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.

@PricklyBob could you catch up with the audio book maybe? I thoroughly enjoyed just sitting this morning, with my coffee, watching the robin backwards and forwards from his tree. Which reminded me I need to right the bird feeders - we moved them & they never got stood back up so I'll do that when I'm dressed.

@YuletideSolace have you bothered with gingerbread since the incident? I've added a couple more deer to the cutter set & may look for another tree this year 😊 (I hope you are who I think you are & I'm not just going to confuse you 🤣). My corner's just like someone described above - cosy in surround of chaos 🙈 I do like sitting here though & my chair in the living room is the same but the chaos overspills onto it's arms in the form of craft projects.

I prefer to read on the day too but this week's been more knackering than I expected. I shall probably continue reading at the very slow pace I have been doing over the next day or two and catch up by the 4th.

I always recommend The Yorkshire Candle Co. Only ever been disappointed by one of their scents. I've never looked at St. Eval, I shall do once one of my current candles is gone.

I remembered,whilst listening, about the stollen recipe! Shall be adding more dried fruit to my NVN Tesco shop that's due tomorrow & maybe we'll bake one over the weekend.

Morning all. Hope anyone affected by the storm is safe and sound.

@Nothingbuttheglory I'm just outside Whitley Bay. I'm still sad that the Egg shop / Farm shop finally closed last month. We used to supply her with Heather honey. I also see that Blyth beach has been washed away.

We've been getting quietly battered with sea storms here. I went to Sainsbury's at 10pm last night so that I don't have to leave the house in the vile rain today (hopefully)

I actually had a dream about candles last night! In it, my best friend was gifted a St Eval Inspiritus by an unrequited love. I opened the lid and took a sniff, but it smelled of nothing. Perhaps my sub conscious mind is trying to tell me to stop buying candles!

@lucysmam No confusion - it’s me! I’m so glad you still have and use the cutters, and how lovely that you’re adding to the scene. 😊😊 I’ve not done any gingerbread construction since but think about it every year in the run-up to Christmas/planning stage. DH gets very twitchy if there’s even a hint that I might have a go at it again. 🤣 I might make biscuits this year though, to use as tree ornaments. They’re not fiddly or frustrating, so it should be ok...

Watching the robin in the garden & listening to Nigel - sounds perfect @lucysmam To all those talking of falling behind and catching up I would just say the beauty of CC is that unlike many books, you really can open it on any page and start reading. So if you've missed a few days, joined late, taken time out for whatever reason you can just start with the next entry and bimble along (with apologies to @Bimblesalong). Go back and catch up by all means if you have the time and the inclination, but you won't be any worse off or get any less enjoyment from just dipping in and out. What's lovely about this thread is that you can have cosy read or listen and then pop along here to chat (or even just to lurk) with someone who has just read the same bit. No pressure.

Yes @LillianGish that’s very true - it’s perfectly possible to just dip in and out as life ebbs and flows.

On the aforementioned subject of baking, here is my little splurge for this year which I’m very excited to use!

@RainbowZebraWarrior funny dream! Maybe the universe is telling you that your own lovely candles are all the candles you really need!

Coffee break in the office here and I have an actual white co winter candle burning and classic fm on to balance the cold and wet outside. My chicken is furtling around and looking a little disarrayed, despite having a dry cosy run and corn.
Smiles @LillianGish (also thinking ahead to appropriate French scarfage for approaching Paris trip). I have a collection, which makes it easier just to wear black and add a touch of colour.

@YuletideSolace that is truly lovely!

I like your thinking @Bimblesalong - you will pass for a Parisian!

YuletideSolace
Wow! Would love to know what you’re planning on baking in it!
Thank you re barley malt extract 💐

I have a story relating to malt extract. My mother and I used to own and run a café. One winter we both got colds that lasted 6 weeks. My Mum said the following year that we should start taking a spoonful of malt extract a day as her granny swore by it to ward off colds. I have really fond memories of us opening up each cold, dark morning and taking our malt while the coffee machine hissed into life. We didn't get any colds that winter!

❤️❤️ oh I love that @RainbowZebraWarrior. Lovely memories, and I think there’s a lot of wisdom in many old wives’ tales (as long as you take them with a grain of salt where needed).

@Bimblesalong I found it at half price and couldn’t resist!

@BaconAndAvocado i don’t know yet. I think I’ll probably do three different flavours...maybe gingerbread/spiced, vanilla and chocolate. Or possibly something which I can colour red. Would look cute I think.

@BaconAndAvocado I got my malt extract from Holland and Barrett, though I think our big Tesco also stock it. It adds superb depth to malt loaf
and brings back happy childhood memories of a teaspoonful (of the codliver oil version!) before heading off to primary school in colder weather ❄️

This thread makes me so happy. Thank you all for contributing to the hygge!

@RubyGemStone thanks for the recipe! I’ll see if DH fancies it.

@lucysmam I don't really get on with audiobooks. My colleague has a theory that as I wasn't really read to as a child (at least I have no obvious memories) that I find it difficult to focus on someone else reading - I like the "active" sensation of reading to myself and prefer the reading voice in my own head rather than an audio-reader. Although perhaps that last point isn't valid in this case as I definitely hear Nigel's voice when I read his work.

I'll find a way back and will enjoy snatched moments jumping in and out of this thread in the meantime.

I have never been a fan of malt loaf but I must say that you're all making it sound very tempting. I may have a go at making some this weekend.

GreebolsMySpiritAnimal - to make a throw from old cashmere (or wool) jumpers, cut the jumpers up into their separate pieces, back, front, sleeves, cutting off the rib because this would distort the panels. Then cut rectangles from the pieces avoiding moth holes and worn out elbows, and lay them out and arrange in strips of the same length (see photo, this throw has three long strips). Stitch the short sides of the strips together, then stitch the long lengths together using about 5/8th inch seam. To neaten the reverse, press the seams open and zig-zag both edges of the seams (see second photo). You can then either turn a hem and zig-zag to neaten the outside edges of the throw, or if you have enough pieces, cut narrow strips and bind the edges. The throw in the photos is quite large, and used 4 jumpers, 3 for the main piece and one for the edge binding. Et voila, a comfy soft throw to cuddle up in!
Re candles, the St Eval rosemary and bay is gorgeous, and I love the White Company Winter one for a treat.

That's lovely @Bubblesbythesea

I bought a lot of cheap 100% cashmere jumpers during June / July. Got some real bargains - some that fit me, and some I deliberately bought as craft projects. There are one or two that were sold as shrunken. I actually love the texture of these as they are felted, therefore thicker. My intention is to chop off the arms to make wrist warmers and turn the 'bodies' into snoods (shrunken jumper = perfect size was my thought)

Snuggly day at home today. I've got the Witney blankets out, and the cat is loving it. I haven't even opened the blinds as relentless rain is not a pleasing aesthetic. There's a beef version of Nigels Hearty Party casserole in the slow cooker, and I've just lit the Aldi Black Tea and Tobacco candle.

Sort of snuggly day here too, although I did have to walk the hell hound earlier and did some cupboard clearing.

I’m now under my heated throw (2nd best invention after penicillin) watching Outlander and sorting my Christmas food orders.

Hoping to make Nigel’s malt loaf over the weekend.

Thank you so much, @Bubblesbythesea, that's my winter project sorted!

Whereabouts in a supermarket might one find the malt extract? Baking? There are one or two ingredients that I always have to travel round the entire shop looking for (tahini, polenta, nutritional yeast spring to mind).

@RainbowZebraWarrior Sorry to hear the egg shop has closed. Is that the one on Park View? I used to live in W Bay. The shop never seemed very busy though, sadly. So many small businesses must be really struggling. ☹️

Baking/sugar or wholefoods section usually. In Holland and Barret I just ask the sales assistant.
Malt extract makes a much better malt loaf than the soggy, chewy Soreen version. Especially when served with a sliver of salted butter and a good strong cuppa. It sticks to your ribs and keeps the storms out!

Thanks @Woollyjumpersandtomatosoupweather I need to go into town tomorrow so can visit Holland and Barrett as well as the shop that sells St Eval candles