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JULY FLEW BY

If I turn around, the summer will be over, so I want to be sure to enjoy each wonderful moment! The best high after the 4th of July celebration was seeing Mamma Mia. We were in the absolute first row which was great as we saw everyone close up including the musicians....

I LOVE THE 4TH OF JULY…

It's grilled cheese sandwiches, games and unmitigated joy! Preparations start a week before the 4th. Tomatoes give the cheese sandwiches that special something but they have to be sliced thin and well drained. Party favors. The caricature is from the year before, when...

JUNE FLEW BY…

...with memorable moments such as delightful Peggy treating us to an evening of MUSE/IQUE at the Huntington. My birthday celebrations continued with lovely Marine and her delightful sister Eliza treating me at The Capital Grille. Another great movie night with Curtis...

MAY REMINICENSE

April was so very difficult that I'm going to skip right past it to delightful May. Perhaps it's because May is my birthday month but I really think there's so much more to look forward to in the month. Veronica pulled several landscapes for collector Pam to select...

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....

SALSA DANCING at the MUSIC CENTER……

…….yes, that’s correct…..every other Friday during the summer there’s a different dance band and this past Friday it was SALSA time!!!  And they were great….the crowd loved it! I mean they REALLY loved it……  This little girl was having her own dance party to...

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TOMIKO, NIKKA and NAN’s BIG ADVENTURE……

…..started at The London in West Hollywood. Sleek lobby…..much more so than when Tomiko & I were here a few years back for a meeting.  Not quite sure when the London took over. Not sure about the ‘fake’ bulldogs everywhere either….. Greeted by the folks at...

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YOU HAVE TO BE A VENDING MACHINE of TREATS!

That’s Mary Beth’s advise to us as she trains Kita. The head halter works best for ‘walkies’! Oh boy…..time for the park!!! But first….find the treat. Trudy walks Kita to the park at 7:00 A.M. every day just the way she did with Yuki so she wanted to come along for...

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MORNING IN RICHMOND VIRGINIA…..

……..brought beautiful blue skies and a 90 degree temperature!  I thought it best to start the day with a hearty breakfast in my room. Just one photo before I go…. A partial view of the grounds at the Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel. And I’m off with lovely...

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KITA’S FIRST DOG PARK ADVENTURE……

……….was thankfully uneventful.  I went with Trudy and Geoff who walk her early each morning.  Geoff drove and it was quite a sight seeing the three of us in the car with Kita barely under control. Trudy had suggested Kita go to this park near the Zoo so she...

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WE HAVE TO GO BACK……..

………but wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.  Here I am last Wednesday morning, off to LAX. NOTE to SELF:  While you may love that bag, please remember to take one with lots of pockets for ‘stuff’….and, it should only weigh a few ounces. SECOND NOTE to...

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WILBUR the POT BELLY PIG and other stories….

……Brush painting class a week ago Saturday with new students Katherine & Peter, her dad.  Peter said class was like stepping into one of my YouTube videos when he saw me in my ‘white’ shirt!  So funny. After class it was off to Whole Foods for our Easter...

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CAVALIA’S ODYSSEO………

…..Is a ‘Cirque de Soleil’ production. This ten story high big top is as awesome as the state of the art show inside. Located at 777 N. Front Street in Burbank, the show has been extended through April 14th. There were three girls and their mom sitting in front of...

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IT’S ‘NOWRUZ’, PERSIAN NEW YEAR……..

………..and time to party! This is THE all time fantabulous experience, especially when the party is at Farnaz’s! Here I am at the entrance anticipating wonders to behold…….. I arrived right on time (8:00) because at nine I turn into a pumpkin (more on that later). A lot...

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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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