Comings and Goings

The weeks are packing full here at the Kilns! With the release of Voyage of the Dawn Treader there has been an increase in tours. If you've been to see the movie I would like to get your opinion on how it compared to the book. We've also had several teas and dinners with guests--that's part of what we do for networking--nice! Last Thursday we had 4 tours with 3 of those tours including tea. This past Tuesday we celebrated Michael Ward's (of Planet Narnia and The Narnia Code) birthday with a household dinner--that means the household is invited (the three scholars, but only two could make it). Michael said it was the first time he had had a cake since he was 7 years old:-)! I made a chocolate sponge cake with an "interesting" icing ("interesting" due to ingredients not being the same over here as in the U.S.); Jonathan decorated the cake with a lamppost--it was great--and if I ever figure out how to post pictures onto the blog then I'll get those up for you to see. Our new friend, John Garth, author of Tolkien and the Great War, joined in the festivities and kept us in good conversation about Tolkien and his involvement in WWI. So, this week consisted of Sunday's working with the CS Lewis Nature reserve people (known as "tree-huggers") for three hours checking bird boxes (the SAU biology department would be proud of me!), Sunday afternoon guests, Monday's three tours, Tuesday's dinner, Wednesday's attempt to catch up on emails, Thursday's lecture to Taylor Univeristy and a tour (both by Michael), and ASH the chimney sweep (yup, those are his real initials and he even has chim chim cheree as his ring tone--here's a memory for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te_Nv3lMUnA!)--and ASH got a tour, tea, and biscuits (cookies) as well as cleaned our chimney (and shook my hand for luck)! And what will tomorrow bring?!