the lewis of it alll

wintering | volume 6

My friends, we have arrived at my favorite wintering week of the year - where we theme our whole week around our favorite author and the worlds they’ve created. Since mine is C.S. Lewis, that’s what this letter’s theme is centered around, but you can take these ideas and fit them to whatever author you like.

It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized how deeply I’d been spiritually form by the works of C.S. Lewis. I read Mere Christianity before I read Narnia (my dad required it for our homeschooling), but Narnia shaped me just as much. The Last Battle, while of course is fiction, informed much of my understanding and belief of the grace and compassion of God. Perelandra (part of his science fiction trilogy) gave me such awe and wonder for the Creation of our world (worlds?) and the creativity of God. Surprised by Joy and A Grief Observed shaped my grief and directed my healing. God in the Dock helped me as I processed doubts and defined and redefined my faith. Every stage of my life has been actively shaped by his writing. Even, most obviously I think, my writing.

Some things to note before we head into the wardrobe : this is supposed to be fun! It’s not supposed to be mature or serious. Play is a powerful tool in accessing joy and isn’t reserved just for kids. This is your chance to cosplay, to create something new, to dive into a world that brings you joy, and to have things to look forward to all week. If you’re not into any of these ideas, that’s ok! But don’t not do them because you feel silly about it. We’re all doing it and we’ll be sharing what we’re doing all week in the wintering community.

I hope you’ll join in, share your ideas and inspiration if you have it, and take this week to relax into another world, another time, into your imagination. Sometimes it’s better there, anyway.

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In this volume of wintering :

+ something to drink
+ something to eat
+ something to do
+ winter outfit that sleighs
+ something to watch
+ something to read
+ small business feature

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I’m not even sure I have all of my Lewis books in this stack….

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something to drink :
Let’s start this off with a cup of high tea. C.S. Lewis was more prone drinking an ale while he smoked a cigarette, so if you’re into that, by all means, be my guest. But these themed weeks aren’t just about emulating the author, but diving into the worlds they imagined, the places they lived, the characters they created, the friend that inspired and encouraged them. Our dear Mr. Lewis was an Oxford boy and in Oxford, we drink high tea.

I had an English friend who told me once that the way Americans make tea is traumatizing to them, so I learned how to make a proper cup. Do I make it like this all the time? No. I’m an American in New England. We threw the tea in the ocean. But this week, we’re going to make tea the English way.🇬🇧

How to make a proper cup of tea :

Step 1 - the most important part is the type of tea you use. PG Tips or Yorkshire gold. These are a little harder to find in the US, but World Market carries them and so does Amazon, but a little expensive for my taste.

Step 2 - once you have the right tea, plop a bag in a mug.
milk does not go first. water does not go first. the bag goes first. always.

Step 3 - boil your water on the stove or in a kettle.
If you stick a tea bag in your mug, fill it up with cold water, and boil it in a microwave, the Red Coats will knock on your door. Just. Don’t.

Step 3 - pour boiling water (leave some room for milk) over your tea bag and leave it alone.
Don’t touch the bag. Don’t stir. Let it steep for 3-4 minutes.

Step 4 - add your milk of choice. Dunk your bag around to give it a good mix.

Step 5 - add your sugar, give it a little stir.

Pinkies up. Cheers!

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something to eat :

C.S. Lewis was known to love a Yorkshire Pudding and roast, so that’s what I’ll be making this week. In previous years, we’ve taken something from the Narnia cookbook, and that’s always fun too! To adapt this to whichever author you want to theme your week around, look up their favorite meals or find something that the characters in their books ate and find a recipe!

Yorkshire Pudding Recipe (from Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients :

▢ vegetable oil
▢ 2 large free-range eggs (same in the U.S.)
▢ ¾ cup all-purpose flour
▢ ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon milk

Directions :

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F

2. Get a muffin tin and pour about ⅜ inch (just under ½ inch) of vegetable oil into each of the 12 compartments.

3. Place it in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes so the oil gets really hot.

4. Meanwhile, beat the 4 eggs, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, and 1 cup of milk together with a pinch of salt and pepper in a measuring cup or mixing bowl until the mixture is light and smooth.

5. Carefully remove the tray from the oven, then confidently pour the batter evenly into each compartment.

6. Place the tray back in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until risen and golden brown.

They should look something like this :

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Something to do :

This week’s something to do is entirely up to you! You could do something that the author liked to do - for example : C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien enjoyed taking long walks in nature and frequently met up with friends at a pub for beer and conversations. You could find a friend to take a winter walk with and pop into the pub (or a coffee shop, if that’s more your scene) for a chat.

If you’re not up for physical or social activity, you could pick a character from their books and draw or paint them. Or write a back story for a lesser explored character. You could journal a spiritual reflection from on of their writings, or do a craft project related to their stories. (like this narnia snow globe.)

I think Zach and I will take a walk one day this week after we drop the kids off at school. I really need some fresh air, even if the fresh air is so cold it makes my face hurt.

Would love to see what you decide to do! You can always share what you’re up to in the wintering community!

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winter outfit that sleighs :

I think this is our little wintering community’s favorite part of this author themed letter. This week, we’re going to dress up like our authors, or from the era they lived in, or like the characters in their stories. It’s truly so much fun. Every year, I’ve found my outfits at thrift stores. This year, I’m just using what I already have. I hope you have so much fun with this and please tag me on instagram if you post about it! I love to see your outfits!

C.S. Lewis was a professor from the 1930-1950s, so in my head, he probably wore a lot of tweed and wool, maybe carried a leather suitcase. I really feel at home dressing like an old man anyway, so my author cosplay is really just me wearing something that I wish I could wear on a regular basis, but really have no reason to.

How’d I do? Did I channel the Lewis vibe?

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something to watch + something to read

I fear that this might be the most unnecessary portion of these letters, but nonetheless. You’re going to get some suggestions.

watch :

+ The Chronicles of Narnia
+ The Most Reluctant Convert

read :

to escape :
+ The Chronicles of Narnia
+ Out of the Silent Planet

to grow :
+ God in the Dock
+ The Joyful Christian

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small business feature :

One more thing before you go! SallyeAnder is a small business from the wintering community. They make organic soaps, balms, creams, all kinds of things! The company’s story is so sweet. Would love to throw them some support this winter! They’ve been so generous to give you a 20% off code to use until February 15th. Just type WINTERING20 when you check out!

I’ve been using the balm and under eye treatment all winter and just opened a new soap last night. They all smell incredible and are so so soft on your skin. And just as a side note - I have coarse, wavy hair and use goat milk soap in the winter instead of my regular shampoo and it’s a game changer. It makes my hair feel so soft and manageable and this goat milk bar (in the brown bag) smells so good.

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The most exciting part of this week is seeing what everyone else is doing and giving each other ideas and inspiration. I’ll be sharing our week over on instagram and in the wintering community and if you tag me on instagram, I’ll repost for inspiration!

I hope you have so much fun. And please let me know how the yorkshire puddings go, if you make them. I’ve never made these before so this should be .. interesting.

If I don’t see you anywhere else online, I’ll see you here next week.

xo

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coming up »
+ friday : extra cup of wintering (paid subscribers) - a spiritual reflection on Joy
+ monday : volume seven - the cozy adventure edition

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