It's December...my favorite month of colder evenings, candle light, roasting in the oven, bundling up evening walks and warm inside creative expressions which thankfully make me look inward a bit finding a sense of calm.
My 2019 calendar is already filling up with bookings, music, festivals and travel...but before the new year rolls in with energy and excitement I'm relishing just laying back, feeling out being a Californian, and reflecting on the past few weeks which have been truly beautiful.
I have friends that print out the years events and tuck the photocopied text with pics into a holiday card. I never have done that. These days it's a Chanukah miracle if I get a few cards out in the mail...but I'm going to try and do a version of that via my blog.
Not the entire year, (thank you I hear you say!!) but the past 6 weeks since my last post.
Before I get into the photo posting though I want to wish everyone of you a happy holiday...what ever you celebrate...may it be filled with laughter, reflection, peace and time spent with friends and family and may this new year which is just around the corner be a year of good health, happiness, clarity, creativity, music, love and productivity. I somehow do remain hopeful about this world. Every little bit we each of us do to make it a better place does matter. Doing something...no matter how small makes a difference and can inform positive change...the butterfly effect!
A few weeks ago my two wonderful friends, Ann and Martha flew in from Austin to meet my new life in LA and check out my digs in Pasadena. Here are two women who really make a huge difference in the world every single day. Spending time with them is inspiring beyond words.
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We toured the Gamble house which is an exquisite Green & Green built Arts and Craft home in my neighborhood. Thank you to Delores Bing (famed cellist and fabulous docent!) for the tour!
We are all foodies so we cooked amazing meals...that was a killer frittata!
Went to the Huntington Gardens which is a short walk from my new home. It was fantastic having my comrades here for a few days to stop and smell the roses with me!
On Dia De Los Muertos George and I celebrated the passing of our loved ones and shared this beautiful tradition with our new LA family! Tamales, marigolds, candles, music and laughter. Our ofrenda was really beautiful and it honored my sister Sharon, father Harry, grand parents Stern and Oldziey and inspired amazing conversations about their brilliant and colorful lives. My Seattle friend Peggie (yet another remarkable woman in my life!) joined us for the weekend and we decided to make this a yearly tradition. My daughter Ariana's family on her fathers side is Mexican and this is especially important to us this year as she recently lost grandmother Luna who joined her husband Senator Gregory Luna in the land beyond.
My family all came into town for Thanksgiving at our house which was absolutely great!
Both of my children, my daughter in law, my nieces and grand nephew and several LA friends.
But wait! Drum roll pleeeeze!!
Meet my grandson...Remi Justice! He was the star of the show all weekend!
Above is Remi and his 8 year old cousin Gavi who fell in love with the new baby in the family.
Everyone wanted to gobble this guy up! This is his beautiful aunty Ariana! (who is also my beautiful daughter Ariana!)
Some of the crew who flew in: Next to me is Ari, Michelle, Selena and Remi and little Gavi lovin' on his baby cousin.
Gourds etc. These persimmons came from a friends tree in his yard and they were delicious!
It has been years since both of my children were together with me at the same time! Ari & René thank you so much for making the trip!
Friends and family really making this a home...a table filled with healers, artists, musicians and children! The best!!
And a perfect post dinner afternoon spent at the Huntington Art Museum:
I get inspired when I hang out in art museums and came home and painted these:
Don't ask me why :-)
OK onward:
Recently George and I drove into Ojai to mix a sound design project (with famed recording engineer Bruce Botnick) that George was commissioned to do for the Bob Bullock Museum.
It was a stunning drive on a day that California finally had some much needed heavy rain.
Truly beautiful rain and mist on the mountains...
Bruce and George mixing for surround sound.
These two are amazing. George was in heaven working with this legendary man.
Being members of the Society of Composers and Lyricists we have been invited to some fantastic early screenings with Q & A from the directors and composers. My favorite so far was the Coen Brothers film "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs". Carter Burwell composed the score and it was inspiring to hear him talk about his process.
We found a sweet tree and decorated it with only found objects in nature (except for the string of lights and the origami!)
And being who we are...we have a very eclectic home. This was the last night of Chanukah.
I just got back yesterday from a trip to the Pacific Northwest. I'm on the left coast now so it's a breeze to zip up to see my dear Peggie Bates in Seattle and then head to PDX to be with the new family of three.
Pikes Market in Seattle...
Peggie & Cary of Seattle xo
With René in Portland...damn Suzi, put down that phone!! (Talking to George!)
The new dad up in Washugal Washington.
The most photographed child in the world? Could be!
Happy holidays friends! I promise you more new music in 2019 with the release of my newest compositions! If you are in Austin I'll see you at Lulufest in May!
Love, peace, joy, creative inspiration...all good things sent your way.
Suzi
