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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...

DINNER WITH CLARA WAS THE MAIN EVENT…….

…….but first…..Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Totem’ in Santa Monica. Hi Clara….you’re so cute! So much fun!!! I might as well tell you right off that the rest of this blog is all about food.  Clara, my #1 foodie friend and I sort of get dreamy eyed and rhapsodize over a...

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AMY’S BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS……

…..have gladdened my heart all week.  This is such an exquisite creation and those of you who were at mom’s 100th certainly remember her flowers.www.menuah.com amy@menuah.com 818.625.5243 Amazing isn’t it! Class in the studio was wonderful especially so with...

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SUNDAY WAS SUPER…….

…………….but not of the ‘Bowl’ variety. Joan Marques, PhD,EdD, was the guest speaker opening the eighteenth year of Carol & Richard’s ‘Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life’.  (It had been my great pleasure…and privilege to be the speaker twice, once on ‘Suma...

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There Was an Extra Class in the Studio…..

……on February 1st, Chinese New Year,  because Tom’s Calligraphy class was changed to the 8th.  Amy did so beautifully in  her very first class. ….and had so much fun! …..and these lovebirds drove all the way from Encinitas! Did you watch the Super...

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DINNER WITH CLARA……

……is always such a wonderful adventure on many levels. One of which is that she’s a world class foodie and I’m a certified wanna-be foodie.  Because of this I usually let Clara pick the restaurant and accordingly, we’ve had splendid experiences. In order to...

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RE-ENTERING PLANET EARTH……

……Not so easy when you take a time out but somehow do-able and I’m trying to play catch-up. Where was I? Oh yes, ages ago, perhaps around the middle of the month I saw ‘August: Osage County’.   Somehow the movie made dysfunctional and family said together seem...

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WHERE WAS I?

Oh yes, New Year’s…..my resolution and all.  Still can’t tell but I’ve come close to non compliance several times. (Confession is good for the soul.) Thank you Mason Williams for always remembering me at Christmas.  You truly are a ‘Classical Gas!’ Next time...

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IT’S BEEN A GREAT YEAR….

……Years ago, when I first started this blog I wrote in the introduction that there are no accidents and that everyone has a purpose.  This past year I’ve seen those two foundational ideas proven true so many times that I’d now say ‘let’s carve that in...

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HO, HO, HO……..

…..I always say, start the week off right with Sandie Girl and what better way to do it than a Christmas party!  I couldn’t wait to see the tree that Jim got…..Oh my….any taller & they’d have to cut an opening in the vaulted ceiling!  Way to go Jim!!!...

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PARTY TIME IN THE STUDIO……

……Our annual Christmas party is always so joyful and somehow Christmas would not be the same without it! This blog is mostly for you foodies out there because after all, it’s all about the food….isn’t it???  Food prepared with LOVE of course! Let’s start with...

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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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