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SHORT BUT WONDERFUL

February, being the shortest month, has to cram a lot of joyful happenings..I can't think of a better way to begin the month than by celebrating Susie Kat's birthday at the Jonathan Beach Club! Yours truly, Maggie, Susie's cousin, Carol Soucek King, our amazing...

JANUARY, AND THE NEW YEAR BEGINS…

I'm not too sure what to make of January. Perhaps it's because December is such an amazing high with Christmas and New Years that it's hard to re-focus on business as usual. Well, maybe not as usual but certainly not at the extreme! It took Veronica and me two days to...

THE MOST WONDERFUL NEW YEAR’S …

began with guests getting their bling on. Here Alexis decides on hers. Also, signing the guest book and indicating what yummy treat they brought. Here's Jan making her entry. And with her bling on. Then it was time for amazing Magician Tom to mesmerize all of us,...

CHRISTMAS AND SO MUCH MORE!

Valerie Foster Hoffman is truly the Hostess With the Mostest, a real-life Auntie Mame! And to be at her Christmas party is to partake of an unforgettable experience. Cookies anyone? With Sherry in the garden. With Santa and our Lovely Hostess! Photographer Karl....

MOVING ON TOWARDS CHRISTMAS

The partying began at the California Club for the CTG Affiliates' Annual Christmas Luncheon. There are beautiful mystery boxes that everyone bids on....here's the one I got. Delightful Mary Kay with her treasure box. Sweet Diane chats with Artistic Director Snehal...

BEST THANKSGIVING EVER!

It's impossible to express how much I love Thanksgiving! Shopping for all of my traditional recipes starts about a week before, and this time it only took five trips! I begin with making the cranberries the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and the next day, the stuffing....

NOVEMBER’S JOY

Sandie girl came to the studio to work on her Christmas card. It's so lovely, but I can't show it to you just yet! This is where it all began on November 6th. Backup from the water drainage area. It's the 25th and work continues... On to lighter moments. Dinner at...

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY AND SO MUCH MORE

It was time to celebrate delightful Patricia Faber and sooo much fun was had by all! Architrect Miller Yee Fong had to leave early so he wasn't in the group photo. Happiest of birthdays dear Patricia! Make a wish!!! Soooo cute! I was so thrilled to see the recent...

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...
SUMMER INTO FALL

SUMMER INTO FALL

The months are streaming by in fast forward and looking back from my vantage point of November I see there was a lot of food and puppies in September and October. Perhaps I'll just skip all that...One of the most memorable days was spending time at the Jonathan Beach...

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A WONDERFUL SUMMER

A WONDERFUL SUMMER

I was determined this year not to miss summer and it turned out to be absolutely delightful with celebrations and trips to the beach! Quite possibly too much eating was involved! It's always wonderful to catch up with Monique Schenk, my amazing architect and we had a...

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KITA THE AKITA’S WEEKEND AT THE PENINSULA

KITA THE AKITA’S WEEKEND AT THE PENINSULA

Kita decided it was time for some R&R at the Peninsula in Beverly Hills and was quite excited about checking in.. After baggage inspection it was time to check out her room. Kita's special bed met with her approval, especially because there were also doggie treats...

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BUT WAIT, THERE’s MORE…

BUT WAIT, THERE’s MORE…

Everyone seemed to be off to Armstrongs and Home Depot for plants, plants, plants. I got the bug as well although I'm not quite sure why. I keep buying plants but they seem to last a nano-second thanks to all the creatures that come out at night to nibble on them!...

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MAY WAS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH

MAY WAS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH

...but that doesn't mean I don't want it to continue into June! Veronica started it off at Midnight on the morning of the 18th with a balloon extravaganza! That girl sure knows how to party! After 2 A.M. cake and a little sleep it was off to the Huntington Botanical...

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THE DAYS ARE FLYING BY

THE DAYS ARE FLYING BY

It's hard to believe that I haven't written anything for the blog since February...me bad! Honestly, it seems like last week which I guess is a good thing. Life is good, things are busier than ever and now before I turn around it will be May! Where to start.....Thanks...

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FEBRUARY WENT BY WAY TOO FAST…

FEBRUARY WENT BY WAY TOO FAST…

I've decided that the month of love... of expressing love to those we hold dear... should continue throughout the year. Valentine's Day is wonderful but maybe we need a special day each week, perhaps with different names, that we could send out special 'love you's' to...

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IT’S BEEN SO LONG…

IT’S BEEN SO LONG…

The weeks and now months have flown by and it's hard to realize I haven't blogged since September....or was it October? I'd like to recap, if only for myself to look back on what was actually a wonderful time in the midst of upheaval. So before I begin that, permit me...

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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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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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