Amazing...

Now, don't assume that because I haven't been posting a whole lot in this space of late, that I haven't been doing lots of amazing things, enjoying lots of amazing artists, making lots of amazing food, and seeing lots of an amazing technicolor dream coat that I think we all know of...

I have been gigging - packing up my little travel pack of singing/music making accessories...

{Self confessed addict if accessories!}

I have been pancakes on a Saturday morning - slow breakfasts after fast gigs the nights before - with strong tea, and berries soaked in lemon juice, and a little pure maple... The occasion? Ah, a love of life!

I have been excelling at providing banana cake afternoon teas, for my hard working, awe inspiring women folk, while they work in the garden making our home look amazing. I am like the Omi inside baking up treats for the workers!

...I ventured outside a little myself. Gazing at amazing, tall trees.

And packing picnics with my niece and nephews amongst the glory of amazing Autumn afternoons...

I even let Tara run off with my camera at one point! And when I downloaded the two hundred pictures she had taken, this one struck me as nothing short of amazing - only that I, and select other kindreds in my circle, possess the desire to photograph the ground on which we're standing...

Amen to an amazing week of handmade pleasures.

Shell xx

Ode to tomato...

It seems not such a long time since we plotted out, and planted our vegetable garden in the spring. When I had only a bed full of soil and seedlings;

Now I am eating almost all of the garden!

And delivering baskets full of produce to my fellow tribesman;

Making lunch, and often dinner of it!

The truth is, tomato, I am in love with your form. Your perfect sweet-ish savoury-ness, your unbelievable colour, your versatility in the kitchen, (not to mention when I'm the garden with your vines and you don't even make it to the kitchen!)

The way you help me celebrate the summer every year, your photogenic quality - with such willingness to pose for me at any given moment!

Yes, I ode this post to you-

Tomato.

Shell xx

a Small Summer Harvest...

I keep you and tell you-

Plant you and ask you, to grow?

I'm wowed by your mystery,

and the miracle

of life, that keeps my life,

but for this time of harvest.

Though small and modest a-gathered-

I keep you and thank you,

I am so ever proud!

of my small Summer harvest.

Shell xx

Veggie Songs!

My friend and I are on a sort of week-off-together-before-he-goes-to-China thing, and it has been just great! The weather however has been misery itself, with fierce cold wind, rain and today even hail! But we were not about to let minute factors like that that keep us indoors...

Instead, we turned over, and replanted our veggie patch for a new season of growth and hopefully much plentifulness!

I took delight in planting these beautiful baby veggies, enjoyed getting my hands dirty, my hair gritty, and all in the name of fresh home grown food - to further our {living} dream of the Good Life...

{Gosh, this could be an album cover for my veggie songs!!}

Shell xx

Getting green...

{Phew}

How I needed that feeling.

Of heart pounding, back hurting, hoe swinging...

Breaking up the ground, flinging out the weeds.  My cheeks cold to the touch, but inside, I am warm with satisfaction.

And upon coming inside at the end of the day I find the house is cosier, the tea is hotter, tastes all the better, children are quieter, piano more inviting...  

- and I am strangely craving, for the chance to get out there tomorrow, and do some more?

Songsmith xx

-Hey, this is my 201st post!

* * *

Many months ago I posted about my aspirations of having a thriving little veggie patch to eat and enjoy.  I took photos of the little tiny seedlings and signs I had written on to mark the spot where each wonderful vegetable had been planted; well now, here is a glimpse of the proper vegetable forrest we have created!

It took time, water, love and care, but we have gotten there!  I feel so proud to eat the things I have grown.  The other day I picked enormous swedes from the garden and brought them inside to boil and mash with carrot and butter and salt and pepper!  To think we sewed those seeds into the soil only a few months ago...

I am not somebody who knows a lot about gardening, but I am learning.  I think all you need is a passion for life and you can learn to do anything.  

Today I feel such passion and pride that my garden is ready to eat, my heart is full of love; and now I must away for the tea is ready to be consumed!

-Toora!

Shell xx

Take a bow!

Well I hope my week of poetry has been well enjoyed.  I know I have certainly loved expressing my daily thoughts in poetic verse!  If only every day could be spent doing so!

I have added a new song to my little 'widget' which can be found at the left of your screen.  (If you're reading an RSS of this blog somewhere else then click here!)

I am also beginning work on a new album of songs.  I have been performing early renditions of them at Coffee & Chords recently, and people have been nodding and clapping, so either they're very polite, or they like them!  I plan to record some more demos soon, and share them with you here.

Today I have been shoveling in the garden...  Learning that a pile of cat litter, when left for several years in the yard, can be turned over with a shovel - and rich, dark, fertile soil can be found hiding underneath!  I am very excited to learn this as I am an absolute novice when it comes to gardening.  But I am determined to learn how.

The children and I have been spending a lot of quality time together while Jamie has been away, we have been watching old movies, and cleaning up the garden, the toy room, and enjoying this first taste of spring together.  He returns in a couple of days, so we're all starting to get excited.

I will leave you with a bow, and a word of sincerest thanks, for your visit to this blog!

Shell xx

Jamie's Poem

While you've been away-

We've been digging in the dirt,

Planting flowers for the spring,

Raking every blade of grass...

Making rocks into art formations,

Loving the land, the home, the life,

Loving you, who is home again soon.

Shell xx