Before we flew from Atlanta to Belize, the Ellis home was all about Christmas. Their craftsman bungalow front porch was twinkling, the mantelpiece was graced with seasonal treasures, the tree glistened with ornaments hung ever so carefully by little hands, the hand-carved olive wood creche from Jerusalem was in its place of honor and Grandma Janet’s Advent calendar presents were being opened each evening, shared with her on Skype.
Returning to Summertime with the Christmas spirit, we proceeded to unwrap our entire life-long ornament collection. We found ways to hang them, every one...on our collapsible Scandinavian tree and throughout the salon. And in the midst of it all, our heirloom fold-up nativity scene told the story of that night so long ago.
Betsy and Robert Swepston welcomed us to their Lady Lake, FL home for lunch as we made our way to south Florida for Christmas. Friends since our Heifer International days, its always a homecoming when we are together.
By the time we reached N. Ft. Myers, Dad had the iconic candles in the windows and a lighted wreath ready for us to hang on his front door. A vintage angel glowed from the screen room. Christmas Eve found us in Naples with Wally's sister April and her husband Mike. It's become a tradition for the four of us to gather with Larry and Barb, long-time friends from Maine, around the dinner table as we catch us on the past year. Awaking to a 75 degree Christmas morning, we discovered that Santa had filled our stockings. We enjoyed an apple pancake breakfast, then opened our wrapped gifts at a leisurely pace. Hosted by neighbors from Bucksport, ME, Christmas dinner was delicious. In true New England style, we topped off the outing with a Yankee Gift Swap. At nearly 97, Dad really enjoys the social moments. We were very blessed to be with him as we celebrated Christ’s birth.
Returning to Summertime with the Christmas spirit, we proceeded to unwrap our entire life-long ornament collection. We found ways to hang them, every one...on our collapsible Scandinavian tree and throughout the salon. And in the midst of it all, our heirloom fold-up nativity scene told the story of that night so long ago.
Betsy and Robert Swepston welcomed us to their Lady Lake, FL home for lunch as we made our way to south Florida for Christmas. Friends since our Heifer International days, its always a homecoming when we are together.
By the time we reached N. Ft. Myers, Dad had the iconic candles in the windows and a lighted wreath ready for us to hang on his front door. A vintage angel glowed from the screen room. Christmas Eve found us in Naples with Wally's sister April and her husband Mike. It's become a tradition for the four of us to gather with Larry and Barb, long-time friends from Maine, around the dinner table as we catch us on the past year. Awaking to a 75 degree Christmas morning, we discovered that Santa had filled our stockings. We enjoyed an apple pancake breakfast, then opened our wrapped gifts at a leisurely pace. Hosted by neighbors from Bucksport, ME, Christmas dinner was delicious. In true New England style, we topped off the outing with a Yankee Gift Swap. At nearly 97, Dad really enjoys the social moments. We were very blessed to be with him as we celebrated Christ’s birth.
