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!

@bigbadbarry he usually buys it in! Which I thought was nice to know. Even Nigel doesn’t do everything from scratch. Phew.

@TangledWebofMincemeatDeception very nice to know, I agree. I can be my own worst enemy in terms of home-making stuff but this year I am determined to relax a bit too. But mincemeat is good to make because of aforementioned nuts/peel issues :)

I’ve been enjoying finally starting to read my copy of CC and determined to make a few of the recipes but slightly regret watching Toast from the YouTube link earlier in the thread. Is Nigel really such a colossal snob about people living on council estates as Toast portrays him?
Sad to lose his mum so young but his rage was directed at the wrong person. Poor Joan

@bigbadbarry it looks scrumptious!! It will smell like Christmas at yours today.

I do want to make some soon...need to get company/dinner party over with at the weekend, first (which makes hosting sound like a chore; it isn't but I can only 'do' one thing at a time these days). After that hopefully some more poncing in food form will begin!

Hi all, I will be stuck in hospital tomorrow too. Please can someone put up the chapter?
Many thanks x

Ah @Dillidilly
I do hope you are better soon. Can I photograph the pages and put on here? 3 pages if I miss off how to mash a swede!
I have been trying to work out how to share my kindle copy but it’s trickier than I thought.

I think we just need the date and chapter title and any thoughts you may have. Hope you are OK @Dillidilly.

Do get well soon

@Dillidilly hope all goes well in hospital. I am getting up early at the moment so I will add date and chapter title tomorrow morning if none else already has.

I was walking between buildings today, sloshing though puddles, looking up at a grey sky, thinking of Nigel's frosty branches etc. Someone told me the weather might be getting colder next week. We aren't even lighting our wood burner at the moment as it is so mild (in Norfolk).

Freshly returned from <whispers> Aldi. They had candles under their own little glass cloche!

Having sniffed every candle in the store I bought instead a couple of wax/oil burners, to use up the stockpile of tea lights.

So my question please: where can I acquire Nigel-approved bay laurel essential oil?

OK, I'm very sorry but I need to step back from the Readalong ☹
I'm being investigated for a cardiac issue, and I just need to pare my life back to absolute basics because this is a difficult time for me.
I do hope everyone understands. Maybe the date and chapter title can still be posted on the relevant day and you lovely lot can continue to share and enjoy. Thank you all for making my CC threads such lovely, gentle, hygge things xx

Ah @Dillidilly I’m very sorry to hear that. Wishing you all the best and sending good vibes. Hope you get the rest and care you need! 💐

Yes, wishing you well x

@ShaunaTheSheep I last ordered my essential oils from amazon. Previously I’ve bought bb,ends from M&S and The White Company.

*blends

Thanks, will have a look.

so works out at approx 1.5 euros per hour - which is less than a takeaway coffee.

Still laughing about this magnificent logic :-)

so works out at approx 1.5 euros per hour - which is less than a takeaway coffee.

Still laughing about this magnificent logic :-)

Sorry ! I agreee that was rather offputting; but maybe the film is not a good reflection of the book. I've ordered the book from the library to compare.

Sorry ! I agreee that was rather offputting; but maybe the film is not a good reflection of the book. I've ordered the book from the library to compare.

I'd love to use bay laurel, but I've got 2 dogs; and it's toxic to them.

@Dillidilly so sorry to hear your news. I hope all goes well for you. Of course we will muddle through and carry on reading. I hope that you can lurk when you feel up to it, without actually feeling the need to contribute.

17 November
Pork and panaforte

The pork sounds like my son and husband would like it. Son has asked to go to a 'proper butcher' on Saturday, so might get some suitable pork then. How I, as a vegetarian, produced such a carnivorous son I do not know!

The mincemeat sand which sounds like peak Christmas to me. Will have that idea tucked away over Christmas.

@Dillidilly sending very best wishes. Hope you can still enjoy the thread whilst resting. X