Green Food...

Makes my kitchen go round...

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?

How well you make me happy...

Making curry to the sight and smell of lavender... 

(consider this my fist installment of indoor posies!)

A completely unashamed obsession with old, green glass...

Tall trees... 

And roosting hens...

You make my heart sing!

What simple pleasures make you glad to be alive?

Shell xx

This Here Lady...

The most beautiful day in May is always Mother's Day for me.  And this year, the mother of our little clan celebrated her sixtieth birthday.

We sat in the sun and ate homemade delicacies, played The Beatles for our Scouser heroin, loved her and showered her with gifts and hugs; and I wrote, and read out a little poem...

This Here Lady.

by Mechelle Tully

I am indeed perhaps,

{as per usual!}

in too many words & ways

to tell you all, of things

in the air, 

the character, 

the manner,

& the many graces of  

this here, Lady-

Which, in her sixty years of life to date

you would well, already know...

But how better can we celebrate?

If not to acknowledge this 

woman?

This friend, mother,

prophet, Christian,

servant, leader, 

Scouser!

lover, dancer, singer

fighter...

and keeper - of all our consciences as diligently as the Lord Himself!

Though there may have been at least twelve

verses in this poem!  

If I’d written one for each of the virtues just listed, 

But I feel, (unusually!) drawn to silence in the matter of elaborating on such points,

For fear that words cannot duly Celebrate,

the absolute, 

Enormity of this life!

And how blessed we all are, to witness her 

Living it, so… impressively.

Few, have loved her more than those gathered here...

And fewer still, I believe, 

have made more of a study, 

and a range of sacrifices - for Love,

Than this, here, lady.

The very heart,

Of such a family as this- 

is you.

(and before mine renders me to tears!)

I wish to only else to say-

a Happy Birthday-

to this, here, Fine, lady.

I'd like to also acknowledge my own mother this day - bless her soul for giving me life.  
I'd also like to thank all of the tremendously wonderful people who thought of me this Mother's Day - thank you for your messages and thoughts.


I have four children, and being Mother to them is my pleasure and my privilege.
Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers and mother hearts...


Shell xx

Wish...

{photo by Anna Eliza Tully}

Like child, made of innocent hope 

I make my way through tussock spread fields,

I venture your mountains

and lie in the grasses

Paint, and ponder the trees...

Sometimes follow, and keep to the trails,

other times break away

to step along paths of the kangaroos and wallabies,

there, to find rock to sit upon

I make, in my solitude, 

a wish, which scatters dandelion,

 - and centers my hopes,

on what it is really I need...

and where I know I need to be

In order to ask, with thanksgiving and grace,

for what I want.

Shell xx

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

Morning, on the Round Hill...

It is said that my husband's grandfather and grandmother would walk together on Round Hill while they were courting. It is also said that they fell in love there...

I fall in love there every time I go. With the misty mornings at such a latitude. Able to see a flock of hot air balloons taking off for an early Autumn morning float. I happened upon these the other morning, I was unprepared without my Nikon, but my iPhone was able to capture some of what I saw... {note: tiny specks = hot air balloons without a zoom lens}

My feet were wet, and dyed crimson by my shoes by the time I got home!

And what better way to start a day!

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

In the tiniest of ways...

We are still enjoying the rain here,

with it's leaky windows and perfect puddle jumping weather!

*

The rare occasion of being stuck indoors has led me to much piano playing,

and deep thinking at the computer,

which this morning led me to a most wonderful insight from the Lord.

And I wrote it a song.

Then realised I was writing with a blue pen that belongs to a most special friend, who must have left it behind last visit - and with it some of her smiles - for it has been a great companion to me at the piano, and aided me with my own inspiration.

Please know dear friend;

that little blue pen is in excellent health and her ink is still the perfect shade of blue-ness!

Her new owner is treating her very well, and she will see you next week!

Shell xx

The waters of this world...

...I'm not much of a swimmer -

But I know not who could have resisted these waters..?

Certainly not, me.

I have been washed in clear river waters of late.

I even rode the rapids! (tentatively, once!)

Spent time praying by the shore...

Eating gourmet picnic delights.

Escaping the intensive heat.

Playing with my children/niece/nephews.

The world I am in, is in tosses and turns at the moment.

No doubt in a wonderful way!

For I am embarking on several new adventures...

And look forward to recounting them here with you soon.

Until then, I hope you feel the cool, the clarity, and the pleasure I have taken in these waters of late.

I hope you take pleasure in them too.

And also in a phrase, I heard mentioned by a wise soul the other day -

which has been swirling round my head - cooling, and clearing my fear and my thoughts:

"It's only a short trip through life,

and the idea is to leave it better, than you found it."

Amen to such wisdom!

Which inspires me to embark on betterment with a clear, collected view, of my walk through the waters of this world.

Shell xx

Endymion...

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its lovliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkn'd ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

by John Keats

{...and perhaps a case for justifying above recent purchase?!}

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

Christmas Moments...

Twine and ribbon.

Under tree uploading.

Capturing memories.

Of the year's most special morning.

Extravagant fun.

For love, and fun's sake.

And a special presentation...

Because you're only twelve once.

Hoping all encountered a very Merry Christmas.

Shell xx