The month of December makes The Unseasoned Traveler eight months old. That’s right. With the help of Geoff McLean, the pastor of my church and still all around good guy, the first post went up in April. Pastor Geoff sent me off to Italy with his blog tutorial under my belt and a, “You can do it,” ringing in my ears. Yup! Eight months have passed and forty-one posts have been published. I’ve done some cool stuff. Climbing to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa was an accomplishment for a scaredy-cat like me. Getting down those ancient, winding stairs was almost as difficult as going up.

Going up or coming down….well, all the effort was worth it.


I’ve delighted in seeing things I never thought I would see….like this beautiful lady. She charmed me as she has charmed millions of other admirers.


I got to sit still and sip a coffee where Monet painted. That little café over there with the green awning is a very sweet spot.

And I got to sit quietly while getting to know this guy.

I made myself part of a small Italian neighborhood and found a restaurant where the food was hearty,

the drinks were generous,

and the service was always sincerely friendly.

I was blessed to have safe travels. Here I am on an overnight flight; I am wide awake because I was too excited to sleep.

Did I mention good food and drink?



I could not have asked for better junket companions. You all know this man, my husband and…..

this young woman, my daughter, Ashleigh. She was truly born for adventure.

I have grown very fond of looking at and out of windows.







So, now that I am in my neck of the woods, I thought it might be fun to share a view or two from my own windows. It’s not Italy or France, just my own small, daily search for junkets here at home.
A good start is my wintery, but still green back yard that can be seen from the upstairs back bedroom window.

Cold weather clouds urge all to bundle up.


Windows and family photos are always a good combination.

How about a closer look at that colorful, resilient flora that I can see from my kitchen window.


It seems I am not alone in window watching at my house. This fella has turned window watching into an art form.

A favorite angel has the good fortune to be near a window for Christmas.

So, the final junket of 2018 is right here at home, but never fear. Plans for 2019 are already like, “visions of sugarplums,” dancing in my head. To all who have followed my journeys, please know that your presence has value beyond measure. This Unseasoned Traveler says thanks for joining the junkets and wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Jackie, that was so beautiful !!!!
Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
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Jackie,
Just beautiful-classy, poignant.
Happy New Year
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I, Wally…..thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate you.
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Wally, thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate you so much.
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Thanks, Fa…..talk to you soon.
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Thank you for including me on your journeys. Vicariously in only what I have as an option for now. Not Sad just differed and anticipated. Hugs, Betsy
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Come along any time….lol
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Wishing you and Bruce , traveling companion, a Very Merry Christmas and wonderful 2019. Enjoy your junkets, you are GOOD!!! Thanks, Stuart.
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Stu…..I love that you look at my silly old blog….thanks Stu.
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Girlfriend, as I’ve said to you many times before…I’ve enjoyed every photo and commentary …it’s truly a gift that you have and you share with us…sending Love and Season’s Greetings to you and the whole family..looking forward to 2019 and your adventures!
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Love you.
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Merry Christmas Jackie and a HappyNew Year too!
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Hey, Cathy….how were the cookies? I saw the pics on FB.
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Thank you for allowing me to tag along on your adventures. It has been a pleasure. Can’t wait to see where we go next year!
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Jennifer…..It is good to know you are there on the junkets….thanks for your support….working on next year right now.
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Thanks, Jackie!!! I do enjoy hearing about your travels. Wish I could put mine down on paper like you do
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Sent from my iPhone
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Susan, Thank you for you kind comment and holiday greetings…..enjoy yourself as well.
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What an amazing year it has been! I am so excited to see what you do in 2019!
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Ashleigh…you must be awake…what a year we have had…next year could be even better.
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Beautifully done, Jackie! First of your posts I’ve read and now look forward to reading more. I like how you merge the personal with the universal! Was lucky to be on that 2018 tour with you (and Ashleigh)!
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Greetings, David. I am delighted that you enjoyed my last blog post. Ashleigh and I will be departing for our next adventure very soon, and we have decided to make “Living in France” part of it. We are excited, but will miss having the four of you as part of the junket. Indeed, we were all fortunate to have met each other.
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Thanks, Yen…..I will look for your comments in the future.
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Thank you
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I view something really interesting about your blog so I saved to my bookmarks.
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I was curious if you ever considered changing the layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
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Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
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You are too kind…thank you
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Say, you got a nice post.Thanks Again. Great.
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