Earrings & life lessons combined...

I've been meaning to show you these!  

They were my birthday present from Jamie.  And unlike my other fabulously sublime and oversizably ridiculous earrings, of which I have many, (some seen here in one of my first posts on this here blog!) they're real gold!  18 carrot or some such like it!  And the jewels are really emeralds.  Really.

They are different to my usual earring-ish tastes, but feel very me, all the same.  It is quite wonderful to wear something that was chosen for you as a surprise, as a show of love, from a very best of friends.

He is to go away again soon to another far off place in service to their country, and ours...  I am to support him, and to miss him all at once.  To get on with the chores, and the children raising in his short absence, and also to work hard in my own head - on my own thoughts...  In that I mean, I don't want to just wish the time away - but rather to spend my days wisely, as though they were precious jewels.

I feel very much today, the sense that our days here on earth are meant to count towards a cumulative something?!  Our varying gifts, and situations dictate the direction, and our will to live as well as possible  dictates how well, we will achieve it.

I'm off now, to do a little dancing in the kitchen, a little playing my piano, a lot of living, thanking, loving.  In short, I'm not going to waste a moment!

Shell xx

Carry that weight...

Is it any wonder I've been quiet in these parts of late?

I've had much to carry around with me.  

And patience too, can be exhausting.

I misdiagnosed my due date - you'd think I'd know what I was doing by baby number five - but I have never been so huge before in the ole' belly - and I suppose I've never had my fifth baby before, and every pregnancy is different...

So, determined to remain the organic, home birth, hippie kind of unconventional woman I am - I wait on.

Because it's not about my discomfort, or my impatience, but the importance is my baby, and his or her, good health.  So I am comforted and resigned to the certainty, that birth day, is an uncertain thing - which will arrive when it is ready, when baby and Lord will it to be.

Be assured I am so very well! And while I cannot reach the piano keys quite so well as normal, I am still making music with all my heart and soul.

Just checking in - and loving you from where I'm (uncomfortably) sitting - hoping you're oh so well and safe, and happy, and loved, and prospering!

And I am looking forward to the blog post when I can tell you all about this new babe of mine.  I cannot wait for you to meet them.

Shell xx

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

Spring.

Dear Spring,

You're blooming marvellous!

Love,

Shell xx

A most excellent Saturday...

Saturday last, has been named a most excellent day, by me!  And I should know, since I was awake for all twenty-four hours of it!

It started rather early in the morning, when Tullys from the inhabitance of Hillview set out on a long drive to country NSW.  Which for the day, was expected to be something else entirely!

Namely, a hidden town of Scotland...

Yes.  I know.  When we heard of this, we too were desperate to find out why/how a country New South Wales town holding a Scottish themed festival whereby they actually changed the town's official name from Bundanoon to Brigadoon, for a day was going to go!?!

So by mid morning we were there and in full Scottish swing!  Awesome!  I just spent the whole day admiring the differing tartans and kilts and knee high socks, and the sporrans!  How I need a kilt {even though they're not traditionally for the women to wear} and how I need a little leather pouch to hang around it!

And a themed festival is indeed not a themed festival unless one dresses up in the theme, of the festival!  

So behold - my wee Scottish legs!

There was also the "Highland Games" to attend, with such events as Haggis Throwing, and the Caber Toss.  Below is Jamie not tossing the caber sufficiently well enough as the idea is to make it stand at 12 O'Clock - I think he would have done better, had he been wearing a kilt!

Soon after that we headed for home.  But that's not the end of the story...  And little did I know, at this time on said most excellent Saturday, my day was more or less just at it's beginning!

It was home for a quick unloading of children, reloading of equipment and exporting of ourselves to the gig - where antics included a girl jumping onto the stage at us in excitement that we had sung her happy birthday {as in The Beatles version!}  And a fellow who asked to jam with us on the piano at some point during the second set, who ended up playing with us for the rest of the night!  Encore lasted a whole hour!  And by the time we finished at 1am my feet and throat were as tired as could be.

So, did you think that was all? 

You'd be wrong!  My next adventure of the day/night/morning, was a date at the National Gallery of Australia - MasterPieces From Paris - Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne & beyond!  

The boys dropped me off at the gallery, after the gig at approximately 2am - where the party was just getting started. (Note:  You can always tell if there's a happening in Canberra if ABC radio is there doing a live broadcast!)

And they were!  And so it was, as I say a happening.  

The National Gallery was staying open for the remaining 32 hours of the famously popular French Impressionists exhibition.  So I met my dearest Tully women there and we spent the early early hours of the morn with some of the best post-impressionism paintings from the Mussée Dórsay...

I arrived home at 4am.  And when I placed my head upon pillow soon afterwards, realised I had been awake the entire day!  Which made me wish I never needed to sleep - for if days were all as excellent as this, I would not ever again, want to close my eyes!

Shell xx

{ps: I got up three hours later, farewelled my Jamie on his latest work trip, and cleaned the house, hung washing, and drank hot chocolate with my loved ones!  What a life to love!}

Autumn Falls...

...All of a sudden,

And you're here! Bringing your cooling mornings,

Causing me to make porridge and gaze out the window at your beauty.

If I were a season, I would be you.

For somedays I feel a little, {or a lot} orangey, even sepia in tone;

Sometimes I feel as if I've been holding it together so well all summer-

That now I need a little time to shed my leaves,

cool my mornings and my nights,

get ready for the cold.

Wrap myself in golden,

turn a year older

and God willing, a year wiser as well!

Shell xx

Wishing you a happy, hearty new Autumn/Spring/Season/thing!

a Short Study of Feet and Keys...

I needed a new banner for my royal bloginess!

These were all contenders...

In the end I went with, what now is, my new banner!

Would love to know what you think?

Be still, and well this blessed weekend dear friends.

Shell xx

The oak and the acorn...

"...Even the name of the Savior uttered in her singing tone and with the expression she gave it, came nearer to them than when she spoke it..."

"How many things there are in the world in which the wisest of us can hardly perceive the hand of God! Who not knowing could ready the lily in it's bulb, the great oak in the pebble-like acorn? God's beginnings do not look like his endings, but they are; the oak is the acorn, though we cannot see it."

-excerpt from The "Geltlewoman's Choice"

by the wonderful George MacDonald

Shell xx

Paint on the paper...

...and most deliciously on my palette too it seems!

Though, this world is new to me. I have not painted since I was in my final year of school. Since nearly as soon after as then it has been in my mind... Then for a time I forgot! I walked among motherhood, weight gain, weight loss, daydreaming - then found my singer's voice, and my pianist's hand.

Before I could blink my 20's had nearly passed by me - but all the while if I were to pass by a thickly embellished abstract oil on paper or canvas I would look intently, and slow my steps, and fix my eyes upon it, and remember my one-time love, of the form.

To paint as my silly head sees things.

To place colour where I will it.

To come back to the place of my later teens...

and to not let my 31st year pass me by, without a new painting finished and posted here.

Shell xx

Berry Good.

{I wonder, that it's strange I keep showing you all my crockery!?*}

My favourite little chipped green plate.

My {only for delicious hot beverages} Japanese lemon mug.

And today a berry wonderful afternoon tea to fuel the pre-gig munchy singer all the way to diva distinction!

Have a blessed weekend friends, and may your plates and cups overflow with fresh goodies to eat and drink!

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

In the Stillness...

I gave a day of post-Christmas stillness, and poetry to myself today.

I ate Eggplant Kasaundi and squishy white cheese with toast and put my feet up...

I reflected upon the beautiful film Bright Star - which I saw on Boxing Day evening. Directed by a woman and co-staring an Australian. One of the most wonderful films I've ever seen!

And to learn more about John Keats - whose short life yielded so much heart felt, romantic poetry. I rather found myself determined to, before my life ends, compile a book of my own poetry...

I will let it be just one. From early, innocent verses, through youth, and on towards wisdom, where grace truly comes into your life, and you're even happier than you were, when you were innocent - because now you understand the time and the journey and the pain and the peace.

Yes friends, I feel dreamy and inspired... Like I could conquer everything with just the right poetic verse... Or perhaps I have been inside my book of verses too long! Like the line from Persuasion - when Anne questions a friend if too much poetry "is quite safe!" That might be it..!

I am rambling! But I am enjoying exciting myself with the possibilities that new year will bring, and I need to list my hopes and creative plans for the next chapter to share with you - and for you to share with me the lists that will help shape your 2010.

Yours in verse -

Shell xx

Oh my stars!

During recent summer evenings we have been eating dinner quickly, clearing the table swiftly, and making way for crafty, Christmassy creating...

These are my red cardboard, painted-with-golden-glitter Christmas stars! I wanted to brighten up my rooms with red starry cheer that didn't cost the Earth - and I cannot begin to explain how much fun I've had making art with my older two babes {more on their own creations in an upcoming post}. So as you can see, I think they're rather fabulous blowing in the breezy open windows by day...

And glittery~fantastic...

By the night.

Shell xx

The apron to brighten any household chores!

I know I may look a bit of a dork - but I had to have it! And I had to be photographed in it, to show off to my discerning - and now jealous - readers! {I have also purchased several more, tucked away for christmas presents!}

Here I'm thinking 1960's New Idea magazine pose!

And I'm wearing this to brighten spirits which have been recently trailing near floor boards.

Onward and upward for me lovelies! For it is nearly Christmas!!! And I intend, from this moment, to enjoy every moment of the good cheer!

Shell xx

Many posts, in one...

I've been singing in rooms with high ceilings. To the sound of my good friend the piano - and to the incredible guitar skills of Cam & Jamie. Not to mention the unsurpassed beats of Mr RC. We've added a new backing singer to our on stage musical family, & I am enjoying the new colours she brings...

We played this {below} beautiful room on Friday. Happy people, sensational dancing, extraordinarily hot weather! A country town, a Catholic Church. I should have remembered my camera while we waited outside the ceremony to walk the happy couple down the road {singing Irish folk songs!} to said beautiful room - as I have an obsession with old country towns and especially old churches in old country towns.

On Sunday I took rest. Which normally I don't, and therefore, am generally no good at!

We took the long and winding road back to the river somewhere... Picniced under welcomed, much cooler overcast sky.

Others swam, but I stayed still by the river bed. Reflected on two long gigs just merely behind me; the state of my heart at the turn of a new season, the lovliness of my children playing by the water... And, although said above, I am normally fairly bad at relaxing...

In a place like this...

Next to my love {finally returned home}...

I excelled!

I read my book, and giggled much. Wrote lyrics to future songs in my leather bound journal. I let my spirit rest, and be glad in it.

We drove home in witness to the beautiful valley. How can you look out on it and not say a prayer? And not be thankful? For patience, and constancy, and perseverance. For a blessed, eventful, challenging and therefore, most wonderful, poetic life.

Shell xx