Friday, December 25, 2009
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 music playing; we painted and partied and trust you did the same!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
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 list
straight to the source of good old St. Nick!
On Dasher, on Dancer head straight to the door
of Valerie and Eugene's and search no more.
For there in the house all twinkling and bright
is all that you'd want to do Christmas just right!
Carolers were strolling in their costumes so fine
as guests were treated to find food and good wine!
Presents galore for each lucky guest
and finally my wish for St. Nick was at rest!
Phyllis, Valerie & yours truly with Vicki & Carol
Sunday, December 6, 2009
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.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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 mouth as he followed his owner! Well, you really had to be there…we sat laughing so hard and thinking “this is a great movie scene”.
Later at check out, there was the dog, doing his best beg for cookies from the check out woman who apparently had been thru this routine many times before. Just like Yuki, he jumped up, placing his huge paws on the counter and wolfed the treat down, then another, and another…….finally it was time to go and the owner said “gather up” and the dog did exactly that, placing the entire leash in his mouth. What Charles loved the most was that the owner said “It was his idea”!
Friday, November 13, 2009
THE KATRINA DOLPHINS: One Way Ticket to Paradise
What an amazing tale of courage, survival and hope was told to ‘The Tuesday Reading Group’.
Marion Jones &Marky Allen
hosts of the event at the Valley Hunt Club
Vanya Rohner,Halla Aguirre,Georgeanne Irvine & her sister Ginger Bernard
After a lovely luncheon, we heard guest speaker Georgeanne Irvine, author of over 20 books, relate the mesmerizing journey of the dolphins from the Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, Mississippi. These beautiful mammals were shockingly washed into the Gulf of Mexico when a wall of water caused by Hurricane Katrina flooded their home. Nearly two weeks later Elijah, Jackie, Jill, Michelle, Kelly, Tamra, Toni and Noah were discovered by search helicopters and then the massive rescue effort began.
Carol Soucek King & speaker Georgeanne Irvine
We sat on the edges of our chairs as Georgeanne told this wondrous story and later I was thrilled to purchase her magnificent book which details in enthralling words and magnificent pictures this hard to believe, miraculous tale.
This book, ‘THE KATRINA DOLPHINS’ would be a wonderful Christmas present! (It’s on display in my studio.)
You can make a difference:
girvine@sandiegozoo.org for book info
www.kerznermarinefoundation.org
Sunday, November 8, 2009
SATURDAY’S CALLIGRAPHY CLASS…
was treated to a real ZEN experience when Master Calligrapher Shantien ‘Tom’ Chow 
Special thanks to Charles L. DeMille who filmed this event for us. Charles especially appreciated seeing Tom’s meditative approach in preparing the necessary materials.
Tom explains his robe.
Cookie Time Out
Inspired Will Mc Gaul and his marvelous calligraphy
Sunday, November 1, 2009
VIP NIGHT at CIRQUE DU SOLEIL…
for the benefit of ‘MY FRIEND’S PLACE’ and ‘LOS ANGELES YOUTH NETWORK’. 
For More Information:
Thursday, October 29, 2009
WHEREVER VALERIE FOSTER HOFFMAN IS…
…it’s a grand celebrational, simply sensational PARTY! You can imagine my delight in being included as I actually had the day clear (O.K., so maybe I did play hooky).
Back to the party…the Athena Circle invited the foremost designers in Los Angeles to interpret ‘A Festive Holiday Table’ at the California Club. Lunch was yummy and Valerie’s table was a joy to experience. As usual with Valerie, you never go home empty handed so our table was treated to beautiful crystal vases by Geary’s, a special CD honoring Michael Jackson (leave it to V. to find such a thing) and the cutest Halloween stuffed bears that I tried in vain to hide from Yuki.
The guest speaker was Suzanne Tucker who gave a power point lecture on her new book, ‘Rooms to Remember’. All I could think of was Carol Soucek King’s amazing design oriented books from ‘Empowered Spaces’ in ‘93 to ‘Unique Homes’ in 2006. Next time you’re in the studio be sure to see my treasured books.
It was a special treat to see the ‘Table Top’ designed by Tommy Farmer as he did the exquisite flowers for our wedding. Carol remembers we had an added touch of guests releasing live butterflies!
Carol & Valerie, Yours truly, Vanessa, Valerie’s beautiful and talented daughter & Shelly Ann Marks in from Houston
Almost stealing the spotlight was Kennedy, the adorable Yellow Lab puppy with his little ‘puppy in training for Guide Dogs of America’ jacket, letting us all know a most important job awaited him.
For more information:
Google Tommy Farmer
Sunday, October 25, 2009
TYRUS WONG is a NATIONAL TREASURE…
and Sunday, Oct. 25th is his 99th birthday! To celebrate, a group of 
It wasn’t windy enough for the many sectioned butterfly kite to take wind but the Panda bear was just light (and cute) enough!
Tyrus and his kites were featured in a short film ‘Flights of Fancy’ and you can see why. Some are over 100 feet and there are flocks of swallows, butterflies, centipedes and more, all lovingly hand painted.
Pamela Tom is the Director/Producer of the nearly completed full length documentary “Brushstrokes in Hollywood: A Portrait of Tyrus Wong”.
How cute is this…Tyrus with daughter Kim and adoring fans
One of Tyrus’ ground breaking exquisite illustrations for the classic animated film Bambi.
You should know that although it’s nearly finished, “Brushstrokes in Hollywood” still very much welcomes and DEPENDS on our (tax deductable) contributions and support in order for it to be completed.
For more information and to support:
www.brushstrokesinhollywood.com
Did you know that the Santa Monica pier is the end of Route 66?
Friday, October 23, 2009
LEARNING & PRODUCT EXPO: ART
Sunday, October 18, 2009
ONLY TWO GHOSTS in the COUNTRY…
The 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost was ‘unveiled’ by two beauties aided by Miss California. You could actually hear the drum beat of all the palpitating hearts.
I just want the retracting ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ statuette. (hood ornament)
There was also an unveiling for the 2010 Jaguar XJ “experience the beauty…feel the exhilaration”…but all I was feeling at that point was pangs of hunger as we stood in one of the four lines of starving souls waiting for prime beef, et al.
Did I mention the Porsche 2010 Panamera? A four seater…imagine … what’s the world coming to? we were told to “Drive into a new dimension”…well, O.K.
Paul Rusnak, and Us
When we came home it was time to relax on the patio with one of the Cruzan cigars from ‘Cigars by Chivas’. Oh please, that was Charles!!
A Very Nice Party! Thank You
For more information:
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
ATTENTION HOLLYWOOD…GET SOME POINTERS!
I’m speechless (well almost) as it’s not easy describing 
Grateful for valet parking, we munched on delicious yummies and imbibed just a bit…what a convivial group. Carol Soucek King (Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life) gave the introduction and left no doubt that she’s a STAR of the first order as she described the amazing, multitalented and beautiful Valerie and her dear Eugene…philanthropist’s extraordinaire!
For a perfect ending, Dr. Richard King had us all say his wonderful native American prayer:
Do all the good you can,
In all the ways you can,
With all the means you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you can.
Shelly Ann Marks, in from Houston for the event (Charles thought I was talking with Rachael Zoe)
Valerie thought of everything …
Dr. Richard King, Carol Soucek King, Elaine Adams (Ex. Dir. of The California Art Club and wife of the brilliant plein air 
For more information:
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I’M FEELING ALL GIRLIE…
and wondering just low long it’s been since you’ve been to a real tea party with ALL the accoutrements? Scones of course with clotted cream, lemon curd and various jams. Fresh fruit and lovely little tea sandwiches…the favorite being cucumber but curried chicken was a close second. All of these delightful treats were served on exquisite china, hand painted by our beautiful hostess and artist extraordinaire, Lissi Kaplan who is also the author of ‘The Power of a Teacup’.. Lissi’s work has been commissioned far and wide most notably here in Los Angeles where the 5 star Peninsula and Montage hotels serve their low (afternoon) teas on it.
‘Pinkies up’ everyone!
Valerie Hoffman and daughter Vanessa McLean, Lisa Bowman and Kristin visiting from Hawaii with Lissi Kaplan
For More Information:
www.thereligionnetwork.com (Lisa Bowman’s amazing site)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
WATCHING a MIRACLE in SLOW MOTION
…is quite a fascinating thing to do!
Felicia (daughter of Dee Dee, my sweet and precious friend from grade school) and her sister-in-law flew in from Pleasanton for a one day Brush painting class and brought a captivating scroll !!!
Mary and Felicia
Me and Dee Dee
The Insightful Scroll
I couldn’t get the words out of my head and then one day I noticed a branch starting to appear from a Cymbidium that has bloomed months ago.
Each day the branch grew farther & farther and then buds started to appear then slowly, one by one, they unraveled their beauty.
When I can fully wrap my mind around this I’ll let you know…in the meantime…
Saturday, September 5, 2009
CALIFORNIA SUSTAINABLE plus MEDITERRANEAN…
…is how our server described the cuisine at ‘PALATE’ the most amazing Glendale restaurant (on Brand) we stumbled upon. (Octavio Becerra is the chef/owner and you might remember him from Splichal’s Patina Group.)
We suspected we were in for a real treat upon hearing that the butter was churned ‘in house’ as well as the meats being cured there. Every element of the meal was truly sublime and an added treat was going to the back room (also crowded) to check out the communal dining area with it’s marvelous wine store. You can also buy some really yummy cheese as well!
In case your wondering, the service was impeccable right down to the attentive valet service.
For More Information: Palate Food Wine
Friday, September 4, 2009
HOW I WISHED I HAD A CAMERA…
…because you really had to see this one.
Mom and I were going to see ‘Monty Python’s SPAMALOT’ at the Ahmanson Theatre and I was surprised and delighted to find a wonderful parking spot right next to the 3rd level escalator. Well, the surprise was on me as the escalator was out of order! What to do…people were milling about and most climbed the stairs.
“Wait mom…I have an idea…let’s ask one of the parking attendants to get a wheel chair for you.” Better than that, we commandeered a little cart that sat two plus driver (tightly) and off we went when out of the corner of my eye I spotted a real gem. You know, the sort of contraption you see people riding around the golf courses that seat at least four! Hey, let’s take that one… and off we went. One driver, mom, one attendant and myself sailed out of the parking lot onto the main street, drove to the corner turned right…up a block and right again to the valet section of the Music Center. What should await us but two young men with wheelchairs! With mom safely ensconced in her chair I’m thinking…it’s 101 degrees and we’re still a block away, the show starts in three minutes and so into the second chair I plopped. Off we went and I shouted “Let’s race…come on…we’ll win!” Do you know we were not only wheeled into the Ahmanson but taken to the elevator…real red carpet treatment! It was amazing and the funniest thing ever (well almost.)
Oh…back to Spamalot…it’s the most irreverent hysterical show ever and we were seated the moment it started!
For More Information:
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