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 been out and bought the ingredients for the apricot liqueur. I got a 50cl bottle of dessert wine and wondering if it keeps once open or should I simply increase all the ingredients and use it all. Any thoughts?
Loving the illustrations. Hoping to also make the aubergine dish, probably for me and dh as the kids would likely moan, and the orange cake which sounds lovely.

It depends a bit on the type of wine. But in general it’s best enjoyed up to 2 or three 3 weeks after opening.

(If it’s a fortified wine with higher alcohol content it’ll be fine for a month or so)

Aah, good point, it's only 11%. I think I'll use it all in one go. Thanks 😊

I need to catch up! In the meantime I treated myself to this advent calender, which I think may be Quite Nigel

Beautiful @ClaudineClare!

Martinmass tonight - remembering my years in Berlin when the children were tiny making lanterns at school and then going on a lantern walk after dark. I don't remember much German, but I still remember the words to all the songs we sang. They are lovely winter memories of the cold and the dark and the smell of Gluwein round the bonfire at the end of the walk and of St Martin getting down off his horse and ripping his cloak in two. I remember it snowing or at least sleeting on more than one occasion - proper winter weather. A fabulous substitute for Bonfire night (and no fireworks so Nigel would approve). Germany remains my favourite country for Christmas.

@ClaudineClare That looks great! Where did you buy it?

@LillianGish sounds fab!

I bought it from John Lewis. It goes all the way to 1st January.

That’s gorgeous Claudine, I love an old fashioned pretty advent calendar

Lillian that’s sounds wonderfully atmospheric! It’s so interesting hearing about traditional festivals we don’t have.

Tomorrow will be A VN Day, as we are going to pick our medlars! Once they are bletted, DH has found a Nigel recipe for medlar jelly

12 NOVEMBER
A pot roast partridge

Just picked our medlars (going to be one small jar of jelly I fear lol).
Feeling VN and faintly medieval!
N.B. Nigel-esque photography 😉

I’m struggling to visualise his mum’s painted birds? They live on the wall but have feathers. Anybody any idea?

@Dillidilly the medlars look great
@bigbadbarry I don't get the painted birds and the feather balls either.

Pot roast partridge isn't for me (vegetarian) but my husband and son love pot roast pheasant. OH did it for my gran once (she was a cook as a girl in a rich house) and she loved it.

Going to spend some more time sorting my Christmas notebook today and maybe writing some more Christmas cards.

I thought the painted birds were models that lived on a shelf.

Thanks for posting @LillianGish . That was really interesting. Finally made my apricot liqueur!

Apricot liqueur looks lovely. I made a version of Nigel’s mincemeat, without the suet today. Smelled so good.

All the jars of loveliness are looking gorgeous!

Lovely mincemeat! I was going to do that too but realised that dh had thrown out my jars!

I love seeing what you've all been making. I need to spring into action. The problem is it just feels too warm here - still more golden autumn with no hint of winter nip or crispness. I was out strolling in my sweater and sunglasses this afternoon for goodness sake!

Having been away from the thread and the book for a few days I've just caught up. I have been doing some Nigel-esque things over the last few days though. Namely putting some essential oil on a bowl of pinecones on the coffee table which smell wonderful and making paper chains with DD1. We're planning on making a few a night throughout November and then having lots to string up around the house come December.

Where are you @LillianGish ? It's still warm where I am but I'm hoping a bit of Nigelling will bring on some colder weather....

I agree @LillianGish I was too hot in my cardi yesterday walking around, I went down to the beach about 3pm and there were several men in just shorts (it is a fairly sheltered beach).

I think re the birds he means Hilda Ogden style ceramic ones on the wall and exploding into shards but not literally feathers.

Loving the pics of various jars!
I have cheated and bought some Waitrose mincemeat.

But I did make the orange cake which is lovely and visited our local market stall for the fruit and veg for the cauliflower and leek soup which is coming up on Nov 13 I think. Felt VN as all in paper bags which looked lovely in my cloth shopping tote.

Have also put in an order for the Advent cookbook in my library so hopefully that should be in soon.

Off now to look at advent calendars - like the idea of it going to Jan 1 @ClaudineClare