a Day For...

...Remembrance -

In Flanders fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fl y

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fi elds.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

JOHN McCRAE

Lest We Forget.

Shell xx

A Week long Wake...

There has been a death in the family. My Mother-in-Law's Mother, Joy. Joy had been suffering a series of long illnesses, and to my heart - I hope it makes sense to say - that it gives me, and her family relief to know, she suffers no more.

But the very realness of death has been very sad to my soul. And although I live in the absolute knowledge and understanding of God's Heaven - the spiritual overcoming of the physical - I still have been shocked, saddened, confused and listening, for what I can learn about life, through this death.

What I have learned is encompassed within a phrase used by people all the time in the day-to-day - but I feel it keenly today, after helping to cater for, and attending the wake. The phrase is that,

life is short;

And the older I get the more I realise the truth and value in such a phrase. Because we don't know the end of our lives here on Earth. We only know this moment! We can be certain of nothing more...

We shouldn't expect a new day tomorrow! We should wake with it and rejoice in the privilege, of a new chance to be better at loving others with a selfless heart. Any other pursuit, will fundamentally not bless you.

So it is here I must end, and say - to say the least it's been like a week long wake, with still more serving to do... I have been called upon to sing which is something I do willingly, and place myself at the family's service.

Praying for all, and giving special honourable mention to Maurice and Maureen for their love and dedication to Nana Joy every single day of her home based nursing care.

Mum and Dad, you have taught us kids so much this week through your sacrifice.
I'm sorry for the pain of the world on your shoulders. Your love never goes unnoticed by me, or the rest of your children.

Shell xx

Connecting...

Discovering my garden is becoming more and more wonderful! I love having dirty feet, and grass in my hair when I come inside for that cup of tea which tastes insanely good after being out in the wind and sun.

{Did you know that this tiny little flower smells exactly like bubble gum??!!}

And that my favourite colour rose is a buttery-yellow one...

I am connecting I tell you!

With the ground, with my feet in my shoes against the top of the shovel. With turning soil, the wind in my hair, {armed with antihistamines to keep away the sneezes and hay feverish sniffles!}

I am sitting under a tree with a freshly weeded garden bed beside - satisfied smile - while I talk to the Lord and hear Him answer my inner most hopes, thoughts and fears.

Jeremiah 33:3 -

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know...’

Shell xx

Birthday on the First Tuesday...

The delight of turning Twelve is wondrous. I think it is that time before you cease being a child, but still enjoy becoming that little bit older...

My first baby has enjoyed her Twelfth birthday on the day of the Melbourne Cup! Which meant we were to sip tea, eat cake and drink pink soft drinks under the sun at home in our best dresses and wide rimmed hats.

I fetched flowers, and baked all the sunny morn determined to enjoy every moment!

Because I know that time is as fleeting a thing as petals from the blooms, which we mostly cannot understand...

I know that my Lord is outside of it - and that the counting of our years seems to be in place to teach us and grow us, so we can be better at loving Him for the sake of our souls, and the dear souls near us.

And today, none dearer, or more impressively wonderful is that of our precious, precious Emma.

The Lord gave her to us when we ourselves were only children. And it is an honour to count the years with her; to sip the tea, and with the passing days give her the best of ourselves for her own salvation and happiness through her life.

Happy Birthday darling girl. Who gave us life, with your birth.

Shell xx

Happiest of Halloweens!

I want to start by saying thank you to all who watched the new 'My Brother Charlie' video and extra love and kisses to you who left commentary - it means so much to hear your thoughts!

I want to mill around in the middle by saying I have had a fabulous weekend of insane fun resulting in even less sleep than normal! {Never been a big fan of sleeping - I prefer staying up late and writing songs or baking cakes!}

Or singing & dancing all night for a happy crowd of people - then dashing home to bake cakes and quiche and Halloween Pumpkin Soup for another cat show catering bonanza!

I will climax with some hot-off-the-press pictures of our family Halloween dress-up supper and dance off!

There was Emma, dressed as the Russian Princess Anastasia...

My Campbell, a dashing Robin Hood!

Sean was determined to go as Batman (also my favourite super-hero) so I made him a costume from cardboard for the mask, and hand drawn applique motif top.

I made for Tara an interpretation of a character she made up herself, called a Chicken-Monkey!

I hope it translates..!

The Newlyweds arrived looking simply dandy as Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Buttler...

My wonderful friend and Sister-in-Law kate, as Napoleon!

The eccentric and graceful Anna Eliza as the Grecian muse of Dance...

And who? I hear you ask did I and my Jamie friend handsome husband wear to the ball?

Voila'! (and they are not real sideburns!!!)

: )

Blessings to all - and singing "Happiest Halloween" to the masses!

Shell xx

Dear Charlie...

To finally bring Charlie to film is wonderful to say the least - and a lot of other things...

A song I wrote on the pianola in Mum's lounge room,

after Sarah told me she liked said name...

Charlie has been my muse, my tragic creature, my real life & imagined hero...

And now he is my latest film-clip-video-baby adventure!

I want to thank Kate, Sarah, Anna & "Scottwell behind the mirror"

• for attention to everything important,
• artistic ability unsurpassed;
• enthusiasm {for my foolish schemes} galore!
• And just really, more thank you's than a day could hold for letting me prance around {like a big curvaceous purple woman in front of camera} all day!

What paradise would be - to do such all day, everyday anon!

Songsmith {and friends} xx

Adventuring for Arts sake...

Not behind the lens today, but in front of it...

On the set of a new film clip...

Among long green grasses, and the plentiful, purple, poisonous Patterson...

The lens flattered me (a miracle of science!)

And provoked me -

Ever eager am I to show you the adventure, and the art we began making today...

{All photos today taken by the wonderful Anna}

Shell xx