Thursday, March 29, 2012

Jerry Sims, The HAPPY TOYMAKER,- Toys Made in the USA

Good Morning! Good Morning! Good Morning! ....
So excited to share a fabulous find from the Trail this morning. A few years ago, my lil' brother, J2, received a custom HAPPY TOY MAKER rodeo set from Santa. It is absolutely amazing! Just like the real thing...except made a little better than a few the real facilities we've been to. J2 LOVES it & still spends hours putting that arena to good use. Quality, hand made in the USA, steel toys that will last a lifetime! I couldn't keep a treasure like these to myself!Jerry was kind enough to visit with me a little about his amazing toys and how it all got started.

Big Rig! Semi Truck & Trailer
Makes me want to go play!



Jerry Sims, The HAPPY TOYMAKER

Q: How did you get into Toy Making?
A: “I got started making the toys for my boys when they were 2 and 3 years old. They asked for a blue doctoring chute. I made them a processing chute and tub and snake for the first time for Christmas. The next birthday and Christmas I just kept making things and then the neighbors wanted something so I just kept building things. The first rodeo arena I made for them weighed 165 lbs and took me about 100 hours. It all still works.”


Q:Tell a little bit about yourself. Who is the man behind the Happy Toymaker?

A: “I have lived in Happy TX for 49 years, I love kids, I have never grown up. I have been on our vol. Fire Dept for 29 years and been the fire chief and EMS director for 16 years. I farm and have a starter yard for little cattle. I try to teach my kids how to do lots of things. They rope and help do every part of the business. My family has been around this area farming and ranching for about 100 years.”


Q:Favorite thing about Making Toys?
A: "The best thing about making the toys is watching the kids play with them. I take them to rodeos and shows and the kids love them. It is the best time ever.
"
"I love to weld and make new things. I want to make new toys each year for our collection. I do not want to be Walmart or Toys are Us.
I just want to make a real good toy that last and is very functional. It works kids minds and keeps them interested in the farm and ranch. I think it helps parents to get on the floor and play with their kids. Show them how to do lots of things. It keeps lots of kids out of trouble too"

Without further further ado, here are a few of the pieces from the AMAZING HAPPY TOYMAKER Collection!

Pickups, Horse Trailers, Feed Trucks, and MORE

Pickup with a flat bed and cake box with hay forks to pick up a wood round bale. It has a hitch for a goose neck and bumper pull. The 16 inch trailer, jacks work and has a spare tire adjustable hitch which is a grease zert and coupler and both gates latch.It has a hitch on the back to pull bumper pull items. This unit is 28 lbs. You can add custom names, brands and pick your own color.

What can I say...the PINK is just FUN!

Tubs & Processing Chutes

Front View Processing Chute with custom names & brands.
Also, shown with bull in chute

.
All horses are handmade and painted by Jerry's wife, Patrice.
They are made out of a resin that is flexible,
about the same thing that a football kicking tees would be made out of
Lots of Trailers to Load!
and even more colors to choose from :)

"I just want to make a real good toy that last and is very functional.
It works kids minds and keeps them interested in the farm and ranch." ~ The Happy Toy Maker

If you are looking for QUALITY HANDMADE in the USA TOYS that are as tough as the kids that play with them....look no further....visit the Happy Toy Maker today!

Contact information:
The Happy Toy Maker
Jerry Sims
PO Box 548
Happy, Texas 79042
806-433-2123
Website:http:www.thehappytoymaker.com/
Blog:http://happytoymaker.blogspot.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Happy-Toy-Maker/170157696342842

What FUN!!! Seriously, I am having a serious urge to go play right now! Maybe J2 will share :)
Thank you so so much to Jerry Sims and the Happy Toy Maker family for letting me share their amazing toys! So an honor to share quality, handmade products with my friends. Thank YOU for traveling the gypsy trail with me today. Always fun to travel the trail with a friend!
Love ya,
Mindy
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Lovely Lady Leg Knives from Lil' Red Roan
Perfectly Paired with a Sortin' Pen!

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p.s. Here is a few more of my favorite things

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Gros Ventre , Collections of Elk Feeding Adventures


Gros Ventre ~ morning view from the Cabin at the feed grounds

For about the last 5 winters or so, my Dad has been feeding elk at in the Gros Ventre area. It is amazing in there! Not only is it a breath taking experience with the beauty you are surrounded by but also the friendships cultivated in those snowy hills will be treasured for a lifetime.

Wonderful friends like Mike Henry, Kevin Jones, Jana Davis, Brittani Brusett, Garrick Grover, Kent Farris, Trevor & Emily Fuhriman, Jake and Hadley Hoggan....are just a few reasons that make the Gros Ventre a place you will always hold dear to your heart.

I haven't made it in to feed elk yet this winter and have been thinking about all the fun adventures down snow covered trails of the past. The following are some of my favorite pictures from those adventures & a link to 5 Gros Venture Adventures.

Collections of Gros Ventre Stories
(CLICK on the LINKS below to read full article

Gros Ventre Bound

Elk Filled Horizon ~view of the ridge right behind the Cabin.
Filled with elk. They trail down in the early morning light and begin to feed

Tetons from the Corrals at the Cabin Feed Grounds
Down River

View as you come into the Cabin from up above

Gros Ventre Neighbors

Teamed Up to Feed

What a fun trip! Thank you for traveling with me as I followed the trails through my mind back to Gros Ventre Adventures. Hope you enjoyed the ride. Make sure to click on the links & check out the fun pictures and stories from all the adventures.
Happy Trails, Mindy We're having a Lil' Red Roan ARM PARTY!!!!

Rodeo Tales & Gypsy Trails
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We're having a Lil' Red Roan ARM PARTY!!!!

New Cowgirl Tack at Lil' Red Roan!
Come check out our amazing new collection of jewelry and the
ORIGINAL COWGIRL CUFFS
handmade by Nancy Martiny Martiny Saddle Co.

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p.s. Here is a few more of my favorite things

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

New at Lil' Red Roan

Spring has sprung at Lil' Red Roan and we are busting at the seams with new and wonderful goodies. So excited to share a sneak peek with you!
Amazing new jewelry pieces!
Don't Fence Me In Necklace, Single Strands of gorgeous beads~ Stunning layered!
Sterling Light as a Feather Earrings, Tale of a Star Pendent, & more!

Lil' Red Roan Apparel~ Check out the super spunky and fun new hoodies!
Perfect for all your spring adventures
"I'm No Angel"....Wonder Tanks are AMAZING!!!
Also check out the super cute new roping gloves
FULL Selection of Lil' Red Roan Knives!
Great knives! They come sharp & hold an edge.
Lil' Red Roan's Lovely Lady Leg Knives, HOT Pink Lockblades, and Beutiful Lil' Barlow's
Stunning selections of Silver, Sterling, Beads and More!
RIDE BIG necklace, Mojave Bronc Earrings, Studded Star Earrings & Pendent Set,
Cattle Kate Necklace, Paint the Town Red Set
PUSH Spur Rowel Earrings, Perfect in Blue Jeans ~hand engraved silver cross
Silver & Gold Bucking Horse Money Clip, Reach for the Stars ~ Sterling Bracelet
Lil' Buckaroo Clothing Collection!
Super cute bucking horses for your lil' cowkid.
Hurry while supplies last

Ranch School 101, Beautiful Martiny Glass Cutting Boards, Broncy Coin Purses,
Lil' Red Roan bracelets and more!
New inventory of Western Placemats & Coasters!
AMAZING Inventory of new the Original Cowgirl Cuffs by Nancy Martiny!
Add a lil' sparkle to your day!
One of a kind Hand carved Original Cowgirls Cuffs
with Genuine Swarovski Crystals
Bucking Horse Necklaces, Silver Engraved Money Clips, Sterling Hand engraved Barrettes,
Strands of Turquoise, Copper Mountain Earrings, Star Crossed Paths Pendent!
Layer up your own Crazy Cowgirl Concoction of beautiful Lil' Red Roan jewelry!
Visit us on facebook to see the newest selection and fun specials!

Thank you so much for traveling the gypsy trail with me today.
I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.
Happy Trails, Mindy

Rodeo Tales & Gypsy Trails
is proudly brought to you by

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New Cowgirl Tack at Lil' Red Roan!
Come check out our amazing new collection of jewelry!

LIKE us on facebook!
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Visit us ONLINE!!

http://www.lilredroan.com/

p.s. Here is a few more of my favorite things

Monday, March 26, 2012

Pretty Paint Donkeys

On one of my recent trips down to my Dad's....I pull in the drive way to see quite the scene. J2 has hooked his team of pretty Paint Donkeys. What a crew! :) Here are a few pictures from the afternoon adventure.
I think J2 is practicing up for his John Wayne movie stunts.
Jumping from the cart to backs of the donkey's.
Always a handy skill to have if you have a runaway team. :)
He makes it up with the tip of his hat to the crowd!
(the best way to view this set of pics is clicking through them in the viewer. It looks like an old time flip book motion picture. What a character!)
Roman Riding
....the pretty paint pair never moved a muscle with this little monkey climbing all over them.
Takin' A Break

This reminds me of something you would see on an ad....
Go West Young Man! Go West!
J2 driving....Wanna ride?
Homeward Bound
Headshots ~ too pretty not to get a close up
Omar, the pretty paint donkey
Just a few fun pics with J2 and his team of pretty paint donkeys.
Hope you enjoyed them.
Have a great day! ~ Mindy

Rodeo Tales & Gypsy Trails
is proudly brought to you by

Lil' Red Roan

New Cowgirl Tack at Lil' Red Roan!
Come check out our amazing new collection of jewelry!

LIKE us on facebook!
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Visit us ONLINE!!

http://www.lilredroan.com/

p.s. Here is a few more of my favorite things

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Love! Love! Love! A few things I Love

A few things I LOVE! Every Valentine's Day I usually post a collection of things that make my world better, brighter, and just a little more beautiful because they are in it. This year, I had intended to do just that but as you can see it is mid March and that still remains on my "To Do" list.
Better late, than never! I think EVERY Sunday is a perfect time to count your blessings and give thanks for all the goodness in your life so here goes!

A few things I LOVE!

FAMILY, FRIENDS, Beautiful Sunsets, Lush Green Grass, LAUGHING, Unconditional Love, Bucking Horses, Rodeos, Rodeo Family, Block Parties, Great Neighbors, Card Games, Pink House Adventures, HOME, Photography, CREATING, SHARING, Writing, Music, Puppies, Lil' Red Roan.....

These are just a few of the many blessings that have made this last year so wonderful.
So thankful!

Love my lil' buddy, Woodrow, and the adventures!
Always happy to see me.

Love living in Hamer. Love being close to my Family.
Love that I have such a great support system.

2011 NFR in Vegas
Rita, Jay, & Mindy Hoggan
Kevin, McKell, Ellie, & Josie Carpenter Family
Family Photo Shoot
Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo 2011
Rita, J2, Mindy Hoggan

Love my NEIGHBORS! Blessed to live in such a great community.
Love having summer cook outs and block parties.
Love having winter card games.
Tree Swing at a Pink House Block Party
with Jalette, Penelope, J2, Ellie, and Miah
Card Game at the Pink Palace
Penelope, Jay, J2, Houston, McCall, Boone, Rita

LOVE my FRIENDS!
No matter how long in between visits,
we can always just pick right back up where we left off.

Love RODEO and the amazing Rodeo Family it has brought into my life.
Love working with my family.
Love BUCKING HORSES
Love the perfection of a rodeo performance that brings a whole community together
to celebrate and enjoy all of the above.

Montana Circuit Finals ~ Mindy, Angie, Tiffany & Baby Jetta
2011 WESTERN RODEO Banquet
Matt, Mindy, & Pete
2011 Miles City Bucking Horse Sale Weekend
Tiffany, Brittani, Mindy
LOVE all the moisture and GREEN GRASS we have been blessed with!
Beautiful backdrop for wherever your adventures take you.
Fat, happy, and full livestock!
Love all the amazing trails and adventures I've been able to take!
Love Photography and the chance to capture a moment in time
to remember and love again and again.

Love SUNSETS!
What a perfect way to gift wrap a day.

LOVE Lil' Red Roan and the opportunity to do what I love!
Love the chance to Write, Share, and re-visit my trials with you.
Thank You so much for traveling with me today.
I loved being able to count a few of my many blessings today.
What a great way to start of the week.
Enjoy all the blessings that have been prepared for you today!
God Bless,
Mindy
Rodeo Tales & Gypsy Trails
is proudly brought to you by

Lil' Red Roan


Lil' Red Roan Wild Rags & Sortin' Pens Available Now

LIKE us on facebook!
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Visit us ONLINE!!

http://www.lilredroan.com/

p.s. Here is a few more of my favorite things