There are also apricot orchards grown commercially (and probably tons of other fruits, certainly for non-commercial plantings -- pears, peaches, plums, whatever you want) -- and olive orchards. Olives would actually work very well for you if you like the sound, as and ancient order would very plausibly press their own olive oil for both culinary and sacramental uses.

Plus olive trees are amazingly lovely things.

You know, I thought of olives, but wasn't sure if a semi-mountainous area would support them. Hellwidit, they're olives. The wood's pretty, too.

Olives are scrappy things; they'll grow just about anywhere, as long as it doesn't get too terribly cold.

Oh -- now that I've poked my head up again -- I should add that I've lurked here on and off, and love your Career Change story. I'm looking forward to whatever happens between the two vamps and Buffy once Glory's dealt with...

And then Spike showed up, and he didn't put her on a pedestal and he wouldn't die for her - but he would kill for her, and he would let her kill for herself. He made her laugh, like Gunn did, and he wasn't subtle about finding her attractive, but he didn't make a big deal about it either. And he was dangerous, soul or no - he had this edge to him that Wesley had, and that she found so difficult to resist - but he made it all seem so simple.

Oh, look, I love Fay. Yep, I sure do.

Connie, dare I hope for more tonight?

"Essentially," Giles answered. "Be careful of the chickens.

Was I the only one expecting attack chickens? Yes, right, sorry... carry on.

Buffy hugged her back, grateful for the thick cloth of the nun's habit, which absorbed tears before anyone had to notice them.

oooooh, I like this

Connie, dare I hope for more tonight?

Sorry, I'm busily mentally writing potential fanwanks for certain things. Plus going "Well, I guess I can finish Ethan and Giles in China without any problem now."

But the story shall continue with little delay.

Attack chickens??? It's a harmless little demonic sanctuary, a convent of nice ladies who want to live apart from the world and serve in their own small way. They do not keep attack poultry.

connie - nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Or, well, do what your muse requires. But have it involve X/S, please.

But have it involve X/S, please.

Hee. Hee hee hee. Heh.

OK.

Though I'm leaning towards a secondary OTP of Xander/Andrew.