CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY AT THE VIRGINIA Robinson Gardens ANNUAL EVENT

Was so much fun! I was asked to demonstrate my Brush painting and I couldn't think of a finer way to spend the day.
So many flowers everywhere....

Amy and I shared the 'China' room which had also been the office for Ivo, Mrs. Robinson's Majordomo.

Here is one of Amy's exquisite creations for the room. Floral arrangements from Le Jardin Privé always stand out because they're created with love!

Dear Carol Soucek King has wanted to take me out for my birthday but when I suggested she attend the garden event she thought that would be perfect and it was!

Amy and her dear friend Lilia.

Sweet Lilia brought a birthday cake for me.

Is someone filming me?

Listening to the pianist in the living room was so inspiring...

I painted at least 6 different subjects...



And at least three Wisteria paintings...

What a wonderful, inspiring day and then I came home to this exquisite creation from dear Eliza and Tyler...

and beautiful yellow roses from my friends at The Huntington Botanical Gardens!

So much beauty added to this creation by Le Jardin Privé sent by my friends at Harvard.

May all your days be fragrant!

A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING AND SOME AUGUST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Beautiful Lissi and Doug, her Prince, were married and we all celebrated at ll Cielo Restaurant in Beverly Hills.  A perfect venue! The bride and groom were surrounded by a forrest of flowers created with love for them by Amy at Le Jardin Prive!

How's this for party glamour.  My beautiful and most talented star....Lisa Bowman.

We arrived a bit early to see Amy's brilliant floral display created for the bride.

Bravo Le Jardin Prive!

When it got dark the crystals in the vases glowed and it was absolutely magical!

I absolutely adore Lissi's sisters!

Well, Amy & I were a few months late but finally celebrated beautiful Lisa's birthday at Le Grande Orange in Pasadena.  And yes, there was a 'cake' but I just shot a video of it so no photo!

What an unmitigated joy to celebrate beautiful Marine's birthday at Prosecco Trattoria in Toluca Lake with precious Amy.  Here's the birthday girl with her oh so sweet sister, Eliza.

You can see how joyful it was for me!

Awesome Amy (yes, another one) is the owner and hostess with the mostest at Prosecco. It's like 'Cheers'. everyone knows your name and you feel like you're at home!

On to a little surprise birthday party for Nikka at Bistro Garden with Amy and Maria.

But wait, there's more!

The Brush painting class in the studio celebrated Nikka's birthday!

Awesome Kc baked her a delicious blueberry pie!!!  Sooooo good!!!

More presents....so cute!

Let's have more  birthday cake for Nikka....This one at lovely Maggie's...

What a fun evening with Maggie and Diane...

Even more cheers for Nikka...treated by dear Kc and Sweet Lynne at Bar Verde...

There's another birthday girl.  Lovely Maggie! We celebrated at The Athenaeum...

                                          I wish you lot's of cake and happy days!

LIVING JOYFULLY

...is not always easy but as I begin a new year I like to remember the things that bring me joy.

How about throwing a great party?  Maggie, an awesome hostess, had a shabu-shabu dinner that was the most fun.  Everyone gets to cook their own meal and after  awhile, cook for others at the table.  It turns into great fun!

Always enjoy your friends...

Let your friends do things for you.  Precious Amy made me soup!

Lulu sent me beautiful flowers from Le Jardin Privé.....Thank you dear girl!

As did Rex, our 'Man About Town'.....

Clean your space. (Thank you so much Connor for your massive help)

Soooooo much stuff for 'Helping Hands for the Blind'.

See some art.

Share a meal.

Watch Sumo wrestling!

Give or listen to a talk or lecture.

Share your work. Teaching brings me great joy.

(I'm so proud of Laurie Pie)

Learn new skills. (Everyone loves Shantien 'Tom' Chow's Master Calligraphy class in the studio.)

Love deeply.

See the ocean.

Be a 'high brow' now and then.

Share fun, learning experiences.  The cooking classes at Pirch are great even if you've cooked forever!

Remember to give thanks for our bounty and the hands that worked so hard to bring it to us.

Read a good book that stretches your mind.

Remember places of love.

Eat lots of sushi!

Play with friends.

Try to eat healthy even when rushed.

Don't forget to have treats!

Collect something...anything.

Get and give lots of hugs!

Honor relationships.

Remember to give.  I love 'Heifer International.'

SEE the sky.

Don't worry.

Pray!

Remember to smile.

And for Pete's sake...get a dog!

May you always live joyfully!