Hello Monday.  

Hello neglected space.

Is anybody watching my little spot anymore?

It's been much too long. Two years!

 A crazy, upside down, high and low two years.

Parent's health, husband contracting a parasite, location change, kid's school changes, 

going from an expat to a repat, readjusting to being an American, grieving changes, excited about 

changes and so much in between.

I've thought about this space from time to time.  

Even more so recently.

So I thought it was time to visit.

I'm not sure how I'm going to fill this space.

Some subtle changes are coming our way soon, maybe I'll blog about those!

If' you're still hanging around here, thanks for not giving up on me and my blogging adventures!

Happy Monday!

This is usually a Hello Monday post, but we're going to make it Hello Friday this time.

Hello Friday, hello friends and blog readers.

It's been awhile, I know.

Hello new discoveries, new directions and contemplating the future all keeping me from this corner of the internet and wrapped up in other endeavors.

Hello last term of the school year and the end of the English school system for us.  One of the things keeping me away from this spot.  We are moving to homeschooling.  Big changes ahead for us!


Hello beautiful English Spring.  God's creation has been in bright bloom and I just love it!!



Hello Cassandra's Cup.  You are quaint and so sweet with your ceiling dotted with beautiful tea cups and the most amazing scones I've had to date!!  You're a little too far away to go too often (which is probably a good thing), but I WILL be back!


Hello my now 10 year old!  Where has the time gone?!  You are full of life and beautiful!


Hello new friendships!  These 2 melt my heart!!  LOVE!!  What makes it even more special is that us mamas have become close too!


Hello English coast.  We'll be seeing more of you now that it's warming up!


Hello upcoming travels.  We are headed on a road trip soon to Cornwall.  Can't wait!

What are saying "hello" to?  Hopefully you'll say "hello" to me since I haven't been around in awhile!!

Hello lovely friends.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Hi friends!  Hope you had a great weekend!

Hello Monday is where I share what we've been doing and greet the new week with a fresh perspective.  It's Thanksgiving week and it doesn't matter how many years I've lived away from America, I'm still celebrating!  Even though we're not with family, we miss them greatly, and I may get a twinge of homesickness, I am thankful for friends to share in the occasion.  It helps alot!

Hello cute house circa 1615.  



We have this beautiful street in our town that is lined with sweet houses similar to this one above.

Hello 4 dark 30!  This is our 4:30 pm these days.  Ugh! 



You'd think I'd be use to this having grown up in Alaska!!


Hello my sweet kitty.


It's been so dreary that there have been many days like this!

Hello Sunday morning from under my umbrella!


See!  Rainy and dreary!!  But it won't stop us from a breakfast date!  Each Sunday we take turns taking one of the kids out for a little one on one time.  Such a special time!

Hello I AM THEY!  "From the Day" has become a fav song and I can't wait to see how your music takes off!  Love it!

Hello Thanksgiving with friends!!

Hello Christmas movies!

Hello Christmas decorations!  We'll be pulling them all out this week!!

What are you saying Hello to?

For my American friends and family, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

5 cups rolled oats
1 cup crushed pecans (or any nut you like)

1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)

4 Tablespoons pumpkin puree

4 Tablespoons coconut oil (any oil will work)

2 Tablespoon *pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

*You can easily make your own pumpkin pie spice by mixing 1 Tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ginger and 3/4 teaspoon allspice

Preheat oven to 350 (176 C).  In a large bowl mix together the oats, pecans, pumpkin pie spice and salt.  In a microwaveable bowl, melt the honey and oil and add the pumpkin.  Pour the liquid over the oat mixture.  Spread over a cookie sheet and bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.  If you like a crunchier granola, bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.  You can add dried fruit or chocolate chips to make your preferred granola.



There you have it, pumpkin pie spice granola!

Do you like making granola?  If so, what's your favorite recipe?

And what are you saying hello to this week?  Happy Monday!

Hello Monday is where I share what we've been doing and greet the new week with a fresh perspective. Let's make this Monday and new week a great one!!  

Hello you gorgeous ceramic poppies, Hello Tower of London.  It was a pleasure to see you again!  (more on the blog tomorrow)

Hello Fireworks/Bonfire/Guy Fawkes Night.  Our venue didn't have a bonfire.  I was so disappointed!

Hello new Starbucks Chritsmas mug!!

Hello lovely tea time! Homemade scones, homemade jam.  Such a nice time spent with the ladies in our church.

Hello Thorpe Park amusement park.  Hello Tesco vouchers.  Without you we wouldn't have gone.  Fun day spent riding rides.  Good weather, not too many people and I found I still like rollercoasters more than I thought.

Hello my sweet, crazy, blurry family!  I was happy to stay dry take photos while you rode the log ride!

Hello new school week.  Hello Thanksgiving month!!  Hello turkey, dressing, green bean casserole and more.  I look forward to consuming you a few times this month!

Want to join me?  What are you saying Hello to this Monday?

Hello Monday is where I share what we've been doing and greet the new week with a fresh perspective. Monday is a new beginning, right?!  

Hello London Underground.  It doesn't take much for my kids to enjoy a ride.

Hello Aldgate and Payleys upon Pilers.  This structure was built to mark the route from the City of London to Olympic Park and inspired by the area's famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer.

Hello Tower of London with your gorgeous ceramic poppies.  I believe all of London and the rest of the world is here to see you.  The crowds are thick!  But, you're worth it!

Hello again Shard (I know I posted These Shard photos already, but I can't help it.  I love them)!!

Hello Vapiano Restaurant.  We love you!

Hello country walks and time spent with friends.

Hello new term.  My kids are not ready to go back to school.  Be kind to them, please.

Hello November.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello Monday is where I share what we've been doing and greet the new week with a fresh perspective. Monday is a new beginning, right?!  

Hello Fall Festival!  Hello apples on a string!

Hello sweet kids in cute costumes.

Hello Heathrow Airport.  



Thanks for bringing this guy back to us!

Hello American goodies!  We welcome you!

Hello new phone.  We are going to be spending lots of time together!



Hello half-term.  We're looking forward to lazy pj days!
Hello sun, we're so glad to see you again!

Want to join me by leaving your own hellos in the comments section?

I've been bouncing around with ways to share what we've been up to and I think I've settled on Hello Monday.  Lisa Leonard, has been writing beautiful Hello Monday posts for quite sometime.  I've always loved them and decided I wanted to follow suit.  Here goes!!

Hello Monday is where I share what we've been doing and greet the new week with a fresh perspective. Monday is a new beginning, right?!  Want to join me by leaving your own hellos in the comments section?

Hello cows!!  Our school trip to your farm was so fun and educational.  

Hello Conkers.  For my American friends, that's a chestnut.  Don't ya just love the word "conker?"
I think that's what we need to call it in America!


Hello unplanned, unorganized trip to Portsmouth.  Even though it was last minute, we still enjoyed some of what you have to offer.  We'll be back!

Spinnaker Tower

Historic Dockyard


Hello beautiful pumpkins.  You sure make this season orangy bright.


Hello Abinger Hammer Clock.  I love coming across these unusual finds.  The man strikes the bell every hour.

Hello sweet town of Shere.  You are lovely!  (I'll be sharing more soon, I promise)


Hello Dabbling Duck.  You are one quaint tearoom with your cute duck serving boards!


Hello film crew, shooting Professor Branestawm, coming out at Christmas.



Hello 4 day school week.  The kids are looking forward to half-term next week.

Hello Heathrow Airport.  We'll be happy to have our family of 5 back together again.

Hello new IPhone 6.  I look forward to seeing you next week (when hubby brings you back from America).

Hello Fall Festival.  Don't you love a Fall Festival?


What are you saying Hello to this week?