Crazy day a yard sale and a farwell onesie party!

Wow what a weekend! Its Monday and I'm still recovering, mostly from my Beyonce esk dance moves.

More about that latter.

Our Dear friend Lauren is leaving us for some adventures, before she left she asked if she could borrow our house for a yard sale and some farewell drinks. Being the generous and amazing friend I am of course i agreed .

Lauren is not only omy friend but she is Bens, Braidyn and Finton's friend and I know they will really miss her as much as i will. The hard thing about living in a town such as Bellingen is that it is very transitional but when one friend leaves you wish them well for there journey ahead.

Brai with Laurens dog Sailor.

It was crazy day in town on Saturday and we were told to expect a busy day at the shop. Huge sales, a big market and tones of garage sales. My plan was to take this opportunity to dress up because well any excuse will do. I have always thoroughly enjoyed the art of dressing up in costume and so  I took this as another great excuse.

We woke up pretty early for the huge day ahead ben headed off to the shop and I was going to juggle helping Lauren and also spending as much time as I can with her plus helping Ben at the shop oh and looking after the offspring.


Michelle and Sam were also having a yard sale on our front lawn too and I must say it was the best looking yard sale I have ever seen.

After a few hours I headed to the shop in my glittery puffed sleeve 80's number and top hat! Yes my dream to wear a top hat all day was here and I was going to appreciate and love every moment of it.

On my walk to the shop I enjoyed peoples glances and thought it was magic when I heard little kiddies pointing me out to there parents. "Oh mum look at her pretty dress". I arrived to my adorable husband dressed in a colourful costume he had put together him self. The shop was buzzing with people and excitement and Ben told me latter he had so much fun.

After a few hours I headed back home to the dreamy garage sale that was happening on my lawn.
By 2 o'clock it had quietened down so we started to pack up.

And before I go on I must say to my friends this wasn't my party it was just at my house. So please don't think I didn't invite you. This farewell was just a few of Lauren's friends and yes some of mine because we share some friends.

By only 4 o'clock there was already 4 costume changes by Lauren and myself and 6 of us in my tiny lounge room making up a hilarious dance routine. Ben arrived to lets say lots of costumes and laughter. I was anticipating a fun night ahead.

I insisted everyone wear vintage jumpsuits and so I headed off the studio to get the 25kg bag of them .When i got back I emptied them on the lounge. These outrages and some times ugly onesies were shared by all, all night!

The growing group were spread between the fire outside, the kitchen and lounge room inside. 

When I press B e y o n c e into the ipod you know I have had one too many drinks. My alto ego comes out and I dance, I dance so much I struggle to walk with ease the next few days and my legs are covered in bruises.Even going to the toilet needs some deep breaths. Some of my friends still haven't seen "party Leisa" OR my alta ego so they were shocked and I must say entertained. I love to dance and make people laugh. I love nothing more then making people mostly friends laugh. 

I cant explain how much fun we all had. So many laughs were shared that night. This kinda party wasn't planned but just secretly I was on a mission for a very fun and entertaining night. One of the things I loved most was when people rocked up in there so nicely put together attire then were swiftly taken to the lounge room to pop into a onesie and so they did with a smile.

I have to thank everyone that came and dressed up and let lose. Love you all! nights like this lets you get to know your new friends so much more and I love that.

And Lauren enjoy yourself and see ya soon xx

These are the last photos I can share for the consumption of the public. I promise my friends that I will have my own party again soon and YOU will all be invited but of course be expected to wear a onesie.

I do wish I had some photos of a hot 6ft gentlemen in a children's lyrca onesie, One hot mumma in only undies tights and a bra with a top hat, the clock wise dance floor jumpsuit change, a great dane in a love heart jacket walking around with ben in a matching onesie, a beautiful cafe owner interpretive  dancing to Salt & Pepper, One of my floor slides I heard so much about but still cant remember performing, a stunning friend in a lace and satin onesie accompanied by a pair green retro men's shorts and so much more but maybe its better this way? Maybe is better to have flashbacks of the night before and have a quiet laugh to yourself when those images come flooding back.

Ah one more thing a huge thank you to Sophia and Tash for cleaning my house and deleting most of the evidence of the party that was had the night before. You are amazing and I love you!

What a busy long weekend..

 

Its Friday morning and the house is filled with excitement, my little brother Brodie is coming to visit. Brodie was only 7 when he became an uncle to my son Braidyn. As you can imagine yes Brodie is the fun uncle. He came bearing gifts this visit, birthday presents for both the boys that were all in the theme of dirt bikes a passion that all my boys share.

Brodie is my youngest sibling and the one I'm closest too. We use to see a lot of each other before we moved to Bellingen last year. So we were all very excited to catch up. We are pretty  lucky because we still see him a fair bit. This is his second visit to Bello and he loves it here.
This time brodie bought along his new bike this meant they could all go riding together, which they were all stoked about. As you can see the visit was full of motorbike stuff, motorbike presents, motorbike rides and discussions. I did feel a little bummed but I know its what makes them all smile.
On Friday night I left the boys to them selves and headed out to the lodge with my friend Lauren to watch a friends band. I haven't been out as much lately, content on just staying  home in front of the fire but Lauren insisted and so did Ben. Sadly for me lauren is leaving for adventures OS this weekend so I want to spend as much time with her as I can.
I worked on Saturday and yes the boys went riding. I came home to lots of stories about the dirt bike adventures they had.
That night were all invited to Nicole's home warming dinner but Brodie wanted to just chill at home and eat cheese and dips with us. While he went to go buy supplies I dashed off to nicole's to say hello and explain we couldn't stay. I wish i could have done both.
We ate so much that night and it was lovely to just sit with my brother and talk.
The next day Clive rang and said that him and my mum were coming back to bello to pick brod up but before he left Clive insisted we all go out to breakfast together.
Im looking forward to Brod coming back in a month or so with his gorgeous girlfriend and he promised me we would spend some time together and i promised him id make him pumpkin soup that he missed out on. I didn't really mind that much that we didn't get to hang out, Brod and Ben get on so well and what more could I ask for really.

\

 I love this look of pure joy on Fintons face. He was so happy to see his dad and Uncle go off rising together.

Brodie made some really yummy herby roast sweet potato after our cheese plate and before pizza!

On Monday we headed off to Urunga for a walk and some ocean air. Sometimes even i need and like to get out of Bellingen. We use to live so close to the beach and it is the one thing I miss about the coast. It really is good for the soul and that's what Ben and I needed today.
We haven't spent much time out of Bellingen since we moved here last august, we are just loving being "in the Bellingen bubble" so much.
This was the first time we have visited the Urunga boardwalk and it was lovely. The scenery was amazing and i couldn't help but take photo after photo. I do love my new 50mm lense.
We had a really special time just walking around and finding crabs and other natural delights. Braidyn picked me a beautiful flower and tucked it into my shoe.
 
As we got to the end of the boardwalk we were amazed to see all the driftwood. I've never seen anything like it, Ben as he does started analysing how and why it was here and he figured that it must be from all the debree from the rivers cause by the floods. For what ever reason it was there is was a incredible sight.

 

Winter is here

Spring is most probably my favourite time of year, but I am so enjoying winter in Bellingen.

This place all year round is like living in a photo shopped postcard. Sometimes I refer to bello as living on a movie set. We have a truly magical oak tree out the front of our house that we have enjoyed watching drop huge amounts of leaves for weeks now. My boys, the kids next door and also my friends children have enjoyed playing in the leaves that have now nearly completely covered our front yard.

Its so beautiful walking out the front and seeing the leaves on and off the tree. I know we only have maybe 1 more week till the tree is bare and we need to rack up the dead leaves.

I am really enjoying the cooler weather, rugging up in soft knits and boots, enjoying the fire, lighting candles, making soup, weaving, drinking tones of tea and cuddling in bed.

Summer here in Bellingen is mostly hot and sometimes it feels unbearable the only place you can go to get away from the intense heat is the Never Never creek which truly is so peaceful and picturesque. It is really nice to have a rest from that heat.

We have been pretty lucky this winter so far. The mornings and nights have a definite chill in the air but the middle of the days seem to be still warm when the sun is out.

It rained today but hasn't rained a lot yet but I don't even mind the wet. I feel like a child when it rains a lot thinking oh my it might flood. Although I have already witnessed 2 floods this year, the child in me gets excited for the next potential flood.

I'm really grateful that in the house we currently live we have a fire and extra grateful that Ben keeps the fire going on those extra chilly nights, even if he needs to get up at 3am. Its such a great feeling waking up to a warm house.

 

This is one of our favourite soups.

MAPLE ROASTED CARROT, PUMPKIN & CHICKPEA SOUP.

You will need

500gms carrots, peeled and  cut into 2cm thick slices

400gms peeled butternut pumpkin, chopped into 3cm peices

1 brown onion, cut into thin wedges.

2 Garlic cloves finely chopped

2 tbs olive oil

2 tbs maple syrup

5 cups chicken stock

400gms can chickpeas, drained and rinsed.

Salt and ground black pepper

Toast to serve.

1. Preheat oven to 200.c. Line a large baking tray with non stick baking paper, allowing paper to extend 3-4cm up the sides of the pan.
2. Place carrots, pumpkin, onion and garlic in the pan and drizzle with oil and maple syrup, toss to coat. Bake tossing once for 35 to 40mins until tender.
3. Pour vegetable mixture from the roasting pan into a large saucepan. Add stock and chickpeas. Using a blender, puree soup until smooth. Warm soup over med heat until hot. Season with salt and pepper

And serve hot with toast.

    

Happy Birthday Brai

This is Braidyn now.

My first son Brai has just turned 14 on Monday. I always find its a time to reflect on our journey together. On his birthday i shared a little pic (above and a recent pic of Brai) I have never received so many kind messages of love and support. Brai came to me and said "mum do you know that post you put up of us has over 150 likes?" I had no idea but was so touched by that.

I gave to birth my big 9.9 pounda when i was only 17 as i said in my facebook post, I truly believe there are no accidents.I tried to remember his birth on his birthday while he was at school but sadly I don't remember a lot. It was a big ordeal for a young 17 year old, having a natural birth to a baby that big obviously was traumatic even weeks after the birth. 

Before I go on, One thing I do remember as clear as crystal, was this photo below, (This is me in the middle on a contraction.)

 This man holding my hand is Clive, he is my (step in) dad. Clive drove us to the hospital and I honestly thought he would stay for a bit then leave. Somehow he ended up with my consent to come into the birthing room. At one stage I remember just after a contraction I told him while iI caught him napping in one of those huge comfy hospital chairs. I put my head up in probably a gas induced angry state, "If your going to just sleep you may as well piss off." (Yes i tell it how it is). This made everyone in the room chuckle a bit. 

Clive somehow after that became the best birthing support partner. He was the only one I would listen to, the only one that could hold my strength as i pushed my hole weight against his.

I always planned and assumed my mum would be great but as I've told her so many times she was bloody hopeless. I just assumed mum would be great because she has given birth to 5 children. We both Clive and I agreed and still laugh at her hopeless effort. I did and still am so great full she was apart of it. 

I truly don't know how I would of got through this birth with out Clive he was so amazing.

Years latter I asked clive in a family interview what has been 3 of his best memories in life. He told me his previous wife had 3 c-sections so he was never fortunate to be apart of a natural birth. He told me Being in that room when brai was born was one of his fondest memories and then he thanked me for letting him do that. If I ever have another child I will kindly demand Clive be there to once again maybe sleep a little but mostly help.

 

Ok ok, back to Braidyn, it is his birthday after all. 

So yes having a child at 17 has obviously had its challenges but I can tell you I feel like it is one of the best decisions I have made. We have grown up together. We both have taught each other so much. 

Braidyn is such an amazing little man. He is such a credit to Ben and I, Everyone that meets Braidyn constantly tells me how special he is. I know I'm bias but he is such an incredible human, his kind, considerate, gentle, hilarious. Brai and I are really close and we have so much fun together (he still picks me flowers.)

Its pretty amazing when your 5.11, 14 year old son insist on hug's every day, they are huge hugs and I honestly feel his love and appreciation through every hug. 

I'm tearing up so I should stop because I'm at work. To say I feel honoured and truly thank full that I was chosen to be Braidyn's mum is a huge understatement. 

 Braidyn at age 5 on a holiday to Sussex Inlet my old home town.

The night before the boys birthdays we usually do a present and party table but because brai goes to sleep after us we cant do that. He woke up and told me it didn't feel like his birthday, I explained "its because you are growing up," I promised him I will always try and make him feel like its his birthday.
That day Ben and i got busy, baking, blowing balloons and decorating.
He told me that night it did feel like his birthday not only because of what we had done but one of his friends at school bought a cake and candles and they all sung him a happy birthday.

Ben bringing out the big guns!

So Braidyn I hope you had a really special birthday and you know how much

YOU ROCK OUR WORLD!

Just one more thing, I wanted to add this music video by my wonderful friend Sarah Humphreys.

We were lucky enough to be apart of this.

Goes perfect with this post I think.