REFRESHMENTS

Do join me for a cold glass of sweet tea and some refreshments. It's so hot in many parts of the country today - my heart goes out to those with no electricity. I thought it would be nice to pause and share a break together. I hope you enjoy some of our famous Texas sweet tea. Cheers!

~Nancy Jill Thames
"Queen of Afternoon Tea"

MAD DOGS CAFE ALL THE WAY!

What a delightful experience this morning! Breakfast at the Mad Dogs Cafe. Brenda's homemade lightly buttered crumpet with strawberry jam was superb. The cappuccino was so lovely that my husband bought their signature cups to take home, just so we could relive the memory!

The Mad Dogs Cafe in Pacific Beach, California

Enjoy a lovely cappuccino with your breakfast!

Homemade crumpets with  strawberry jam, honey, 

or lemon curd - to die for!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Brenda - Owner and Creator of Mad Dogs Cafe. Brenda bakes everything from scratch!

PULLS YOU IN...

Paperback $13.95 Kindle $6.99

Thought I'd share a review I just gave for an excellent writer and celebrity author friend of mine.


Promises of the Heart, written by Scarlett Rains, is an eighteenth century tale of a young girl’s coming of age. The first thing I really liked about this book was the lovely graphics reflecting the time period in London, England. The reader is also pulled into the story at once with carefully crafted prose appealing to all five senses. For example: watching the fluffy clouds lazily form shapes that quickly swirled into other shapes in the gentle breeze…a cacophony of sounds bombarded the weary coachman: the hue and cry of merchants and street people rose up above the clopping of the horses hooves in a relentlessly forlorn lament. Scarlett Rains does a masterful job on style continuity throughout the entire novel. Somewhat like Charles Dickens, but more like the Victoria Holt novels I read profusely at one time in my life, Promises of the Heart resonates with cleverly woven intrigue surrounded by authentic characters of the day. Historical novels should inform about the life and times of the era—Promises of the Heart did not disappoint! The segue to her second novel Seduction of a Bluestocking was a perfect cliffhanger, enticing the reader to find out what happens next. Well done, Scarlett Rains! Five Stars!

LIFE IS LIKE A CUP OF COFFEE...

Feeling philosophical about life today, so here is a video I thought you'd enjoy!

AHH, SUMMER VACATION...

School's out! Hooray! Now
what do we do? Well, as a stay at home mom with not a whole lot of disposable income for expensive summer camps, I created my own diversion for the kiddies. Every week day had a theme: Library Day, Friend Day, Park and Picnic Day, Swim Day, and Craft Day. All the neighborhood kids were invited to participate and we had a blast! My favorite was Park and Picnic Day when we took a lunch and fed the ducks. Fond memories that our children will never forget. Nor will their friends. And now, my son's friend who was such an integral part of those summer vacations is studying for the Bar Exam...Will you be making memories for your children this summer? And then there's Camp Grandma Fun...but that's another story. Enjoy your summer, my friends.  

P.S. And don't forget to get a copy of my new book for your summer reading list. Thank you!

"PACIFIC BEACH" Kindle $3.99  or Paperback $9.89

       

TAKE THE LOVE QUIZ

This post is a request from a new friend I met on the plane yesterday. Thought I'd share it with you.

Gary Chapman's book "The 5 Love Languages" has been around a long time. It might open your eyes to help you understand how you or someone you love speaks "love".  Take the quiz and see what love language you speak. My language is Words of Affirmation and Quality Time. My husbands is Acts of Service. When I speak to him in his "language" he feels loved, and when he speaks to me in mine, I feel loved, too. Have fun taking the quiz. Let me know what your language is!

The 5 Love Languages®

What if you could say or do just the right thing guaranteed to make that special someone feel loved? The secret is learning the right love language! Millions of couples have learned the simple way to express their feelings and bring joy back into marriage: The 5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman’s New York Times bestseller.

 #1: Words of Affirmation
Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

 #2: Quality Time
For those whose love language is spoken with Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

 #3: Receiving Gifts
Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

 #4: Acts of Service
Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

 #5: Physical Touch This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

The Five Love Languages Quiz

Select the one you prefer most of your two options, the one that fits the best right now. Circle the letter to the right of the option you most prefer.


1.
I like to receive notes of affirmation. A
I like to be hugged. E


2.
I like to spend one-to-one time with a person who is special to me.B
I feel loved when someone gives practical help to me.D


3.
I like it when people give me gifts.C
I like leisurely visits with friends and loved ones.B


4.
I feel loved when people do things to help me.D
I feel loved when people touch me.E


5.
I feel loved when someone I love or admire puts his or her arm around me.E
I feel loved when I receive a gift from someone I love or admire.C


6.
I like to go places with friends and loved ones.B
I like to high-five or hold hands with people who are special to me.E


7.
Visible symbols of love (gifts) are very important to me.C
I feel loved when people affirm me.E


8.
I like to sit close to people whom I enjoy being around.E
I like for people to tell me I am beautiful/handsome.A


9.
I like to spend time with friends and loved ones.B
I like to receive little gifts from friends and loved ones.C


10.
Words of acceptance are important to me.A
I know someone loves me when he or she helps me.D


11.
I like being together and doing things with friends and loved ones.B
I like it when kind words are spoken to me.A


12.
What someone does affects me more than what he or she says.D
Hugs make me feel connected and valued.E


13.
I value praise and try to avoid criticism.A
Several small gifts mean more to me than one large gift.C


14.
I feel close to someone when we are talking or doing something together.B
I feel closer to friends and loved ones when they touch me often.E


15.
I like for people to compliment my achievements.A
I know people love me when they do things for me that they don’t enjoy doing.D


16.
I like to be touched as friends and loved ones walk by.E
I like it when people listen to me and show genuine interest in what I am saying.B


17.
I feel loved when friends and loved ones help me with jobs or projects.D
I really enjoy receiving gifts from friends and loved ones.C


18.
I like for people to compliment my appearance.A
I feel loved when people take time to understand my feelings.B


19.
I feel secure when a special person is touching me.E
Acts of service make me feel loved.D


20.
I appreciate the many things that special people do for me.D
I like receiving gifts that special people make for me.C


21.
I really enjoy the feeling I get when someone gives me undivided attention.B
I really enjoy the felling I get when someone helps me make decisions.D


22.
I feel loved when a person celebrated my birthday with a gift.C
I feel loved when a person celebrates my birthday with meaningful words.A


23.
I know a person is thinking of me when he or she gives me a gift.C
I feel loved when a person helps with my chores.D


24.
I appreciate it when someone listens patiently and doesn’t interrupt me.B
I appreciate it when someone remembers special days with a gift.C


25.
I like knowing loved ones are concerned enough to help with my daily tasks.D
I enjoy extended trips with someone who is special to me.B


26.
I enjoy kissing or being kissed by people with whom I am close.E
I enjoy receiving a gift given for no special reason.C


27.
I like to be told that I am appreciated.A
I like for a person to look at me when we are talking.B


28.
Gifts from a friend or loved one are always special to me.C
I feel good when a friend or loved one touches me.E


29.
I feel loved when a person enthusiastically does some task I have requested.D
I feel loved when I am told how much I am needed.A


30.
I need to be touched every day.E
I need words of encouragement daily.A


Totals: A: B: C: D: E:
Count the number of A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s and E’s you have circled, and record them below. What is your “love language”?


 A = Words of Affirmation
 B = Quality Time
 C = Receiving Gifts
 D = Acts of Service
 E = Physical Touch


To take the quiz online, go to www.5lovelanguages.com/assessment.


Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages, can be purchased at your local bookstore, or through www.amazon.com.