Consider Tea & a Smile (#Squareup Day 15)

Hello Readers.

Linking up with Su’s virtual tea party  and Trent’s weekly smile for today’s Square Up.

Last month, we unexpectedly were able to visit my niece. She is an awesome young woman. We had dinner and tea — then she showed us her HUGE tea assortment (a picture for another time).

Today, I wanted to share her favorite mug, which was a recent purchase and it is a cup that lifts her up when she has her tea (The “Chip” tea cup from Beauty and the Beast):

fun!

Here is a snippet to see Chip in action 

Another thing for today’s virtual tea party – the differences with how we experience our tea.

First, we have the person who wraps the string around the handle:

Did you ever notice how some folks wrap their strings from the teabag around their cups? I know some of you use loose leaf tea, but it is fun to see how diverse we all are. 

Next – there is black tea with heavy milk:

Some days strong, black tea with heavy milk is just what is called for.

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A little snack with your tea?

Offering some key lime cheesecake for today’s virtual tea party: 

This is from last summer – and it reminds me of a special memory. Three of us had a bite and then my mother finished it off. This was special because it was really hot that day and we were doing too much (ha….).  The fat in the real whipped cream and citrus and creamy flavors were extra appreciated and gave her fortification. You know how it is – like drinking a cold bevagre after walking in the desert and eating Saltine crackers – this key lime treat helped her beat the heat!

Closing with what made me really smile this week. My niece is reading my 2017 book, Conversate (here).

Tips for talking with teens

My niece ordered two of my books while we were there visiting (so cool). Tonight she said she was enjoying Conversate and sent me this picture (I forgot I dedicated Conversate to her brother – who passed away in 2017 — and this was a wave of emotion for us both). 

My niece is reading my book, Converste, and she sent me this photo of the dedication page.

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Now here is the top smile of the week – what lifted me up.

You see, the Conversate (2017) book (which has tips for parenting teens) was my least favorite book out of my three completed projects. It has a good amount of reads on Kindle (yeah, baby) – and a few paperback sales –  I like it just fine, but sometimes wished I had “added this” or “did that.” You know how it is.

However, after she sent me the note and photo, I grabbed one of the proof copies of Conversate and skimmed. I liked this final version so much more than I thought.

I hope this does not sound puffed up – it is more just being proud of your work. I still want to do a Part 2 or a different type of “Tips for Teens” book – but in the meantime, I smile to celebrate.

Next, here is a poem that stood out. It was created to remind parents to not let “things” and “buying stuff” replace love and time with their children. The poem was inspired by a lady in a blue Mercedes who seemed depressed. We were in traffic for a little while and each time I saw her (as the cars stopped, passed, stopped, etc.) she emitted sadness. That was what started this poem.

Fancy Car

Our teen drove 

a pale blue Mercedes

Sitting in the driver’s seat

Somber

Blank

Deplete

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Car didn’t meet

her needs

Blank stare 

sat there

Sylvia Plath kind of feel

hands on the wheel

mood

pale blue

like the color of her car

like a dimmed star

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Why didn’t I see 

what she really needed 

was a relationship with me?

I handed her expensive keys

But what she wanted was free

I could not see 

how much she needed me.

Prior, Conversate (2017) page 157

Thanks for joining me for today’s virtual tea, which included the Conversate book share. Later in spring 2021 I will run a promotion on the Conversate book for those that have teens and want a few tips.

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#virtualteaparty2021

#weeklysmile

#Squareup

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