DINNER at the REILLY’S …..

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

DINNER at the REILLY’S …..

…..is always warm, cozy and utterly YUMMY and when invited I jump at the chance to join them. On the way I couldn’t resist snapping this fellow doing what all dogs love to do….With Kita, if the window is open just enough she sees an opportunity to jump out and make friends with anyone and everyone!!! Just ask trainer Mary Beth.

Timothy is Master of the Pan and getting those pork chops seasoned just right.

But first some pate and yummy dip……there is almost a stand off at the dip…..who drew first????

Checking the potatoes ……..

Adding the bacon was a stroke of genius and I got first dibs on it…..

Jim’s back at the pate……

Oh these were sooooo good………

The ‘Everything In It’ salad was wonderful with Green Goddess dressing…..oh the Jelly Beans you ask????? Well don’t!!!

Count on Whole Foods to have a ‘No Trans Fat’ desert….you don’t feel quite as bad when you devour it.

Same for the Carrot Cake…….

We had so much fun we decided to meet up the next morning at Americana for the second showing of ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ or, as I told the office when stopped for a check point on Brand the other evening, “I was coming from Zero Dark FORTY and no, I wasn’t drinking….He corrected my mistake and figured I just might be telling the truth….confused but not intoxicated.

Anyway, back to the mall at 10:30 A.M.….deserted.

And Pacific Theatre was deserted too….we got there early to make sure we’d get good seats. Ha, it was a private showing.

Wish I got a better picture of this pup….he was the friendliest I’ve ever seen (next to Kita of course who’d go home with anyone.)

Back to Katsuya…..

Sandie’s Salmon……

Cucumber roll…….just in case you couldn’t guess…..

I love this (maybe ‘cause I had a Scottie!)

Next stop Barnes & Noble….. I love how folks are sitting ‘round all over…..books are here to stay…

And so ends a perfect evening & day…..

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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.