*New Year's Eve: 2018. Sticky sultry Sydney day. Infinity smiles over the ocean. White Gem Magnolia buds at night. Falling apart by the morning. A simple arrangement. To be made to celebrate the dawning of this New Year's day.* ~Ally. **Maybe.** Maybe it's not just the hot and airless atmosphere that makes temperatures rise and blood begin to boil, as Christmas approaches in Sydney, but more the congested traffic on the roads along with heartless refrains of jingle bells and unreal images (for Aussies) of Santa in the snow, that seems to create an undefinable tension in the air here. I know I'm not alone in thinking that it's a crazy world when the spirit of Christmas has become quite lost in the tension of 'last minute shopping.' So like most people, the week between Christmas day and New Year's Day usually gives me a breather: A chance after reuniting with loved ones to mainly wind down: Read a book, garden or 'go bush' ~ Aussie expression for walking, sitting and contemplating in the anything but quiet (kookaburras, cicadas, cockatoos and magpies) bushland. **Another maybe.** Maybe one might say it's coincidence, but I find it so uncanny that whenever I choose one of the three cards in @sunscape's 'Weekly Card Reading' and read it, that it's always incredibly accurate and relevant. For instance I chose Holiday Guidance Card 2 in the [Holiday Weekly Card Reading for Dec 25 - 31.](https://steemit.com/cardreading/@sunscape/holiday-weekly-card-reading-for-dec-25-31-by-sunscape) >*When you feel a connection to Spirit, you see unlimited potential for transformation ~ You are supported fully in imagining something new and daring to make it happen. This is a time to dream big. You can be bold and free because Spirit inspires you to turn your dreams into reality.* ~Colette Baron-Reid: Ace of Fire/Wands. >*You've laid the ground work, planted the seeds and your time has come to take action. This is your two thumbs up card, so get ready for change. Inspiration, new ideas, and projects are about to launch from the spiritual realm into the natural realm ~ It's your time!* ~@sunscape. >It's been six years since I completed a major art project. During this time I've worked with different ephemeral pieces, gaining from the experience of this work, but all the time knowing that something else was working within me that eventually would come to the surface. ~Ally **Finding quiet time.** A few months ago I started working with the symbol of the *Seed of Life* and recently shared the beginning of this creative journey with: [The Crimson Seed of Life #1](https://steemit.com/magicalmoments/@allyinspirit/the-crimson-seed-of-life-1-ephemeral-art-original-photography) and [Australian Christmas: The Crimson Seed of Life #2](https://steemit.com/art/@allyinspirit/australian-christmas-the-crimson-seed-of-life-2-ephemeral-art-original-photography) This work will continue to flower into 2018. However on the morning of Christmas, I was given the most beautiful of gifts: Another symbol to work with and what I feel will be just the first of many ways to work with it. **Infinity and Eternity.** The symbol: Infinity and Eternity. Same symbol but quite different meanings. Christmas day was my first 'quiet day' for a VERY long time. And for the next few days I had intended to hang a 'Do not disturb' sign over my life. So I was able to start and complete [*Infinity smiling over the Ocean*](https://www.instagram.com/p/BdWudAXgtaB/?taken-by=allyinspirit) on Christmas day. As soon as I edit the images of the stages of *Infinity smiling over the Ocean* I'll share this work here as well, with a little more explanation. At this stage I don't expect this work to be a 'best seller' but for me, it incorporates many ideas and concepts I've mused over for a very long time. The days between Christmas day and New Year's day were bliss: Leisurely decluttering and gardening. And only in this 'quiet time' could I begin to draw again. The drawing of the little shell in [Octopus' Garden](https://steemit.com/sundayscentexperience/@allyinspirit/octopus-garden-underworlds-of-galaxies-sunday-scent-experience-magical-moments-art-drawing-original-photography) was calling for red/orange and then blue/violet. Over a few days, I must have spent at least 12 hours on it ~ Building up ~ Rubbing back ~ Building up ~ Rubbing back. Till it was extremely overdone ~ Although a few things had been learnt in the process. **New Year's day.** And then on New Year's day, I was inspired to build a New Year's arrangement from flowers and leaves that glorified Nature's beauty. With the following images, I would like to thank all the people who have so generously supported my art and writing attempts in 2017, as well as all the amazingly creative people whose work has both touched and inspired me ~ Beyond words. I wish you all many, many magical moments in 2018. ![1000.ORIGINAL-2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmf7A6W3yQ7NMq9VF7jCcRavbo4MZ4EfqgQTiGHtAcHSai/1000.ORIGINAL-2.jpg) Photograph: ©Alison Lee Cousland. SONY Mark2 A7: ISO 100: 35 mm: f/3.5: 1/50 sec. __________________ ![1000.ORIGINAL-6.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSvsc7hxZNfWT2nnDaTcBRYz7WcSdjCw7KwHEUapHjqMP/1000.ORIGINAL-6.jpg) Photograph: ©Alison Lee Cousland. SONY Mark2 A7: ISO 200: 35 mm: f/5: 1/30 sec. __________________ ![1000.ORIGINAL-8.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmU3p4Gp3NAKsvne8qFjxSC5LmkpwCtMzuroUtAbXqW4GB/1000.ORIGINAL-8.jpg) Photograph: ©Alison Lee Cousland. SONY Mark2 A7: ISO 100: 35 mm: f/3.5: 1/50 sec. __________________ ![1000.ORIGINAL-5.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUKPDijibRKBC1usjWdiULTCWdHo78UHNx6Ynvr2StcSF/1000.ORIGINAL-5.jpg) Photograph: ©Alison Lee Cousland. SONY Mark2 A7: ISO 100: 35 mm: f/3.5: 1/50 sec. ___________________ ![1000.ORIGINAL-3.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPz4w8A3PSmT4wWQZy2DLhJV47DoKLF3VrBJBo4aQ4kSU/1000.ORIGINAL-3.jpg) Photograph: ©Alison Lee Cousland. SONY Mark2 A7: ISO 200: 35 mm: f/5: 1/30 sec. ____________________ ![T H A N K ✽ Y O U ✽ F O R ✽ Y O U R ✽ V I S I T1.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVtSeHyiH5dai1wsdAvhhQe5mcA8CbLuGYZ5C5yXZgwzA/T%20H%20A%20N%20K%20%E2%9C%BD%20Y%20O%20U%20%E2%9C%BD%20F%20O%20R%20%E2%9C%BD%20Y%20O%20U%20R%20%E2%9C%BD%20V%20I%20S%20I%20T1.png)

restreemer