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Christmas

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Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023

991 replies

RainbowZebraWarrior · 23/10/2023 21:27

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.

Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023
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BraveMaeve · 31/10/2023 13:37

Hello, I'd like to join please. I read half the intro last night and will finish it tonight. Really enjoyed it and his perspective on winter.

I ordered the book last year but work got so stressful I just couldn't get in the right mood for it. Hopefully this run up to Christmas will be calmer and cosier!

ilovecardigans · 31/10/2023 14:10

This is a wonderfully comforting thread. I'm more of a reader than a poster generally, but will be enjoying quietly in my own way. I began listening to the intro on Spotify at some ungodly hour yesterday (husband on earlies), but it was so soothing that I nodded off halfway through!

I remember the Rendezvous Café (and the Spanish City!) very fondly, as I lived in Seaton Sluice for most of my childhood from the mid 1960s to mid 1970s. Happy memories...

narniabusiness · 31/10/2023 14:46

I’ve got my candles! DH rather bemused at the sudden urgency of a visit to Aldi but soon saw the importance of getting there before things sold out.
I lit the Black tea and Tobacco last night. The scent is pleasant but not very strong.
I’ve nearly finished the intro pages in the book although I’ve been deliberately reading slowly to enjoy it to the full. I’m looking forward to the mulled apple juice some of you have mentioned. That sounds delicious. I’m also now hankering after a light up village as they sound so cute and Ive not bought any new decorations in years because I already have enough

Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023
NollaigChridheil · 31/10/2023 16:37

I'm thoroughly enjoying the book this year! Feels lovely and Christmassy already.

ApolloandDaphne · 31/10/2023 16:45

I've read the introduction and am ready to start tomorrow. His prose is lovely and relaxing to read.

catwithflowers · 31/10/2023 17:39

I am Nigel ready! 🕯️ 🍂 🍁 ❄️

Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023
Witchbitch20 · 31/10/2023 17:45

Candles bought
Introduction read

and I’ve ordered myself and new lovely bookmark.

I also have a home made pie in the oven for dinner tonight.

ExpensiveDecorations · 31/10/2023 18:32

Ooops. I started listening to the intro on Audible today and before I knew it I was on 6th November 🤦‍♀️

RainbowZebraWarrior · 01/11/2023 07:28

1 November

A toast to the winter solstice

"What can I get you to drink?" Never has a simple question been so bursting with delicious possibilities. The word 'welcome' put instantly, joyously into motion.

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NollaigChridheil · 01/11/2023 08:53

ExpensiveDecorations · 31/10/2023 18:32

Ooops. I started listening to the intro on Audible today and before I knew it I was on 6th November 🤦‍♀️

This happened to me too!

Whoopsadaisydownagain · 01/11/2023 09:06

Had a lovely day out yesterday with dh. His turn to drive so could sit back and enjoy the autumn colours.
Drove to Hawes ( North Yorkshire / dales ) visited the Wensleydale cheese company and bought some cheese (are loads of the tasters ) .
Then a lovely amble along the windy road to Became and a autumn stroll in Thorpe Perrow ( arboretum ) which (witch 😂 ) had a Halloween trail for children.
then home via the A66 and the delight that is Mainsgill farm shop.
In the evening read the intro so all set to go.

YuletideSolace · 01/11/2023 09:10

"What can I get you to drink?" Never has a simple question been so bursting with delicious possibilities. The word 'welcome' put instantly, joyously into motion.

This little excerpt ties in nicely with one of my favourite passages from the intro*:

‘Come in.’ Two short words, heavy with meaning. Step out of the big, bad, wet world and into my home. You’ll be safe here, toasty and well fed. ‘Come in.’ They are two of the loveliest words to say and to hear.

*Finally managed to read it this morning as I woke up early and, having nowhere to be, thought it was the perfect time to start. Turns out that this year, my Reading Nook is my bed! - I liked this early morning read so much that I’ve decided to read each chapter first thing in the morning before I get up. It sets the tone so nicely for the day.

YuletideSolace · 01/11/2023 09:13

@RainbowZebraWarrior Thanks for your comment yesterday, much appreciated. It’s an important message for most women, I think, especially at this time of year. Thankfully my martyrdom chip was never activated so I’m pretty good at switching off from the endless guilt and pressure messaging!

Nonplusultra · 01/11/2023 10:08

We had guests over last night and I got such pleasure from my “come in”, pouring drinks and lighting the fire - and yes, shoes came off and one person had a snooze!

Happy All Hallows.

@RainbowZebraWarrior wave to a fellow overwhelmed menopausal AuDHDer with a wild garden!

PricklyBob · 01/11/2023 10:29

Echoing my thanks to all who have noted the importance of easing the pressure. I was already stressing because it's 1 November and I haven't read the intro yet and I'm about the take an unplanned visit to my parents (health issues) and will be away for 5 days and I'll miss so much of all this, and there are other things to do at work and around the house, and.. and... and...

Anyway... thank you for reminding me to sit back and take a breath. Be more Nigel and know that the book and thread will be waiting when I get back.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 01/11/2023 10:31

Food Network TV channel are now showing Christmas food programmes. I'm currently watching Tom Kerridge's Christmas Dinner (Soeey Nigel, if you're reading 😉) Anyway, I'm betting they will have some of Nigel's offerings coming up soon, so I'm going to check the guide and set any ro record. They are hard to find usually.

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RainbowZebraWarrior · 01/11/2023 10:33

Sending gentle hugs @PricklyBob

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narniabusiness · 01/11/2023 11:05

Today’s chapter has me salivating. It’s not so much the sweet drinks but the boozy fruits and his suggestions of yogurts and cakes and frangipane tart to serve them with. I think this is partly due to being half way through a 4 week no sugar and no alcohol kick, and it’s sooo dull. ( but necessary due to post holiday waistline expansion).
I don’t think anyone but me and eldest DS would touch the resulting alcoholic beverages though.
Has anyone tried making any of these in previous years?

LillianGish · 01/11/2023 11:15

Your day out in the Dales sounds absolutely delightful @Whoopsadaisydownagain. Living round there presumably you can still be sure of experiencing some of the crisp, clear, frost-tinselled, ice-cracking winters so beloved by Nigel - not to mention starry skies in the National Park away from light pollution.
I'm not really one for concocting my own drinks, but I will certainly be opening a bottle of something this evening to mark the official start of the CC. It's a national holiday here today so I have sent DH round to the cheese shop to pick up a suitable selection by way of accompaniment.

Nonplusultra · 01/11/2023 11:23

I’m unlikely to get many opportunities to try out the recipes, and my family are the very definition of unadventurous. Instead I’m trying to adopt a mindset of noticing the small, and very ordinary pleasures of our winter habits and meals.

BaconAndAvocado · 01/11/2023 11:25

What a gorgeous thread.

I started listening to the podcast yesterday on my dog walk and finished today on 5th December (I think).

The rain was torrential at times today and to listen to tales of roast duck, Christmas markets and cosy fires was much welcomed!

Re televised Christmas Nigel, I recall finding something last year which featured Nigel, a roaring fire and his black Labrador. Perfect.

Haven't read up thread yet, but has anyone made the Malt Loaf? It looks amazing.

YuletideSolace · 01/11/2023 11:25

PricklyBob · 01/11/2023 10:29

Echoing my thanks to all who have noted the importance of easing the pressure. I was already stressing because it's 1 November and I haven't read the intro yet and I'm about the take an unplanned visit to my parents (health issues) and will be away for 5 days and I'll miss so much of all this, and there are other things to do at work and around the house, and.. and... and...

Anyway... thank you for reminding me to sit back and take a breath. Be more Nigel and know that the book and thread will be waiting when I get back.

Hugs @PricklyBob. It's an ongoing balancing act isn't it.

Nigel talks about it today in the first chapter of the book: welcoming our own arrival home, and grounding ourselves with stolen moments here and there. It's just as important as all the things we might do for others.

BaconAndAvocado · 01/11/2023 11:28

LillianGish
Thats a fantastic idea re a special celebratory drink tonight!

I’m off alcohol but think there might be a bottle wine of non-alcoholic mulled wine lurking in the back of the cabinet. Hope it tastes more interesting than hot Ribena....although that is quite nice!

YuletideSolace · 01/11/2023 11:32

@narniabusiness yes I've made them over the years. All very nice although I know some people find the anise element very strong in the apricot and orange liqueur. You could remove it earlier for a more subtle flavour.

Ultimately we decided last year that most of the liqueur recipes aren't worth it for us as we just don't entertain often enough to use things up (as much as we might want to indulge ourselves by having/eating everything ourselves, we both have to be reasonably careful for various health reasons).

This year we will be enjoying variations on the spiced apple punch throughout Nov. and I will also make the Muscat prunes.

YuletideSolace · 01/11/2023 11:51

@Whoopsadaisydownagain a beautiful autumn day out encompassing a stop at a cheese monger's is one of my favourite things. Sounds absolutely fab.

@Nonplusultra that's a successful evening of hosting if ever there was one! And noticing/appreciating the small, ordinary pleasures of life - that's really the main thing I try to take away from the book and the read-along every year.

@LillianGish I, too, envy your French life. Enjoy!

@BaconAndAvocado It's been raining for days here. The book is brilliant for wringing some hygge out of the unrelenting soaking. I've not made the malt loaf but it's one of the recipes I might look at making.