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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...

December 1st……

…..and the ‘Wisteria Garden’ was ready to be picked up at Agnes’s.  Sandie barely had room in her van but it did just make it! I am so touched that this painting of mine was chosen for such a special gift! Monday I was off to Bar Verde to meet Laurie. If you use...

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JASPER and the CAKE…….

How did it happen?  How could it possibly happen??? I missed Olga’s birthday, then George’s and to make it a perfect trifecta….Martin’s!   The make-up cake would have to be very special and chocolate for sure because that’s their favorite.  I had...

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GIVING THANKS…….

…..We have so much to be grateful for and Thanksgiving is an over the top time to give thanks! The day started beautifully with a rainbow appearing in the kitchen! Then it was time to stuff the turkey. In went onions, celery, oranges, apples….whatever we could fit in!...

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A WEEK THAT STARTS WITH SANDIE……

…..is bound to be a great one! Dorothy, Sandie’s mother is quite the artist and Sandie brought over one of her paintings and accompanying text for Nikka to scan and convert to greeting cards. They’re going to be wonderful! Thank you so much for the beautiful Tulips...

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WHAT A FUN WAY TO START THE WEEK…….

…….Sandie and Jim came over to pick up Sandie’s awesome Christmas card for title approval…..this was just after Kita dashed outside to greet Jim…..missed that shot!  Anyway, Sandie wanted to show me the great doggies she got for the Christmas display at...

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IT’s CHRISTMAS CARD TIME…………..

…………and Sandie came over last Sunday to work on hers.  I wish I could show it to you….it’s just the best ever but I want it to be a surprise for all the recipients! Sandie brought the most delicious lunch from Julienne’s! Thank you Sandie Girl!!! There’s a new...

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I’VE DISCOVERED THAT THE BEST WAY…..

……to write the blog is to look at my calendar for the past week.  Now how long did that take to figure out????  Be kind & don’t answer. So I see that Monique Schenk, my awesome architect  www.schenkarch.com and I met for lunch at Le Pain Quotidien...

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ALL CRATE and BARREL STORES …

…..are displaying this limited edition ‘Ink Study: Rose’ print of my painting.  Some months ago I had blogged about flying to  Richmond, Virginia  to sign and number 300 pieces.  The Manger of each store decides how to best display it and recently...

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I HAD THE DAY ALL PLANNED OUT……

…….beautifully I had hoped, beginning with an hour’s conversation with a poet in Palo Alto who wants me to illustrate her book.  (Do we say poet or poetess?….You know….actor now applies to male & female….I’m confused.) Down the hill I met Kim, walking...

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEK!

This little fellow wants to say hello to you.  He lives in mom’s building and is most curious! A couple of weeks ago when Mary Beth, Kita’s trainer, was here I hardly recognized her.  She had lost 20 lbs. and her skin was positively glowing (to quote...

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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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