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 bought a WH Smith bargain copy of CC because of last year's thread but then didn't follow along for various reasons. Plan to read to the end this year.

@Ihavedogs - thank you for the Ameretto idea. Have some and a bottle of Sauternes lurking in the cupboard so will pick up star anise and apricots tomorrow. Did you reduce the sugar too?

I'm so frustrated, circumstances have found me not at home, without my CC, without my dog, and a long way from my Nigel Nest. And Nil by mouth, so less discussion of deliciousness, if you please!!

I'll have to catch up when I get home.

Aww Pickle that does not sound like a good place, hope you get back to your NigelNest soon.

Crikey, my auto correct is suggesting NigelNest to me now, a quick learner!

Does anyone follow Nigel's insta? A glorious mix of Japan and chocolate peanut cookie recipe this week, so he's obviously not prepping his winter liquor. Maybe he did it before he went off on his travels.

Yes, I’ve been looking at his photographs from Japan today. ❤️

Oh Pickle hospital is definitely NABN Not a bit Nigel.
I hope you are soon sorted and back to your nest.

Ah @picklemewalnuts that’s not nice! Hope everything goes well and hope you get home quickly.

@picklemewalnuts sending you cheer and hope you are home soon.

BMN = Be More Nigel

@picklemewalnuts hope you are home soon.

I read today's in the kitchen this morning, its cosy in there because we have a range cooker that's always on. Then decided to stick the audible one on in the car but overshot into the next chapter accidentally.

Bet you slept well on those nights

Has anyone read Nigel's memoir "Toast"

The book which never arrived has been refunded, my new book has arrived and I have now caught up! Loving the book, particularly the photography which is incredibly evocative.

For those looking for an alcohol/brandy free hot apple drink, I have made and bottled this for late November/early December - www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spiced-apple-syrup-clementine-and-clove

I read it years ago for my bookclub - it's well written but rather sad. I hasn't realised that it has been adapted into a film!

@picklemewalnuts oh that's not good, hope you're home soon x

@picklemewalnuts hope you are back to your Nigel Nest soon

@Stoic123 2/3rds of the sugar.

I read Toast many years ago too. He didn't have the easiest early life.

@Ihavedogs - thank you!

With Helena Bonham Carter, no less!

5 NOVEMBER
Fire and baked pears

Just cut doggo's walk short to bring back some Holly that had snapped off in recent winds (fyi - I did look up the legalities of taking wild plants etc from their original location and all is fine as long as you don't dig anything up)... I'm no Nigel but am pleased with the results. Had some bits and bobs already at home and have added some rosemary from the garden which has made it smell divine... for now!

Beautiful @GingerPigz!

I made this last year and left both the orange peel and the apricots in. It was flipping delicious!

Just realised that we still have some very tired holly still up from last year. Oh dear NVN.

I eventually got some bay nobilis oil too (after faffing about undecided last year) I made this beeswax candle in a jar with a wood wick and added about 20 drops of the bay oil. The smell of the 'raw' oil gave me a headache, but now the wax has set, it smells a lot milder.

It's still not my favourite Christmas oil though. I'm all about the Cinnamon, frankincense and tangerine oils (or common, as His Nigelness would say)

@RainbowZebraWarrior I don’t think of it as a Christmas fragrance either. Last year I used it throughout Nov and the first of half of Dec as a warming autumnal fragrance. Love the little jar candle!

My favourite spice combination for Christmas is Frankincense and Myrrh. I’ll have to see if I can find a good oil blend somewhere; I used to buy from M&S but I don’t shop with them anymore (reasons, as pp said) so I’ve had to do without it for the past few years. Closer to Christmas I’ll make a few orange and clove pomanders which will give more of the ‘true’ Christmas feel and smell.