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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...

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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IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TREATS…….

…….at Rose and Ken’s…..especially at Halloween! Be afraid, be very afraid.  Rosie the Riveter cut these steel figures herself.  Is there anything she can’t do? Scarier to the left….. And it doesn’t get any easier once you’re inside! I took lots of pictures...

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NOW WHERE WAS I……..

…..not an easy question to answer when you’re re-entering the world.  After two solid weeks in bed one has to decide whether to play catch up or just start new.  It’s a good time to look at priorities, figure out what’s really important and make the decision...

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RE-ENTRY INTO THE WORLD……

…….began with class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens on Wednesday.  It seemed like a year ago when the last class was held, followed by that eventful day at Rusnak and then getting that nasty bug that really laid me low.  Moral of the story……all is well...

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FINISHED, all 985 pages……

……….. With almost two weeks of down time this was manageable.  I can’t remember when I’ve had to stay in bed for so long or when I’ve been so resigned to doing nothing. Note to all:  GET A FLU SHOT!!! Mom came over to give me a pep talk…. …and Kita would...

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THREE BIRTHDAY’S in SEPTEMBER……

…….Laurie Pie’s came first and we decided to celebrate at the new Nordstrom’s in Americana. Their restaurant, Bar Verde is amazing!!! Everything was so yummy and I made sure we had a booth that looks out at the kitchen.  So fun! Don’t even ask! Then it was mom’s...

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WHERE WAS I?

………it seems forever since I’ve blogged……my cousin Ronald came in from Memphis for a couple of days three weeks ago…… Our first stop was Le Pain Quotidien….. …..he hadn’t eaten all morning & was on Memphis time…………. Next we went to Billy’s Deli to clean them out of...

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HAVE YOU MISSED ME???????????

……’cause I’ve missed you!  It’s been like the lost weekend that went on for two weeks.  I told you about my car getting that ‘little bumper bump’…….well…..I took my car to DC Autocraft and waited for State Farm to give me their estimate. Meanwhile, Francisco...

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKA and other fun stuff……

……………We usually celebrate special events with one of two things……..grilled cheese sandwiches or delivery from Gourmet 88. Chinese won out! Soooooo yummy! Kita loves their ribs!!! Cake, where’s the cake????  Signage courtesy Emma.   And in comes Emma with a...

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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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