Flower vases and tea pots!

Don't you just love flower vases and tea pots?  I felt this was a good fusion!  Nice to bring some of the flowering winter bulbs into my kitchen I thought.

In other matters, one of my songs is being featured on a local radio station tomorrow morning!  I'm glad it will be heard by people who have never heard it before.  This particular song is an old and dear friend of mine, I wrote her a few years ago now, she always makes people stop and listen...

Rock and a Hard Place

You've been breezing in and out like windy weather,

I pretend that it's okay.

And we sit there all alone together,

Trying desperately to think of nothing to say...

Do you ever find, we only seem to hate the ones we love?

Bind them with our toughest chains,

Do you ever find, his body's here but his heart has been caught,

between a rock and a hard place?

He's afraid to hear the truth be spoken,

So he stays away from me

And we rely on the curse of plastic conversation,

Does he not want the treasures I have for him?

Do you ever find we only seem to bother hating the ones we love?

And tear them down to save some face!

Do you ever find, we only seem to put the ones we love,

between a rock and a hard place?

And if I tell him no,

will he pack his bags and go?

Will I be feeding him to the lion's den?

And if I let him stay,

Pretend every thing's okay,

Am I worthy of a mill stone..?

Do you ever find, we only seem to hate the ones we love?

and tear them down to save some face!

Do you ever find, his body's here but his heart has been caught,

between a rock, and a hard place.

Shell xx

Moments like this...

The children just went outside to play for a brief moment in the cold, and I am sitting here drinking tea and eating dried pears and macadamia nuts!  Oh yeah!

Moments like this are rare in my life at the moment, but well worth the earning...

I received a lovely package in the mail this morning from a little windhover!  Some goodies for me and a couple of things to be put away for Christmas presents - I thought I would start my festive shopping early this year!  I love shopping, especially for gifts.  It is such fun to look through a site like etsy where everything is handmade lovingly.  I highly recommend this sort of shopping.  In fact, I highly recommend any kind of shopping!  As long as there is coffee involved with it somewhere!

I'm smiling, and looking at my now, empty cup of tea.  Off to make pumpkin soup and crumbed chicken for dinner!

Shell xx

I can sing a rainbow...

There was much wind and a little rain over night, it has been really cold and I feel the winter has finally set in.  When I looked out the window this morning the scene was one of windy dismay, you know how suddenly there are plastic bags blowing around that weren't there yesterday!  Outdoor chairs tipped on their sides, and then, when it all seems ominous; a rainbow!

My beautiful sister in law took this from her verandah this morning.  It was a beautiful rainbow.  Something I don't think scientists can explain...  That's because it's God's artwork, across the sky...

I remember learning that the rainbow is a symbol of God's promise to us that he won't flood the world again.  It always thrills me to see a rainbow, makes me feel focused and impressed that right here today, there is proof of God.  Alive God, right here, right now God!  In my sky there He was painting His promise this very morning!

I love explaining the promise of the rainbow to my children.  They look up, and they understand.  They aren't confused.  Then I hear them telling their younger cousins, and anyone who will listen!  Children know there is a spiritual side to life, they know there is right and wrong.  Our job is to teach them, and ourselves along the way, the grace that goes there with it.

Shell xx

Warm and wonderful

Today I just had to have porridge for lunch!  It was just cold enough outside, and I was in need of heavy duty cream, whole beautiful oats and simply desperate for dried apple on top!

Ahh....

Now it has started to sprinkle with rain, and here am I, inside with my cup of tea, feeling altogether pretty warm and wonderful...

Only wish I could have it again for dinner!

Shell xx

Gifts for the giving...

I feel I have come a long way in my life from a little girl in a broken home with few opportunities.  To have now become a grown up, part of a big happy family, raising my own little family on foundations of honesty and purity, with the love and support of the most wonderful husband and friend!  I know I am very biased!!!!! 

: )

But it's true!  I always try to remember to look at my life and really understand how blessed I am.  When I hear about what is happening to people who simply want to vote for the opposition in Zimbabwe, I know we here in Australia are so so lucky, that it doesn't seem fair...

So why am I so blessed?  Well, I have thought about this long and hard and my answer is - I dunno?!  All I know is, I don't think I got a happy, safe and prosperous life because I deserve it - I think it seems to have been given to me.  That gift can only come from God.

So if prosperity is a gift, then I believe I have to share it!  I think happiness is always a choice.  But that can be hard to see sometimes...

I try to give, by being my very best 'Mechelle' everyday, so that I'm always 'on my game' and can 'be there' for anyone who might need help.  I think we all have different gifts for helping in this world.  My gift is lyrical and musical, using insight, and sometimes prophecy through music that can penetrate through walls when 'talking, and words' cannot.

I hope what I say is clear.  I just feel extra sensitive to all this today.  I hope this blog is an encouragement to someone, even just once.  It is meant as a gift. 

Shell xx

All seems well with the world tonight

Today has been wildly busy.  I took all the curtains down first thing this morning, washed them, hung them out, brought them in, ironed them and rehung them this evening...  Phew!  Now that I am sitting here having done all the work, I feel so pleased with my little self!  I love that feeling of having worked hard, then the reward of reaping what you've sewn.

Another beautiful metaphor for life!

I love to work hard, I love planning to fit too much into a day, and getting it all done!  I find for myself, that if I don't work hard, I get a bit crazy, I feel a bit anxious and angry!  I hope that makes some sense!  I think I need a cup of tea!

This picture is just so you can see me smile to myself at a good days work all done!  And all seems well with the world tonight. 

: )

Shell xx

You're the one I love...

I feel uneasy about you,

I feel a divide.

Feel like I should be taking sides,

But I can't, because I love you

You're my family.

And if there was a side to take,

If there was a choice to make,

I choose you, you're the one I love.

I feel confused about you-

I am still the same,

I am still here, I have gifts to give you.

When you go off to see the world,

I know He will speak to your heart,

and here at home will miss you so,

Beautiful girl.

If there was a choice to make, 

I choose you!

You're the one I love.

For Josie,

Shell xx

The Smallest of Them All

It's been a very cold day here in Canberra.  I do think Canberra gets a bit of bad press for being a really, really cold place.  It is one of the hottest places in the country in the summer!  As there is no coast like Sydney, we rarely get a sea breeze on summer nights and it can generally be very hot.  I would say it has been a mild winter here so far, but today is really cold.  Time for a jumper and coat indeed!

The wind and the cold didn't stop me from walking this morning though, I was one of only a very few at 7am willing to brave the wild weather.  What fun it is to walk through wild weather!  Sometimes I pretend I am a lone traveller, on a quest, I've been trekking for days on a journey to save the world - maybe I have the one ring!

I wrote a song about The Lord Of The Rings, I wrote it from Frodo's perspective;

The Smallest of Them All...

Mechelle Tully

Lonely nights and early mornings,

Just time enough before I face the trail again,

It's cold and hard and never ending...

I've a brother to my right, and others at the other side

but I'm alone, only I hold the key...

How could you, the smallest of them all,

take on this path with courage?

A journey still unknown, but all you know,

is that it's coming for you...

And still you hold it tight, 

The object of desire that evil hunts-

and it's ugly and it's oh, so beautiful, all at once...

The night is cold and it will get colder,

Always looking over my shoulder,

tomorrow this time, I don't know if I'll be living or dying!

And men have come with hands to lend, 

but I don't know which ones are my friends-

since I have something they all want...

How could you, the smallest of them all,

take on this path with courage?

A journey still unknown, but all you know,

Is they're coming for you...

Still you hold it tight,

The object of desire that evil, wants!

and it's ugly and it's oh, so beautiful, all at once...

(now available on iTunes!)

Shell xx

Chasing Sunshine

I can understand why my Father-in-law says he can really only think, and pray clearly outside.  

The first time I ever heard of such a thing I thought it in theory, to be a bit strange.  Surely your brain is no different when you're outside!  And perhaps it isn't, but maybe your heart is...  I know I've said this before, but there is something about the fresh air and being able to see the sky, and hear the wind move through the trees, that really does inspire my heart.

I love the room at the back of my house, it's a sunroom, which I have mentioned before as well.  It is one of my favorite places in the world to sit and think.  Because I can see so much of outside while I am in!

This photo was taken years ago, but it is one of best shots I have through the vase and out the window.

The position of the glass room is all wrong of course!  The windows are facing full west - so it's steaming hot on Summer afternoons, and freezing cold most of the winter.  But somehow, that is part of it's charm...

Today I feel like I need a walk outside to clear my head and get me all inspired.  The best medicine in the world I think!

Hope you get time to chase some sunshine today as well!

Shell xx

The cat that came back!

Late last night just before bed I heard a meow!  Then I heard her bell!

We all feel very luck today to have her back.  My daughter Emma, who is ten, has learned that God does answer our prayers when it is good for us...

This is a photo of Sean as a baby, he is three now.  And Delilah cuddled up next to him - I am so happy that she came home to us!

Shell xx

The Spirit and the law...

As I go about my tasks each day, I am always debating with myself in my head...  Coming up with theories on life...  Today I have been thinking about religion.  About what the word means really...

I am a Christian, but I am not religious.  I believe in the kindness, and goodness, and generosity and love of Jesus Christ.  I give God credit for having created the world, and everything in it.

I think Christianity is about being good when there is nobody else around.  Because it's right!  Not because it's easier or it suits you.  I think it's time spent with loved ones, and time spent marveling at the sky...

I think it is about the love, and the pursuit of living a long and happy life.  Which lets face it, is what we all want, don't we?  I do think the only way to real happiness is by walking this path, and getting back on it when we fall off to the side in our normal, human way!  Not spending time self loathing when we make mistakes, God doesn't want that from us.  He loves us, like a lovely Dad!

My fear, is that religion gets caught up in "law" meaning that you have to do this or that in order to feel good about your status with God.

I just think it's very simple - it's about being a good person, which also means speaking up at times when wrong is being done...

Theory, and thoughts still in progress...

On another note, we put up LOST posters of our cat 'Delilah' this afternoon.  I pray she comes home...

Shell xx

Poem from my heart

My house is quiet this afternoon, the troops have headed off to Sydney to watch the Soccoroos - no idea if I spelt that right!  Also, not much of an idea about soccer have I!

I am feeling restful at the end of a busy week.  The only knot in my stomach is that I cannot find my cat, she has been gone for three days...  I hope it's not an untimely goodbye, here is a poem that has just entered my heart;

The art of saying goodbye is graceful,

don't slam a door, or go calling names...

It is quiet, and thoughtful,

not full of noise and confusing games...

Goodbye is for long, but not for good,

Time is most misunderstood.

The art of goodbye is strong when sad,

don't neglect the things that need to be said...

And go if you need to go,

In order to turn around and come back again...

Goodbye is for long, but not for good,

For when love is most misunderstood.

Shell xx

Waffles after dinner...

...are good for my creative soul!  I really, really, like food - and home made waffles with real maple syrup are something that should be indulged in every so often after dinner. 

We all worked together in the garden today, braved the cold and got stuck in building a rustic fence for outside one of the farm's original cottages.  I enjoyed making my little family a hot and wonderful dinner afterwards (pork spare ribs with swede and carrot mash, green beens and a creamy leak and pepper sauce to be poured all over the top!)  

I have grown to realise that this is what life is all about - good hard work, time spent with people you love, who love you, and are on your side.  And pride taken in good food - one of life's most enjoyable things!

But of course you only realise this if you listen to the wind once in a while in a quiet place, and spend time digging soil and getting your hands dirty.  I suppose to thrive in life, you must thrive on truth and love...  Love never fails...

Shell xx

More than twelve short stories...

I am really enjoying this blog!  It is more than just talking about my artistic endeavors - it's celebrating a love of life, a love of the world we live it in, and a love of love!

I feel good!

Have you noticed?!!!

Shell xx