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!

Learning, Learning

Saturday led my friend Mary and me to yet another genealogy workshop, this one in Gilroy (aka the Garlic Capitol of the World, or so they say). I work in Gilroy so pass these scenes often.

 The green hills create a beautiful backdrop...

 I love this Old City Hall (now a restaurant)...

It dawned on me this morning what a busy month of learning it has been ~  three weekends in a row of workshops!  First, the Ancestry Day in San Francisco, then the following weekend my daughter Ash and I attended a mystery writer's workshop in Monterey, then this past Saturday the DAR sponsored genealogy program.  Have loved all of them!

The Writer's Workshop was held in the Monterey Peninsula College Library -- in fact right there in the room on the right in the photo below. 

But my favorite part of the library is actually on the opposite side of the building, straight through those triple doors you see above.  Here is what the other side of the library looks like:

The library sits on a hill so guess what those large lovely windows look out on?  Monterey!  I promise to go back and take a photo from the top floor sometime, lest you think I am teasing you with the panoramic views provided. That section was closed during the time we were there.

Now it is time for cleaning and grocery shopping -- my daughters arrive Wednesday night and we'll start right in with our pumpkin rolls and pies.  Just in case I don't make it back here before the big day, I wish you all a heartfelt

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Life at the Sea - Part 3

When my children were little, my husband and I loved to take them to Dennis the Menace Park in downtown Monterey. It has your typical swings and slides, but also many unusual park activities -- a climbing wall, swinging bridge, a roller slide, and one of my kids' favorites -- a maze to get lost in. We enjoyed the delights of this play place once again when we took the relatives there during their visit.
Climbing on the train engine is a favorite.
On the north side of the park is Lake El Estero, where you can rent paddleboats and enjoy the day puttering around the lake.
Across the lake, you can see the beaches and Monterey Bay, and even parts of Fisherman's Wharf.
There is also a lovely walk around the park perimeter.
To the south of the park is the cemetary where my husband was laid to rest. After our afternoon at Dennis the Menace Park, the relatives joined us in walking over and placing flowers on his site. It's peaceful there -- under a big tree (he loved trees), near the ocean (he loved the ocean), and across from the park where he spent time with his most beloved treasures -- his family.

Discovering Our Own Backyards

Seldom does a day go by that a great sense of appreciation for where I live floods over me. I love Monterey Bay. Nature provides an abundance of sea and land life, and the beach nourishes my soul.

We live a stone's throw from a little historic town called Moss Landing. I love to go antiquing there. So I was excited to see this relatively unknown town featured in AAA's ViaMagazine this month.


I also learned a thing or two about this gem in my "backyard." We pass through the Elkhorn Slough regularly, enjoying the bobbing boats in the small harbor, but didn't realize there were over 340 species of animals living in the area! We've seen the harbor seals and sea lions, pelicans and cranes. Quite simply, it's beautiful!

This year we're rediscovering our area's treasures once again.

Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf

Last weekend was beautiful so Ash and I decided to go down to the wharf, walk on the beach, take pictures, and enjoy a leisurely lunch.




We finally decided on a restaurant (there are many), and were thrilled with the view from our windowside table:
We could even watch the whale watcher boats come in...
and the sailboats go by...

I've always wondered how other people live -- there is a houseboat tucked in this photo, and I try to imagine what life must be like living on a houseboat:
A truly lovely day!

Christmas in the Adobes

Feeling very much like a domestic goddess today (a rarity, let me tell you), I thought I would take a break from the cooking, baking, gift wrapping, and sewing (yes, you read that right) to share pictures of the annual Christmas in the Adobes. This beloved event is basically a candlelight walking tour through downtown Monterey. We went last Thursday night, as rain was forecast for Saturday night, and it was ideal. The museums were open, unique gifts could be purchased in the "first store", and apple cider, Mexican cocoa, and Christmas cookies kept our energy up for the brisk walk. On the patios, musicians played a variety of interesting instruments from Monterey's early days. There are almost two dozen places that you can visit on the route. We learned more about California's history, and came home even more in the Christmas spirit!

The Christmas tree in the Pacific House museum:

The museum's bear -- the bear, of course, is an important California symbol and appears on our State flag:


The Boston Store was the first store in the state and boasts the first safe (all that gold from the gold rush had to go somewhere). You can still buy old-fashioned ornaments, embroidered handkerchiefs, books on our history, and many other items there:


The Merritt House was decorated beautifully:

The lawn at the Merritt House:

Below is California's First Theater. This is hard to see at night as it is an old wooden structure. The doorways are very short and you have to be careful not to hit your head entering.




This should look familiar! Colton Hall with the town Christmas Tree:


A downtown Monterey street aglow for Christmas:


The entrance to Fisherman's Wharf: