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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...

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...

SERENDIPITY LEADS TO JOYFUL ADVENTURES!

Yes, I do tend to wander off if something catches my eye but that’s how all of my amazing adventures have happened as I told Jane Verrill, here on business for Harvard University, as we shared tea and reminisced at the Peninsula Hotel.  Tea time is made especially...

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THEATERS, MUSEUMS and SCIENTISTS…..

The theatre is a fun way to start the week and ‘An Act of God’ was hilariously wonderful! Sean Hayes delivered a tour de force of a performance!  Kendall’s Brasserie at the Music Center can always be counted on for a delicious meal.  Besides they have the best bread!...

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MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC…..

Checking in with Amy for a LA Opera event at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. What joy! But first….there was a luncheon. We got to see the final dress rehearsal for The Magic Flute! It was inspiring to see the students from across Los Angeles who were selected to see...

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LOVELY THINGS HAPPEN……

 ….and right up there was a photo shoot at the Huntington Botanical Gardens with amazing photographer Martha Benedict.  You can see her stunning work at www.marthabenedict.com I am always amazed at the difference a professional photographer makes…...  Sweet Cris from...

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COMING FULL CIRCLE……..

……I was delighted when Linda Cantwell asked me to speak and do a Brush painting demonstration for the San Marino League Sustainers.  This was amazing to me on so many levels as over twenty years ago I  gave a lecture to the San Marino League on the history of Brush...

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JOY at the HUNTINGTON…..

  I always look forward to all of my classes but this past week at the Huntington was an explosion of JOY!  There were 19 students and we painted Camellias.  …….But first, because there were quite a few new students, I did a review of various brush strokes and the...

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FINDING JOY in SORROW……

Some of you may have noticed that I changed the name of my blog to ‘LIVE JOYFULLY’ because that is not only my personal goal but my wish for all of you. ….It has always been my great joy and privilege to have Danny Han-Lin Chen, internationally acclaimed artist and...

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A DREAM FULFILLED…….

….and we witnessed it!  But first, does it really take one blonde and two brunettes to figure out a parking meter?  Apparently so! You all know how much I love ‘Recess Eatery’ on Brand Blvd.  I’ve long admired how Chef Sevan Abdessian built the restaurant slowly and...

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ALL JOY, ALL THE TIME….

…Beginning with Tai Ling Wong coming to pick up the cards she ordered for USC Pacific Asia Museum’s Gift Shop.  Of course she’s old friends with Kita and they had a fine time together with Kita actually behaving herself. Tai Ling, Manager of the Gift Shop,  had been...

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AS A WONDERFUL YEAR BEGINS…….

……we said a final farewell to the fantastic ‘15! I was delighted to see one of my paintings illustrating the class announcement in the Huntington’s Calendar.  Time to say goodbye to my Christmas jamies for another year……. I met sweet Amy for lunch before she left for...

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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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