Frances Ryan (she/her)
@justfrances.bsky.social
Quirky runner, writer, thinker, crafter, researcher, progressive. Also daughter, sister, aunty, friend, widow, immigrant. But mostly, just Frances. She/Her. Website: www.justfrances.com
Less than three weeks to go before my Halloween costume needs to be finished.
***
costume (noun) cos·tume: an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing As in: Halloween costumes
***
costume (noun) cos·tume: an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing As in: Halloween costumes
October 12, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Less than three weeks to go before my Halloween costume needs to be finished.
***
costume (noun) cos·tume: an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing As in: Halloween costumes
***
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! 💚💚🤞
October 6, 2025 at 8:21 AM
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? 🙃
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? 🙃
October 5, 2025 at 8:10 AM
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? 🙃
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? 🙃
Friday is here! What are your fun or enjoyable weekend plans?
September 26, 2025 at 6:37 AM
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.
💚💚💚
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.
💚💚💚
September 10, 2025 at 6:12 PM
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.
💚💚💚
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... 💚
April 25, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Make a wish... 💚
RIP Pope Francis. 💔
May the next puff of white smoke see us move even further along the progressive path you started.
May the next puff of white smoke see us move even further along the progressive path you started.
April 21, 2025 at 8:21 AM
RIP Pope Francis. 💔
May the next puff of white smoke see us move even further along the progressive path you started.
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!
March 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
For some reason, I'm in the mood for Waitrose wine!
To be clear, my disdain for that horrible person has existed long before his political career began destroying my home nation.
March 12, 2025 at 7:16 AM
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?
How am I only learning about this odd (and ultimately unhygienic) culinary practice?
March 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
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?
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.
Note: I do have a hand-neutral spoon for any right-handed guests who wish to assist with cooking duties.
March 6, 2025 at 8:23 AM
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.
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
March 5, 2025 at 3:28 PM
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. 😂
February 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM
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.)
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.)
February 25, 2025 at 7:36 AM
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.)
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.)
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! 💙
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! 💙
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…
www.justfrances.com
February 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
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! 💙
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. 💚
And now, The Godfather on DVD.
A blissful birthday, to me. 💚
February 21, 2025 at 7:22 PM
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. 💚
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!!
February 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
It's a three-day weekend for me, so my Friday cocktail is a day early. Yum!!
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...
(Where do I sign up for my rescue greyhound?)
More here: www.justfrances.com/citizen-fran...
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…
www.justfrances.com
February 14, 2025 at 7:33 AM
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...
(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?
But hey, people with money rule the world, right?
January 28, 2025 at 7:44 AM
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?
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. 🙃
Friends: I have a guest room if you need a break from the madness. Really. Just bring Ranch, Triscuits, or Sweetarts as payment. 🙃
January 23, 2025 at 4:36 AM
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. 🙃
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
(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
January 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
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
(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
January 20, 2025 at 5:02 PM
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.)
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.)
January 20, 2025 at 5:52 AM
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.)
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.)
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.
💙💔💙
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.
💙💔💙
January 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
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.
💙💔💙
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. 💙
January 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Going through old boxes in the attic and found this postcard from *my* favourite left-hander. 💙