77 Comments
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Krissy Delaney's avatar

Just absolute perfection, Deb. Y'all meld so, so wonderfully.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Krissy! I fell asleep today sitting upright with one of my legs crossed (lol) while my granddaughter took a nap. It was a real high to create and then I came down from it! We so appreciate you. It means so much because we know how creative and thoughtful you are. Looking forward to more projects in our future -- and all three of us at some point!! ox

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Jenn's avatar

I hope you’re caught up on rest, Deb! ❤️. And I agree, all three of us together would be incredible!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

I can't wait to find the time for that!! 🙌🏻 🙌🏻 🙌🏻

I worked a long day 📷 at USC yesterday and oh the old bones - but do we ever catchup 😴🥱 lol!

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Jenn's avatar

I hope you catch up soon and your photos were successful! Rest well, Deb!

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Krissy Delaney's avatar

Yes and amen to more projects in our future- what a wonderful, beautiful opportunity!

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Jenn's avatar

I’m looking forward to it ☺️

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, Krissy ❤️. It was a wonderful journey.

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Krissy Delaney's avatar

I couldn't possibly have a favorite part. Divine.

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, Krissy! I feel the same way, honestly ❤️. I’m so glad you enjoyed this!

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Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

Thank you, Deb and Jenn, for offering a glimpse through your unique artistic lenses! Your artworks beautifully complement each other, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between art and reality. What a magical way to engage your audience through the nuances of these two art forms, skillfully presented with your talent for words.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much dear friend! We really loved the process. It was very challenging but the outcome was worth it. I LOVE how you saw the "art and reality" in it. It's funny but I was telling someone tonight that we don't go hunting for these images to create an idea - we "see" them and then we go look for them - it just happens. It's total outer body experience. A wonderful exhaustion! The music makes it all come together as you know with the magic! Love you. oxox

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Jenn's avatar

Charlotte, thank you. We loved the whole process, it was a journey in itself. I love the idea of contemplating the relationship between art and reality. Thank you so very much ❤️💕✨

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Martin's avatar

Thanks Deb and Jan for the kaleidoscope of images and words- such a lot of work and love put into them!

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, Martin, so very much. We are beyond glad that you’ve enjoyed our post!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much friend for taking the time to look! We absolutely loved doing this project. Felt so good when we were finished. Just wish we could have had a toast in person! (or a cuppa!) :)

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Beryl Gunn's avatar

Just watched it again. It is stunning and projects an utter sense of peace and a feeling of deep relaxation when listening to the music and taking in the beautiful scenery. Tranquility abounds!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Mom, I am so amazed that you were able to see it and I am so thankful you have the larger computer screen to do so. I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me that you watched it (and a few times!). Jenn and I just wanted to flood the feed with those beautiful colors of the west, joy, thought and music. Isn’t Jenn a beautiful soul and painter? I am so blessed by her friendship here and beyond glad we finally did a collaboration. Thank you so much for your love. ox

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you Deb, you are so kind. I have also watched it again and again it is so good, so gorgeous. You friendship has blessed me immensely ❤️

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, that is just wonderful to hear, we were hoping to immerse our viewers in something beautiful. I’m thrilled you felt so peaceful. Deb came up with the video idea and she put that together. We are very happy with the result!

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Trudi Nicola's avatar

So soothing and visually stunning 🌟❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Ahhh! Thank you Trudi! This means so much. It was lots of work and we were amazed at how it came together. oxox

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Trudi Nicola's avatar

It’s beautiful ✨

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, Trudi! That’s exactly how we felt about it, too. ❤️✨

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Trudi Nicola's avatar

Yay! ❤️

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SonOfaGunn4321's avatar

You 2 🙌 the beautiful part of art that brines & shines!!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Adam. This is the beauty of being on Substack. Meeting lovely humans like @Jenn . So much goodness. oxox

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Jenn's avatar

❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you so much! Deb was definitely the mastermind here. We had a blast making it!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh no Jenn! You were VERY involved!! oxox

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Jenn's avatar

Yes, it’s true, but you did the hard part, and I am so impressed by your skills ❤️. I am still just in love with it!

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Wild Lion*esses Pride from Jay's avatar

What a stunning collection.

It felt like wandering through an exquisite art gallery with my morning coffee in hand—colors and textures unfolding like a conversation between memory and dream. I found myself both held and nudged, stirred by a deep longing to expand my own creative voice. To step more fully into the kind of space where creation is not only possible but welcomed. Where the work of our hearts might be seen, honored, and maybe even invited to hang on the warm walls of local galleries.

Deborah, Jenn—this collaboration is luminous. A soft collision, as you say, of word and image, tone and tenderness. Your voices harmonize in a way that doesn’t just showcase art but embodies it. I feel like I’m learning just by witnessing the way you shape your world and share it with such generosity.

Thank you for letting us sit at that tea table where turquoise meets orange, where swans don’t sing but everything else surely does.

With awe, and a hopeful heart,

Jay

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Jay! I can’t believe how beautiful your comment is! You have such an incredible way with words, expressing such gorgeousness. We had hoped this would bring all of these emotions you express, inspiration and more. Thank you so much. Now, I want to find the energy to do it again! Which we will at some point! And wouldn’t a real tea be amazing? Thank you isn’t enough. oxox

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Wild Lion*esses Pride from Jay's avatar

Deborah, your response made me smile deeply—thank you. It means so much to know the beauty I felt made its way back to you.

Yes to that real tea someday! Virtual is still real. I can already picture it: mismatched cups, a scatter of scones, and the kind of conversation that weaves between color palettes and soul truths. Until then, may rest and inspiration keep taking turns, and may the next creation arrive in its own wild timing.

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Jenn's avatar

Yes, again and a real tea ☺️

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Jenn's avatar

Oh my goodness, thank you for this wonderful description of your experience with our post! This is exactly the thing we had hoped for people to feel. I am so grateful to you and thrilled that you enjoyed our images and free poetry. It makes the creation all the more worth it ❤️

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Dawud Marsh's avatar

Totally loved this wonderful collaboration. Perfectly complimentary each other and a beautiful world seen through two unique and inspiring pallets of creativity. Thank you both so much for sharing.

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, Dawud! It was so much fun to share our creativity and it was inspiring to work together and watch the beauty take shape from vague ideas of color to a full blown sensory immersion! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I love that you enjoyed it with a snack ☺️.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Dawud! What a lovely surprise to see this :) Your comment is affirmation to our hearts. We poured ourselves into this project and hope to do more. And how cool you were enjoying homemade food and coffee while watching! Yesss! This truly means so much. Thank you!!!! oxoxox

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Michael Edward's avatar

This was wonderful. Such fantastic photos and images, and the brief words that accompanied each was equally amazing :)

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, Michael! I’m so glad you enjoyed our post, we wanted to make something beautiful to be absorbed in for a few moments.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Well in that case — mission accomplished.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Michael! This truly means the world to us. We threw our heart and soul into it and hoped it would spread some joy and thought — But mostly we were so excited to work together :) oxox

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Jenn's avatar

Yes! ❤️

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Michael Edward's avatar

This piece certainly spread some joy. And your collective work made it all the more joyous :)

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much - we were hoping for that! Joy is what we need. ox

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Jenni Madden's avatar

I'm very happy that the Internet keeps everything. It's all out there, some place.

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Jenn's avatar

It surely is! The internet is forever both good and bad. Thanks Jenni!

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Jenni Madden's avatar

Both of you are amazingly talented and wonder-filled people. God bless you as you create!! :).

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Yes, thank you so much Jenni for investing your time in this piece! It was definitely a passion piece. We loved every minute and hope it spreads joy and a multitude of emotions. God Bless you too. ox

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you for taking the time to have a look and for leaving us some kindness Jenni! God bless you!

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Simone Senisin's avatar

Brilliant 🙏

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, Simone, that is a beautiful compliment ❤️. We are so glad you enjoyed this.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much friend. This truly is a beautiful compliment and means a lot to us. We threw our hearts into it. ox

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Simone Senisin's avatar

I can tell ❤️

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Julie Dee's avatar

I really enjoyed this collage of image and words. It felt like looking into a scrap book of your minds. Some wonderful food for thought in there. ❤️

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, Julie, I like that idea; a scrap book of our minds. It’s perfectly fitting. Thank you for checking out our post! ❤️

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Julie Dee's avatar

Well done to you two x

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Julie! Thank you for this great comment! and for taking the time to look at our work. It was a real passion project. Our intent was to saturate the eyes, mind and soul. Love what you say about it being like a scrapbook of our minds. And "food for thought." That's exact. So much between the lines. You are very intuitive. oxox

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Julie Dee's avatar

There’s a make up brand I follow and she always gives insights into how she creates the colours, gives a little vision board of her inspirations, it reminded me of that.

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Mark Foard's avatar

Congratulations Deborah and Jenn! An absolutely wonderful collaboration and a great choice of music. I loved this 💕💕

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Mark, thank you so very much! It means the world you took the time to look at it! We had a great time baking this (as Jenn says!). I love that music so much too. I first heard it on Ted Lasso!! Just so cool.

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Jenn's avatar

Thank you, Mark!! The music was suggested by Deb, and I couldn’t agree more on how perfect it is for our picture story!

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Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

Love this, Deborah! I want to ask a hundred questions about all the photos and art...but I will take them as they are gifted.

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Jenn's avatar

I love Santa Barbara ❤️. I’ve not been too far north of San Francisco, but I’ve been as far south as San Diego. It’s such a beautiful state. I love the coast.

And pine trees flooded with sunshine ❤️. I might choose pine trees over the ocean, I love them so.

When my kids ask what my super power would be, that’s what i always say, to have the ability to be in two places at once. And I would paint my heart out if I had that kind of time. I hope you find the time soon to indulge in a little creativity! I will remember to tag you by next time I post some art; here is my Etsy if you just want to see some of my pieces (I have way more than what I can list 😂)

https://betweenthepines.etsy.com

Thank you again for your curious interest in our beautiful collection of sumptuous things; and thank you for sharing a bit about why they felt special to you! Have a wonderful weekend!

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Jenn's avatar

Okay. You guys asked. Feel free to fill in the who, what, wheres.

The photo overlooking the ocean with poppies in the foreground? Location?

— I took this photo in Pacific Grove, CA.

The next one? Newport Beach?

The cow painting. 😍

—. These beauties are Deb’s! 😍

The painting with the clouds on the left. What is the photo or painting of on the right?

— the photo to the right is a garland made from beautiful paper circles. It hung in my baby’s nursery and is currently living under my bed.

The lovely little still life on the left side.

Cuttings in water on pink background.

—I believe you are talking about the blue and black bottles? That is an old drawing that I cut up, it is two separate paintings and the background is a red conte crayon. The cuttings are from a bush in my yard.

Love the rubber boots! 😍

— Thank you ❤️

The canyon shot! And the mountain painting. 😍

—Deb’s beautiful photo! The art below is mine.

Where is the beach scene to the left of the ornate metal gate?

— That was taken in Big Sur California

The paintings of pine trees!

— the pine trees are actually a photo!! They turn that intense orange color in the Sunset light. It’s one of my favorite things. it has long been on my list of things I need to paint!

Who's the model for the nude?

— I painted this in college. It is a zoomed in photo of the original painting , I called it the girl with the green toe nails, I cannot remember her name anymore.

Love the stoplight painting! 🚦

—thank you! The photo is a cropped portion of a much larger scene!

That 70's globe with the light shining on the wall. 😍

—thank you! It hangs in my studio and gives me much warmth and joy ☺️

I thought I was the only person with an upright bass.

The perspective on the guitarist painting!

—these are Deb’s fabulous work! The upright bass is one of my fave photos and I agree with you about the perspective!

I love the drawing of the eyes beside the terrine. Misha has one like that.

— Thank you! Both of those are zoomed in from a larger artwork.

The timing of the kette with the music....then I realized. It's the Kettle.

Yes!!!! Deb again!!! It’s sublime ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Thank you for these questions and the chance to tell more of the story behind the images!

-I think

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Dear Rosemary! I'm so excited you asked these questions and loved this like we loved doing it! I'm also thankful to Jenn for taking the time to answer! I am sneaking a little moment on my mom's big computer screen with even bigger keyboard (her poor eyes) -- to answer as well. It was so busy building up to leaving to surprise her in Oregon for Mother's Day, so I apologize for being late! I hope you were celebrated in some small way. You sure deserve it. The beautiful mom that you are.

1. The beach photo is Laguna several years ago, from a cliff view and the cow is in my kitchen and I can't remember where I found "her." But I do love how she stares at us all :)

2. The boy on guitar was shot from across a street (at an angle) in downtown Boise, Idaho with a long lens. He was painted on the side of a building that was facing frontward and it was the best way to capture it. And those are John's double/upright basses in our old beautifully lit lanai. They sit on an inlaid star that the original builder owner made for his family representing the five family members (he also laid the scrap marble he collected, with his young children's help, back in the 50's!). Jack, our senior granddog corgi loves to pose :). VERY cool you have an upright? wow!!! Do you play? I am definitely the #bassplayerswife -- saw John Clayton play the night before I flew to Oregon to surprise my mom - with Diana Krall (a fellow Canadian). A gift from our kids for our 40th.

3. And I am amazed you watched the video all the way through to catch the flow into the kettle ringing! ha ha! The "making of the tea" (bringing the still alive) was originally Jenn's idea and I took it a step further :) Had to get it just right - but wished I owned a kettle that matched or was silver -- I borrowed a neighbors! Those darn electrics don't cut it! (and they do not ring!)

How exciting to be asked questions! Thank you so much again friend. Sending you a big hug. oxox

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Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

Thank you for your response, Jenn! My aunt moved first to Vancouver as a young

bride, then to LA with her husband who worked building electrical towers in

the 60's and 70's. I've been to LA twice and as far north as Santa Barbara and

south to Newport Beach. My cousin lived there and surfed and worked for

Disney. I so want to return and explore the coast. My son lived in Eureka for

10 months while he went to school. I love the northern rocky section. You

both captured the feel of CA so well. I appreciate the art and love hearing the

story of each piece. I have a creative spirit but just don't have the time and

space right now to explore it more. I also take photos of the huge pines behind our local grocery store and am often there at end of day when the sunset is lighting them up! It also lights up our huge windmills that are scattered around our town. I love to take photos of them, lit with pink or glowing in the dusk. I feel that I need to clone myself to paint all the things I'd like to paint. If you post any or have posted any of your art, please tag me! I've found several artists on the street when out with Misha and try to support them when I can. I love your photos, Deb, that capture a little street scene or piece of art!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Rosemary, I love your history! (you know my John is a third generation electrician and my dad worked for Disney?) and I understand the need to live to create and create to live. We do it right where we are at and we don't try to squish that need -- just do what we can when we can. So many times I wish I could take all the equipment and travel, wait on a perfect starburst sunset someplace like Montana or Europe - and I know Jenn probably wishes she could paint on a street in Paris -- but life is all around us and God's creation is all around us -- and artists painting beautiful scenes on buildings, sun light swaying through trees -- it can be found near us (like your trees). Children, grandchildren, a contrasting photo out your front door of a colorful car (I shot one recently parked right across the street as it matched the sky and just felt fun - then wrote about where that scene took me). Now I am more into transitioning into films. I love stories and movement and have spent over 20 years working in photography, telling stories in stills. So I'm pushing myself to do more film now. Right where I'm at. Don't ever stop. It's soul saving. Love you Rosemary. Thank you for being such an in tune and beautiful person. ox

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Jenn's avatar

We like questions ☺️. Thank you so much, Rosemary!

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Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

I'm interested in the art. I'll look through the photos tomorrow and ask away. And some of Deborah's photos.

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Jenn's avatar

We’d be happy to tell you more about our work, truly, and thank you for being curious ☺️

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Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

Okay. You guys asked. Feel free to fill in the who, what, wheres.

The photo overlooking the ocean with poppies in the foreground? Location?

The next one? Newport Beach?

The cow painting. 😍

The painting with the clouds on the left. What is the photo or painting of on the right?

The lovely little still life on the left side.

Cuttings in water on pink background.

Love the rubber boots! 😍

The canyon shot! And the mountain painting. 😍

Where is the beach scene to the left of the ornate metal gate?

The paintings of pine trees!

Who's the model for the nude?

Love the stoplight painting! 🚦

That 70's globe with the light shining on the wall. 😍

I thought I was the only person with an upright bass.

The perspective on the guitarist painting!

I love the drawing of the eyes beside the terrine. Misha has one like that.

The timing of the kette with the music....then I realized. It's the Kettle. 😂

Great montage, Ladies! I love all the So-Cal blues and greens!

You Ladies inspired me!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you sooooo much friend!! Now I want to celebrate! And you can ask any questions you want! oxox

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