SURROUNDED BY BEAUTY...............

…..just look at this exquisite arrangement by Amy www.menuahflowers.com. How did I comes to be so blessed!

….and how you may ask did I come to be the possessor of such beauty?  Dear Amy brought these two exquisite arrangements to me that had been part of her floral display at the Castaway in Burbank earlier in the day.

It’s probably best to begin at the beginning and so I shall.  Amy was one of the vendors for an event at The Castaway high up in the Burbank foothills with a sweeping view of L.A.  

The theme was weddings and there was a fashion show of bridal gowns in which two of Amy’s bouquets were featured.

…..and vendors with cakes….

….and other such ‘stuff’ a bride to be would need.

Here’s Amy alongside a banner taken from her beautiful daughters wedding.  Absolutely stunning! Amy is holding another bridal bouquet.

Here’s the two beauties, Amy with daughter Marianna, both as sweet as they are beautiful.

This is a section of Amy’s display so you can get some idea of what it looked like….

A closer look at the ‘Candy Station’.

Amy with Alex her PR guru.

And that dear friends is the story of the floral largesse.  May your week be filled with beauty!

MOM'S 102nd BIRTHDAY WAS THIS PAST WEEK....

…..but before that special day there was a lot to do.  Monday afternoon Jane Windsor-Marowitz came over to discuss next Sunday’s tea for Lisa See.  Jane’s company, www.anyoneforteacatering.com will be handling the food and beverage department and sweet Amy www.menuahflowers.com is doing the flowers.  We had a lot to co-ordinate!  But first, a little something to snack on as we do have our priorities!

The next day dear Lisa came over so we could get caught up.  It’s always a joy to see her but I confess I’m going to miss reading her inspiring art blog every week.  You can find it on her website www.artbylisaphc.com by clicking on ‘Affirmative Blog’. She’s decided to pause for a while saying adieu on September 22nd and hopefully will re-group! Whoops, more snacking!

 

And it’s always a great day when Lizzie and I meet for lunch at Panera Bread ….mored snacking….and then a movie.

 

After Panera Bread we go to the Laemmle  No Ho7 and this time saw….’This is Where I Leave You’ giving it a 5 Popcorn rating!  We both loved it….you’ll laugh, you’ll cry….you’ll just enjoy this terrific ensemble cast and snappy dialog.

Now I confess, I’m not doing a great job of scheduling because after I left Lizzie I had to be at Providence Saint Joseph Hospital.  Not exactly my favorite place but as they ask me to donate art every year  I like to stop by for the artist’s reception they hold.  Besides, there’s always good ‘snacking’.

Remember my blog about Ron Pekar….the artist who did the bronze of Traveler for USC?  It was great fun to see him...

…..and many of you will find this work of mine quite familiar.

Please….no more photo’s!…..I must go snacking!

Marsha Ramos is probably the most amazing woman I know as she is continually on every committee, foundation, group….the Chair for the American Lung Assoc. in CA, on the CA Air Resources Board...anything and everything that helps people and all this in addition to running her huge company Geosystems, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering specialists.. saving the planet and taking care of her beautiful family.  Artist Jamie Butterworth is to the left of Marsha and was going to share her talents as a jazz singer  that evening.

Lot’s of other peeps but I did manage to drag myself away after a decent interval...

Finally….September 25th, mom’s 102nd birthday!!!

Nikka was so precious, getting mom the most amazing balloons, a birthday stack of cupcakes, flowers and candy….soooo sweet! We had ‘FaceTime’ and all sang Happy Birthday!

 

 

Well, I guess you know by now it’s either grilled cheese sandwiches or Gourmet 88 Chinese food for special occasions.

 

Chinese won out….

Sooooo good!

Where’s the cake!!!

From Vicki, Nikka & Emma.

Charles approved!

Kind hearted lovely Amy came by with one of her creations designed especially for mom!

We decided it was perfectly mom to a ’T’!

Another birthday on Saturday…this time it was Laurie Pie and she wanted…..wait for it...

PIE!

 

Kc made this delicious three berry tart.  Raspberry liquer with current jelly glaze a marcapone center and pate sucre crust.  Sooooo good!

Make a wish Laurie Pie…..

After all that fun and frivolity, Nikka & I worked in the office until 9 P.M. trying to solve the equipment problems…..we’re still working on it!

Here’s to a better week!!!

WE’RE BACK IN THE DARK AGES….

…..major PC problems, printers that don’t want to print and a scanner that has pooped out. We found that out trying to scan the large works piled up behind it!  The remaining PC files have to be transferred to the iMac……love Apple!  Hopefully by the end of the week all of this will be resolved.

Meanwhile….

Class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens was wonderful. 

I tortured everyone with the Chinese Orchid and then we played with the Matilija Poppy and had great fun.

We love Dr. Martin Moradian who takes care of our footsies…..even making a house call for Sir Charles.

While Kita keeps an eye out for Chiracco, making sure he trims everything correctly.

Just so you don’t think I’ve backed off in the Foodie Department, check this out. Waiting for our table at Bourbon Steak at Americana.

Got to love this!

For the table……

Every since Sandie Girl told me she was getting an aged steak for Dr. Jim I’d been thinking of the same….my carnivore instincts were all atwitter!

But first a very unusual Caesar Salad…..

 

 

Perfection & I was able to talk Nikka into trying ‘rare’ meat!!!

Lobster mashed potatoes…..sooooo good!

Time for dessert….would you believe this is bread pudding?  It’s soooo carmelly good!

Not stuffed enough I tried something from the sweets cart.  Can you figure out what?

So sorry, I’m so stuffed I thought this was my car!

Anyone could make the same mistake….

By Friday we were so famished working so hard in the office there was only one thing to do…

And for a diversion, here’s Kim’s shoe pick of the day….Nike AirMax 90’s

All you cat lovers missed a great workshop with Danny Chen, visiting artist from Canada.

Kathy’s beautiful painting.

 

Must have dumplings!