Hey there Chicas!!

 

 Hola from Madeline Grace!! She has her Papa Sim's Navy hat on so we could send a pic down to her Uncle Ryan who is Africa with the Navel Reserves with just 2 months more to finish his year assignment!!

 

 

And this is Caylee Roxanne, Ryan's baby girl my other grannie girl!! She and Mommy came up for Christmas with us!! They live about an hour away and it was so awesome they came up for Christmas Day. We picked out 4 different menus and let Caylee pick one out. She picked out Tacos!! So we had a Taco Bar and I made White Chicken Chili and lot's of other goodies!! It was so much fun!!

 

 

 It was so cool both girls had on Christmas dresses that matched only one was green and the other red. They didn't know it!! lol

 

 

AND my baby girl Kaitlin was here from Connecticut!! It truly was an awesome family Christmas!!

 

 

  This is Madeline's great big bear her Daddy got her for her first Christmas. Kaitlin really liked the Bear too!! lol In the background is the cool barn wood Bird house Sim made for Nick n Danielle. It is like our church we attend uptown. We had a homemade Christmas this year and I think it was one of the best. I sure enjoyed havin everyone here. AND some how the great big bear seems to be hangin out here!! hmm...

 

 

Just before Christmas we went to a benefit dinner for a local gal with heart problems and a lot of medical bills. I bought a couple of tickets to try and win a shellac for my nails. AND by golly I won! I couldn't get in before Christmas so I had them done today!! I felt so cool and pampered!! Wish I could afford to keep it up!! But at least I'll have them for a few weeks. I am gonna try to do it myself more often. I sure feel jazzy!!

 

 

 These cool brooches I made are uptown in a new lil shoppe that is trying to make a go of it. It's called THE HOPE CHEST. She's just opening up and wanted some of my things.

 I am so geeked I have three orders right now, one for a daschund dog, two mice, and a Mrs Farmer Crow doll for three different people!! Woo Hoo what an awesome way to start the New Year out with!! It is my goal in the New Year to do better in my Etsy shoppe, and on my blog!! And to design and create a lot more. I feel like I am moving in that direction already!! God is good. I have been praying a lot!!

Kaitlin is leaving tomorrow to go back to Connecticut. She's at her Dad's house tonight as it is an early flight and I don't do early very well. lol I miss her already. We went to Applebee's today and just hung out and last night we caught up on our Pretty Little Liars shows. New ones start next week!! I just feel so blessed.

 

Keep on Keepin on!!

XOXO

Love ya Fran.



Check out my Cool "Hot Cocoa Bar"

 

Oh my goodness on Saturday I did a Craft Bazaar in a little town not to far from here. I always make my Home Made Cocoa this time of year. I just kept thinking I wanted to set up a "HOT COCOA BAR"!! So that is what I did!! And it was a big hit. So I am going to be expanding it at the next show I am doing! LOL You can't tell in this picture but I have my stuff displayed on a vintage sled. I will be doing a 2 day show at my church that I am co-chairing. Which by the way is making me exhausted!! LOL there is a lot of work putting on a show especially if you want it to be a successful one!! and be in it!!! 

So I am mainly working on that and some other small items. I really want to get this done so I can work on some more of those really cool "JUNQUE CHICK" brooches!! LOL I found some cool rusty stuff on the ground today!! I am always looking!!

 

If you look on the right side of the sled and Cocoa goodies you can see a small Christmas Tree. On that Christmas Tree are real grungy small boys socks that I added Snowman faces to and loops. I didn't have enough time to do what I really wanted to do BUT for the next one I will be adding Cone bags of Home Made Cocoa inside of them and I have already made grubby tags for them that are in the shape of coffee cups. I had more guys walk up and tell me how cool they were!! I loved it!! I can't wait to get them finished!!

If only there were more hours in the day!!

 

 Keep on Keepin On!!

XOXO Love ya Fran.

Dear Diary~THERE's NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!

 

Just finally stopping in for an update on how it's been goin!! We were included in the ice storm and lost our power for 4 days. We actually got it back on Christmas Morning!! YAY!!

Just let me say I feel so blessed to have a home and memories were made from this. I did feel like I was "livin in a van (my orange car) down by the river"!! LOL But this little sweetie got me to the gas station for my coffee addiction and to Micky D's for food. And to warm up in. I finally had to give in and go stay at my SIL for one night as she called and said it was getting down to 6 degrees. I just didn't want to leave my house. On the first day I covered up with my blankeys and sewed on decorations on a sweater for Sim for his ugly sweater contest at work. And guess what he actually won!! Woo Hoo!! $10.00 gift certificate for Kroger's!! We can always use it!! We also used up both the batteries we had in our laptops to watch one of my fav movies "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

 

 

This is a selfie I took of myself awhile back when I was watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"! I guess the Grinch got me goin alittle wild n crazy!!



 

 On Christmas Eve our power was on for 10 minutes and then a power surge hit my neighbors pole and the fireman on my street turned off the main breaker and stopped what could have been something terrible!! But 8 of my neighbors got power back. We headed over to my MIL to see if hers was on it and yes it was!! We had a warm place for the night!! Woo Hoo!! I slept on her 2 seater couch and my legs kept kickin her Christmas tree Oh my goodness lot's of fun things to remember and cherish!! Sim tried the chair but that didn't work for him he went up stairs to his old bed. Brooke slept in my MIL bed with the cat cuz the cat hates Sim and wouldn't come out of the bedroom!! LOL My MIL was over my SIL due to the fact she didn't have power and it was to late for her to come that night.

 

This picture is a lot prettier than it looks!! If you look real close you can see my donkey weather vain in the top middle.

 

Just a couple of random shots of my yard. This tree has now been cut away from the wire. But was kinda scary layin on the power line like that.

BUT we did have a great Christmas with family. Christmas eve was at my cuzins and they were laughing cuz you could tell the ones without power! We were all layered up with clothes and I had a crocheted hat on to cover a multitude of sins with my hair!! LOL Good fun and laughter and exchanging of gifts! I got my favorite Starbucks gift card and chocolate covered cherries and a cute little cast iron pan to make brownies in with the mix!!

And then on Christmas we went to my SIL and Caylee was there and we had a good meal and exchanged gifts. My SIL got me and Sim a basket with two gift cards one for a steak dinner and then the movies!! AND some goodies to go with it!! Well guess what we went yesterday and had steak and went to the movies. We saw Grudge Match very sweet and funny.

 

 

And for some crazy reason I posed for this pic for Sim!! Could be trouble for me later!! LOL But we we had a great time which felt like forever since we were on a date!! Oh good times!!

And my best Christmas present Kaitlin is home for Christmas!! And ever since we have had bad weather!! LOL Both her parents were without power!! Poor babygril!! But we have had good times together and laughs. 

 

This is a lil brooch I made my MIL for Christmas. It turned out pretty sweet. I am working on a few bird items. And a really cool Crow item I made up!! LOL Always thinkin up something!! By the way everything posted in the single pics I posted last time that I made are sold!! I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas!! We sure did!!

XOXO Love ya Fran.

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY BBF's!! (best bloggin friends ever)

 MERRY CHRISTMAS DUDETTES!! Just checkin in to let you know I am doing better and I am on my way to a family gathering!! Had lunch with my son Danny today. Best Christmas present!! Have a safe holiday. Hope Santa brings you lot's of goodies!

XOXO Love ya Fran.

thebagglady76

There's No Place Like Home!!! and thank God I am back!!!

It was so awesome yesterday when I walked up to this porch after being in the hospital for five days!! I had my routine surgery last Friday but during surgery I aspirated into my lungs!! I had to be admitted and I tell you I have never been so sick before!!  I have pneumonia!! I still have it but I am already doing better at home. I am on the couch!! Both doctors said it will take about two weeks before I am better and rid of it!! I have learned to take nothing for granted that is for sure!! This is my porch all decked out for the holly dayz!! I LOVE it. Sim did it for me from just things we already had and boughs from our Blue Spruce pines. The tree is in the house but not decorated and at this point I am not dong it. I think Sim will. Brooke hung up our family stockings on the railing in the livingroom, a big deal here at the house. We all love our stockings and usually get lot's of cute gifts in them. Even the ones that don't live here anymore.

 

Thought I'd share my pic of the eight cupcakes Kaitlin made me so I could decorate them!! Not the best but it felt so good to do it!! I have not felt like sewing or creating at all. Everyone around here is waiting to see me sew!! When I do they will all know I am alot better!! I have been watchin a marathon of Castle re-runs!! LOL So that is where I have been!! Missing in action but back at Home Sweet Home!! Love and miss you all!!

XOXOXO Fran. 

 

 

 

Hey I think I'm rockin n rollin now!!! Woo Hoo

Behind this disguise is me (on the left)!!! Oh my goodness I think I can blog now!! WOO HOO!! This is me n my cuzin Kathy at our annual Cuzin Cookie Exchange Party!! We had a photo shoot and made our own props!! We had so much fun. We eat and play Bingo. It was at my house this year.

 

 

This is a pic of my Sister in law Carmen on the right and my niece Nicole her daughter in law on the left. Nicole is so sweet and makes the most beautiful jewelry they were up at St. Mary's craft show in my hometown.

 

 

I am so proud of Nicole she has a lung disease and keeps on going making this beautiful jewelry and doing alot of shows!! We all get alot of her creations for gifts. Sim bought me a necklas and couldn't wait til Christmas to show me!! LOL But I have to wait til Christmas to get it!! He has just about given or showed me everything he's gotten me!! LOL

 

Here is another Crow Hanger I made and added to my Etsy Shoppe. These turned out so darn cute. I am workin on my Snowman but still need to get to the thrift store. The first one is gonna be in warm n natural. Time seems to be flyin by to fast!! Especially since I need to do so much!! EWW!! I will be sewing alot next week. And I am lookin forward to it.  Like I said I am so glad to be back bloggin!! It was rough there for awhile.

XOXO Love Fran.

 

 



 





Say what!!! Christmas is just around the corner Dudettes!!

 

Are you getting ready yet?

 

I have been making these cute little Christmas Mice Pin Cushions!! This one is upcycled from a red cashmere sweater that had a hole in it. I hand sewed the whole thing. I love making the sweet little pins in it too. Brooke had all these beads so I thought I'd put them to good use. This little sweety is listed in my Etsy Shoppe.

 

Along with these two Mice. These are made from warm n natural and grubbied up with my special mixture. They smell yummy. They also have sweet pins in them that I made. I've got another red one to list tonight. I am also whipping up some Crow Hangers for Christmas. I am in the Christmas mood which is super duper amazing for me!!! Thinking of new things to make and what baked goods I would love to make for the season.

We will be having a homemade Christmas this year as our funds are very low. I believe that is really getting me in the spirit and making it seem more fun!! Tonight is trick or treating. Waiting for my neighbors little kids to come and show me their costumes!! They are so adorable. I remember when their Mama use to come and show me hers!! I love it!! And I am also off to make Banana Bread!! Have a great and safe night.

XOXO Love ya, Fran.  

 



MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY BBF's!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY BEST BLOGGING FRIENDS!!!!

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas to my best blog friends and share my front porch with you. We got  alittle bit of a White Christmas here in Michigan. I hope everyone had a great Christmas. We did and tomorrow we have one more party with Sim's boys and family! And Caylee Roxanne!!! Looking forward to catching up with everyone this week!! Thanks for all your love and prayers!!!

XO Fran.

While I was sleeping!!!!

 Last Friday, I had surgery on my bladder and while I was sleeping on the couch, Sim put up our tree!! We have a faux tree and this year had bought new colored bulbs to put on it. In colors I love that match the living room. Brown and gold. Usually we have all the traditional colors but for a change decided to try this. I love it!

He even put up the stockings with green garland and gold beads. Our stockings are very important to us. And as we blended our family together we found out that the stockings are the most important to us and something that has stayed consistent with our kids no matter how old they are. We go from the top down Sim and I and then each one by their age. I am so blessed that I have a husband who knows how important this to us and that he is willing to help out!! Sims boys will be up for Christmas the day after Christmas. I can't wait as Caylee Roxanne will be here too. She is 20 months old now and so cute! She didn't like Santa she was so scared of him. Poor Santa he makes alot of little kids cry!! LOL 

And here is a rare moment with my girls!! I needed their picture together for a gift for my Mom. The girls of course had to be funny! I love it! I know everyone is busy getting ready for the holidays. I am  trying not to stress about it cuz the real meaning of it is Jesus birthday. And the most important too is gathering together as families. I am so looking forward to that. And also thankful. I have been loving looking at all of the decorations that are being posted. I love reading all the family traditions and seeing all the talent that goes in to many of the gifts and decorations. I think we all needed a break from the stress we have each day. And Christmas is the perfect time for that!!

XO Fran.



My newest little cuties and some more Christmas Baking!!

Here is my newest little cutie I've been making! I just love how these turned out!! I used old wooden spools from my jar. These only measure 2 1/2'. I even made the stick pins that I put in them. I still like the red and green colors. I have these two listed in my Etsy shoppe. I will be making one of these for myself. Maybe it's the 70's girl in me but I just love the mushroom!!  

I thought they looked so sweet with my grubby Snowman ornaments.



Here is my latest baking project! This is another pumpkin bread recipe and I got the bread baker from Etsy. I love it and it turns out so cute!! I splurged and bought this for me! Oops! But I have also wanted one of these for awhile! I plan on making regular bread in it all winter. We finally got a new furnace last night! YAY!! We were without heat for six days! Oh my goodness so cold in this Michigan weather! That is why I have been doing alot of baking and cooking in the oven! LOL But God blessed us with a family member who did everything he could for us. And in the end he had to change the whole big brain part! No duct work though!!! And he only charged us a very small amount but we know that he paid for the rest. Yes I have been praising God and thanking Him for the Angels He puts in our lives!!

I'm off to see my son at his group home, somehow he sprained his foot. I need to go and hug him, and Kaitlin is taking him some Mickey D's, his favorite!!! The rush is on!! But I am still loving it!!

XO Frannie

Can I get a Woot Woot!!

Yesterday and today I was at a craft show. This one was so much better than the last one! I met some new people and really enjoyed it. It is such hard work. I love it when God gives you surprises. I met another Etsy artist and of course I did alittle shopping. I took some pics to share with you of my table and some of my goodies I've been making and selling. 

These are just a few of my pin cushions I had left and my prim needful clothespins, and spools. In the background more of my Hot Chocolate Mix. I am selling that pretty good and my chocolate Nut Clusters were a big hit along with my chocolate cherry and orange slices.

Here is what is left of my prim grubby ornies. I love making these and I have them displayed in an old desk divided drawer with some faux greens. The bigger snowman faces are my ones made out of upcycled blankets. These are all hand sewed by me. My most favorite way to sew!! I sewed a couple of Snowman ornaments while I was there. I can't just sit there! LOL Anyways I guess this lady was watching and I didn't know it, and when I was done I put the first one done on the table for sale and she came over and bought it from me. She loved it! I sure got a hoot out that!! But was very flattered!!

Here are my Tomato Pin Cushions I put into an old canning funnel. These are so cute and I have listed these in my Etsy before and will be listing these little beauty's too this week. They are only five inches across. They look so cute and prim in this fruit basket and shredding. I added one of my handmade tags that says "Homemade".

This is also one of my upcycled "Nest" spoons I had left over from my Fall crafts. They turned out so cute. I had little battery operated tea lights sitting around on my table with my grubby coffee dyed doilies. And a couple of bigger red battery operated candles too. They look so sweet on there and are safe.

This is a pic of me being happy!! LOL Brooke took this of me after we got home from getting some supper. We were having fun and laughing cuz some of the pics were pretty funny!! I got a new headband that is so cool. It has fur on it and is a rosette. I just love it!! You can kinda see it in the picture. I love wearing these vests for the winter. You can wear them for dress up or just casual which is what I love about them. I so want a faux fur one!

This is the pic I took of Brooke. Funny story the craft show I was at just happened to be the same one that Brooke's Workshop was at also!! She volunteered to work on Saturday. So we hung out all day together. Well sorta she was at their table and I was at mine. I was so proud of her!! And we had a good day. We are both tired and were really hungry so went out to the Classic Coney Island up in town. Now we are both in our PJ's!! Our furnace broke down yesterday and needs a part but won't be able to get it until Monday. So we are both in our rooms cuddled up in our blankeys too!! Our house is pretty cold right now! Kaitlin left and went to her Aunts for the night! I guess we are troopers and will just stay bundled up!! LOL

XO Frannie.  



 

How cool is this!!!

I don't know if you guys are on Pinterest but you should be!! Oh my goodness the ideals are abundant and amazing!! Warning you will get hooked!! LOL



Kaitlin pinned this awesome ideal from Pinterest for our annual Christmas Cookie Exchange and Bingo party we have with our cuzins every year!! They turned out so cute and adorable!! Kaitlin actully named them "Reindeer got run over by Grandma" because on our way to the party we had a car accident BUT we are ok. It was a hit and run. My poor orange car is broken in the back!! Kaitlin has whiplash pretty bad and is on pain meds. But my Mom was with us and Brooke too. That is why Kaitlin named them that!! Now that it is over we can laugh about it. I know for sure that we have Gaurdian Angels watching over us.  Now back to more good stuff!! LOL

Thanksgiving night I went to Walmart and waited in line for over two hours for this little cutey!! I have wanted one so bad for the last five years! So this year I dived in on all the sales!! Oh mylanta I can't believe all the fighting that goes on!! And grown women!! I was only at the 8:00 pm and 12:00 sale!!! I got this for less than $20.00!! It is a Hamilton Beach!! I am keeping it out on my counter til after Christmas. This is my pumpkin bread I make every year for the Cookie Exchange! I make banana too!! Everyone makes such cute things!! And we just wrap them up real cute and exchange that way!! There is three generations of us!! We all bring about 3-4 Dollar Store gifts and play Bingo for a few hours and that is our prizes!! We get real cute stuff and have a blast!!! I got the cutest snow globe this year and some other cute ornaments. One is a snowman that I am gonna coffee dye. We bring food and draw names for Christmas Eve. I am excited next year Kaitlin and I will be hosting at our house!! We love to have parties! So we can use things like what we pin on Pinterest!!

Here is another ideal we got from pinning!! This was a recipe for Tortilla Soup made in a crock pot!! I have been wanting to cook in my crock pot for awhile now. Kaitlin found this one too and I just went for it!! It was so easy!!! I was so proud of myself!!! LOL

 This is the pot after Sim, Kaitlin and I had it for dinner last night!! It is super easy and I will share the recipe if you want!! We added tortilla chips, grated cheese, and sour cream to it like it called for!! Yummo!! I am so taking this to gatherings!!! LOL and I am going to for sure try more recipes in the crock pot!!! So that's what I've been up to besides working on more crafts for a show this weekend and trying to keep my Etsy up!! I also found out on Monday that I will be having surgery again for my bladder on December 16th. So I've got to get all my stuff done by then and all my fun in!! LOL Hey at least I can shop early and get some rest after that so I'll be able to go to our Christmas Eve family party. I haven't missed one since I was born a long time ago!! LOL We got some snow last night and it has really put me in the Christmas mood!! The sun is shining and the trees look so pretty!! I'm off to make some more goodies!! XO Frannie