Editing in the afternoon...

The way to edit music is definitely in the sunroom over a cup of tea.

With a cute guy...

And to admire the shadow paintings made in collaboration by the sun and the trees... 

Prayers for Kelly.

Love to all.

Shell xx

With pineapple wallpaper...

Dear Jamie,

I'm glad we got to fly away together, for a short, but special time...

I loved sitting with you in the taxi, and walking through the city streets.  I enjoyed our conversations, about big, and little things - you always interest my mind and soul.

I loved having breakfast with you in a room that had stripy chairs, and pineapple wallpaper!  Which, between your smiles and such decor, made my scrambled eggs and fried tomato taste even more wonderful.

I loved us getting inspired by, and discussing marvellous "chandeliers" in shops, and various paintings, and sculptures we passed by.  I loved the way we sang, and danced along to whatever music we heard, as though we weren't in public...

I was glad to know you got onto the plane alright, I was sad to go home alone.  I was glad we were given the chance, for a last goodbye.

Yours patiently,

your

Shell xx

and the Kreativ Blogger award goes to...

*mimics beatbox drum roll*

{along with six other blogger sweeties}

Me!

So, wee, wah ha! And a ho hum hum!

Thank you, thank you Kerri, and for your own "Songs of Light" which are always the Kreativ music I need to hear in my own soul's ears... You truly are a part of by blogging little heart!

I think now, my new title and honour means I am to do two things, or in fact, fourteen things...

I'm to tell you seven interesting facts about myself which I may not have ever blogged before.

And I'm to pass on the love, and the award, to seven other bloomin' marvellous bloggy bloggers for them to do the same.

Beatboxing remains optional.

So, golly. Where to begin?

Fairly Interesting Fact #1 -

I am, to the shock of those who don't know me terribly well, really very, very shy. When I was a child I would not take music lessons, even though I knew I wanted to play the piano, because I was terrified of teachers, people in general and especially private tuition! So I taught myself to play, alone in my bedroom. I can't read music at all, and remain to this day, untrained.

Moderately Interesting Fact #2 -

Pinging off the shy fact - I am still really, really shy. And at the age of 31, I feel things are unlikely to change. I am scared of going out with groups of people, and they never believe me when I say that I'm shy because I am also, a stage performer! For me the very maneuver of taking verbal or entertaining control of a social situation is so that I can politely keep my fears hidden from the world. But now I have been outed. Oh no! ...tricky blogger questionnaire!

Sort of Interesting Fact #3 -

(Gosh, I'm only up to #3 and I feel certain I'm boring you with my uninteresting-ness!)

I am not very tall, about average I think - I stand a slightly stodgy 5 foot 4 inches.

Fair-to-middling degree of Interesting Fact #4 -

I don't drink, as in any alcohol at all. Hate the taste, and what it does to people when they consume too much of the stuff.

Probably only Interesting to me Fact #5 -

I am addicted, to eyeliner.

Try to stay awake for Interesting Fact #6 -

I am, really, a very neat person. Everything must line up within my controlled chaos of a world!

So glad you hung on through 'til the end Interesting Fact #7 -

I am someone who, in the past has struggled with the addiction of over-eating. I love food, but have been known to love it a little too much in my younger years. I once gained over 40 kilos (which is over 88 Pounds for non-Australian readers) so I had to set about loosing it all. And did.

Once again I was too shy to go to a gym so I walked by myself up my beautiful Mt Painter and freed myself of the bulge in a few short - yet long - agonizing years...

Everyday is a conscious decision for me to eat well, and enjoy, but not too much!

So that is 7 little facts about my unusual self!

And my blogging bequeathers are:

Joyful Servant - you encourage me, and make me feel loved all the way from Canada nearly everyday! I love your heart, your blog and wish to award you accordingly!

Martine @ Happy Sparrow - I would love, to pass on the love to you! Your blog always reminds me of what is right and true and good. For that I thank, and reward you.

Beautiful, spiritual, poetic Tea @ Homemaker's Heart - You recently mentioned my blog, on yours, which came at a moment I needed some encouragement. And also, thank you for beautiful blog, of love and patience, and for always speaking your Godly heart.

Abigail @ Grace. Hope. Love. - for your abundance of all of those three gifts, I reward you. I love your adventures. You are a blessing to me from afar! : )

Nancy*McKay - (I love your little star in between your name!) I adore your tea, and the whole LOT of your photography! Please accept this reward for your everyday celebration of the finer, more beautiful things in life.

Mrs Sims @ Thoughts and Biro Sketches - it goes without saying that I love you! It was your very blog which inspired me to begin my own, almost two years ago now... To have witnessed your life through poems and pictures and biro sketches has been - and continues to be nothing short of wonderful!

{and lastly, most certainly not leastly}

Allison from In a Nutshell - I'm sure you've received many of these rewards in your blogging time, and have deserved them all. I admire your aprons, your creativity, your motherhood and your faith - thank you for a blog like yours - and a friend like you!

Shell xx

Nothing Short of Wonderful!

This time, a week ago, I was a wide eyed visitor in the beautiful city of Sydney, in order to attend the wedding of our favourite wide eyed princess of blogger world, miss Emily, to her rather lovely beau, Alex.

It was, so nice to look up at the ceilings of a church that I have heard, and read so much about from my friend. It was, apt, that the art was predominantly blue...

It was, so special to see all my loves lined up in the pews awaiting the bride.

And to hold the booklet which I knew had been so lovingly, and thoughtfully put together by these two young people, so very much in love...

I can't show you too much of what went on; for that we must await the bride's official presentation! But I will say that it was, nothing short of wonderful!

The spirit of genuineness and love was felt by all. It was really a very Christian wedding (which fed my soul), and the liveliness of such enlightened hearts was echoed though all of the personal touches, and articulately given, heartfelt speeches...

I was also approached by a great many of you preciously, and previously unveiled bloggers - who knew my face/blog - and told me they liked them, both! It was really a spot of unexpected specialness to meet those like minded souls.

And every time I looked at herself, she hugged me.

A very happy hug indeed.

My emotions too, were swept away with the colourful, sub-tropical, summery air...

{And I did think to myself: that this day, she looked less like a girl, and more like a woman}

Jamie and I chirped and chatted all the way home of the very wonderful time we and the children had had. In the morning I had tea, and a favour.

Again, it felt special, to have been a little part of it. To have tasted a little piece of it. And to have given a little portion of ourselves - to be there on this day in support, and to say with our presence, our presents, our charging of glasses, and our smiles, that we wish you well, in everything always, and acknowledge that what God has joined together, no one can ever undermine.

*sniff*

Shell xx

Four~Hundred Short Stories...

{...and I still feel young!}

{The first photo taken from this wee blog!}

Hello my wonderful friends,

I am overwhelmed, and excited to announce that this is officially my 400th blog post!

A place I created to share my heart, and aspects of what I considered to be an interesting, challenging, wonderful, often weird, and always poetic life...

I wish to link to, and give thanks to a kindred spirit, whose friendship did lead to me starting this blog - a beloved friend whom I met in a paper shop once in Sydney... Our meeting was at first brief, and "chance" - as chance as the Lord's careful workings in His purposeful tapestry -that we call our lives...

I speak of my meeting Miss Emily, in said paper shop, in said Australian city, because as the Lord did sew it with his careful thread - an awakening was to occur inside of me, through this befriending.

I guess I had just become too busy, lapsed into being inwardly anxious, digressed into being outwardly unconscious... In short, I loved the Lord, but had seemingly forgotten - in the preciousness of the every day - how to engage with Him.

And this is sort of how I became, More Than Twelve Short Stories...

My band had just finished recording, and was about to release an album which I had written and named Twelve Short Stories. It was a pretty exciting time, and I did nothing but talk about and promote the album to the ends of the Earth (as it was our own indie release).

So I needed this place to be just for my thoughts, my sometimes fears, my poems, my walks, my family, my faith, my recipes, my photos: my short stories - more than Twelve Short Stories...

And then, before long, without ado, like a small still voice, came a flow of new inspiration! A flourish of new friends and kindred spirits! Possibilities, and new ways to explore my artistry!

And I began writing new songs, and found a place to share them, from their birth, with my readers.

And through this all, I have grown so entirely.

But I would have had no-one to talk with, had it not been for you.

Your comments have surprised and delighted, charmed and enlightened me! I am humbled by the success of this blog, and ever so very thankful! For paper shops, and tapestries, and blue blogs, and bookmarks, and zucchini soup, and friendship, and honesty, the Holy Spirit, and heart songs, and little birds...

For being woken up from a deepest sleep, I didn't know I was in...

I pray dear reader,

That some sense can be made of my heartfelt ramblings this night! And that you will stay with me? I promise I will remain awake with you to grow, and discover new parts of the tapestry which is by no means a "chance" or a random thing - but is our lives!

And I intend to go on and share the poetic, and the meaningful aspects of it all, here with you.

Shell xx

Dear Friend,

I am so glad you came to stay. To hug your bones, and look in your eyes, and know you more, was a precious thing.

To have you play with my babes was delightful! To sit up with you all night talking, confiding, expressing, about how we'll change the world and feeling the Spirit of hope in the room was amazing...

To sit with you under the sunshine sipping tea was special, and long overdue. I can feel you have blossomed with the spring...

And those blooms! They spoke of everything as friends we love, and why we love. Their colour, delicacy, vulnerability, beauty and spirit was... [pause]

{I'm crying again!}

In short; it was so good to hug your bones, and look in your eyes, and know you more.

Dear Friend.

Love, 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}

Question Time!

I was pleased to be 'tagged' by the lovely Emily, to participate in this little questionnaire...  I don't think I've answered one of these things since the internet first began!  But here goes...

What is your current obsession(s)?

Recording new music in my little lovely studio, Tara's new vintage look winter coat {Size 2!} Raspberry Chilli Jam from Jamworks.  Note:  Raspberry Chilli Jam is more of a lifetime rather than current obsession!

What was the most interesting thing you did today?

I got my hair cut, I bought Tara a coat {above}, and I lost my two sisters - in - law in the Canberra City for about an hour and a half - which needless to say was, interesting...

What are you wearing today?

Well, if you must know, this...

What's for dinner?

Roast {Free Range} Chicken; Home grown Pumpkin, potatoes and every good thing!

What would you eat for your last meal?

Perhaps, the above!  Or this...

What's the last thing you bought?

Some marked down fruit salad at the fruit & veg shop {while looking for my sisters - in - law!}  Oh, no, that's not right - it was in fact the new Tori album!

What are you listening to right now?

I can hear the oven cooking dinner, and I am soon to be listening to my new Tori Amos album.

What do you think of the person who tagged you?

Emily?  A breath of fresh air, a vessel of energy, vibrancy and creativity, a true artist, an honest heart, a kindred.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

I think it would be, where already I be...  I am blessed to live in a beautiful place with, and near so much of my beloved family.  So the answer to that question is, at Hillview.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Perhaps to England, to walk in the fields like Jane Austen...  Set up picnic, and pick English strawberries.

Which language would you like to learn?

German, French or Arabic, like my ancestors...

What is your favourite colour?

Red, purple, burnt orange, and green.  But, every colour under the sun has it's place and it's beauty to me really.

What is your favourite piece of clothing from your own wardrobe?

I think, my purple dress, or my indian shawls, or my red coat.

What is your dream job?

What I do now really {perhaps just with more money involved!}  Make music from home, be chosen to write the soundtrack for a cool art film!  Do special and important live performances with The Tullys.

What is your favourite fabric?

I think Marino Wool {when made into a bright orange shawl.}

If you had $100 what would you spend it on?

A pair of red suede {or red sequin} winter boots {if only there was such a thing!}

Describe your personal style?

Colourful, cardiganed, swishy skirted dresses, wooden beads, Indian shawls, red shoes, big earrings.  

What are you going to do after this?

Have a cup of tea with my family.

What are your favourite films?

I am not the amazing, eclectic film buff I feel I probably ought to be, however love "Once", "Vertigo", Persuasion", "Sense & Sensibility", "Dear Frankie", "Chocolat"

Favourite fruit?

Pineapple, raspberries.  Is fruit salad a fruit?! - that's my favourite!

What inspires you?

God's creation.  Vivid colour, random acts of kindness, a smile from a stranger, beautiful gardens, brilliant musicians, anything to do with pianos.  Pure honesty.

Do you collect anything?

Strings of wildly coloured beads, cardigans and big earrings.

What are you currently reading?

At the moment I am finding lots of new & beautiful, inspiring blogs.

What makes you follow a blog?

Finding something beautiful, written with honesty, an original point of view, beaming with encouraging words, beautiful photography...

What society would you most like to join?

I would not belong to any group that would have me as a member!  *smirk*

What is one thing you did as a child that you miss doing now?

Playing music, {uninterrupted by children or general responsibility} for hours at a time...

What album changed your life?

Tori Amos - Pretty Good Year

What colour are your eyes?

Green.

I must admit to feeling a little light headed now after finally finishing this!  But I have enjoyed, and I hope you will enjoy it too.  I can see the merit in doing such a thing, already I have befriended a new beautiful blogging soul through this questionnaire, and I hope to meet more.  Bless you bloggers, and thank you for the delight and honour of your friendship!

Songsmith xx

Laksa followed by animated discussion with friends...

Never hurt anybody!

Good for the soul.

Shell xx

I have been...

...(late in posting recent adventures & come to you baring humble apologies)

I have been, this weekend, in the company of dear people.  I have had breakfast with a Windhover, my darling Emma, and of course, my friend...

Like another blog I follow - I too have been walking amongst 'fruit salad' Autumn leaves;

I have been swanning around a precious, inspiring gallery;

I have been fortunate enough to see some work I recognise!  Which looked amazing, enticing, and so well 'collected' for one so young...

I have been, on a little tour of Newtown, (including Gould's book shop)...

Where I have seen some beautiful things...

I have been to the University of Sydney - an amazing, vast, beautiful, and somehow spiritual place...

And I have spotted pixies playing in the gardens!

I have been with a friend...  And our shadows have played on the green green grass...

On the way home, I knew I had been finding art and beauty everywhere in Sydney...

And I have been writing it down, to share with you.

Shell xx