Frances Ryan (she/her)

Less than three weeks to go before my Halloween costume needs to be finished.

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costume (noun) cos·​tume: an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing As in: Halloween costumes

Starting the new week off with a lovely double-heart find at the bus stop and a free Lucky Dip draw. Life is lucky today! 💚💚🤞

I spent much of yesterday doing a small cross-stitch project that @hazelhall.bsky.social gave me. Now that it's done, I'll hang it on the bathroom door. 💚

But it's been more than 25 years since I last did cross-stitch. When did the squares get so small and hard to see? 🙃

Close-up of a bumble bee on a bright pink daisy-like flower with an orange centre.

Friday is here! What are your fun or enjoyable weekend plans?

It's World Suicide Prevention Day.

If you need help, pick up the phone and ask for help, or just chat.

If you know someone is lovely or struggling, pick up the phone and say hello.

If you love someone, pick up the phone and tell them how much they mean to you.

Conversations save lives.
💚💚💚

Make a wish... 💚

RIP Pope Francis. 💔

May the next puff of white smoke see us move even further along the progressive path you started.

For some reason, I'm in the mood for Waitrose wine!

It must be because grocery prices have decreased so drastically in the last 51 days...

To be clear, my disdain for that horrible person has existed long before his political career began destroying my home nation.

Did you know that some people *wash their meat* before cooking it?

How am I only learning about this odd (and ultimately unhygienic) culinary practice?

Ah, that's better. No more silly right-handed cooking utensils cluttering my correct-handed kitchen. #LeftyLifeIsTheBestLife

Note: I do have a hand-neutral spoon for any right-handed guests who wish to assist with cooking duties.

Still not a fan, but is Amy Coney Barrett actually a stealth lefty-liberal sleeper-justice? It is possible that she's doing a bait-and-switch? Come on, ACB, join the progressive left... it's what Jesus would do. #CatholicsForProgress

Doesn't look very blue to me. 😂

Help from lager people!

I have company coming from America and one's fave drink is Michelob Ultra. Would Tennent's Light be a fair swap? (Because I don't think I'll convince her to try a nice wee IPA or other craft ale.)

My culinary heritage: Whipped Cream Cake - Just Frances As part of my culinary goals, I am revisiting my culinary heritage by re-creating and re-imagining my family recipes. This post is about one of…

I've been working through the family cookbooks that Mum and I compiled. This time, I made Grandma Cook's "Whipped Cream Cake". 🎂

The recipe was only a list of ingredients; I had to come up with the instructions. But I think this was a success and I will certainly make it again! 💙

Today is a treat day. Lovely flowers (*not* from the discount corner); crisp prosecco; steamed mussels in a white wine sauce, served on a bed of linguine; and a cake made from one of Grandma Cook's recipes.

And now, The Godfather on DVD.

A blissful birthday, to me. 💚

It's a three-day weekend for me, so my Friday cocktail is a day early. Yum!!

And tri-nationality, once we get IndyRef through!! (Which I can vote for now. Yay!)

Citizen Frances - Just Frances It has finally happened: I am now a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland citizen*. That means no more visas, no more immigration…

After a lifetime of being an American and 23+ years of being a "New Scots", I am now also a UK Citizen.

(Where do I sign up for my rescue greyhound?)

More here: www.justfrances.com/citizen-fran...

My hometown is facing bankruptcy, which sucks. But it sure does lead to "heated" discussion on the local FB groups, mostly led and taunted by opportunistic scum who would turn Cle Elum into anything but a working class community given enough chance.

But hey, people with money rule the world, right?

As I settle back into life in Scotland, I'm aware of my privilege as a lefty-liberal progressive American who gets to escape the coming hellscape in the Homeland.

Friends: I have a guest room if you need a break from the madness. Really. Just bring Ranch, Triscuits, or Sweetarts as payment. 🙃

Things I now know to be true:

(1) You shouldn't use Dawn* dish soap in a dishwasher.
(2) Dawn dish soap gets transmission oil out of hair in one wash.

*Or the Costco own-brand equivalent

So long, America. You were great whilst you lasted. #GlobalDayOfMourning

Note to self:

When agreeing to crawl on your back, under your brother-in-law's truck, to act as mechanic's assistant for your nephew... check the floor isn't covered in transmission oil first.

(Four rounds of shampoo later and my hair is still oily.)

Two overlapping hearts on a solid black background. The heart on the left is overlaid with a Scottish Saltire flag. The heart on the right is overlaid with the American stars and stripes flag.

I'm at the hard part of my Homeland Holidays: Packing bags and final visits with people I love.

I am excited to be going home, but I don't want to leave home. Because I love home. Whether it's this home or that home.

Yes, immigrant life is having one heart torn between two homes.

💙💔💙

Going through old boxes in the attic and found this postcard from *my* favourite left-hander. 💙

White woman with long hair standing at a snowy, icy lake. Hair is blowing into her face.

Back view of an older man wearing a denim jacket and wide brimmed cowboy hat. He is taking a photo of an icy lake through the trees alongside a large bank of snow.

A snow and ice covered lake with large trees in the foreground and mountains in the background. The sky is a vibrant blue.

It's been a quiet start to 2025 as Dad's been recovering from flu. But we took a field trip to Lake Cle Elum today to make sure it was still there. (It was.)

Guid Hogmanay fowk 'n' mukkers! Lang may yer lum reek!

Day 31: Toast

Breakfast for dinner to end the year. And cheese later, of course.

See pinned post on my profile for full photo challenge.
#DecemberPhotoChallenge