Friday, August 3, 2012

ANOTHER FOODIE ALERT…..

….next to McDonald’s, the most delicious fries ever are at ‘Recess’ on upper Brand in Glendale.  Couldn’t decide so we got the garlic fries AND the sweet potato fries!!!

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More RECESS treats…..

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Playground indeed!  Hi Mimi!!!

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Tomiko & I are sushi addicts….along with Green tea….

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Let’s play ‘all gone’!

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Back to RECESS for brunch before going to mom’s.  This was the best omelet I’ve ever had.  Mostly because it had EVERYTHING in it including fab bacon….

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Can you believe I also had this waffle along with the omelet?  Someone stop me….

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Their cucumber water is soooo refreshing!

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Back again to RECESS for dinner (at least it was another day).  This carrot soup was yummy.

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Their ahi tuna salad is perfect….can you see the mangoes?  I love mangoes!!!

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Had to……..

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Breakfast at the Parkers…..

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Lunch at Mimi’s….she is an incredible foodie…

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O.K., now here’s something for you that’s ‘eyes roll back in your head’ delicious!  The tomato/cucumber soup at Kendall’s Brasserie (at the Music Center).

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After they tasted mine, Sandie and Lauren had to order theirs!

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Luscious lamb (this is a half order split with Lauren…imagine)

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We also split the prime rib.  Actually it was hysterical because each of us had two full size dinner plates in front of us….a daunting sight!

I was too stuffed to photograph desert…

A beautiful baked apple tart with vanilla ice cream & caramel sauce!!!

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Beautiful radishes from Mimi’s Farmer’s Market…the tops made a delicious stir fry!

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Kobe burger @ Cheesecake Factory w/ sweet potato fries…

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Cheesecake’s Cuban Sandwich…

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Breakfast at the Parkers…..

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Eggs fresh from Valerie’s Chickens

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Steelhead trout at Roy’s….

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To be continued…….

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Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.