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.



Whatz Happenin Girlfriends?

 

 

 

We had our Grand Girl come and see us while Mommy went to a Ladies day out up here. Caylee lives about an hour away from us!! So this was so cool!! We took her out to eat. It was so funny she brought a ton of her own toys BUT wanted to play with Grannie Frannie's pigs and lil ladybug. It was so cute!!! I love when kids use their imagination for things. Her Daddy arrived safe n sound down in Africa. And now it is less than a year!! YAY!!! 

 



Here is another "PIGG FARM" special order I finished up. I love the way they all come out with their own personalities. This one is livin in North Carolina!!

 

And this is a special order for one of my Up cycled Sheep " Amelia McKaye Hicks" 1899 is on her way to Wisconsin. I have two more I am workin on!! Which is a good thing cuz the doctor thinks I might have a kidney stone. I had an ultra sound and x-ray of my kidneys yesterday. I find out next week. This could be the pain I have been in except for I also have a bladder infection which is getting better now with the strong antibiotics he put me on!!

 

 This is my sweet n grubby "BILLY GOAT". I just love her. I studied a pic of this sweet goat I made friends with at the Genesee County Fair last summer. I took her outside and got a better picture of her in the sunlight. I named her after my Grandma Berry. As all of my sheep are from the Hicks family I decided to name my other sweet critters in the Berry family LOL.
 



 

Today is my birthday but Sim had to work 2nd shift so on Saturday he took me out to Red Robin for my birthday and for a nice long drive in the country. I had him stop so I could take this pic. It was so pretty and if you look in the first pic you can see a sweet lil chipmunk who let me take his pic while he just kept eating the walnut he had. It's kinda great the snow is melting and the sun has been shining a bit more. Today I took a "ME DAY" and am still in my PJ's and just doing nothing much. Trying to feel better and take care of myself but longing to get going on house work cuz yard work will be here soon!! Like real soon!! LOL

 

I am enjoying working on special orders. I now have over 600 likes on my facebook page and as soon as I hit 100 sales in my Etsy Shoppe I am gonna have a giveaway here on my blog. I'll keep ya posted when it comes.
 

Happy Spring girlfriends!!

XOXO Love Fran.





Here's the Sn-irt on me!!!

 

In case you wanna know Snirt is snow mixed with dirt!! LOL

It was about a week n half ago that I saw my first Robin!! OMG!! I had to get my camera!!! I get so excited when I see one!! Something I always shared with my Mom!! We would call each other as soon as we saw one!! I miss that.

 

 

This is a pic of my two handsome step sons. This is at Ryan's going away party a few weeks ago. He is on the right. Nick is on the left. Ryan left us on March 1st for Africa for one year. He is a Navel Reservist and this is his first assignment away from home. We are so proud of him!! His wife Christine is a rock star and Caylee knows daddy will be home by her 5th birthday!! Sim was in the Navy for 12 years so his family knows how to rally together at a time like this. Please keep Ryan and all of our servicemen in your prayers!!!

 

 

 Ok I have had this ideal rolling around in my head for awhile!! So I put it together. A pig head on a old rusty hammer!! "HAMM -er- Head" What do you think? I may try a more cutesier head next time. Although I think everything I make no matter what I try to do ends up coming out in my own style somehow!! LOL that being what people call Fran. Style!!! LOL

 

 

Ok here is another new gig!! This is my try on a poodle!! I grew up with a poodle dog. Pepie was a white show dog with papers!! We didn't show him but could have!! My favorite memory was when my Mom would color die Pepie for the holidays!! Green for St. Patrick's Day and Pink for Easter and Red for Christmas!! OMG!! he was the coolest!! I named this one "RAGGZ" cuz she went from rich to Raggz cuz I kinda grubbied her up a bit!! and that pom pom on her tail is from my slipper sock that came off!! I up cycled it and it is kinda a bit grubby. It was hard to shoot "RAGGZ" so I did different angles!! LOL Do you think somebody has had a lot of winter? But I look at it this way I am kicking out the gigs and sewing!! LOL

 

I want to show my livingroom soon but it has been so darn cold I haven't been hanging out in there. Stayin in our room with the heater on!! LOL

Tell me what cha think of my new gigs!! I am curious if I should make some more of the pigs or not? Just be honest with me I can take it!!

 

Keep on Keepin on!!

Peace out!!

XOXO Love 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.

 

 

Happy August!!!

 

 

Oh dear blogging friends I have messed up my computer so bad!! I miss you guys a lot!! I love my blog and I am trying really hard to fix it!! I finally got some pics to load!! It is my upcycled tomatoes from an old sweat shirt. I am working on piggs still and have a special order for one!! And I am working on a bride pigg doll!! Yes a bride pigg doll make do!! I have been designing it and having a blast!! OMG!! it is gonna rock!!

 

 

 

These little sweeties already went to market

but the piggs are my best friends right now!!

I am living on the funny farm guys!!

 

 

THIS IS HOW I FEEL!! 

 

Kaitlin is moving this Sunday to Connecticut and it has been a crazy week here!! Family parties and Mommy/Daughter Day. I have pics to share but my computer won't let me!! I am really gonna need some creating to do and blogging cuz I am gonna miss my baby girl real bad!! Kaitlin will be going to GRAD School for her Masters in Public Administration!! She's attending the University of Connecticut!! Go Huskies!!

 

Here are a few pics of her since she graduated from high school!!

 

 

Kaitlin rocks and she will shine in her new adventure! And guess what I can visit her alot and I have never seen the ocean so I will get to see it with her!!

 

And for me I am gonna be creating a lot cuz I am sure gonna miss her!!

XOXO Love Fran.

PS Thanks for listening!!





HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2013 is gonna rock!!

 

 

 

Thank GOD for do overs!!

 

 

I have been doing alot of soul searching this holiday season. Being so sick gives you time to reflect on what is important. I know God and Family are a given. But inside myself is where I need the most fixin!! So I have picked out my word for 2013. And it is "PEACE" and I keep singin that song " Let there be peace on Earth". So I keep sayin to myself "And let it begin with me"!!! I remember throughout the years I would always take pics like this with my peace sign held up. Being a girl of the 70's it was a given!! LOL I remember the day these were taken!! LOL I rode the city bus to the mall with my best friend. Which was a big deal in itself!! LOL And I had just gotten that shirt! I LOVED it!! It had a tie in the back and it was one of my favs for a long time!! I wore it with stir up pants!! Oh my goodness that is so funny as I look back!!!

 

Christmas was very good. We had three family gatherings. Christmas Eve was with my family and was very nice with good food. It was so cute my cuzin had re-done her kitchen in Italian decor so we had an Italian style meal with lot's of yummy food.

 

 Chillin with the family

 



My Brooke bein her cute self!! Brooke LOVES peace signs so I know she will remind me alot throughout the year of my word peace!!

 

 

Here is the family gathered at the table. I lOVE the way my family gets into the spirit with their cute Santa hats!! And all of the little girls have red in their hair they do it at the beginning of December thanks to their Grandma!! LOL One bottle puts red on all of them!! LOL

 

I also got to spend some time with my Danny on Christmas Eve day. Kaitlin helped me pick him up and take him out to lunch. One of my best presents for the day!!

 

 

And here is a few of my presents I got on Christmas day from the family.

 

 

My new groovy boots Sim got me!! Every time we go to the Tractor Supply Store I either put them on or stand and stare at them!! LOL I was so surprised when I opened them up!! LOL My Spring boots!! YAY!!

 

 

Here is what I got also from the girls. My box of my very favorite candy is the Chocolate covered cherries. Brooke got me those!! And the cute Candy land bandages came from Kaitlin and the moustache markers too. They are so flippin cute. She said she knows I'll do something creative with them!! I know I will too! LOL

 

We also got to See our Caylee Roxanne on Christmas Day. She was having a tea party when we got there. What a sweetie. She is gettin so big and so smart! She was pretty tired and is trying very hard to smile for me here!!

 

And here is the awesome bench Sim made for his Mother for Christmas. He really rocked it out and she loves it. He painted it green her favorite color and it looks so good on her new enclosed porch.

 

We also had another Christmas at my SIL's on Sat. I didn't get any pics of it though. We were very blessed for Christmas. We stayed home last night. Sim had to work yesterday and today. We did make Mexican food and I wanted lemon cake but we made cupcakes instead. I have alot of positive thoughts flowing for the New Year. I know when I put my mind to it I can do it. And so that is why I know I need to let PEACE begin with me. So that I can help others in a positive way!!! PEACE OUT buddy's I Love ya!!

XOXO 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

Upcycled and Made, and grown in MICH and a special meeting!!!

Check this out!! Sim made this for me from parts he has been getting this summer from places we have been thrifting and antiquing!!! He made this for me when we got home from vaca!! The bicycle wheel was separate, the handles, wheels, and seat also. He got the Vernor's crate on our vacation at a yard sale and the seat also. The Vernor's is a Flint, Mi company. I LOVE it!! I am going to just put some Faux Fall Flowers in it with this drought we are having I am not gonna chance real ones. Don't cha just love it!!!

Here is one of my biggest harvest from my Garden!! Our first two tomatoes!! I have been also harvesting my Parsley and eating alot of it. Here is what I made from the veges. Chicken legs with cut up veges in foil pockets. I had to use the stove instead of the grill cuz it started raining outside!! Happy dance for Rain!!! Oven did just fine!!! The only thing not from my garden was the yellow squash but was given to me. Kaitlin made garlic fries with the parsley. We had an awesome meal!! Cleaned house all day cuz the weather was amazing!! Kinda cool and just right to air out the house!! I feel so good getting something done!!! I am like everyone else looking forward to my favorite time of year Fall!!

  

And today was so awesome I got to meet Kaitlin's new boyfriend Chris!! He is so sweet and alittle shy but I really like him. He lives in Saginaw and they don't have a Red Robin there and he wanted to go to ours. Sim couldn't go cuz he was working. So I bought them lunch and enjoyed spending time with them. What a blessing!!

Hope everyone is getting rain too and enjoy alittle bit of relief from the heat!!

Have a great weekend.

XOXO Love, Fran.