RE-ENTRY INTO THE WORLD……

…….began with class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens on Wednesday.  It seemed like a year ago when the last class was held, followed by that eventful day at Rusnak and then getting that nasty bug that really laid me low.  Moral of the story……all is well and nothing is worth getting so upset one’s resistance is completely shot.  Hope I learned that one.

Here’s a picture of the Japanese Maple in front of the house.  I took this before setting forth for class as this was to be the days subject….

…..along with little birds on a Maple Branch.

After class I popped in to see all the amazing Orchid growers getting ready for their yearly exhibit which ran from noon Friday thru today (Sunday).

One of the exhibitors….

Several exquisite Lady Slipper Orchids……

Hope you had a chance to see these beautiful creations!!!

I remembered this Japanese table from last year……so elegant and how I love the screen!!!

Trudy and Geoff are back after their month long adventure….Kita went absolutely wild with joy and I was delighted with my chocolate as well.

Since the class on Wednesday was so successful I decided to repeat the subject for Saturday’s class in the Studio. This had started out as a full tree on Wednesday but I turned it sideways, removed the trunk and hid a little bird.

Concentrating…..

It’s always so interesting to see each individual art work…..all based on the same subject but completely different, one from the other.

I could tell Cynthia was really enjoying the subject.

Sweet Diana is always so full of love and joie de vivre!

Kathryn decided to tackle the Japanese Maple Landscape.  It was coming along beautifully …..there are a lot of little strokes to be done but patience rules the day.

After the main subject, Violet painted an exquisite figure (also in the lesson).

Great job Po Chu!

Let’s see that up close!

What a great week…..filled with creativity and inspiration.

Kita’s calling it all good.

FINISHED, all 985 pages……

………..

With almost two weeks of down time this was manageable.  I can’t remember when I’ve had to stay in bed for so long or when I’ve been so resigned to doing nothing.

Note to all:  GET A FLU SHOT!!!

Mom came over to give me a pep talk….

…and Kita would come by often for a nuzzle and a good scratch (for her…not me).

Then the amazing ‘Meals on Wheels’ team, Eileen & Miss Judith brought some ‘soup of love’ with all the trimmings and that made everything better!  I don’t know how they do it but they are always there to offer help in any form where ever it’s needed. I’m in awe of these two, my friendship template.

And here’s the ‘Soup of Love’……mmmmm good!

And of course, everything is better with bacon!

 

Boy, for a while I thought I was turning orange!

My ‘room with a view’.

Thank you Nikka…

And thank you Amazon….

But most of all, my heartfelt thanks to all my dear friends for all your love and concern…..that’s the best medicine there is!

THREE BIRTHDAY’S in SEPTEMBER……

…….Laurie Pie’s came first and we decided to celebrate at the new Nordstrom’s in Americana. Their restaurant, Bar Verde is amazing!!!

Everything was so yummy and I made sure we had a booth that looks out at the kitchen. 

So fun!

Don’t even ask!

Then it was mom’s turn……Nikka had to go to the Cheesecake Factory to get a candle as they’re not allowed at Bar Verde.  Apparently they don’t have a license for them but an exception was made for mom.

Along with well wishes from the servers….

Dear Amy had made an exquisite floral arrangement for mom and I stopped by to see it….

….and have a cup of tea…..

…..and fall in love with Mia, her adorable pooch…

Mom was thrilled with Amy’s creation….

….and her ‘Queen for a Day Roses’…..

Beautiful flowers from Vicki, Nikka & Emma…

And lots of chocolate…..

Next day dear Alice came over for lunch and a visit in the studio.  I was delighted to share the news that I’m on the board of the newly created Suma Center, a non-profit whose main goal is preventing bullying in the schools.

…..Finally on the 30th it was time for Charles birthday!

……Peggy sent a card she had made for Charles 50 years ago…..

…..Make a wish!!!!

To be continued……

WHERE WAS I?

………it seems forever since I’ve blogged……my cousin Ronald came in from Memphis for a couple of days three weeks ago……

Our first stop was Le Pain Quotidien…..

…..he hadn’t eaten all morning & was on Memphis time………….

Next we went to Billy’s Deli to clean them out of all  take out……

I’m not kidding about that!

….see……

…..then the inevitable happened……

Mom was so happy to see Ronald….it’s impossible to get a picture of him not making a goofy face!

.

I had gone to DC Autocraft to clean out my car….take the Leaper off and say goodbye.  It was a sad moment for me and I just wept.  It’s hard to believe that it was totaled just from a little fender bump but there was no way to convince State Farm otherwise. That meant I had one day to make a decision about a new car.

  Eden is my wonderful service advisor at Rusnak so I knew it would be best to have lunch first and ask for her help in making a decision.

We have our priorities….

Here it is…..wish the color were different and sure miss the old Jaguar styling and the Leaper on the front..

Inside it has all the bells and whistles and it will take me forever to figure it all out. 

Next day, Monique my brilliant architect came over and we spent the morning sitting inside the car trying to learn everything.

Saturday’s class was a welcome change of pace and everyone did beautifully. Kathy’s pleased!

Kathryn’s beautiful painting…..

Smile Laurie Pie….

Meanwhile Nikka was downstairs working on a Christmas card order…..

And Kitta was looking for dinner……

To be continued…….