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Just Frances

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Tag: traditions

Posted on29 May 202217 June 2022Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Welcome to America, again

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Welcome to America, again

I am home in America, again. Yes, it feels like just yesterday that I was leaving, and now I am back. I had always planned…

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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 on7 February 202227 February 2022Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Home and heartbroken

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Home and heartbroken

I arrived home in Scotland yesterday, a month later than my initial plan. Home, and heartbroken… My holiday was meant to be a wonderfully happy…

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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 on18 December 20204 July 2021Crafting & Creating

My Prosecco Christmas wreath

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My Prosecco Christmas wreath

I have (finally) made myself a lovely Christmas wreath out of corks and muselets from various bottles of fizz* – mostly Prosecco, Cava, Champagne, and…

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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 on26 April 20204 July 2021Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

A pilgrimage by proxy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A pilgrimage by proxy

Today marks 11 years since my beloved husband, Paul, passed away so unexpectedly. His death has impacted my life more than I ever could have…

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Posted on5 January 20204 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Stronger holidays

by Just Frances1 Comment on Stronger holidays

My primary goal for 2020 is to be a stronger and more confident me. But if I’m honest, it’s a goal that I have been heading…

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Posted on1 January 20204 July 2021Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

A stronger, more confident 2020

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A stronger, more confident 2020

I don’t know about you, but I find annual resolution-setting to be a challenge in itself. I love the idea of a strong resolution to…

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Posted on31 December 201916 July 2021Academic Life, Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

A look back at 2019

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A look back at 2019

And with that, it’s time for another annual re-cap post. Although quite how we’ve got to 31 December 2019, I couldn’t tell you! Yet, here…

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Posted on30 December 201916 July 2021Everyday Life

Sharing my New Year’s traditions

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Sharing my New Year’s traditions

I am allowing someone to enter into my little holiday bubble this year. She’s an American PhD student who is “fresh off the boat”, so I extended…

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Posted on24 December 201916 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

A Christmas Eve walk to Allermuir and more

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A Christmas Eve walk to Allermuir and more

As has become a tradition, I went for a Christmas Eve walk in the Pentlands with my friend Adrian this afternoon. This year our mission was “simple”:…

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Posted on26 April 201916 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Ten years a widow

by Just Frances1 Comment on Ten years a widow

Today marks ten years of widowhood; ten years since my darling husband died so unexpectedly in the middle of the night. These past ten years have…

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Posted on1 January 201916 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

A mindful 2019

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A mindful 2019

As is tradition, a new year means a new resolution. Generally, my resolutions are set as a way to focus on self-improvement in realistic terms.…

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Posted on26 December 201830 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Climbing Castlelaw

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Climbing Castlelaw

For my Boxing Day adventure, I decided to revisit one of my favourite “quick” walks: Castlelaw Hill, in the Pentland Hills by way of the Castlelaw hill fort and souterrain. The…

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Posted on24 December 201830 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Rambling through Rullion Green

by Just Frances2 Comments on Rambling through Rullion Green

This afternoon I enjoyed a Christmas Eve walk into Pentland Hills to visit the Battle of Rullion Green memorial with my housemate. The weather was a bit colder than…

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Posted on13 August 201830 July 2021Everyday Life

The fewer; the prouder: 100 years later

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The fewer; the prouder: 100 years later

One hundred years ago, in 1918, Opha May Johnson became the first woman to (officially*) enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Back then, women were only…

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Posted on3 June 201830 July 2021Everyday Life

The Godmother

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The Godmother

Today, I became a Godmother. Again. This time, to my wee nephew, Cameron. And whilst all of my Godchildren – and indeed, all of my nieces and…

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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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