[photopress:rednwhite_jpg_1.JPG,full,pp_image]This was such a great night to the beginning of a great weekend. My husband’s best friend Tony was getting married. Many of you may recognize him since he was my assistant for many years. Tony and Jackie (his fiance) wanted to do something fun to bring her friends and his friends together since we were coming from all over the country and Mexico. We found this great private charter with the Red and White line in San Francisco. It was so much fun as 50 of us boarded for a 3 hour tour. (I’m so glad we didn’t end up like Gilligan and his crew). We cruised the bay at night which was just gorgeous. It was a fantastically (is that a word?) clear night and the views of the bridges, the city, alcatrez, and Sausalito was amazing. Going under the Golden Gate bridge at night was just a wonderful experience. Everyone on board had a great time playing roulette, blackjack, and craps with their monopoly money. We had prizes for the top five winners. For me this night had a sentimental meeting to it. On February 15th, 16 years ago I was introduced to my husband. Many of the people who were here on the boat was there with us the night we met. It was so fun. It was like being 22 again.  One of the photos you see Tony and Jackie laughing from embarassment.  In fact the hands on Tony’s ears are his sisters.  This was a moment I’ve waited over 13 years for.  The night before my wedding Tony gave Eric and I a few unmentionables that was totally embarrassing.  All I can say is backpacks are hell.  I had a lot of years to plan this. If your interested it is a great  gift for a gag for a bachelor/bacherlorette party.[photopress:tone1.jpg,full,pp_image]

This photo is fun because all of you have heard me talk about the Jill’s.  They are two of my closest friends.  One lives in Florida and the other Minnesota.  It is so fun when we get together.  In fact, the Jill’s put all there tickets together on the cruise ship to win.  We always find a way to work the system and to have a lot of fun.  Tony always use to joke around that he needed to find a Jill.  Well, he found a Jack (ie) instead and we are so glad she is one of the girls.[photopress:tone4.jpg,full,pp_image]

[photopress:encaustic.jpg,full,pp_image][photopress:on_the_set_resize.jpg,full,pp_image]One of the new products this year is what we call an encaustic painting. They are truly an incredible, one of a kind, piece of art. The artist who makes them for me was selected to be on Martha Stewart to show them how she makes the pieces. I was so excited for her. What was really fun is that Martha hand selected some of her samples for the show and mine was selected. It really was an honor. I’ve posted a photo of it but you really need to see it person. Thanks to Dennis and Tess who are the couple in the photo for giving me the oppurtunity to create such a beautiful piece. Here is a photo of Julia with Martha. The show will air sometime in May.