Fit, for a Queen...

I simply adore the queen!  And I have borrowed, (not only one of her family photos!) but also a little of her English summer here in Australia, by cheering along with the diamond Jubilee celebrations - staying up late and marvelling at the telecasts of the various events over the last weekend...

My friend is due to away before long now and I am always heart warmed by his gentle reading voice to stories and narratives to our babes at night before bed...

Me, I have been working up a sweat and keeping to a fitness regime which is paying off in more ways than I could ever have imagined - I feel like a worrier of strength, to strength, to strength!  And more like my real self, really, than ever...

On Monday - which was our official Queen's Birthday holiday - I baked scones and shared them with cream, butter, streamers and jam!

We built a bon fire in the evening and put on our winter-warmest-wool-and-wellies to enjoy the festivities on a particularly chilliy night, gathered around the fire, we toasted marshmallows and chatted and celebrated in the name of the life, the service and the gracious longevity of such a magnificent queen!

Shell xx

Welcome Winter...

We've got the beginning of Winter round here and I's got me a new mini skirt!

No frost on me baby!

Shell xx

See no grey...

As I pull open the cotton curtains in the sunroom on a foggy end-of-Autumn early morning, my friend remarks to me, 'gosh it's awfully grey out there!'

I look, but I see no grey.

I put on my shoes and twist in my headphones, open the door up and I go out to run.

I see golden leaves almost completely fallen before the impending winter, houses in the suburbs quiet and still, fellow joggers focused but friendly as they pass me on the track.  I see the pounds falling away from my body, as the weeks go by...

There is no grey.  I am alight with every colour.

Shell xx

To all the Mother hearts...

Today is Mother's Day here in Australia, and I must say I have had a superb day!

I ran 6 kilometres in the early, still cool Autumn morning -

Had pancakes with blueberries + freshly picked raspberries, lemon and maple -

I lunched with my loves along with a multitude of other mothers whom I admire and adore -

And in the afternoon we did a little dancing + photo shoot with the five little people whom I have the honour and the privilege of being mother to...

Blessings to all the mother hearts, everywhere.

Shell xx

Autumn's finery...

Taking time to think up thoughts 

and consider the next few weeks

with my husband/best friend away again

Finding beautiful places where Autumn goes to town

in all of it's finery to do such thinking.

Obsessing (in these thoughts) about weight loss & running

But also remembering to slow, 

and to stroll...

~ all things in moderation ~

So in taking time to think up thoughts

I celebrate the day with distance running

followed by hot porriage

Strong tea to counter

the Autumn chill

Warm words to love and support my husband from afar...

Finding new ways to nourish my children

and myself

in every way.

Every day,

I celebrate.

Shell xx

Sunday/Monday...

So after an absolute marathon of a Saturday [pun intended] - my friend and I decided we would make a  true culinary treat of our Sunday - because while working hard is my favourite pass time - playing hard, and eating well is the delight and the balance of what life is all about in my opinion!  And what better way to treat one's self than with homemade Sunday brunch!

  Cucumber sandwiches, fresh fruit, poached eggs & sourdough toast!

And I whipped up my first ever batch of buttery homemade scones from an old English recipe!

On Monday the banquet continued after I rose with the sun and laced up my running shoes to complete another 4K run before diverting past my raspberry bush for these beauties to jazz up my porridge!

And lunch looked like left over quiche, freshly picked parsley, carrot sticks, hommus and green tea.

It felt like a celebration.  Which food always is to me.  I love being more accountable for what I eat of late, which somehow, and most unusually, makes every meal I prepare and partake in taste even better!

Wishing you a delicious week!

Shell xx

{Red earrings} Run Faster...

 When I decided to learn to run in 8 weeks with the 5K Runner app back in January, I never realised how it was going to make every single step I took, and hopefully will ever take, more confident, more focused (body and mind), and more forward than ever before...

Then when I decided to get the right shoes for my green little runner's feet in February, I could not have known how good it would be for me to run with the right gear - with thanks to great advice from the shoe fitting lady - and the woman sitting next to me also buying shoes who, knowing these were my first ever running shoes, suggested I enter the 5K event at the Australian Running Festival.

 But today, I know...

I know about training, and energy, and sweat, and nervousness, the buzz of the crowd assembling to run, and family on the sidelines to cheer.  The sound of the stater horn, and the thumping of hundreds of surrounding pairs of feet.

Of the fresh air, observing beautiful old oaks and pines in a stunning old Canberra district.  Of careful, measured breaths, and knowing that red earrings, run faster!

Of hearing my Nike+GPS app in my pocket counting down the Kilometers, and knowing I had run them, every step.  Of keeping upright, and reminding myself to always look forward, never down...

Of being tired and wanting to stop, but not stopping.  Just keeping going, with just a prayer in my heart, a mantra in my mind, my love running by my side, and complete, sheer determination to get to the finishing line.

And today, I did it!

That's all.

Shell xx

Easter on my table...

Over the last few days there have been many Easter activities and preparations happening on and around my table(s).

 On Good Friday my children, along with one of my nieces & two of my nephews all painted eggs together and talked about the wonderful, inspiring love of a God who would allow his only son to die for all of our sins...

Many attractive baskets were assembled and photographed!

 For lunch on Easter Sunday today, I went the whole 'hog' and put on a roast, with baked potatoes, carrot, onion, corn and peas as a celebration of new life

 ~ a risen Lord ~ 

a sunny autumn day, and as a homecoming feast for my dearest and darling-est husband who has been away for nearly this entire month past!

 With benches cleared, and the dishwasher on, I spent the afternoon at my sunroom table decorating edible Easter gifts for my beautiful extended family in preparation for an afternoon tea (which was actually incredibly wonderful mother-in-law homemade coffee!) + an easter egg hunt for the children amongst the trees and groves of our precious garden home.

 So I have spent the weekend with my table covered in homemade treats, and handmade offerings for a season which I always proclaim as a particular favourite - for the beautiful crisp time of year, for the symbolism, the incredible love and the sacrifice from my God, made for me.  And for the occasion to make beauty and love, an extra special priority, for my family, from my table.

Happy Easter.  With all my blessings to you and yours.

Shell xx
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Swinging on swings...

Autumn evenings are delicious.  They are the last hurrah of Summer's warm, long nights, with a hint of a chill, in their breeze.  They are perfect for walking to the shops with children on their bikes, and for sipping ice creams before swinging on swings.

Autumn evenings are delicious things!

Shell xx

Up and Running...

Just wanted to tell you that - I finished this app!

***

For 8 Weeks I have trained 3 times a week

come rain, or shine.

Committing myself completely to the trainer's instruction.

And this morning I ran my first, 

5 Kilometre {non-stop} run!

It has been an incredible journey - a life changing one!

I have had to channel both my courage 

and my headstrong determination 

to get through these weeks.

I am both surprised at, and proud of myself

beyond words!

This is not about to become a fitness and weight loss blog,

And while on the subject of blogging, I realise and humbly apologise 

for not posting here as much as I should have lately!

And even though I have lost over 10 kgs! (22 pounds) in 8 weeks-

-the emotional, and spiritual benefits I have been blessed 

with as a result of this adventure, carry a greater measure of importance to me...

 Because this is, and has ever been

a lifestyle blog

about wellness in every realm and aspect,

of this poetic life!

And thus, I have turned a new corner, 

and discovered yet another way,

to have passion, to create joy

seize the day,

and be glad in it!

Shell xx

Thirty-Four...

Yesterday, it was my 34th birthday...

So naturally, I was pictured smiling!

Shell xx

When the Weather is Fine...

More rain fell at the end of this Summer in Canberra than had ever before been recorded.  And as a result I caught litres of dripping water from the ageing sunroom windows into buckets and towels on and off for weeks on end. 

{Photo by Emma Tully}

But as can always be counted on in Australia, the sun came back out, and we welcomed in the beautiful colours and sunsets of Autumn in this precious, peaceful place...

 So since the rain, I have grown even more aware of how precious it is to work, sit, play and especially eat outside while the weather is fine!

Shell xx