Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello all, it's nearly that time!

For anyone who has not already had the pleasure, the annual Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles read along is a real time annual MN tradition.

The book begins on 1st November, however there are a couple of chapters of preamble. That's why I thought I would start thread one now, so that we have time to prepare and fully appreciate Nigel in All His Splendour come 1st November.

Some of us already have the book. For anyone who doesn't, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up a bargain. WH Smith has come up trumps in the past, as has ebay. A rare and precious charity shop find is the holy grail and adds a certain special-ness that simply extends that warm, fizzy Nigel feeling (and some well earned smugness)

I shall make a post each day and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the days recipes, sentiments and indeed Dear Old Nige himself.

Note: Reading by candle light can be particularly enjoyable. Cire Trudon may be one of Nige's candle of choice, but it's somewhat pricey. We don't discriminate against other less expensive brands - even if they are NVN (Not Very Nigel)

Pull up a chair and a cosy blanket and join in.

Can I join from next week please? I am away until then but love the build up to Christmas!

Can I join too?
Last year went a bit wonky with Covid but hoping to avoid it this year and read along.

I got an email from St Eval about an advent calendar which I thought might be nice but it’s sold out already.

I’m wary of candles as so many of them make me sneeze. St Eval seem ok though.

My second-hand copy has just arrived! I'm really pleased as it's in excellent condition. I can see already that it's a beautiful book.

Picked up the M&S Christmas cake kit this morning, now just need a small bottle of brandy for soaking the fruit a bit more. M&S are quite stingy on this front!

On the way back home, I saw that the annual NSPCC book sale was on in a local school. I popped in to see if I could spot the book, but no luck. I did manage to get Tender 1 and 2 for £2.50 each, I'm very good condition too!

Wonderful thank-you RainbowZebraWarrior for starting us off.

I did some recipes but my December got taken over by work and I can’t remember what I did, maybe I will when we get to the right day.

So sorry for your loss. Hope the readalong brings you good memories.

Thrilled to have picked up this little bottle today to coincide with my rereading of the introduction. I have sprinkled a few drops on the radiators and will see if anyone notices. DH was having a little smile last night after seeing my copy of CC reappear on the coffee table - he’s bracing himself for everything getting a bit more Nigel. Clocks go back tonight so it feels like the right moment.

Count me in. I joined a few years back and bought the book but dropped off at some stage. December is always a busy month but the chapters are short, iirc, so I've no excuse. I think I just need to set an alarm for the relevant dates. I love his writing - I'm always saying that I must buy his autobiography.

@PricklyBob I remember your story about meeting Nigel at the book signing. Lovely.

This thread sounds lovely. Can I join in? I’ve got the book out of the library. I think this might be the first Christmas in 18 years that there won’t be a house full of family so it feels a bit strange, but on the other hand I should have some time to read and make some delicious food (although not until I’ve shifted a few pounds!).

Good morning all and welcome to those that have just joined us. We are getting ever closer!

I'm just getting wrapped up, having enjoyed the extra hour in bed. I am now off to do battle in Aldi for the Cire Trudon dupe candles. Wish me luck, and I shall report back soon.

I grew up in Whitley Bay! Monkseaton Drive, to be precise - right at the sea end, near the Rendevous café. This was back in the 60s, but I remember the lovely snowy winters we had. I'm in the west of Ireland now - very similar beaches, but the weather's a bit wetter and milder. In other news, I've taken delivery of two St Eval candles - the Inspiritus, and also Embers, which is supposed to smell of a burning woodfire. Planning on making the apricot, orange and anise drink later today, for storage until further into the season :)

Oh @Inextremis that's very close to me (as in a mile away) DDs best friend lives just off that street. Fond memories of Rendezvous café going back decades. It's still a proper old fashioned place, but they do bloody awful tea and coffee lol.

I'm back from my foray to Aldi anyway. I didn't realise you could go in before 10am. No queues, nobody interested in the candles (full display still standing) Picked up the first candle,which I think was the leather and cashmere and had a sniff. Nice enough. Next one also pleasant. Picked up what I thought would be my favourite - the Fig one - very underwhelming. Figured at the price, I'd get one of each anyway. Didn't bother with Reed diffusers as they trigger my asthma. I'll burn one of the candles tonight and see what the throw is like.

I just came on to see if I'd got the right candles - and pleased to see I have 😊 Burning them now - can't wait/ won't wait 😆🕯️🕯️🕯️

They do look beautiful. Great colours for autumn.

Joining in! This is always one of my favourite threads on MN. The book is a delight, I don't even make many of the recipes from it but I love itz the descriptions of winter, the joy in the simple things, it feels like home for me!

I'm hoping to read the intro tonight!

Oh Good Lord. I thank you and I blame you! Currently strolling back up the canal from Aldi to the sound of Nigel reading on Spotify. At risk of tipping backwards due to joy filled backpack.

Some will be Christmas gifts.

There are a couple of trudon dupes under there. The leather one made me sneeze so I’ve left it out.

@GingerKombucha I'm guessing your question was about the nutcracker I posted?

It's the Ferm Living Forest Nut Cracker. It was the last one in stock where I bought it but if you google it I'm sure there'll be lots of options to get it.

Oohh fabulous! I'm glad to have found others who love this book too

@Bimblesalong Ahh, I meant to have a sniff of the Winter Spice ones. The glass ones are beautiful, but I restrained myself as it's getting out of hand in my house. I've just counted and I have 12 real candles in my lounge and 11 LED ones. I'm also supposed to be making some of my own. I guess I should give myself permission to actually use some!

I noticed next to the candles in my Aldi there were Christmas Pudding flavoured Crisps. I did a little Tut and shook my head. What Would Nigel Think eh?

I got the Pigs in Blankets flavour last time I was in, to send to my girls in their Christmas box this year (we won't see them until closer to the time) just for a bit of fun.

DH and I have eaten them!

So I'm going to re-buy a bag, plus one of the Christmas Pudding flavour. And I'm going to get some more for us too.

NVN at all!

The Aldi winter spice candle is a fair dupe of the White Company one. At least it was last year.

I can’t get to Aldi as DH and DS1 have gone out and left my car blocked in. Of course they haven’t left the car keys! There better be some candles left by the time I do get there or I won’t be happy.