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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...

SOME RANDOM MUSINGS ON….

…things I hope you don’t miss now that summer is almost here. The Peonies at Trader Joe’s…just in season for a couple of weeks and just glorious.  Thank you Molly Siple for bringing me such amazing flowers.  It’s really an experience not to be missed. Did...

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ON THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING…

…Jeffrey began planting the first of 33 trees at Woodbury University. I first wrote you on April 3rd about our amazing Japanese gardener Jeffrey Isobe and the Ginkgo trees in an older posting titled ‘It’s Been Almost a Year…’ asking for your help in connecting Jeffrey...

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WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE?…

We just saw ‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’ and I LOVED it! Now,  here’s the strange part….The very next day, when I was at the corner of Brand Blvd. and Kenneth Road…waiting to turn left…..a WHITE RABBIT ran in front of my car and down the street.  REALLY!  Now,...

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I DANCED WITH AN ELVIS IMPERSONATOR BUT…

…the amazingly talented and beautiful Laurie Burton danced with the real thing.  Here she is in the King’s embrace from ‘Tickle Me’.  You’ve no doubt seen Laurie in the countless TV and commercial films she’s done but this amazing woman didn’t stop at that …...

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LISA BOWMAN SANG…

…at our wedding when the Langham Hotel was The Ritz Carlton.  We were married in the garden courtyard and had the guests release butterflies.    Carol Soucek King offered a prayer as she sent hers on its way.           ...

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I DANCED WITH AN ELVIS IMPERSONATOR BUT…

…the amazingly talented and beautiful Laurie Burton danced with the real thing. Here she is in the King’s embrace from the film ‘Tickle Me’. (Of course my lips are sealed regarding Laurie’s marriage to a talented cinematographer… being eyewitness to so many Hollywood...

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THE INFLATABLE MATTRESS in the studio…

…was pressed into service yet again.   Charles Jr.was in town from Houston for a financial management seminar…lot’s of complicated stuff…and after a week at his Santa Monica hotel, checked in to the Parker B & B.   Calligraphy class took a break and...

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CHINESE NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION…

…at the Huntington was the most fun ever!  Words cannot express how very proud I am of the wonderful Brush painting demonstrations my students did.  They interacted so beautifully with the visitors  and a grand time was had by all!     ...

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DOING A TRUNK SHOW IS SO MUCH FUN…

especially when you’re in beautiful surroundings such as the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA. There were over 5,000 visitors last Sunday on Valentine’s Day and I suspect as many on that Saturday.  It was a grand two day show made memorable by all...

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JOHN BERRY WAS SNOWED IN…

…at the Dallas airport.  His flight to L.A. was cancelled so no weekend visit. Peggy, John’s wife and Charles’ daughter was here for the annual Food Bank Conference.  Peggy is the Development director for the East Texas Food Bank and we’re sooooo proud of...

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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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