Select Page

JUNE FLEW BY…

...with memorable moments such as delightful Peggy treating us to an evening of MUSE/IQUE at the Huntington. My birthday celebrations continued with lovely Marine and her delightful sister Eliza treating me at The Capital Grille. Another great movie night with Curtis...

MAY REMINICENSE

April was so very difficult that I'm going to skip right past it to delightful May. Perhaps it's because May is my birthday month but I really think there's so much more to look forward to in the month. Veronica pulled several landscapes for collector Pam to select...

CONTINUING MARCH

A highlight of March has to be being serenaded by Universal Renaissance man, my friend Stanley Penner, playing a bit of Mozart, Brahms and more... ...on his Bösendorfer. I was told to "Look up!" So many treasurers... A lovely "Gratitude Luncheon" at the Athenaeum....

MARCHING THROUGH MARCH

The Children's Festival was a wonderful way to begin the month. Three days of getting up at five, wearing a white apron and helping all the kids find their way to seats at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for an exciting dance performance by the Hubbard Street Dance...

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....
THE GIFT OF A NEW YEAR…

THE GIFT OF A NEW YEAR…

...began at the Peninsula Hotel. Thanksgiving was so delightful there so I booked another Villa for New Year's planning on having a small party in the suite. Well, the best made plans...covid seemed to be in charge so the party plans were cancelled but not the stay....

read more
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER

THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER

It's interesting that everything in life is a decision. Knowing that I just decided to make this the best Christmas ever and began with getting out all the toys! Jhonny helped with getting all the boxes down from their various hiding places and then setting up the...

read more
A QUITE DIFFERENT THANKSGIVING…

A QUITE DIFFERENT THANKSGIVING…

This year Thanksgiving took a different turn because of the pandemic. First it would be at the house and then somehow this idea of being away for a couple of days, sharing Thanksgiving with dear friends at the Peninsula seemed just right. Kita checks in... This trip...

read more
HEADING INTO FALL FULL SWING…

HEADING INTO FALL FULL SWING…

Delightful Carol Soucek King had the loveliest birthday party for Sweet Patricia Ferber, ceramicist extraordinare, outdoors at the Athenaeum. It was so much fun...a perfect evening. Of course if we're talking about parties we have to remember the hostess with the...

read more
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...

read more
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...

read more
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...

read more
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!...

read more
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...

read more
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...

read more

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!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Posts

Archives

Pin It on Pinterest