The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater. Read Along Thread 2022

[Dillidilly]

INTRODUCTION

Nigel begins his Chronicles proper on 1st November, but there is a lovely, quite lengthy introduction we can dip into during the second half of October.

Last year, posters were also kind enough to share where they had found cut price copies of CC, so hopefully anyone late to the party still has time to find a copy before we start the first chapter.

I had forgotten the lovely introduction. Together with the beautiful photograph at the very beginning of the book, flipping through it and seeing his headings reminded me of why I loved it so much last year!

I've got twigs on both my mantelpieces, vase full of pussy willow twigs (from M&S not gathered by me) and some hazel twigs that I picked up in the park when I was helping with some conservation work. Those are stuck in some florist's oasis in a white plant holder which keeps them in place. I hang tiny wooden eggs on it at Easter and mini baubles at Christmas.

I have a small metal milk churn of deep red twigs saved from an expensive bouquet that travels between the dining room and sitting room as I fancy (these also sport teeny wooden eggs at Easter!). A jug of dried honesty I picked from the hedge on the walk to work on the dining room mantlepiece. And a jug of dried pompom alliums from my garden up high in my sitting room.

What perfect timing to stumble on this thread. I love this book but didn't do the read along last year. I think the only thing I managed to make was the Xmas pudding, which was my first Nigel one and was absolutely delicious. Much lighter than a normal Xmas pudding and I'm never going back to the stodge!

Fancy did you make the light or dark pudding?

I usually make the light one, I don't like dark traditional ones.

Its blowing up a storm here in the last hour, winter is on its way I think.

I’ve finished the intro tonight in bed. Perfectly poised to start the main course tomorrow.

The light one I think, I'll look it up later and confirm a page number for you

Today’s the day 👏

Yes, getting it right this time lol...

1 NOVEMBER
A toast to the winter solstice

Well, today's stormy weather made it a perfect morning to curl up with a cuppa and mentally head off to Nigel's house which I have just done but now I have to go to work. Will be dreaming of the warming drinks and puddings. Welcome to November everyone.

Good morning all. Autumn arrived with gale force winds overnight - my lawn is covered in crunchy golden 🍁 🍁 🍁a fence panel and garden furniture. I'm taking Nigel and a large mug of back to bed for a soothing read before I tackle the mess.

Was the perfect book to read by candlelight this morning as the storm raged outside. Though the juxtaposition with the awful news coming out of the radio was quite stark. I bet Nigel doesn't have the Today programme on in the mornings. Going to try harder to channel Nigel - quite envious of his life as described in CC!

"...there are surely few greater joys than pouring ourselves a drink as we curl up on the sofa with a book after a long hard day."

(Oh and thanks @NiqueNique - going to look for some laurel bay oil. I had read the intro before but that bit hadn't really registered.)

It's not cold here yet. I really want frost and storms. Has anyone made the first drinks recipe? Does sweet white wine mean just sweeter than normal or a sort of dessert wine?

Lashing with rain here, rain- races on the windows, reminding me of waiting for my dad to come home from work when I was a little girl. Standing on a stool waiting to see him turn the corner on his bike, trying to guess if he would be in sight before the ‘ race’ ended.

Have added dried apricots to my shopping list and star anise…

I really want plump alcohol-soaked fruit on my porridge now.

I've just read today's pages. I think the memory of reading last year and today being DS's first day back at school after the half term holiday has made it even better this year - it makes it feel even more like the start of the lovely cosy period leading up to Christmas.

I know the book continuing sporadically into the start of the new year, but I'd really like to find a similar book to keep me appreciating the time of year from January through to spring

Listening to it on Audible, will have to resist going past todays entry. I have a hardback copy, kindle copy and audio book so never without a copy.

And so it begins 🎄🎄🎄

@MadgeMarple that part resonated with me too. If there’s anything I believe strongly it’s that we should each welcome ourselves home as often as possible. Possibly even daily. Home is my haven, never more so than when I snuggle in with a drink and a book.

@Swissnotswiss I took that to mean a dessert wine. Nigel mentions muscat and last year I used something similar but can’t recall exactly what I went for.

I do agree with Nigel that mulled wine promises much but doesn’t always deliver. Last year we had mulled apple/cider drinks instead throughout November and much of December, which I found much nicer. We started with Nigel’s suggestion then branched out into various recipes. My favourite one was something with apple juice, Calvados, ginger and nutmeg.

Last year I learnt that I don’t much like apricots. Neither does DH (although he’s a fan of most dried fruits), so we won’t be making that particular drink again. This year I think we’ll try the Muscat prunes as I like the idea of serving the prunes as an accompaniment to puddings.

(We liked the apricot liqueur well enough but don’t want to waste apricots hence won’t make it again - we’ve still got pretty much all the fruit left from last year that we keep meaning to use. We might use some in our Christmas cake)

@NiqueNique good idea to use in your cake.

Tesco has let me down - no currants for my Christmas cake prep and no Pukka winter warming tea 🙄 I am pretty sure Nigel does not have this problem.

Off work today with a stinking cold and bad back (bad combo, coughing hurts!) so read today's entry with hot lemon, ginger & honey and my Little Yorkshire Candle Co candle.

Apple drink has been added to my planning for Christmas - love the idea of welcoming DD home with a glass of that. I have dried figs (DM keeps giving them to me) so might try that one, but not sure about anise, might leave it out.

Bay - love the Bay and Rosemary from St Eval. Haven't got it at the moment and can't justify buying more candles.....

I'm another one who wants to try his mulled apple drink!

I've just worked out that if I do no house cleaning this month I should be able to get my crafty things finished for December 😆

Oooh @NiqueNique, please show us if you do get Advent candles in a jar!

I'm trying hard to be sensible over spending, but just weakened and ordered velvet ribbon to tie bows on the tree, and wool to knit a little scarf for my porch tree...so I've banned myself from any type of Advent candle/s. I shall save them for next year!

I really fancy a candle and skipped forward to read about them. The pomegranate one costs €50. 😮Is that normal? How long does it last??

The drinks sound very tempting...but I think I'm too lazy for any of them in practice...
I like a brandy hot toddy (sometimes even managing with the lemon and honey so hot water and brandy) on a crisp winter's night.

Tempted to get a bottle of Sloe gin. I have found memories of drinking it pre-kids. Wondering if I have the self-control to have a bottle in the house! I used to drink it like ribena 😳