Christmas Time on Cannery Row

Sunday was my birthday and it was delightful! For one thing, both of my daughters came down for the day. We went to Cannery Row in Monterey and had lunch at Bubba Gump's, then walked around enjoying the scenery.

John Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors and he wrote a novel based on life in Cannery Row's early days. His bust is immortalized in "Steinbeck Plaza" there.

Now there is another statue there. Dedicated in Feburary 2014, this large work (too large, according to critics) has Steinbeck sitting on the top of the rock and his friend marine biologist Ed Ricketts on the bottom (a prominent figure in his book). Other figures are reminiscent of the area's busy sardine canning days. Someone decided to dress them for the holidays with red Santa hats.

Clouds were rolling in by the time we left, and we've had rain for the last two days -- much needed here in California. We saw "Star Wars" at Del Monte Center's theater, then went home for chocolate fudge cake. My girls know how to make my birthday special!

High Tea at Steinbeck House

A few weeks ago I was invited to join a couple of friends at the Steinbeck House for High Tea. It's one of my favorite places.  The gift shop, cleverly named The Best Cellar, is one of the best places to pick up hostess gifts or little birthday presents.  I arrived early so I could browse....

 

  

The parlor of the house has been transformed into a restaurant --  it's all lace and flowers and layers of romance!

One of our friends had volunteered at the house so she managed to have us seated at the front parlor window table. See the window in the front of the house, just to the right of the sign? That's where we sat! The curtains were open so we could look out on the front lawn and the street.

Soon a server brought us a three tiered plate holder, laden with delicious finger foods. We started with sweet scones, worked up to crustless sandwiches, and ended with lemon bars, tarts and individual pots of rich chocolate mousse.

All the while, the servers kept the hot tea coming, with sides of cream and light brown sugar. Each of us had our own unique teacup and china plate.

The Steinbeck House is the house where author John Steinbeck was born and grew up in Salinas. This is Steinbeck Country -- you can see the rolling green hills, the dirt roads and the agricultural communities reminiscent of his books East of Eden and The Red Pony.  Along the coast, I am reminded of his book Cannery Row. I love John Steinbeck's style and have many of his books.  One of the things I most appreciate about his works are the beautiful descriptions he provided, transporting the reader to the time and place of the story.

This year commemorates the 75th anniversary of The Grapes of Wrath -- one of his most famous books, a moving story of struggles and resilience.  If you get a chance, crack open one of his books and escape into a different world. 

Photos are from The Steinbeck House.