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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...

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING…

…right on cue as I reached the crescendo in my talk to the amazing women of ‘The Tuesday Reading Group’!  These lovely ladies who continue the congenial tradition of the group that began in the early 1920’s. Thanks to Daphne Cates, my ‘miracle’ friend for this...

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IT’S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR…

…since I first introduced you to Jeffrey, our gifted Japanese gardener of so many years who is also an award winning poet and calligrapher!  You might want to stop reading at this point and scroll back to: JEFFREY HAS FALLEN IN LOVE… Posted on Friday April 3rd,...

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I DANCED WITH ELVIS…

…the other evening.  But wait, you scoff?  O.K., here’s the rest of the story. We received an invitation for dear Lucia Moskal’s birthday party to be held at the Montrose Bowling Alley.  That’s right…Bowling Alley!  Also, the invitation gave hints...

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WAIT, THERE’S MORE…

Thanks to wonderful New Year’s Day photos sent by Carol Soucek King and Valerie Foster Hoffman!       Ta Da!! For the big smiles!!!!!!         Yours truly with Eugene and Valerie Hoffman   Amazing Rose Nielsen, President of...

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CHARLES BIG NEW YEAR’S DAY ADVENTURE!

CHARLES BIG NEW YEAR’S DAY ADVENTURE!

It happened quite innocently as we drove up to Carol and Richard King's on New Year's day. Charles said, "Isn't that Duchess (the King's German Shepherd)?" The next moment Carol appeared and said that the dog had gotten loose into the Arroyo as the gate was open. I...

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SANTA’S REINDEERS At the KING’S…

…for their New Year’s Day open house. Every year Carol and Richard have friends over for a pre-parade gathering then those going to the event are off ‘till 10:30 when a larger group gathers together for brunch and grand festivities before the game. I was talking with...

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Christmas Came Early …

Christmas Came Early …

... in the studio last Saturday. Everyone was gathered around my table with big smiles to greet me and they gave a joyous shout of Merry Christmas! There were hugs all around and then it was time to paint. We had a wonderful day sharing various treats with Christmas...

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IT WAS TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS …

IT WAS TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS …

...and all thru L.A.I wondered and wondered how best to convey...wishes and wants and my whole laundry liststraight to the source of good old St. Nick! On Dasher, on Dancer head straight to the doorof Valerie and Eugene's and search no more.For there in the house all...

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MORE ON OUR NATIONAL TREASURE…

Tyrus Wong.  Erik Friedl sent me this link and you will enjoy every moment of it.  Using a 2,000 year old kite making process, Tyrus forms a Centipede and then we see it flying.  This is definitely a must watch....

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FINALLY ON OUR WAY TO WHOLE FOODS

…to order our Thanksgiving turkey, we stopped at Virgil’s Hardware (they’ve been in Glendale forever and have everything). We parked at the door and were about to get out when we saw the most amazing sight ever…a big black mutt of a dog  carrying his leash in his...

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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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