Select Page

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....

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...

WHY NOT GO FOR A TEST DRIVE……..

  …..not that I’m interested but it could be fun so off to Rusnak to test drive a new Jaguar.    It was the thought of nibbles that enticed me.I went first and headed towards the Reilly’s to do a fun surprise pop in when I remembered they were out of town.  What was I...

read more

THINGS ARE INTERESTING CONSIDERING…….

……I would have been in Japan this past week for the fall colors…. ……possibly having a breakfast such as Ralph just sent…. ….but since Trudy just returned with some goodies from there…. I had a taste of Japan right here! Oh well, the new fridge got installed…... But...

read more

A PERFECT DAY……..

…..began last Sunday with a call from Sandie Girl who casually mentioned there was a petting zoo later that day.  What????  Where?  When?  I’m coming over! There is an amazing children’s school right around the corner from the Reilly’s and they were having a ‘Fall...

read more

DOMESTICITY BRINGS ME JOY…..

……and this past week was filled with it!  But first Nikka and I were getting the video ‘Looking at Art’ up on YouTube.  This talk was prompted by several articles in the New York Times ‘Art’ section about the major sales happening at Sotheby’s and Christies. That day,...

read more

PIRCH IS MY HAPPY PLACE……

…mostly because their Mission Statement can be narrowed to two words…’LIVE JOYFULLY’ and this is consistent throughout from the rubber wristbands in different colors they have for you  with those two words written on them to the green apples there for the taking and...

read more

THE SOUND OF MUSIC……

at the Ahmanson started the week and it was wonderful! Tomiko wouldn’t do this but I like it because I look thin!  Oh, so you don’t think this is me…..hmmmmm...  There were so many little girls in the audience…..This one kept singing along with all the songs.  Tomiko...

read more

OH JOY….ANOTHER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION…..

…..this one at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills for birthday girl beautiful Tina Marie! I know, you’re not supposed to pick up the plates but I’m so very proud of Lissi Kaplan who paints all of the serviceware for teatime at the Peninsula. Starting off….. You know...

read more

AMAZING FASHION and JEWELRY EVENT…..

…..held at Valerie Foster Hoffman’s which immediately tells you it will be something grand and glorious! This one, featuring GRAYSE and the JEWELRY BAR was to benefit THE LEAGUE FOR CHILDREN. Thoughtful Valerie had a Valet service waiting for her guests or, with so...

read more

OH JOY…MUSIC BEGAN THE WEEK…..

…..and that’s certainly an occasion for joy!  Master Don Baird presented ‘Clarinet On Town’ to highlight his compositions.  Lovely wife Maria accompanied ‘Darkening Sky’ and Following the Moon’ by reading two of Don’s poems.That’s more like it Maria….  Cutie Diana...

read more

PIRCH is my HAPPY PLACE…….

…their motto ‘Live Joyfully’ is right over the front door so I'm especially joyful when I can share a culinary adventure there with Sandie Girl!  But first…..we must have a cappuccino…..  I love everyone there….I wasn’t charged a re-stocking fee to exchange the range...

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