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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...

WONDERFUL MAY

It is always a great joy to witness the Music Center's annual "Very Special Arts Festival," and no more so than at this, the 46th! Bravo Awesome Peggy Collins for your massive support! The children's art that was posted along the way was delightful! Seeing all the...

APRIL WAS AMAZING

Continuing in April, there was a wonderful Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life in its 29th year, hosted by Lovely Carol Soucek King, with April's topic being "Faith." The main presenter was Ruth Broyde Sharon, an Interfaith leader/inspirational speaker/creator of...

THE JOYS OF APRIL

What better way to begin the month than dinner with lovely Jean T. at our favorite place, Prosecco Trattoria in Toluca Lake! One of the reasons we love it is because it's the kind of place where everyone knows your name and your favorites. That's thanks to amazing...

SWANS, SCROLLS and SERENDIPITY…….

If you want to relax, toss aside all cares and take a one day vacation then I suggest a day at the Bel-Air Hotel. Just seeing the swans as you approach the hotel will place you in another world….a world of serenity and great beauty……a reminder to live joyfully!  Even...

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CENTER THEATRE GROUP SEASON PREVIEW EVENT……

…..was held this year at the Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica. The ever lovely Natalie with CTG Producing Director Doug Baker. Before we heard Doug Baker and Artistic Director Michael Ritchie discuss the upcoming season, there was an incredible buffet. There were...

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TONS of FUN…..

…..beginning with Maggie as we attended a cooking class at ‘PIRCH', one of my favorite, joyful places. Chef John made sure all participants had a station and a task….  Maggie polished up her knife skills with onions, tomatoes and a few other items….  How amazing was...

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A VERY SPECIAL EVENING……….

  ….at the home of Manuela Goren, CTG board member, and her husband James…..….began with Amy and me driving to a spot nearby their residence to be greeted by members of the CTG staff and then taking one of the several shuttle vans of Chucksparking.com to our hosts...

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TEATIME at the PENINSULA in BEVERLY HILLS…..

…..has got to be one of my favorite things to do.  Perhaps it’s because all of the china is hand painted by my dear friend, beautiful Lissi Kaplan, with love and tender care. lissikaplan.com I always love describing the work of my amazingly gifted friend. Adorable...

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JUNO, JUPITER and a FIREBIRD

On July 4th, NASA’s Spacecraft JUNO completed it’s successful five year journey to Jupiter to begin it’s elliptical orbit peering deep inside this huge planet telling scientists about cosmic leftovers that coalesced into our solar system…searching for our beginnings....

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WE LOVE THE 4th of JULY…….

…Perhaps it’s eating ice-cream on the deck watching the fireworks…….. ….but secretly I suspect it’s the grilled cheese sandwiches I always make.  Piled high with cheese, bacon and tomatoes and grilled with a ton of butter.  Everyone throws artery caution to the wind!...

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FATHER'S DAY IS ALWAYS BITTERSWEET……

  ….…..for so many people and there’s no exception at the Parkers!  However, Sir Charles gets treated royally and makes our hearts glad. The Bistro Gardens on Ventura Bulevard is a lovely place to celebrate! But first there were presents…. I posted a favorite...

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MORE CAKE……

  …Laurie Pie planned an amazing day at the original Farmers Market on 3rd & Fairfax for a birthday celebration for me.  If you haven’t been there for a while it’s time for a real treat.  We had so much fun walking about looking at everything and finally settling...

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MAJOR ROAD REPAIR

….is going on here and the month of June will be a messy time street wise! Phase one was removing the old pavement and next the cracks got gooped! When I phoned the contractor to find out what day/days we’d be unable to pull out of the driveway I was told they have no...

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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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