I'm "Proper" Today

Well, I've decided that the favorite word over here is "proper". If you set a nice tea out, then it is a "proper" tea, or a "proper" lunch, or a "proper" thing to do, which just about fits anything. So, today I have decided that I am "proper" as I have welcomed overnight guests into the house in a "proper" manner, I have fixed "proper" scones, and so on so forth; so, today I am "proper." We may speak the same language, but only to a point. If I am asked if I want pudding after dinner, then that means dessert; to say someone is wearing a nice vest, well, that means undershirt so what I mean to say is "waistcoat"; and to make my recipe I needed a courgette--so I asked the young produce man where to find the courgettes--and he corrected my pronunciation--I used a hard "g" and of course, (since this word came into the language after 1066 and the Norman Invasion) the word is pronounced with a soft "g")--I explained that we didn't have courgettes in the U.S and he just smiled and pointed me in the direction of, "next to the onions"--and low and behold, there sat the . . . zucchini's! Why not just call it a zucchini?! And of course, don't ever say you are wearing pants as pants mean underpants--you are wearing trousers (and hopefully pants as well:-). Well, on to events of the past two weeks. The Oxford CS Lewis Society meetings began for the new term (called Hilary term--not semesters--there are three terms: Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity terms which obviously show the religious roots to the university). Stratford Caldecott spoke, a renowned JRR Tolkien author who writes on the religious aspects of Tolkien's works. And I attended a chapel at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies--a very global mission with reports from all over the world and interdenominational. I was surprised that sitting right in front of me were the SDA president of the work in Tanzania and the Associate Director of the Global Centre for Adventist Muslim Relations! Then our overnight guest this evening is a professor from the University of Georgia who is an entomologist who specializes in bees. I must admit that I am gaining a rich education just from the people with whom I am in contact. More next week!

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?!

Christmas at the Kilns II

December arrived and tours lessened a bit. We all welcomed author Greg Bourgond who prepared and actually wrote his second book while here. He even wrote during our scholar Christmas party--a dress-up Narnia Christmas party. While Mr. Tumnus was one of our very own, we also had Lucy, Edmund, Susan, Mrs. Beaver, Prince Rilian, Reepicheep, and many more. Another crowd of 30 or so guests! This time I only did minimal baking and the scholars bought or made the goodies to eat. The house looked warm and inviting in contrast to the cold and snow outside. Lots of pleasant conversation and more tours of the house took place. Greg returned home on the 23rd and the scholars drifted off to homes and friends to celebrate Christmas day. I "happened" to get invited to the best-known cook in the neighborhood's house for Christmas dinner. So, after a lovely morning church service I joined Robert and Dierdre's family for a traditional English Christmas dinner. We had crackers (not food) at the table, wore crowns and told the riddles that were in the crackers, and had real Christmas pudding (and the traditional brussel sprouts ...). Several of us went hiking in the snow after lunch and then returned for a full Christmas tea with trifle pudding. I returned home sufficiently stuffed and having learned much about English Christmas traditions! Skype phone calls home made the day wonderfully complete!

Christmas at the Kilns

Along with celebrating early in November, we had Christmas parties in November as well. Since the term lets out the end of November, the Oxford CS Lewis Society held their Christmas party at the Kilns. I decorated three mantles with lites, holly branches from the woods, and pine cones. Candles burned in the fireplaces and pine branches strewn on tables gave a festive yet natural look. About 30 people turned up and all had the cookies I had made (I hadn't stayed up baking Christmas cookies since my kids were little!)plus mulled (spiced) punch and other goodies. We split up into 3 groups to tour the house and, Cole Matson, Michael Ward, and Walter Hooper and I led the tours. Walter was great--since he knew Lewis he had all sorts of stories to tell for each room. I think I had the best group:-)! Then we gathered for some poetry reading (yup, only groups like this one would thrive on poetry reading:-) while Cole and Michael recited poetry or read funny stories. Walter had to take the Mr. Popularity award as I have pictures of him with a dozen or so students all grouped around listening excitedly to his experiences with CS Lewis.

Christmas in Oxford

Well, Christmas in Oxford begins early--in November! We decorated the house by Thanksgiving as celebrations begin that week. There are wonderful Advent and carol services at numerous churches throughout the city with the boys' choirs lifiting hearts and voices in heavenly songs. I attended two such services--both at Magdelen College, where Lewis taught when he was in Oxford. I didn't at first know we needed to get tickets so I went to "turn up" and was given a seat outside of the chapel area. Upon entering the church, I met with the vicar and since I know him, he asked where I was sitting and then offered to "trade" a guest ticket that he had in his hand--so, I sat up the top of the chapel, right behind the choir and two seats from the vicar who was performing the service. I did get tickets for the carol service but too late to get good seats, and once again, one of the chapel staff moved me (and a fortunate friend) up to the front of the chapel area. We had a good view of the choirs and the services were in honor of our Lord. What a perfect way to begin the Christmas season!

As Time Passes

Well, it's been a month since I last blogged! Time and circumstances caught up with me a bit but now I "think" I'm settling down into a much-needed routine. I'm finding foremost that there is quite a bit of entertaining with this position. Besides lots of small teas with drop in guests, we have had the CS Lewis Nature Reserve group meeting here--and my first time volunteering to help out in the Nature Reserve on their once-a-month work day. Well, now, that was an experience! These are what is known here as true "tree huggers"--I thought I would be picking up litter to help the reserve look nice, but they spent the day hauling logs, building bridges over bogs, and cutting down trees (not branches, trees . . . ). I made it through 2.5 hours and after carrying fewer logs than the 70-something lady, I made up an excuse to return home for an appointment--and yes, I had one . . . with the tub and epsom salts! The people are delightful, though, and I'm glad to have them as some new friends! One of our highlights was celebrating Lewis's life and works on the date of his passing, Nov. 22, 1963 (same as JFK and Huxley). We had a formal tea (pictures are soon coming) and read favorite passages as well as some of the journal comments from his brother, Major Warren Lewis (in Brothers and Friends). Then we went to Magdalen College in the evening for a service at Lewis's chapel in the college where he worshipped. A highlight was the Oxford CS Lewis Society's Christmas party they held at the Kilns. Christmas is celebrated early in Oxford and I frantically hunted down "fairy lights" and headed to the woods for holly and pine branches. Since the house has been restored to the 1950s then I made sure to decorate in keeping with the time period--understated, yet festive. I stayed up until 1:00 am baking cookies--an activity I have not indulged in since my children were younger! We had over 30 people and everybody got to have "nibbles" (treats), a tour with one of the three tour guides, and some poetry readings. We had lots of stories about Jack Lewis from Walter Hooper (he was on my tour) and Michael Ward read a delightful humorous piece. Today we're preparing the house once again for the scholars-in-residence Narnia "dress up" Christmas party--all attendees are supposed to dress as a Narnian character . . . until next time.

Week 4

I found a "real" grocery store this week. Typically the stores are small, but when I can locate someone with a car to drive me, I can now shop at Tescos, a store with 3 aisles of produce--I was estatic! Aiden Mackey, renowned GK Chesterton scholar, recently moved close by and offered his services whenever I need a ride to the store--yes, freedom from busses and small loads of groceries that are only carriable! Besides grocery shopping and the typical tours by Michael and Cole, Dr. Bernard Brandstater was our house guest for a few days. Since I had stayed at his and Bev's home in Redlands, I had fun returning the favor by taking Bernard to church with me, eating at the Eagle and Child, touring the Ashmolean (museum) and Oxford, visiting Lewis' church and seeing the beautiful Narnia window and his gravesite. As soon as Bernard left on Monday, I quickly prepared for my first "proper" tea at 4pm with Walter Hooper and the dean of Christ Church (college) and his wife among the 9 guests. Since this tea came at the last minute, I of course, phoned up the English Rose tea house in Chattanooga, TN and they graciously guided me in planning out the menu and how to make everything--even down to the cucumber sandwiches! The English Rose serves the best English tea I have ever had anywhere and I thank them wholeheartedly for saving me in my risky endevour! I knew I had arrived when the dean's wife looked in the dining room and said, "Oooh, a proper tea!" and Walter Hooper took me by the arm and said in the presence of everybody, "These are the best cucumber sandwiches I have ever had in my life!" Ahhhh, victory!