-less view out to Wintery Hillview, where I can sit and have tea.  Looking out, and looking within, taking time, and making space for more than just me in my thoughts.


Shell xx

When life gives you pumpkins...

I say, boil 'em into soup!

And so I did...  

I find that making real soup, from homemade chicken stock and seasonal veg in winter, a warming and therapeutic doing.  It's a celebration of the goodness of broth, and the divinity of the vegetables!  In short, it's one of my favouite things to do and eat, in all of this world.  (And I'm rather good at it too)!

I love the togetherness which a good soup making afternoon can bring.  I can have children peeling spuds, and husband carving pumpkin while I chop onions as we all talk & giggle about everything and nothing while the broth boils & Green House cottage fills with the sweet smells & sounds of what I consider true happiness.

It is how we keep our tums and our souls in health this, and every winter.

Shell xx   

a First of many things...

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing." -Agatha Christie

Days are flying.
Head is spinning.
And now calendar says it's the first of July.
And I say,
it's the first of many things...

{Duck!}

Feeling slap bang in the middle of Winter I am planning frosty morning walks, delicious Winter picnics, songwriting, duck gazing whilst enjoying the wearing of outrageous colourful leggings.  But mostly, remembering to make them count, these days, this life of mine.

Shell xx