Christmas 1999
The Monastery of the Holy Spirit.
This is the church proper, with geese grazing out front.
December 10, 1999
The sky over the Monastery administration building, so blue it hurts.
The mailbox is trimmed in pine and bow.
Our angel flag heralds the holiday season.
When Linda was little, it was tradition to have a basket of Christmas greens on the porch.
Here's Linda's version of the tradition.
The wreath sits on a shining door.
The double doors decorated for the season.
The lights are blue; because of its shape we call it "the blue spruce."
Notice Willow keeping watch!
This is our ceppo, one version of an Italian Christmas decoration. It sits in the den.
The little tree on top of the ceppo, with our Hallmark miniatures."
Bandit seems bored by the whole Christmas bit!
Look quickly: the table will probably not be so tidy or so festive until next year!
Garlanded and stocking'd, the fireplace holds forth. "Wishbone" seems to like it!
Linda's collection of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer beanies, courtesy her best friend
(thanks, Sherrye!).
The incomparable "Serendipity," the Christmas tree. Any lopsidedness is Linda's fault.
Linda finally gets Michael Garibaldi for Christmas!
James and his newest cookbook.
We hid Willow's new chew bone behind the gifts. She wasn't fooled...
Willow got her bone.
James and his mom talk on Christmas day.
When James--and Leia--moved up to Atlanta, we had to leave Spotte in "fosterage" with Ann and Clay. Leia has gone to Rainbow Bridge, but Spotte endures. She is eleven.
Last but not least, Willow poses in her Christmas bow.