Looking out at the Spring...

From inside my little house there are so many views of this newly sprouting spring, available from every window out of which I look...

From the lounge I can see that spectacular crabapple tree which sits quite regally against the front fence, lays dormant all winter, then all of a sudden with the coming of a little warmth there it is!  The pinkest, brightest blossoms which stop passers by in their tracks only to see such beauty before them!

If I move the blinds and lean out a little, I can can see more amazing, vibrant, perfect pink from this year's Camellias - planted by my Father in law's dear mother in the 1930's - this camellia tree signifies so much that is wonderful about the history of the place in which I live...

From Emma's bedroom window, if I should happen to be passing by, I can see that the mulberry tree is blossoming, it's yet another family vintage tree from an orchid planted by a Mrs Tully long before me...
I can see tiny green mulberries, and I can plan the making of jams and cakes for the summer!  I think she would like that.

From the toy room, through my favouite sweetheart shaped curtains the sunlight filters in through the very same mulberry tree shaped light.  I love this room, and sometimes, I play in it too...

From my own room I have some relevantly placed spider webs - through which I can see bamboo and green green grass - which is so rare since this drought began ten years ago - we are all loving the life that a little rain does bring.

And most famously to this blog, I suppose, is my sunroom window - because it is where I work - and they are so often the windows which inspire me most.
Leafy bushes, sunlight through curtains from afternoon sun.
To my left there are children playing on the swings, purple daisies, and further down the view I can see blue mountains that go on forever...

If nothing else, a day of seeing out of these windows is enough to remind me, of what happiness be.

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?

Happiest of Halloweens!

I want to start by saying thank you to all who watched the new 'My Brother Charlie' video and extra love and kisses to you who left commentary - it means so much to hear your thoughts!

I want to mill around in the middle by saying I have had a fabulous weekend of insane fun resulting in even less sleep than normal! {Never been a big fan of sleeping - I prefer staying up late and writing songs or baking cakes!}

Or singing & dancing all night for a happy crowd of people - then dashing home to bake cakes and quiche and Halloween Pumpkin Soup for another cat show catering bonanza!

I will climax with some hot-off-the-press pictures of our family Halloween dress-up supper and dance off!

There was Emma, dressed as the Russian Princess Anastasia...

My Campbell, a dashing Robin Hood!

Sean was determined to go as Batman (also my favourite super-hero) so I made him a costume from cardboard for the mask, and hand drawn applique motif top.

I made for Tara an interpretation of a character she made up herself, called a Chicken-Monkey!

I hope it translates..!

The Newlyweds arrived looking simply dandy as Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Buttler...

My wonderful friend and Sister-in-Law kate, as Napoleon!

The eccentric and graceful Anna Eliza as the Grecian muse of Dance...

And who? I hear you ask did I and my Jamie friend handsome husband wear to the ball?

Voila'! (and they are not real sideburns!!!)

: )

Blessings to all - and singing "Happiest Halloween" to the masses!

Shell xx

This place...

This place is meant for walking...

Was seen by the starry-eyed,

Is home to poets, philosophers & gentle spirits.

Waits patiently to see us,

Lays quietly beneath us,

The very life within us.

The centre of it all.

The gathering place.

For holding days with joy,

And un-handing days of loss, and pain.

We're all in this place,

it was made for walking...

Mostly with heads held high,

we can point to the sky and say;

'I was here when...'

and 'they were there, then...'

It's this place that keeps us here,

Makes us near,

This place is the Gathering, the Happening,

The Home, the Mother,

the Round Hill,

The Orchid, and the Memory.

The Harmony, and the Tragedy.

This place is all my people.

And all of us are,

This Place.

Shell xx

Easter Sunday...

Started with fresh, hot croissants for breakfast with whipped cream and raspberry chilli jam;

All the usual confections;

Sitting outside in the afternoon sun while Tara amused me with a pair of her big sister's goggles;

Sunning my feet, and smiling at the quiet, loving, free - fantastically free life...  Praise the Lord!

Happy Easter.

Shell xx

Time Capsule

Another beautiful Sunday is here!  Hope all you Eastern Australian friends remembered to put your clocks back...  Anna is organising a family time capsule for everyone to contribute something that represents them.  It is to be opened in five years, I think it should be ten, give things a chance to really change...

Anyway, this is my contribution -

A purple shawl - very me;

A copy of some new music for my new album - hopefully this will be a well loved, old favourite by the time we reopen it;

A 'Fall Too Hard' EP and Tullys business cards!

And of course, a pair of my BIG earrings!

I feel well represented by this little collection, and besides, I am not putting my iPhone in there, so that lot will have to do!

Shell xx

Post wedding post

For once, I am a little speechless (which accounts for my recent blogging inactivity). 

I am just, quiet this afternoon.  Thoughtful.   And so very aware of this new season for my dear sister Sarah, whom I love.  And for Scott, who has waited a long time to be her husband.

They were beautiful.  And it was right.  

It was time, and everybody was happy.

The setting was home, and the place looked so beautiful...

I felt honored to be a part of the music, to give the gift of song with all my heart.

As the sun went down we danced and sang, and took no notice of the rain or the chilly night air....

The newly wed bride and groom were caught up inside chatting with their guests and keeping dry.  But outside in the rain were the champions!  We who helped put this day together; we did the Nutbush, the "shake your tail feather" Swing Kids, Irish jigs, and really "ham" 80's songs! We let loose, and let go, of all the work, preparation and anticipation that had been the last six months, or perhaps the last two years...

When I watched them come out to say goodbye to Mum and Dad, I felt a tear...  I have known this girl since she was the age that my own daughter is now.  I have loved her and laughed with her for many years and now she is off to become a grown up, a wife.

It is a wonderful, happy time here at home.  But the reality, and the enormity of new seasons in life always make me shed a tear, make me sit back in my chair and think quietly.  Trying to get my head around the changes and the chapters of this life.

So if you can forgive my silence of late, I am sure to make it up.  The more that happens to me in my life, the more inspired I become.  The more quiet thoughtful hours, always give me cause to make a lot of noise after reflection!

It is late in the day again, and I don't know where the time has gone.  But when I do work it out, I'll be sure to share it here, with you.

Shell xx

Time flies...

I find myself tired but happy as I sit down here with you tonight.  Thanks to the miracle of wireless broadband I can sit in my lounge room, with feet up, dressing gown on, and talk to you with laptop, on lap!

It has been a lovely day.  I must say that I insist on every day being a lovely day if I can help it.  And I think that 90% of the time, you can help how you feel, and I choose happy!  I think this is my theme for this weeks blogging - happiness is a choice!  

I wish I was in Sydney so that I could wonder around the city during world youth week and hear the singing, the praising of God and the love of life.  I am not a Catholic, but I believe that if you have love in common with another religion, then you have God in common.  And God is far above, and away from the labels we put on Him...

I am enjoying tidying up the garden in anticipation of visitors for lunch on Saturday.  And I am shocked that tomorrow is Friday!  Where did the week get to?

Time flies when you're having fun I suppose!

Thanks for visiting : )

Shell xx