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

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!

Crabapples, Camellias and other Springy Tales...

Well...

Since I posted to you last it has been a week of crazy movement, and motion...

• I had a haircut;
• Screen tested another little musical video (!) with my amazingly arty and talented sisters-in-law;
• Planned a little visit to my abode with a little long distance friend of mine...
• Spent almost an entire day helping to clean my other sister-in-law's house {which they've just finished renovating.}
• Cut half of my finger nail off, with a knife!
• Played Scattegories - and lost...
• Entered a songwriting competition - & will probable loose that too!

And then all of a sudden it seems to be rolling back around to Friday, the weekend, and the first of many a Tullys gig for the Spring/Summer season!

But Please Note:

{In between such busyness - usually while dinner is boiling over on the stove {and because I cannot play piano at the moment with one finger out of order!} - I tend to take little prances around my garden wearing a floral maxi dress, armed with a camera, cup of tea and an eye to swoon at Crabapple trees, and Camellias...}

And {ps} I need to say a special thank you for every loving comment, and virtual pat on the back from all of you beautiful people who have taken the time to look at the Can't Seem To Sleep video; whether on The Tullys Facebook page, or here.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your words come to my inbox when I least expect it, when I most need it, and I bow my hear in gratitude for a gift from the Lord which I am graciously permitted in this ole' world, to call my own.

Shell xx

Flowers for September

Rain threatened our annual visit to Floriade yesterday, but in the end did not prevail. I had been up early making and baking homemade treats for our lunch time picnic and stroll through the flowers. (I made myself so busy in the kitchen that I forgot to take photos of my Gourmet Sandwiches, Quiche Lorraine, and nutty-chocolatey-cookie Delights!)

However I believe {& you will soon discover} I have made up for the lack of food related photography in floral subjects, and wonderful blurry family-love-snaps like this of the newlyweds, and one of my other beautiful sisters-in-law and nephews strolling the Floriade parade.

I love the way Canberrans come out after Winter to see the bulbs and blooms, and to my mind, the first glimpse of Spring and proof that the warm, signature Australian weather is on it's merry way...

I gushed at Daphne. {And though it is perhaps socially unacceptable} I still wanted to pick some and have you smell it with me! Bring it home and put it in a vase by my bed. Perhaps I will just have to grow some instead...

In amongst a shrubbery, and cluster of trees which formed a sort of maze and plant like cave, we found this furry fellow! Known as a Possum; I think they're one of our most beautiful native marsupials, and we can thank the zoom on my camera for allowing us this close up look at him.

We picniced throughout the afternoon and enjoyed the sun which made a welcome, yet non-forcasted appearance. I greeted many a perfect flower which posed for me so willingly in the breeze and had to giggle at the yellow tulip, placed so accidentally in a bed of red daisies.

So often in my life I have been that yellow tulip...

I realised that four of the Tully women were wearing the same shoes in different colours {which is hardly surprising when one works in a shoe shop!} But to all be wearing them on the same day, was photo worthy!

Spring feels truly here. One picnic down, so many more to come this Spring!

Shell xx

Only the Grace...

When fine Spring weather allows for tea and toast in the sun...

When an office is also my studio, is my creative realm, is my Sunroom, is my home...

What more can be wanted for? Than only the grace to appreciate our blessings every peaceful minute.

Shell xx

Today I am...

It is clear I need to do a little posting...

Today I am putting together some musical gooddies for some beautiful women...

I am getting {perhaps a little too} excited by how quickly and beautifully my clothes dry on the line in Spring weather as wonderful as this...

I am not going to be able to get over that blue sky...

...perhaps for some time!

Today I am a being somewhere between laughter and tears;

The more I see of the world the more I am in awe-

Of the beauty, the happiness and the magic,

And also of the darkness, sometimes hatred and cruelty you can see and feel.

I hope just to be a part of the goodness.

To hold out my hand to another.

To listen to the small still voice.

To not miss the calling of my gifts.

To jump out of bed!

And be all that today asks of me!

What are you today?

Shell xx

Every new Season, is new...

It is weather just warm, and new enough to open the window and see a glimpse of baby nectarines.

It is for lunch, left over Balti curry with brown rice, yoghurt, fresh tomato and coriander, while planning dinner over cook book.

It is sweet memories of a cool, eventful, wonderful Winter, which began with a gail and a spot of rain, contained many a pot of homemade soup, was fashioned with scores of Marino scarves, spent in the studio spinning songs, and ended making a brand new film clip for the TSS album.

This be a sort of "mood board" scene for the upcoming feature...

Coming soon to a blog near you!

Shell xx

Bringing nature in...

I like to rescue flowers that have been put on the "specials table" in supermarkets because they are slightly wilted, or just past their bloom.  I find if you take them home and give them some love, by way of watering and pruning, then they always thank you by flowering well and long.

I love to have flowers inside the house.  Bringing a little nature in, will always serve to remind you what a wonderful, beautiful world we are in.  And to have designed all this, we know God is truly an artist!

Shell xx

"These are a few of my favourite things!"

There is a taste of spring, twinkling in Canberra today.  Unless of course you go outside in the icy breeze that is!  But from inside my cosy cottage at home, with the heater on, I am really enjoying the sunshine.

I cannot wait for spring.  To have picnics, and wear summer dresses, (which is a new endeavor for me, since I have for years been a pants kind of person).  There is something so feminine and graceful about a pretty dress though - I have bought a couple already, which are waiting impatiently for some warm weather in my wardrobe...

Earrings; cardis, (which is short for cardigans) - I have lots of them, in every colour, and I am a little bit obsessed you could say!  

Shoes - did I mention I also have an obsession with shoes?  Well I do...

I just think that enjoying beautiful things (which don't have to be of great expense) make you feel good.  And when you feel good, you create, you love, you smile, and in my opinion, you truly live!

I am now suddenly over come by the urge to dance around the house like Julie Andrews (which actually happens to me often) and sing, "these are a few of my favourite things!"

Hope you're having a sunny Saturday!

Shell xx

Outside Looking In...

As I sit here sipping my afternoon tea, it's amazing what creative photo opportunities present themselves...

This view from outside looking into the sunroom makes me think of a song I wrote for a friend several years ago just before spring had blossomed in her life...

Outside Looking In

Scary on the outside looking in,

Too good to leave, too bad to stay is that the problem?

You're doing your thing and that's okay,

But all I really want to say

Is I know it's scary on the outside looking in...

I know you're barely even starting to begin,

I see the tide go in and out based on your feelings,

You're taking your time, need to be sure,

But with all the planning in the world-

Sometimes nothing is fair,

Nothing is fine,

Nothing is perfect,

Nothing is nice!

Nothing is pure, nothing tastes sweet,

Nothing is new, nothing is neat!

....

Sometimes I don't even know if I can carry on!

Sometimes I don't even know if this is what I want...

You make a move you then regret,

Too many noises in your head...

Sometimes it feels like,

Nothing is fare, nothing is fine

Nothing is perfect, nothing is nice

Nothing is pure, nothing minus one,

Nothing is new under the sun...

Shell xx