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Tag: celebrations

Posted on13 February 202513 February 2025Everyday Life, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Citizen Frances

by Just Frances6 Comments on Citizen 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…

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Posted on13 December 202424 December 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

My Christmas 2024 holidays start here

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My Christmas 2024 holidays start here

I am home for another Christmas holiday in The Homeland and looking forward to merriment, festive foods, and time with family and friends. And, of…

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Posted on24 November 202422 December 2024Culinary Arts, Everyday Life

Thanksgiving with neighbours

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Thanksgiving with neighbours

Thanksgiving came early to Castle Ryan, with a lovely feast for my neighbours last night. As an American living abroad, Thanksgiving is a little harder…

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Posted on2 June 202412 October 2024Everyday Life

An open castle

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on An open castle

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not (generally) an entertainer. I don’t host parties or gatherings and rarely invite people into my home.…

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Posted on21 February 202417 April 2024Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Now entering the quinquagenarian zone

by Just Frances1 Comment on Now entering the quinquagenarian zone

And so, it begins. I am now a quinquagenarian; more commonly known as a human in their 50s. This is not a bad thing to…

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Posted on13 December 202323 December 2023Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Another Homeland Christmas

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Another Homeland Christmas

I sound like a broken record, but I’m on my Homeland Holidays again! This marks my third Christmas in a row in the homeland which…

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Posted on14 November 20234 December 2023Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Life in the UK: Testing my knowledge

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Life in the UK: Testing my knowledge

It has been more than 22 years since I first arrived in Scotland, and now it’s time to test my knowledge of this place I…

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Posted on5 July 20226 August 2022Fitness & Exercise

Four on the Fourth: A new record

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Four on the Fourth: A new record

Yesterday was the 4th of July, which means Independence Day in America. And that means parades, barbeques, fireworks, and for some of us, Fun Runs!…

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Posted on8 May 202217 June 2022Musings & Ramblings

Everybody’s mother

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Everybody’s mother

A few days ago, I shared a post about my mother and what she meant (means) to me. But she wasn’t just my mother, she…

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Posted on21 February 202228 February 2022Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Blessings at 48

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Blessings at 48

Today, I am 48 years old. And today hurts. Not because I’m 48, but rather because I am now officially older than my late husband.…

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Posted on1 February 202221 February 2022Everyday Life

It’s our year, Tiger!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on It’s our year, Tiger!

Today is the Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Tiger. This is an important “zodiac” sign* for me because I was born in…

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Posted on25 December 202120 January 2022Everyday Life

Christmas in Cle Elum

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Christmas in Cle Elum

I have enjoyed a nice, relaxing Christmas in Cle Elum with my parents. And I have to say, it’s been wonderful, although not a typical…

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Posted on22 December 20213 January 2022Crafting & Creating, Culinary Arts, Everyday Life

The (gingerbread) house that love built

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The (gingerbread) house that love built

I built my first gingerbread house today, and I loved it! Not least because I built it with my darling Godson, whom I’ve not seen…

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Posted on15 December 202130 December 2021Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Home for the holidays

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Home for the holidays

I’m home! After 856 days away, I have finally returned home to hug my parents. (Real hugs are way better than proxy hugs!) I began…

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Posted on27 November 202128 November 2021Widow Life

Sixty years ago

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Sixty years ago

Today should be a big celebration to mark my husband’s 60th birthday. But, as with too many years before, he is not here to celebrate;…

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Posted on18 September 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

20 years of Scotland

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 20 years of Scotland

Today marks 20 years since I first arrived in Scotland for “just one year” as a study abroad student. At the time, I never expected…

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Posted on14 July 202127 November 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

The chaos of static change

by Just Frances2 Comments on The chaos of static change

Life has changed so much in the last 16 months, but life has also been very static. Yes, everything has changed, and nothing has changed,…

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Posted on21 February 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

47 furlongs for 47 years

by Just Frances4 Comments on 47 furlongs for 47 years

Today is my 47th birthday and to celebrate, I ran 47 furlongs! Which I know seems weird, but I like to have a bit of…

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Posted on21 August 20204 July 2021Everyday Life

A treat for my “half” birthday

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A treat for my “half” birthday

I don’t really celebrate my birthday, however, in recent years I have marked the occasion by treating myself to a nice present or a trip…

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Posted on4 July 20204 July 2021Everyday Life, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Gunpowder for Independence Day

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Gunpowder for Independence Day

Today is Independence Day in America and, as an American, I always like to mark the day – even though I live in Scotland. Because…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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