Here's to my Husband...

On his 35th Birthday!

Shell xx

Runner's Feet...

So, this is pretty epic for me.

I have been to the sporty sporty runners shop, 

tried on 12 or so pairs of sneakers, 

and come home with these!

And what's even more epic,

is how soon they felt 

and looked

right

on my newly donned 

runner's feet!

Shell xx

My Daily Bowl...

Oh how I am loving my mornings even more of late perhaps than ever!  There is a vitality and a strength in me which is growing with my running strength and stamina week by week - but that's enough about exercise - let's talk about food!  So, the only thing that feels better than getting back in the morning after a run is when my mind turns to what shall I delight in for breakfast?  And lately I am positively obsessed with porridge!  Oats, honey, yoghurt, embellished with anything else fresh and fruity that comes to hand!  These are my very own, home grown raspberries - and they are so stunningly delicious nestled in-between honey toasted oats and yoghurt I cannot begin to say...

I have also been having a renaissance with green tea - top quality gourmet tea bags with perfect jasmine flowers that dance in my cup and open in the hot water.

 So I just had to share some of my daily bowls with you and end with this morning's blueberries and banana = bliss!

Shell xx

Lady birds, and lemon drops...

It rained so heavily last night that I thought Green House Cottage might float away on a wave of water and electrical storm!  I had all my babies cooped up inside with me and together we got cosy and watched the rain from our dry safe place.

 This morning when I awoke the air was calm and the skies so misty, but still.  I went outside with my camera for a stroll in the garden to take some quiet air before starting the day and found this stunning lady on my sage leaf!

It is very really summer here in Canberra, Australia, but everyone is commenting on the temperamental weather we've been having - cool mornings and hot afternoons, followed by stormy nights...  I think it's beautiful, and a testament to the fact that one can never rely on the weather to do what we expect, or even what we want!

It reminds me of what inspiration is to the artist - you cannot force it, plan it, or make it "start shining" just when you want.  Me, I have been inside a crazy weather pattern these last few months (or maybe years) where rain has threatened my creative senses for what I know I've let go on far too long.  I need to begin again with my poetry, which takes me back to my notebooks, which draw my heart back to the piano keys and in natural succession, the studio.  And most importantly, maybe even you - the listener?

Right now the sun is hot, and my mostly sleepless body is tired, but I guess I just wanted to formally acknowledge here that I am on the journey of my return to inspiration, and in turn creation.  I will go now, rest my heart and settle my feelings with some deep breathing and green tea soon to come back to you, the artist, anew...

Shell xx

Be my guest...

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a guest blogger for the beautiful Sarah over at the reflective and heartfelt blog Middlepaw in order to share my "love story" with a selection of other loving bloggers leading up to Valentines day.

So I thought it fitting to share my post here as well as there...

The first time I saw Jamie, I was both terribly impressed, and totally convinced that somebody that well bred, well read, with a face that perfect, and a heart that kind, could never become a beau of mine!  So therefore I didn't giggle or pose, or play any games, I just spoke to him - and we became friends.  There was a light which awoke inside me when we spoke, and before long I knew that he was to be my rescuer.  And soon after that he did become that beau of mine, but it ended up being a case of two very best friends, falling in love.

We were to do the rest of our growing up together as a couple, having being married at ages eighteen and nineteen.  For us this was the natural next step for our friendship, love and commitment - it was wonderful!  We were blessed to be able to live together in a gorgeous little historic cottage on Jamie's parent's family farm.  Our days and nights were filled with love and laughter, and learning every part of who each other were.  Our cares were not for money, possessions or anything except time spent together - this was our treasure, and in that we were rich indeed!

The creative thread which runs through our partnership is music, and we have had the most amazing adventure so far being able to work together as musicians in our band and tour overseas.  But perhaps the most special gift has been becoming parents to five special and amazing small people!  Making a home with them and living the good life where family comes first, and love never fails. 

I have had tremendous trouble putting into words what my love story means to me, it's so hard to explain without a poem or a piano near! other than to say that I know I was rescued by that well bred, well read, beautiful man (both inside and out), and as we enter into our fifteenth year of marriage I can honestly say he is still my best friend.  And I am still his.  

And we're just getting started!

Shell xx

Oliver George...

How did we come so far..?

{13.02.11}

In just one little year...

After waiting for so long 

to hold you

and to know you

Having now slept with you in my arms every single night

since your birth

I can certainly say that I am yours, as you are mine

I feel privileged to be your mother

and to be the one who knows you

 and loves you...

as much as anyone could.

{13.02.12}

~Happy Birthday~

Shell xx

A family day (in blues and greys)...

You may be knowing that my husband is home after a long stint away working hard for his family (and his country)...

So we made a trip towards the sea (even though the weather was a little less than sunny).

 

Oliver enjoyed his first crawl on the wet sand.

The colours were magnificent - and so different from a typical Australian summer's day on the coast.  It felt all the more special to have to cove all to ourselves as a result of the grey and drizzly day.

And to be once again with my friend made everything right.

Shell xx

Run...

Anyone who knows me, knows how I love the morning.  

She is a new, and beautiful creature, each and every day.  And I have begun a new ritual to welcome in my mornings - a new bow in my exercising quiver.  That is, to run.

 

I knew nothing about running, have never run for fitness before - so I's got me-self an iPhone App! which is coaching me though each session - and I am currently the proud graduate of Week 2 (three runs per week) of an 8 Week program which promises to have me running a 5k marathon by the end!  Now I am extraordinarily dubious about a 5k - but with that said I am really enjoying finding my runner's feet to the beat of my own breath, under the light of the morning sunshine.  

I'm not sure where this new phase will lead, unlikely to a career of endurance running!  But it feels really good, and I know I have certainly begun some sort of journey.  

Shell xx

{Post Script}: Happy February!