DOMESTICITY AND OTHER THINGS

A trip to Julienne's is #1 on the list when planning a dinner party.

It's fun planning the menu, setting the table, checking lists to make sure everything is done as planned.

Appetizers on the patio...



But the most fun of all is knowing your guests had a good time!

While on the subject of fun...Nothing could have been better this month than celebrating Carol's return home.... Her luncheon at The Athenaeum was absolutely delightful...

As was the lovely lunch at Carol's with Tavo Olmos on Mandolin and Nick Neutra on Guitar serenading us.

A beautiful day!

Along with hugging a tree for good measure before going home!

There was a Western Barbecue at the Athanaeum and who could resist petting a baby goat!

Everyone got the memo...note the hats!



Probably the absolutely sweetest day was the bridal shower for Erin.  Sister Kaley greeted me before the festivities...sooooo cute!

You can barely see Clara in the far left...

Bravo Kathy, this was a day to remember!

So much yummy food....



This was very clever.  You could write your name on your beverage glass.

Clara got the most delicious cake at Sweet Lady Jane...but of course!

It's no secret that I love Moochi even more than Kita.

On to birthdays....
We celebrated Lovely Marine at The Frontyard...

and, don't laugh...me again at the Peninsula with thanks to Clara.

It's Nikka's B-day turn....

Maggie celebrated Nikka with cupcakes at the Huntington...

There were enough to go around for all 38 students!

Lovebird Eliza is so happy with her 'Lovebirds'!

Word has it that this painting was happily received in Boston...

Thanks May at Chang's Frames in El Monte.  You're amazing!

Trying to get organized...

in between conferences in the studio...

O.K., needed a play date at the Peninsula with buddies Sweet Joycie and Patricia!

I hope you take time to play too!

JUST TOO MUCH FUN

Starting with the most over the top amazing Nowruz celebration at awesome Farnaz's!

 Precious Maryam......

I wish I had taken a better photo of Farnaz....we were having a fun moment with Poolak, her beautiful daughter.

 Clara treated Amy and me to the most beautiful afternoon at Nobu in Malibu.  For joyful, that has to be at the top of the list!  Just being so close to the water on such a lovely day was a real treat.  Of course the food can't be topped and the friendship is sublime!

 Hi Amy!

 Thank you dear Clara for a perfect day!

 Afterwards Amy and I went with Clara to pick up her beautiful Tesla.  What an amazing car!

 Another fun catch up lunch at The Athenaem with the Huntington's delightful  Cris Lutz.

 Then on to Easter at the Reilly Manor.

 Sandie's table was beautiful and looked just like spring.

 Nikka helped out in the kitchen while Sandie played with the plates!

 Thank you Yoshida-san for doing such a wonderful job planting all the roses.  It's no fun digging into granite!

 I was totally surprised to see my name on this wall at the Huntington.  Cris Lutz had to point it out to me at the Huntington Successor's Event..

 Amy and I had great fun there.....

 Of course the food and the amazing shrimp that were passed about...

 Special thanks to the brilliant Jim Folsom for all the many years of kindness to me.

 We heard a very scholarly lecture on William Blake.

 Time for lunch at Bloomies with Beautiful Mary....

 If you're a foodie and haven't been to Julienne's in San Marino I suggest you cancel everything and head on out there.  It's even more fun than Joan's on 3rd!

 So, what better place to celebrate precious Maria's birthday!

 Maryam was kind to come over and check out the Persian carpet Mr. Nouri delivered.....

 This was earlier in the day when I was selecting a runner from literally thousands of rugs.....

 Back to Bloomie's, Lex and 59th because Lizzie and I were in need of our smoothies....

 Kita really wanted a bite of Chef David......we could hardly get any work done....She's in love!

 Same thing with party planner Stephanie......

 It probably is all about the food and Dim Sum at Maggie's topped the chart!

 Later, John, one of the travelers on the special trip to Egypt, showed his slides and gave a thoughtful, scholarly talk on the trip.

 Time for dessert.  Maggie puts out quite a spread.

 That evening it was on to the California Club for the Opera League of L.A. Peter Hemmings Award Dinner.

 We were treated to performances by the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artists.  It was absolutely thrilling.

 The next day (Sunday) Maggie brought visiting John over to see my studio and I gave John a lesson in Bamboo leaves! (Actually I had set the day aside to pack for Boston.)

It's Tuesday, my flight leaves tomorrow morning and I have no clue how or what to pack.  The weather in Boston has been awful, cold, snowy....you get the picture.  This will be interesting......interesting but always joyful!