The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater: Read Along Thread

[Dillidilly]

Here we go people!

I thought we could start reading the Introduction from October 15th at a gentle pace to allow people to join the thread. Then all set for Chapter 1 on November 1st.

The Christmas Chronicles is currently just over £20 on Amazon. Maybe people could share all the options for those who are just joining us, who still want to get a copy.

I'm hoping this thread will be a lovely, gentle, uplifting transition into the Christmas period where we can share our thoughts, recipe attempts and inspiration from Nigel x

That’s a good question @ApplesAreTheBaneOfMyLife. I have a bay tree in a corner or my neglected garden.
Sorry to hear about the myrrh disaster.

Can I join in? This is such a lovely comforting thread. My 2nd hand copy of Nigel's CC has just arrived so I'm just starting the intro with a cup of chocolate mint tea. I love this time of year as Autumn darkens into Winter so I'm really looking forward to this, great idea OP. I also bought Advent that a pp mentioned and it's already one of my favourite books. Me and the kids made the double chocolate hazelnut biscotti today. I am very limited in what I usually bake so this is exciting. It actually has the right crunchy texture like real biscotti.

Welcome @Hexenhaus!

I am making the most of the extra hour by reading the first chapter. I’d been holding off completing it by just reading and odd page or paragraph here & there.
I feel I will just keep re reading that first chapter- it’s so beautifully written.

So as I suspected, the actual book went to the charity shop during a massive clear out earlier in the year. I now have it on Kindle Unlimited but the book itself was so lovely so will likely buy another.
I plan to make a seasonal essential oil blend today.

I am in - bought my copy for £9. Waves to Nigel! hope he's reading! Enjoyed intro tucked up in bed.

Joining in if that's ok!
The CCs is one of my favourite books, so it would be lovely to have some like-minded folk to read it with this year!

@Hexenhaus that looks amazing! Yum

@Margaritawithlime Thanks they did turn out to be tasty for a first attempt, it's a good recipe. I will be doing a lot more baking this advent. I've finally had time to finish Nigel's introduction this morning. Feels especially cosy with a candle lit and heavy rain outside. Trying to resist flicking through looking at the photos.

You'd all fallen off my tio :(

I'm very much looking forward to settling down with November 1st tomorrow.

The Advent book that several of you have mentioned looks beautiful too. I'm going to have a look for a second hand copy for myself for Christmas I think (assuming it doesn't cost loads!).

Happy Christmas Chronicle Readalong-e'en everyone

Im starting tonight
Candle will be lit .

@Lanique welcome aboard!

If everyone is happy with the idea, I'll make a post for each new chapter in bold capitals at the beginning of the relevant day, to help signpost our read along x

Afternoon all! Getting very excited. Am trying to do as much Christmas shopping over next week-ten days so I can for once sit, relax, light a candle and do nice Christmassy things instead of spend a frantic month hunting for discount codes!

I'm pretty much done 😀🌲
Just waiting for a few deliveries to arrive, then need to do the few xmas cards I send, birthdays up to Xmas sorted, I've even started an Xmas box of nice food and treats to put away 😀
I start a new job on 8th November 😬 so I trying to ensure all is prepared in good time.
My dh is away first week of December eorh week too so no doubt there will be some sort of domestic crisis 🙄
I'm hoping 🙏 for a peaceful Advent this year and hope for the same for you all x

Hello again everyone 🎄🎄🎄

I’m going to re-read the intro tonight, whilst sipping a glass of something nice (I just took delivery today of several vintage Holmegaard blown glass sherry/port glasses I’d found on eBay to join my collection of shot glasses and cocktail glasses of the same design, so that was perfect timing!), and enjoying the autumn ambience of the bay oil fragrance and the candlelight from my little houses which always come out once the clocks have changed.

Wishing you all a peaceful evening, filled to abundance with warmth and good cheer.😊😊

Like others, i made the most of the extra hour and i've nearly finished the intro. I love Nigel's writing style, i strongly believe that he wouldn't approve of my scented candles... i looked into making my own bay oil last night as i have a large bush (behave) underneath my kitchen window but it involves heating the leaves in oil for many hours so probably cheaper to buy a bottle!

Oh wow! I've just sat snuggled under a blanket with a 'berry bramble' gin and read the intro! How lovely is this book?!! I was so tempted to keep reading but made myself keep Nov 1st till tomorrow!

CHAPTER 1: 1ST NOVEMBER

Let the joy begin!

I just got in from a very wintery walk and read. A local group I’m in always does a food bank collection in early December and I might invite everyone back and do the drinks. It should be fine in the afternoon as it’s walking distance for everyone!
I’m wondering whether to skim ( not read) ahead each week so I can make sure I have ingredients in stock. I’ve also got the Advent book and am thinking of starting it this month on days Nigel doesn’t have an entry as I’ll never manage to make and eat all those things in December.
I e cleared a little corner for my book and a Christmas candle (gasp). I might have to dig out a Christmas coaster and mug. My kids think I’ve gone mad.

I'm on leave today. I've just dropped DD to school and I'm having a bit of breakfast. Then I'll light some candles and curl up with my book and read the Intro and Chapter One. It's a nasty morning here - windy and rainy - so feels suitably wintry, albeit no snow or ice.

Mr Dillidilly has a day off today, and I've just read aloud the recipes to him as we've lazed in bed ❤

Love the Nov 1st chapter. In the past I have made the muscat prunes (delicious) and the figs with maple syrup (tasted a bit medicinal for me - possibly went too heavy on the anise). I should try the apricots this year, but I already have a huge bag of prunes in the cupboard.

And it's finally bright and crisp and cold, just in time! (And the boiler's on the blink...just in time )