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

Here's to my Husband...

On his 35th Birthday!

Shell xx

Runner's Feet...

So, this is pretty epic for me.

I have been to the sporty sporty runners shop, 

tried on 12 or so pairs of sneakers, 

and come home with these!

And what's even more epic,

is how soon they felt 

and looked

right

on my newly donned 

runner's feet!

Shell xx

My Daily Bowl...

Oh how I am loving my mornings even more of late perhaps than ever!  There is a vitality and a strength in me which is growing with my running strength and stamina week by week - but that's enough about exercise - let's talk about food!  So, the only thing that feels better than getting back in the morning after a run is when my mind turns to what shall I delight in for breakfast?  And lately I am positively obsessed with porridge!  Oats, honey, yoghurt, embellished with anything else fresh and fruity that comes to hand!  These are my very own, home grown raspberries - and they are so stunningly delicious nestled in-between honey toasted oats and yoghurt I cannot begin to say...

I have also been having a renaissance with green tea - top quality gourmet tea bags with perfect jasmine flowers that dance in my cup and open in the hot water.

 So I just had to share some of my daily bowls with you and end with this morning's blueberries and banana = bliss!

Shell xx

Lady birds, and lemon drops...

It rained so heavily last night that I thought Green House Cottage might float away on a wave of water and electrical storm!  I had all my babies cooped up inside with me and together we got cosy and watched the rain from our dry safe place.

 This morning when I awoke the air was calm and the skies so misty, but still.  I went outside with my camera for a stroll in the garden to take some quiet air before starting the day and found this stunning lady on my sage leaf!

It is very really summer here in Canberra, Australia, but everyone is commenting on the temperamental weather we've been having - cool mornings and hot afternoons, followed by stormy nights...  I think it's beautiful, and a testament to the fact that one can never rely on the weather to do what we expect, or even what we want!

It reminds me of what inspiration is to the artist - you cannot force it, plan it, or make it "start shining" just when you want.  Me, I have been inside a crazy weather pattern these last few months (or maybe years) where rain has threatened my creative senses for what I know I've let go on far too long.  I need to begin again with my poetry, which takes me back to my notebooks, which draw my heart back to the piano keys and in natural succession, the studio.  And most importantly, maybe even you - the listener?

Right now the sun is hot, and my mostly sleepless body is tired, but I guess I just wanted to formally acknowledge here that I am on the journey of my return to inspiration, and in turn creation.  I will go now, rest my heart and settle my feelings with some deep breathing and green tea soon to come back to you, the artist, anew...

Shell xx

Be my guest...

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a guest blogger for the beautiful Sarah over at the reflective and heartfelt blog Middlepaw in order to share my "love story" with a selection of other loving bloggers leading up to Valentines day.

So I thought it fitting to share my post here as well as there...

The first time I saw Jamie, I was both terribly impressed, and totally convinced that somebody that well bred, well read, with a face that perfect, and a heart that kind, could never become a beau of mine!  So therefore I didn't giggle or pose, or play any games, I just spoke to him - and we became friends.  There was a light which awoke inside me when we spoke, and before long I knew that he was to be my rescuer.  And soon after that he did become that beau of mine, but it ended up being a case of two very best friends, falling in love.

We were to do the rest of our growing up together as a couple, having being married at ages eighteen and nineteen.  For us this was the natural next step for our friendship, love and commitment - it was wonderful!  We were blessed to be able to live together in a gorgeous little historic cottage on Jamie's parent's family farm.  Our days and nights were filled with love and laughter, and learning every part of who each other were.  Our cares were not for money, possessions or anything except time spent together - this was our treasure, and in that we were rich indeed!

The creative thread which runs through our partnership is music, and we have had the most amazing adventure so far being able to work together as musicians in our band and tour overseas.  But perhaps the most special gift has been becoming parents to five special and amazing small people!  Making a home with them and living the good life where family comes first, and love never fails. 

I have had tremendous trouble putting into words what my love story means to me, it's so hard to explain without a poem or a piano near! other than to say that I know I was rescued by that well bred, well read, beautiful man (both inside and out), and as we enter into our fifteenth year of marriage I can honestly say he is still my best friend.  And I am still his.  

And we're just getting started!

Shell xx