Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Read Along 2023 - Part Two

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Continuing from Part 1

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 began on 1st November, however there is still time to fully appreciate Nigel in All His Splendour as it takes us to Christmas and beyond.

Most of us already have the book (or Audio 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 continue to make a post each day and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the days recipes, sentiments and indeed Dear Old Nige himself.

Pull up a chair and a cosy blanket and join in. Twinkly lights are optional, but candle light is definitely recommended. Regulars and newcomers are welcomed like old friends.

Yes - thanks so much to @RainbowZebraWarrior for managing the thread so brilliantly. You didn't miss a day - even over the very packed festive period - not as easy as it looks considering some of the chapters are so randomly spaced.

Absolutely this

thanks rainbow 😀

snowdrops and marmalade wishes to all and pls do pop in here if you have Nigel-adjacent things to share

Adding my thanks to @RainbowZebraWarrior. This thread meant that I felt very festive in the run up to Christmas for the first time in years. It was a real pleasure, and thank you to you all for sharing your preparations and some fantastic photos.

Ooh thank you all kindly for your lovely words.

And yes, please feel free to post anything vaguely Nigel-esque (or any little personal snippets). As I've already said, I'm happy to keep the thread ticking along.

For now, thanks to you all for your lovely company and valued input. I'm very much looking forward to it all again in November.

Thanks from me too to @RainbowZebraWarrior & all the contributors...I've mainly lurked but it's been such a lovely thread

Thanks from me, too. I'm going to track down a paper copy (and possibly a Trudon candle) for next year.

Thank you from me too. You might remember I made a load of small Christmas cakes in baked bean tins, we had three of them iced at christmas and I froze the rest un-iced. I thawed one out to share today as it was such a grotty day and it was very comforting.

Hello to anyone still following. I meant to post this yesterday, but I've been struggling with Covid for the past 5 or 6 days. Just as I'm coming out of it, DD has come down with it.

Anyway, I just thought Nigel's pots were worth sharing if people haven't already seen them on Insta. It's making me feel we are finally on the cusp of Spring

So sorry to hear you’ve been ill@RainbowZebraWarrior, best wishes for a speedy recovery for you and your DD. Saw Nigel’s post this morning and it was truly a breath of spring; bulbs are coming up in the garden but it’s too cold up north for much to be flowering yet.

So sorry to hear you've been poorly, but thank you for this.
I really do love the seasons. Even though I know I moan in the extremes of too cold/hot/wet! But I think Spring is my favourite. The idea of new life everywhere makes me feel that anything is possible. That you can have a fresh start every year 😊

Hope you feel better soon.

I’ve just bagged myself a copy of CC on eBay for £4.50 - yaaay. I can join in properly this Christmas.

Thought of you lovely lot today whilst sampling all
of the different Trueon Cire smells in Fortnum’s!

Ooh what a lovely way to spend a Sunday.

I was in Newcastle City centre today (first time out in over a week) and it crossed my mind as I was zipping through Fenwick to have a snifter in the candle dept. Unfortunately, my sense of smell hasn't returned yet. I've got money burning a hole in my pocket for something delicious smelling!

@Bimblesalong that does sound like a Very Nigel way to spend an afternoon, lovely

I’m planning a trip to Liberty’s tomorrow with the same end in mind. I’m not sure if I’ll actually splurge all that money on a candle, but I might. 😈

Ooh, what were the scents like? Which ones did you like the best?

Oooh @narniabusiness what a lovely thing to do! I will splurge at some point - I love the firewood smelling one, but there was a lovely green smelling one (will
have to look it up)

@RainbowZebraWarrior i hope your smell comes back - sorry you’ve been grotty, it’s horrible.

I had taken mum away for her 80th - tea at Fortnum’s, a show, naice hotel, The Courtauld and more shopping! Am exhausted! We had a wonderful time and I took A LOT of photos to help us remember it.

Don't know if any of you saw this posted recently, but how exciting! A new book from Nigel coming hopefully later this year.

That is lovely. A little delight stored up.

Good morning all and Happy St David's Day!

I've just seen on Nigel's Instagram that he is to have a column in Gardens Illustrated magazine. I'm rather excited about this as a) it means more Nigel Content and b) I'm preparing to do a garden makeover this Spring, so could do with some inspiration.

I'm contemplating picking up a copy of the latest magazine later on so that I can browse leisurely this weekend. I'm also considering the 3 issues for £5 offer (but must remember to cancel)

Hope everyone is well.

I do love this magazine. Luckily they have it at my library. Looking forward to reading his articles.

How lovely! Must browse this one. I'm also enjoying Monty Don's Spanish Gardens, lovely short series.

Not quite as good as a proper paper magazine, but just checked and I can read Gardens Illustrated on line free through my library’s Libby app!

Ah! Great idea, I thought, till my Borrowbox app showed nothing. Teeny village library and not even a single title by Nigel Slater among the ebooks. (It keeps asking me if I mean Nigel Planer!)

Also tried ro get the magazine from two supermarkets yesterday and nada. I'm in town tomorrow, so I will pick up in WH Smith. It feels more a matter of principal, now!

Ooh! This is exciting. I'm just back from a trip to my city and got the magazine. Not only does it come with free Nigella seeds, but Nigel's new column is called The Garden Chronicles. I am beyond excited to read it with a cuppa. Got decorators arriving tomorrow, so I should really be clearing a few things in readiness, but well, Nigel.