A Christmas Tea

Time for a little Christmas ambiance!

  

Sometimes the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is softened when we take time out to pamper ourselves a little or reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Last night I was treated to both as I attended a Christmas Tea! 

It was an evening arranged by the women's ministry at my church, and the tables were decorated with all the things we girls like: crystal, china, Christmas trees, lights, and cute treat bags with gingerbread cookies and chocolates. Each round table was set up by a "china hostess," who signed up to bring eight place settings of china and tea cups, glasses, a tablecloth, and whatever else she wanted to provide to make the table extra pretty and her table mates feel special. Anyone could reserve a table to hostess as the china hostess. Such a lovely idea! Wasn't our china pattern beautiful?

Look at the gorgeous lights and decor! 

I loved the white chest of drawers with the Christmas trees and decorations!

 So clever -- crates arranged in the shape of a tree...

 ...each filled with lovely winter themed objects, crystal or baubles!

 

Trays of food were brought to our tables for a light supper. Canapes, tart-sized quiches, sweet muffins, chicken wraps, and tiny chocolate eclairs, were all so savory. We sang carols, were entertained by a funny skit, and were serenaded by a guitarist who told the Christmas story in song.

   We all left filled with the Christmas Spirit!

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.

Spring Slide Into Summer

Lest you think I dropped off the face of the earth, here in brief are some of the things that have been filling my days as spring slipped into summer.

My daughters' place in San Francisco is my home away from home and I've spent three weekends and various just-for-the-day visits there so far this year.  One weekend we walked out the front door and down a few blocks to a farmer's market to pick up delicious fruits and veggies.

We breakfasted at a cute little crepe cafe with such fabulous food there was a line to get in.  Decisions, decisions....

Another time we went to a One Republic Concert at Shoreline Amphitheater.  It was the perfect night!  Daylight surrounded us when we arrived, but turned to twilight and soon we were "Counting Stars" (One Republic fans will understand that one!).  Loved how the tent over the stage blended with the sky as dusk fell.

 

One Republic was great -- very talented musicians, and we noticed they seem to appeal to many age groups.

Then there was the Giants game at AT&T Park a couple of weeks ago!  

 We walked through the Willie Mays Gate

 

 and found our seats, up high but with a beautiful view of the bay...

 and the famous coke and glove made for a "giant."

We are enthusiastic Giants fans and were tickled to see 

legendary Stan Lee throw the first ball (below).  

We happened to be seated in a section across from a traveling group of 400 Mets fans who were soooo loud and quite honestly rather obnoxious throughout the game.  Could hardly hear ourselves think for the ruckus they raised.  The Giants trailed behind throughout the game and they were not going to let us forget it.  However, in the 9th inning, our boys passed up the Mets and won the game.  I confess, the victory was even sweeter given what we had to put up with throughout the game.

Besides the usual reading ,writing and speech "therapying," other things that have filled my time as spring slipped into summer included...

~Going hat shopping in Carmel with a friend at the Carmel Hat Shop (just click on the link and take a virtual visit), then wearing them to dine al fresco at Forge in the Forest 

~Speaking at a June Tea event and wearing my new hat!

~Spending time with friends and family

~Attending the photography club and becoming enthused about becoming a more skilled photographer!

~Enjoying fresh flowers that I've had the pleasure of receiving from various friends and occasions

~Savoring fresh fruits and salads, appreciating exercise routines, and lining up those tiresome but necessary dentist and doctor checkups

~Enjoying my doggies and my kitties.  Although unrelated, since Scarlet was a baby kitten when I brought her home she thought Violet was her mama. Violet rose to the occasion and has been very maternal toward her, snuggling and grooming her. You have to admit, they're adorable.

 

 Such are the days of our lives!

A Birthday Tea

My friend Lynn celebrated her Forever 49 birthday last weekend by inviting a few friends to join her for high tea at a quaint tea house in Santa Cruz. We were tucked into a corner table in the restaurant, with a comfy window seat full of red and gold pillows on one side, and a view of the courtyard garden for those sitting on the other side. The sun was shining, the food was delicious, the conversation bubbled over, and we all had a great time!

Party favors included M and M's with childhood pictures of Lynn on them!

There was a two page menu of just the various teas available. We were each brought our individual teapots. I enjoyed Mother's Boquet, a wonderful citrus blend.