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.

@ItsTapasTime I hope you get through the storm okay!

@AIBConsiderate (great name!) Hope you get over the cold quickly. How nice to have a special rum pot!

I think Ocado must be tracking my reading as they've just offered me figs on a flash sale. Not my usual sort of purchase as like a previous poster these, let alone the prunes, would be the death knell for my bowels so I can only assume the algorithm has Nige’d up like all of us.

No apple drinks for me as I can’t do it to my teeth but it does sound delicious. I've got a batch of gingerbread gin brewing already so will hold off until December.

I had a gorgeous walk today through Regents Park and up to Primrose Hill, through all the autumn leaves before heading home to read CC, candle burning and soup bubbling away. Bliss. I’m using up my Ikea candle as saving the Diptyque for a 1st December reveal. I’m not sure if I’ll cook any of the recipes this year, I have to confess, I’m more on the Nigella side of Christmas fare.

This thread is SO lovely.

Ohh @RubyGemStone gingerbread gin sounds good! I’m watching Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen this week. Wonderfully festive and fun!

We have figs and custard apples in. Beautiful, edible decor.

(They’re not quite that green...that’s the filter I applied to try to smooth over some of the dust. I’ve given up on fighting it as rubble/building dust is par for the course pretty much daily now)

@Woollyjumpersandtomatosoupweather you made me chortle out loud with your comment about alcohol laced figs. Thank you! 😆

Malt loaf was a favourite with my parents during lockdown. It's a great recipe and relatively easy (I'm no Mary Berry). I am just about to make some again, as I am on holiday this week.

My friend and I are meeting up at hers on Saturday to make the apricot and muscat prune drinks, plus a batch of sloe gin. The rest of my family will then join us and her family for tea and Strictly.

@LillianGish I'm with you on the ironing comment, its my favourite as well :) Also as someone with a lot of ironing to do (for a family of five; ok well four, I don't iron the baby's clothes!) I think it's an excellent idea!

I loved reading the intro and the November 1st entry today. Such beautiful and life-affirming descriptions of winter. I'm definitely going to have to try that hot apple drink, it sounds yum!

YuletideSolace
Thank you for the link!

Clarabellybutton
Your Saturday sounds lovely.

Just googling “malt extract” for the malt loaf recipe but can only find barley malt extract.....is this the same thing?

Well that was lovely. After a busy few days at work, I’ve been to my knit and natter group, come back in for a hot toddy of laphroaig, organic honey and hot water, and settle for the read. I’m definitely up for making the figs with anise.

I’m listening to a Spotify playlist “You go to my head radio”, the first track is you go to my head by Gene Ammons. Lots of warm, smoky jazz that I can imagine Nigel cooking and supping to.

@YuletideSolace I use this recipe and have been very happy with it. Last year DH did us all Gingerbread Lattes Espresso Martinis, was divine although I sense Nigel would disapprove.

Your decorations are gorgeous.

@Bimblesalong I just looked up that playlist and have something different, I guess it's made based on what we like. But as for me that includes plenty of Billie Holliday, its a great find. I like 'Perfect Italian Dinner' for while I cook Nigel's recipes.

I read the intro. and today's entry. I've said it before but Nigel's a really good writer and I love his descriptions of winter. I also love the colourful illustrations. There's something very satisfying about reading a book with a hard cover as opposed to a paperback. And I like the fact that the book comes with its own bookmark.

As for candles, I had two lighting at the same time. One was a Yankee candle and the other was a pine one which DD probably picked up in Primark/Penneys or TK Maxx. I'm sure Nigel would be horrified . But actually they were a lovely combination.

Next entry is the 4th (Saturday) and I'm home that day so I'm looking forward to the next extract.

Feeling nicely chilled now and I'm working from home tomorrow so I can have a lie on.

@YuletideSolace the Advent book is lovely. I bought it after reading about it on one of these threads and I really enjoyed flicking through it. I must confess that I haven't baked anything from it, but I enjoyed the Christmassy vibe and the illustrations.

Listening to it now
first ever audible book !
very soothing , and I bought a glass mini wreath as a little pre Christmas present to myself

I’m in bed , under a velvet bedspread , just need a hot chocolate ,

I can see you are all ahead of me , I’m looking forward to the apple and brandy drink section

@PricklyBob sorry to hear your parents had some medical issues. Hope all is ok.

Well, although I overshot to the 6th yesterday I decided to listen to today's chapter again tonight. I also started making my Lego winter village. No candles, we don't use them much because of curious cats but I have got a cinnamon reed diffuser (in an inaccessible to cats corner). I have the bay nobilis oil somewhere, inspired by whoever said they put it on the Aga I might put some on our Everhot stove tomorrow.

I don't anticipate making many of the recipes either, I'm low carbing and DH is diabetic. I do fancy trying the maltloaf though.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal my heart lurched reading that. Hope everything is ok for your dd.

Hello everyone, I’ve just invited myself along - I hope that’s ok! I’m a person who loves Christmas but struggles with the dark evenings and short days so this thread was suggested to me. To embrace the winter.💗

My copy arrived from Amazon last night! I’ll take a look at it today.

Thank you, she is fine now, although some poor parent's child isn't. Heart goes out to them.

I've already managed to fall behind after heading back to work this week, following 6 months off 🙈

Just remembered about CC being on Spotify though so I've made myself a nice coffee and will listen to the intro and 1st Nov before doing anything else 😊 Nice way to start my day off, all snuggled up in my kitchen spot, watching the robin in the garden & listening to Nigel. His voice is very soothing.

My dad picked me up two of the Aldi reed diffusers over the weekend, his local Aldi didn't have the candles - I'm a little bit disappointed by the smell tbh, it's not very strong. Wonder if the candles are any better?

Does anyone have any other reasonably priced candle recommendations? I do like a candle lit on a cold evening.

@RubyGemStone ah glad you found something you liked. It makes sense that it generates something based on your likes. I didn’t want to share a link to my list on here as it would probably give my actual name!

Thank you to those have sent well wishes. There are longstanding and ongoing health issues with parents and occassionally there are particular flares or the need to be there in person. I'm sure many of you will understand.

Anyway, to cheer myself up for falling behind before we even get started, I've just cracked and ordered a box of bay and rosemary tealights (Octo) from amazon. I didn't want to spend on any extras this year but tealights are much cheaper than an actual candle and I do have a really pretty holder so it will help create a cosy nook.

Clarabellybutton
Where do you get your malt extract from for the malt loaf recipe, and is barley malt extract the same thing?

@PricklyBob sorry to hear that. It’s not easy to be pulled in so many directions and also to be worrying for people. I hope you find some solace here. I like tea lights and use them a lot - as you said, they’re cheaper and you can also switch up the holders easily for different moods/seasons.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal hope your DD continues to be ok. Life can be so shit sometimes.

@lucysmam I like to read on the day if I can, but here and there I might read a few days at a time or even catch up with a week’s worth. The book, and this thread, is so helpful for finding gentle, unpressured enjoyment where we can. I love the sound/feel of your spot in the kitchen (longtime reader of your Good Morning Mumsnet threads).

I think St. Eval candles are supposed to be good, and the Yorkshire Candle Company too. I’m trying not to look too much to avoid coming across something I really want!

Hello @redfacebigdisgrace! Welcome to our cosy corner.

@KrazyboutKillian your mini wreath sounds lovely, may we have a pic?

@BaconAndAvocado yes barley malt extract is the right thing.