No one wants to know...

I know none of you wanted to hear this but we had to put one of the piggies down..Chopsy may you rest in peace and thank you for your meat to fill us. Chopsy is now in our freezer, because she was so young we had to butcher her. No butcher will touch a baby, because it's hard and not much meat. I think we got two roasts and a big chunk or pork though. Don and Phil did that work, I couldn't stomach it. (some farmer I'll be) Amazingly Thomas went out to watch all aspects of it, he may turn into a farm boy yet. Don't tell him though because I'm afraid if he doesn't become the next Wayne Gretsky or Sidney Crosby he may be dissapointed. The Colorado Avalanche better watch out because he may hunt them down till they say yes!

So poor Chopsy had a medical condition that costs as much to fix as the pig is worth, and may still die, and may die in a lot of pain. No one wanted to see that so figured using her for food now was better than wasting her and possibly seeing her suffer later. I can't say I was happy as those pigs have made our life funny this last week or two. Pig Chasing 101, yeah I could teach it! I know the neighbors fields as well as our own now. He raises cattle, and thankfully they didn't try and roam his whole farm. They tended to stay close by his pond, coming back during the mornings and evenings. But now we have a better pen in the Carving Barn for Hamhock! She is becoming very friendly and almost is eating out of your hand! We feed her pellets, and then give her slop (aka whatever leftovers, and things no one will eat). She really enjoys buttermilk! So here is to Chopsy!

Thermos Overnight Challenge Giveaway Winner

I just had to share....I win sweepstakes all the time and so can you! Enter, Enter, Enter and you'll win here and there! Guess what just arrived... I thought there was NO way that my OvernightCoffee Challenge from Thermos would arrive with hot coffee, because we live in rural Missouri, think 3 hours from a city! My coffee arrived at 2 pm CT and it's HOT...the lid is actually still hot to the touch! I am so impressed and the Octane Coffee they sent to try smells delicious! Thanks to Thermos for my prize! I still can't get over the coffee being hot! Very impressed with Thermos!

Wonderful Christmas Giveaway!

I love the Weekly Giveaways over at CatholicMom.com This week she is giving away three great items!

Enter here- Weekly Giveaway

The first is The church of Mercy by Pope Francis (Loyola Press, 2014)

About the book: In the year since he was elected, Pope Francis’s simple message of mercy, service, and renewal has spread to every corner of the world. Through his gentle demeanor, selfless actions, and welcoming call for service to others, Pope Francis has captured the attention of a world longing for an authentic message of hope—we want to hear what he has to say. Collected from Pope Francis’s speeches, homilies, and papers presented during the first year of his papacy, The Church of Mercy is the first Vatican-authorized book detailing his vision for the Catholic Church. From how to be citizens of the world to answering God’s call for evangelization, Pope Francis’s deep wisdom reminds us that the Church must move beyond its own walls and joyfully bring God’s mercy wherever suffering, division, or injustice exists. Named TIME Magazine’s 2013 “Person of the Year,” Pope Francis is helping the Church continue toward an authentic Christianity that is faithful to the Gospel and resonant with the world’s greatest needs. The Church of Mercy encourages each of us to ignite the flame within to help share the light of Christ and revitalize the Church.

Want to buy- Loyola Press

Second is Christmas in Harvard Square Cd, By The Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School (Aim Higher Recordings, 2014)

About the Cd-Prepare to be captivated by the angelic sounds of The Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School. Featured are 19 classic Christmas songs of both traditional and contemporary arrangements, including original arrangements by Director of Music John Robinson. Produced by AimHigher Recordings/Decca, this inspiring collection of Christmas favorites is sure to draw hearts closer to the wonder of the Nativity of Christ and the warmth of the Christmas season, now and in Christmases to come.

Want to buy- St Paul Choir School

Zealous: Following Jesus with Guidance from St. Paul By Mark Hart and Christopher Cuddy (Servant Books, 2014)

About the book:

With a clear, simple invitation, you are encouraged to delve more deeply into Scripture to find answers and discover what God’s truth means for you personally. Whether you’re new to the Bible or a seasoned student of its truth, you’ll be motivated to follow Jesus with the same kind of zeal Paul had. Join Mark Hart and Christopher Cuddy as they provide a contemporary look at the basics of spiritual life through the eyes of St. Paul.

Want to buy- Sunrise Marion

Enter Here- Catholic Mom Weekly Giveaway

New Facebook Page!

I dunno about you...but I love to win and I love to get things or free.. With this many kids you always have to be on the lookout for good deals, and the more close to free the better! A friend of mine mentioned she never can find these good deals or win anything and it made me start thinking....why not a page for her to see everything I do, what I enter, where I go, where I do paid surveys, where you can find freebies, or great coupon deals. So I talked to her and a few other friends and GypsyMomma's was born! Now there are 4 of us finding good things for our viewers! I would LOVE it if you would come like us on facebook! We hope to see you there and please invite your friends and share! Click here to join us GypsyMomma's

Hog Wrangling

I've been wanting to raise all sorts of animals for meat. I'm so tired of the processed, hormone filled garbage from the grocery store. I've been trying for awhile to convince everyone that pigs would be a good idea. They are fairly easy, eat a lot of whatever you have..leftovers, veggies from the garden that are no longer edible, basically anything we are not going to eat and then some feed. Did you know that you also get half it's weight in meat? That's better than a cow... So say you have a 600 pound pig when slaughter time comes, you would average 300 pounds of edible meat.. Can you say BACON? Actually I don't love bacon, but everyone else in the family does! So I guess they came around because one day a couple weeks ago Lizzie asked if we wanted to buy a hog. If we would buy the pig and pay for half the slaughtering, then she would buy the feed. Who wouldn't say yes? Ok I am sure plenty of you are saying um ME, are you crazy? Well yes a bit!

So Piggy day comes...and of course we are not ready...not pen, no feed, no anything. Lizzie goes off to get the pigs...and home she comes with TWO pigs.. Apparently they do better in pairs...you slaughter one for meat, and then sell the other to offset the cost of butchering. Keeps them happy, certainly makes us happy. So here are two ADORABLE pigs in the back of the truck in a kennel...and all sorts of metal and wood parts and pieces to put up. Well of course this happens to be a day when no men are home. You see where this is going right? We decide on a temporary place for them, and realize we will have to pound these stakes into the ground...and wire them...and get the pigs in, YIKES! So I back the truck up, hold the posts and Ma beats them down as much as she can...we put up the temporary wire fencing....Oh hey don't we need those hog panels and a gate? No of course not, let's just get those cutie pie piggies in so we can have fun with them...HA HA HA....and the fun begins.

We carry the kennel through the workshop and out the back door into our poorly put up wire pen?? I guess it's a pen, kinda, sorta...We didn't think about Rascal, our dog being outside. We open the kennel, out comes one pig...here comes Rascal and the barking begins....Oh man is he going at it, won't stop...we are kind of stuck in the pen...which is rather funny considering what happens next. He keeps barking and piggy number one runs right through the wire! I mean right through it, no hesitation, nothing...just straight through. My instinct is to grab for piggy number two who is still in the kennel. Well apparently his brain works quicker than my fibro mommy fog brain...and with a small grasp and slip with his back legs, a loud squeal and guess who is right through the wire?

The rest of the afternoon is spent with me trying to get around and behind the pigs to herd them back to our property.. I am running all through the neighbors farm, under tree's and bushes, in the mud around the pond...up the holler....around and around and get the pigs back to the yard, and mom comes at them and quick as you can say Pig the are back in the neighbors field booking for the pond again. I think I did this at least 6 times before I finally could no longer breathe, much less run. We decided they didn't seem to be wandering far so we'd take a break and wait for the men! They'd wander in and out of the yard, through the burn pile, back through the fence in the field, around and around. If I were the pig I'd be dizzy. I'm dizzy just watching the picture in my head.

Want to hear the really funny part? Don and Phil get home...we all go outside. Ma and Phil put some more wire around the pen to make it stronger. So off we go again...Phil goes to the neighbors pond this time...and the rest of us are spread out all over the property just waiting. Here they come, and here comes Phil right with them...slow, steady....and then Ma starts talking...Yep you guessed it, there go the pigs...Phil and Don are laughing. I'm like Nooooooooo....I am determined that these pigs are coming home...Once again Phil goes, Don with him. Here come the pigs again...this time no one talks, everyone walks very slowly and we have slop ready inside the pen with the gate open. After I dunno maybe 30 minutes of rooting and hovering finally those little suckers waltz right into the pen and Don closes them in. So apparently SLOW, slow, SLOW...that's how you get your escaped pigs!

So without further ado...here are the piggies...Ham Hock, and Chops safe in the pen!

Whew.....Back to School Blues

Sorry I haven't been blogging away...We had some company for the last two weeks. Phil's daughter Jami and her son Drayden who is just a bit over a year old. Nikolas and Dray became instant buddies and we see some fun times in their future! They spent all day every day outside pushing each other out of the car and toy grabbing, ha ha! But all in all for two kids both under two I was impressed with how well they really did get along! I think instant friends describes it perfectly! For two weeks they "mostly" shared toys, snacks and sippy cups. They patted one another when they were crying, or petted each other's heads, and handed over sippies! It was really just darn adorable.

Meanwhile my son Jimmy was here for awhile, so we took advantage of swimming and teaching him about living in the country while we had the chance. That poor kid is all city. The outdoor shower was quite the bone of contention with him! We did have so much fun though and I was sad to see him go! This was his first time meeting Teddy and he hadn't see Nikolas since he was a baby. He does so well with them that I know he will make a wonderful father when the time rolls around!

All in all we have had a wonderful summer and we were sad to see it go. School started on Weds. Thomas cried as he always does worried he would be forced to read something he couldn't. He went into 3rd grade. Emily had a panic attack..I wasn't sure she would make it on the bus she was so nervous. But she did and is on her way through 11th grade. Mickey was his usual...not worried self, the big bad 6th grader. No need for worry, they all had new friends on the first day, they love the bus driver who is a friend of my mom's and went out of his way to get them on his bus! Needless to say it went good and I think it will be a good year! Nikolas wasn't sure about where they went, but he waved goodbye to them as they left on the bus, and now it is so silent. The quiet is amazing...but I miss them.

Emily has been on a photo taking marathon so I will leave you with some of the beauty of Missouri.

Log Cabin Christmas...in July!

My hubby had been all secretive, so I followed him out to the barn one day and look what he made for me! I love it so much!

What Prim girl doesn't want a rolling log cabin? He calls it my Gypsy Wagon Cabin!

I thought you all might want to see what we have been working on for Christmas ornaments this year for Simple Goods! Some are like last year and a then a bunch of new things too! They will be for sale from now until Christmas and I will do them as necklaces also!

First we have our new Wooden Bowls and Rolling Pins...Don and Mickey (who is 11) were working these out for me! Aren't they great?

Next we have Lizzie's little Wooden Spoons and Corn Husk Brooms! The Corn husk brooms are my all time favorite. She is so talented!

Followed by Lizzie's Wooden Cutting Boards and Chestnut Roasters. I loved that idea!

I hope you like everything. There is more...little bags, and witch brooms and much more...

Outdoor Shower Project

We have an outhouse Lizzie and Phil put together, but Ma and I decided we wanted an outdoor shower. So Phil and Don moved the outhouse while Ma and I drove to the creek to get rocks. We thought how awesome would a rock floor be? So we hauled off a ton of flat rocks off a dirt road...I dropped a HUGE one on my foot that we planned on using for the outhouse step... I could hardly walk for a few days...Yikes..lucky I didn't break something.

It really turned out cute I think. Ma and I made a form, and mixed up the concrete (with Don's help) and started to lay out the stones...Smaller ones by where the water would come down so it would drain out. Bigger one's towards the back so it would drain down to the bottom and out. It was funny trying to hurry and decide where to put them as the concrete is drying. Then we realized we had to make it super smooth so no one broke a toe. So then we had to concrete around any sharp edges. Meanwhile it's drying and QUICK! It was a hoot! But all in all I think the floor turned out awesome and no stubbed toes so far. Once the floor dried Lizzie built the walls and door. Then she attached to the outhouse a small bench for changing. We haven't finished but I think it's pretty cool. We plan on putting more stones around the base of the walls (so the grass doesn't come in) and then making a wood chip and stone pathway all the way to the farmhouse! Not everyone would appreciate this but we get all manner of critters and bugs coming to visit...I guess they appreciate a good shower now and then too!

Day of Doom and Room Re-do!

We lost our Jersey Giant...still not sure how. Could be the neighbors dog, could be a wild animal. He got out and wouldn't go back in. Before we got him he was a free ranger. Ma found him one morning in the field. Normally an adult Jersey Giant will scare predators off but he was just a baby and not that big yet. We loved him and need a protector so I guess I will have to find us some more. We are considering raising them since they are rare chickens and supposed to be friendly and more like a pet. RIP Big Fella...

So days at the farm have been warming up but no matter because we have alot to get done. My older four children will be here soon after visiting their father in Kentucky, Satuday as a matter of fact! We can't wait. So this weekend and week we are working on their room. It needed a new floor. The previous owner was NOT a carpenter. So Don, Phil, Ma and I spent the weekend ripping out the floor, tearing paper off the walls to get to the wood underneath and getting really dirty! This is what it looks like now.

Aren't the boards underneath awesome? I wish we could uncover them through the whole room, but we don't want to freeze so only the interior walls can be uncovered. We plan to strip off the ugly wallpaper boarder and repaint the exterior walls. We are thinking a Navy Blue but who knows... Can you believe how bad it is. The guys have to jack up the walls, replace all the flooring...Yikes...Old Houses, can't live with them, but who wants to live without them?

Bring on the Babies!

Of course in between all our farm duties we still have shows to sell at and prims to make...Don has been working hard to make some things for me because I rarely get anything made with 2 babies and the farm to care for. I try and keep the house picked up so no one else has to do to much. Doing that with a baby and a toddler running around is time consuming. I guess the baby doesn't RUN does he, ha ha! In case you didn't know the reason I have been nowhere to be found for a little over 2 years is I was having those babies. I don't do well when I am pregnant. So I spent the majority of the last 2 years on bed rest or in the hospital! On 12-26-2012 I had my 5th baby and 4th boy. He is my only child out of six not named after a relative. We decided on a good Scottish name for him, and then thought...well Thane is a bit odd we better use it in the middle. Well then what do you know, I went in to labor the day after Christmas, so baby Nikolas Thane he became!

Now as many of you know my next oldest child is Thomas and he is about to turn 9...well we didn't want Nikolas to be a spoiled bratty semi only child so we decided we should have one more. But we knew it had better be quick. I was pushing the too old age bracket pretty quickly. So when Niko was about 8 months old we got pregnant again. WOW, having two babies that close together was much more than I bargained for...Being 36 and pregnant with a toddler was too much. Thankfully I have wonderful kids and a husband who were a ton of help during that time. So on April 26th, 2014 I went in and we had baby number six, boy number five. We named him Theodore Donald Albert-Francisco after three great grandfathers. The odds are in Emily's favor I suppose to be the only girl.

Now just so you know something about my other babies...My first and only girl just turned 16. Emily Elizabeth-Ann was such a wonderful blessing to us. Imagine being the only girl with 5 brothers! Poor thing! I named her after Lizzie of course. Next in line is my Jimmy, James Robert. He was until Nikolas my only dark headed baby. We named him after my grandfather who died while I was pregnant with him and his daddy. Followed by Mickey Mouse (don't tell him I posted that) His real name is Michael Marion, and is named after his father's daddy. Last but not least is the one I thought would always be my baby, Thomas Daniel. He also is named after family, my great-grandfather and his uncle.

So there you have it....and no I am not at 6 kids an counting. Teddy will be the last. As many of you know I have terrible fibromyalgia and Lupus. So there will be no more babies for me, and anyhow I do so enjoy the six blessings I have!

The Downside of Downsizing...

Well I had planned this sweet post about how much we love having our chickens...and telling you all about the different kinds we have and what benefit's each have shown. So yesterday I took some lovely photos of all the hens, babies (well teenagers really) and roosters...I spent time petting our Barred Rocks. They are some of my favorites. They are not skittish and will come right up to you. They are a pretty black and white. Two days ago we let out some of our Barred Rocks out to free range. It was so fun, they follow me around begging for food while I am by the coop, they tend to stay close to the coop so far. They will eat right out of your hand. I had let four total out and they seemed pretty darn happy about it.

So after playing with the Barred Rocks, I went to take photos of our Jungle Red "teenagers" for you. They have been free ranging for about 2 weeks now. They are a great bird to free range. They are very skittish and run from anything so they are not as easy for predators to catch. (Or the neighbors dog as it may be) It was super hard to get them, because every time I would get close, off they would run. For awhile they were doing the little "chicken dance" as I call it. Trying to figure out who's the boss. It's the funniest thing I've ever seen. But they were behind some tall grass and no good photo's were coming from there. I finally got a few by part of the garden.

So off I went to the house, pleased with how things were going with the chickens that had been let loose. This morning I got up...happy to go see my chicken's. I can not explain to you how wonderful they are. Like any pet they make you so happy, and better these provide you with food. It's one of the best parts of my day, especially seeing the Jungle Red's running all over the property. They stay closer to the house so I watch them roam around and dance all day long. I think for myself that there is nothing like seeing them. It just makes you happy.
We have 9 Jungle Red teens...but this morning I only saw 7 roaming. That's not abnormal for them, to go off in little groups and socialize so I really didn't think anything of it. We were headed into town so I didn't pay as much attention to them as I normally do in the morning. I didn't even take Nikolas because I knew he would slow me down. Trying to get an 18 month old to hurry is well I think you know! I made my way across the field to the coop and didn't see my friendly Barred Rocks...I thought hmmmm, maybe they wandered off to the grown over area behind the coop. That's where I would go at night if I were out. Well as soon as I got to the fence I knew I was wrong...two of them were back over the fence. They are big enough to fly over, and there were little black and white feathers EVERYWHERE! I ran into the coop, but no chickens. They were gone. I cried a bit, and figured a vulture had got them. It's a risk with free ranging. They are friendly and curious birds. I fed the rest of the chickens as normal and left the two in the coop. I figured they had a scare, but as you can see still are curious! (The funny one is a White Crested Black Polish Hen)

Well after we got home from town, we saw a note on the door. It was the neighbor...apparently she found a dead chicken, our dead chicken. Her beagle had run loose last night. I went through the yard to find the "teens" and check their water...and no chickens...I looked all over and finally saw three hiding in an overgrown area they use as their safe spot. I had to chase them out to count. That's it...THREE....I was so upset. Ma went over to the neighbor and apparently she had found a little one dead, not the big Barred Rocks. She had no idea that the dog attacked so many. Don found four more hiding little chickens thankfully...but we still lost 5 chickens. Just like that we lost two hen's and three roosters. Needless to say I had myself a little cry...I know it's how it is...the food chain, and cycle of life and all that, but man...those were my chickens!
As a side thought which I will talk about more later....we have a rather LARGE Rooster (He's called a Jersey Giant)that will solve some of these problems...He is just a baby now but when he grows he will scare off predators...More about him later!

A New Life at the Farm....

Wow so much has happened since I started this blog....today we start something new. We just moved to Missouri...the middle of nowhere! Or like I love to say...the middle of nowhere in the middle of nowhere! Lizzie and Phil bought a few acres right off State Route 17 in Eunice, MO and so there we are. You can't miss us, it still looks like us. Wagons, and signs, barrels and Prims..I never thought we'd be in MO...it feels ages away from Ohio....but really reminds me of my time in Ky when I was first married. I do hope the kids will love it as much as we do. They will be home soon, always is tough when they are away. But they love their time in Kentucky...and I don't blame them. I've always missed it. Funny how you long for something you didn't want any part of at the time you were there! Anyhow expect a ton of posts from me on farming, homesteading, living off the land..I just can't wait to share. We are learning so much! To start you off here is Nikolas...he is off to feed his chicken! What a sweet thing to love to go give something nourishment everyday!

New Prairie Threads Scarves

We are now carrying under our Prairie Threads line some fun, funky scarves. Each scarf is handmade by Becky. Each is made out of wool, linen, yarn, cotton and other vintage looking fabrics. All items are one of a kind, no two are ever alike. Each one is made to have that Vintage look, and includes Old Vintage buttons and handmade flowers.

*Custom Orders are always Welcome, we can do any colors...Black, Blue, Red, Brown, etc. Just email Becky at lizzieslogcabin@aol.com

New Etsy Groups Lizzies now Belongs too!!!!

We have been accepted into some wonderful Etsy groups this week(and some ones we've been in awhile)... Please go and check them out! What a bunch of wonderful people and so many wonderful Handmade items....and such a range of fun things!


Its a Madcap Life- http://www.etsy.com/teams/7393/its-a-madcap-life
Old farmhouse Gathering- http://www.etsy.com/teams/6455/old-farmhouse-gathering
Primitive and Folk Artists- http://www.etsy.com/teams/7150/primitive-and-folk-artists-pafa
Where Rustics Reign- http://www.etsy.com/teams/8575/where-rustics-reign
Shabby and Chic- http://www.etsy.com/teams/8582/shabby-and-chic-sct
Mountain Standard Timers- http://www.etsy.com/teams/9623/mountain-standard-timers
Colorado Springs Crafters- http://www.etsy.com/teams/7362/colorado-springs-crafters

Old Farmhouse Gathering Open House

Please go check out Old Farmhouse Gatherings Open House. It starts this morning Dec 5th and runs thru the 9th.  Photo will take you to the address that will show you all the wonderful items we have on sale in our shops!

Old Farmhouse Gathering Giveaway

The Old Farmhouse Gathering group on ETSY is having a giveaway. Go check it out!

Becky

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