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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...

LOVE AND LAUGHTER ON A PERFECT DAY

I thought the birthday celebrating with Amy was over when we capped last Sunday's birthday treat of lunch and cake # 5 with a Mariachi group singing Happy Birthday to me…. With exquisite birthday flowers from dear Amy….. But wait ‘till you see what’s in this beautiful...

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TOSCA at THE LA OPERA and ALL THINGS ART

 There’s still time to be enthralled by TOSCA at the L.A. Opera. "A night of powerhouse singing and strong conducting... Sondra Radvanovsky brought down the house." - Los Angeles Times Amy and I were spellbound by this classic Puccini tale and the bravura...

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GO FLY A KITE

took on a whole new meaning at the 6th annual Kite Festival on the beach at the Santa Monica Pier. Honoring Tyrus Wong, the event was sponsored by Otis College of Art and Design.  Tyrus would always fly his amazing kites the fourth Saturday of each month just...

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WITNESS TO GREATNESS AT DISNEY HALL

During an Invitational Rehearsal at Disney Hall, I watched  Christian Tetzlaff  bring joy from his violin and it was like watching Baryshnikov dance or hear Callas sing!  He was truly one with his instrument and even though it was a rehearsal, he played...

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THE HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL GARDENS is a GIFT

 …..a treasure right in out midst. This was really brought home to me when Marsha and Stu, my longtime friends from Chicago, were so impressed by all the ‘Gardens’ has to offer, they made a lovely donation after their visit. I wonder, if perhaps because we live...

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FOR THE FOODIES

And you know who you are! Lunch with my cuties, Sandie and Lisa Girl. Laurie Pie and Kita have a major discussion about who gets dinner…... Chinese from Gourmet 88 is the very best! Sandie Girl was brave enough to tackle my Chicken/cheese Enchilada….. It kinda oozes...

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GO INTO ORBIT

…..At The Huntington Botanical Garden’s amazing exhibit on the Celebration Lawn.  This extraordinary experience within a Nautilus-shell-shaped 28 foot ‘sculpture’ is clad in shiny aluminum and you enter an amazing sound experience. Marsha and Stu, my life long...

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A FABULOUS SOIREE FOR THE CALIFORNIA ART CLUB

….at the home of incomparable Valerie Foster Hoffman, Hostess with the Mostest. California Art Club Executive Director Elaine Adams, wife of Peter Adams the plein air artist extraordinaire! Our beautiful hostess whose grandfather painted the remarkable copies of...

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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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