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OCTOBER MEANS SAYING GOODBYE TO SUMMER

Each year I'm determined to really enjoy summer and then find it's October and I wonder what happened. The upside to that is beginning the month with the Huntington Botanical Garden's Mid Autumn Moon Festival where we have a booth and get to see many of my wonderful...

CONTINUING SEPTEMBER

For a short month, September had a lot going on, continuing with the Center Theatre Group Affiliates New Member Orientation Meeting. "Giving the Gift of Theatre to the Next Generation." Afterwards, Christine Hart, VP Programs for the Affiliates, and Sweet Diane visit...

SEPTEMBER SURPRISE

Please make no mistake...it isn't easy to create a surprise birthday gift, and the project becomes even more difficult when the recipient is gracious Carol Soucek King. The planning began with Veronica being given the responsibility of making the table place cards....

CELEBRATING VERONICA

August 23rd was Veronica's birthday, so off to Beverly Hills and lunch at Gucci Osteria on Rodeo Drive. I love chef extraordinaire Mattia Agazzi and knew he would do something very special for Veronica! We settled on the tasting menu which had all the exquisite dishes...

FUN STUFF IN AUGUST

August began beautifully with a visit from Lovely Lisa who has moved back to California! We've been friends forever, as this photo will testify. This was about the time she taught me her star routine from Chorus Line! Oh my gosh, what fun to also see I still had my...

JOYFUL JULY

Sweet Annie came over to work with Veronica on a project of hers and we all had so much fun...including Somi! A trip to Tiffany's in Beverly Hills to add to Veronica's charm bracelet. Followed by a fabulous lunch at 208 Rodeo just next door! Watermelon & Burrata...

A JOYFUL 4th

Next to Thanksgiving, the 4th of July is my all-time favorite for celebrating, hosting friends, playing games with prizes, and having an all-around joyful time! This year was no exception...with preparations beginning a week ahead. Somi went to Go Hollywood Pet Center...

BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE FOR JUNE!

Dinner at Rüen Pair in Thai Town was terrific! Afterwards, the best ice cream next door at Kanomwaan. And a little grocery shopping. Wondering why Lovely Susi is Laughing? Because I had forgotten I gave her the sunglasses I had just admired. No matter, we had a...

WONDERFUL JUNE

Absolutely nothing brings more joy to an artist than when a collector falls in love with their work. This happened to Janice, and she could not get this painting out of her mind. When hubby Mitch approved the purchase, it was great fun watching the two of them...

MAY IS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH

There was just time to catch this year's Pasadena Showcase House of Design before it closed on the 18th, my birthday. I dearly miss Charles Norman who was a fine collector of my work since I was an exhibitor at Art Expo in the 80's! What fun seeing fantastically...
SEPTEMBER WAS MADE QUITE SPECIAL…..

SEPTEMBER WAS MADE QUITE SPECIAL…..

...as Carol Soucek King asked me to be the guest speaker (for the third time) for her Salon for the Creative Arts. Carol had heard a talk that I gave to the China Society of Southern California in January and she thought it would be perfect for September's Salon topic...

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WAS THERE AN AUGUST?

WAS THERE AN AUGUST?

The most thrilling thing for me was discovering these three figs on a tree that was planted years ago on the side of the house. Apparently they take a long time to produce fruit and this minuscule crop was enough to send me to the moon. I immediately harvested one,...

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I MISSED JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

I MISSED JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

Part of the reason is switching over my blog from Blogger to Wordpress where I've had to learn a whole new way to create a post....still learning! The new blog is livejoyfullywithnanrae.com and I trust it will express more fully the importance of greeting each day...

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I PRETTY MUCH MISSED JUNE…

I PRETTY MUCH MISSED JUNE…

but how could it ever match up to May and the wonderful birthday greetings I received.  I love looking at the ZOOM gathering Clara surprised me with and seeing everyone again. How cute is this photo I took from the ZOOM of student Brian Foster, owner of...

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THANK YOU MAY FOR THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER

THANK YOU MAY FOR THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER

What a perfect way to begin my birthday!  A drive-by love greeting from the Papazian's, beautiful Amy and the lovebirds Eliza and Tyler.  This was such a surprise and I'm just grateful I wasn't in my PJ'S.  Sweet Alyssa agreed with me that birthdays are...

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APRIL IS SO YESTERDAY….

APRIL IS SO YESTERDAY….

...I'm pretty sure it contained Easter.  That was on a Sunday but then...most days feel like Sunday. We've gone fully online live and in person both for Instagram, Facebook and most importantly...classes. It all started in early April when we began making videos...

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REMEMBRANCE OF OUTINGS PAST…

REMEMBRANCE OF OUTINGS PAST…

It was great fun supporting awesome Eliza Krpoyan when she moderated "What She Said' at the 'W' Hotel in West LA. Hundreds of women, and some guys too, turned out because of Eliza! Didn't I say it was great fun!  Here with Lovely Marine, Eliza's precious sister!...

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BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE…

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE…

A dinner at Valerie Foster Hoffman's is never just a dinner.... Lovely Valerie greets Carol Soucek King... Oh my, so many tasty bits....Everything's better with bacon...right? Love the caviar topping.... There was also an amazing cheese treat but I was too overwhelmed...

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EXCITING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY

EXCITING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY

....had to begin with receiving pre-publication copies of my book 'What If...We Have The Power to Change Our Lives' from my publisher, 'Laughing Elephant'! I started inscribing copies... catching up on back-orders! As for the rest of February, it was quite amazing...

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GUNG HAY FAT CHOY, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

Yes, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! On the very first day of 2020 I ran into Tammy Huang and her hubby at The Langham in Pasadena.  Tammy reminded me that I had donated lessons to last years 'East Meets West' Parent Education Club and would I do the same for this years...

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WELCOME…

to my personal blog where I’ll be sharing adventures and how I determine each day to live joyfully as an Artist, Teacher, and Author. My latest book “What If… We Have the Power to Change Our Lives” an inspirational book that hopefully will empower you to live your best life! You can find me and my work at nanraestudio.com My hope is that this blog will inspire you to find joy everywhere and in everything and that is what I wish for you!

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