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.

Ooh thanks for reminder. Must check at Euston. I’ve popped into Fortnum’s to smell the cire trudon and have purchased Santa Maria novella pot pourri wax tablets. Did anyone manage to make any of their own?

@RainbowZebraWarrior Nigella seeds with the magazine, how appropriate! I haven’t had time to read the magazine on line yet, too much going on just now to sit and enjoy it, but looking forward to it when I have time.

That magazine looks lovely, I rarely buy ‘real’ ones these days, just read them through the Libby app, but there’s something so nice about a proper paper copy - and free seeds!

None at Euston but I’ve bought it from the local Waitrose - there’s an extra packet of seeds in the Waitrose version. Looking forward to sitting down and enjoying it. Having got a subscription to world of interiors recently, I’m enjoying reading print magazines after a long break.

Spotted this photo for you. I know a lot of us were intrigued by the news that Nigel was decorating

Oooh that looks lovely. I know Nigel's place always has a slightly ascetic/monastic vibe but I bet that sofa is comfy.

A very belated thank you to @RainbowZebraWarrior for running the thread with such dedication, and to everyone else who has posted such lovely pictures/ thoughts.

I started off with good intentions but was overwhelmed with Christmas palaver by mid- December (despite, unlike the shops, actually starting earlier every year). Even so, this thread has been such a haven of tranquillity. Thanks all.

Thanks @narniabusiness for the info. I'm so nosy, I'd been taking guesses at the colour. Somewhere between Warm biscuit and Antique Parchment is what I'd come up with.

Thank you for the thank you's @Nothingbuttheglory I'm already looking forward to next year. During the next couple of months, I actually start to look for wintertime bargains on ebay and vinted. It's a great time of year to pick up a cheap(er) Nigelesque candle and a cosy, oversized cashmere jumper or two.

I'm so nosy, I'd been taking guesses at the colour. Somewhere between Warm biscuit and Antique Parchment is what I'd come up with

It's difficult to tell with lighting etc but we’ve got F & B Savage Ground in one room and it looks very similar to that. Although F & B is probably a bit downmarket for Nigel…

Ha. Just looked at Nigel's post again and it is indeed a different paint - 'Fawn' from Edward Bulmer.

I’ve just been to the most perfect film. It’s on at our local Picturehouse so is probably on elsewhere in the chain. A very slow French film starring Juliette Binoche, “the taste of things”. Such a feast.

Ooh, that sounds positively divine. I'll have to look out for it.

In the meantime, I may have to watch Chocolat.

Hope everyone had a good Easter.

I'm contemplating a listen to Nigel's CC on Audible. It usually happens a couple of times a year when something prompts me to think about or 'miss' Christmas, and therefore, some Nigel-mas. I can always guarantee it will happen again in July.

I have to say that I puzzled over this photo on Nigel's Instagram for a few second. I initially thought it was some sort of rustic earthenware bowl that he was going to wax lyrical about (thrown by 14th century monks or some such)

When I realised it was a loaf, I was rather disappointed. It looks a bit well fired for my liking, plus I really need to see a loaf like that cut in half.

I did think about posting my specific direction to him for future bread related Instagram photographs, but thought I may come across a tad nuts picky.

Does it say what the recipe is? I made one of his loaves with rye and dried fruit; that was very dark, but gorgeous.

I’d love you to give that a go @RainbowZebraWarrior 😂 I wonder what he’d make of this thread

Just had a rather thrilling Nigel post pop up on Instagram - his new book, A Thousand Feasts is out this September. «No recipes, just small moments of joy from the kitchen and elsewhere. You could call it a memoir of sorts ». Sounds perfect ❤️

It sounds wonderful. I wonder if he’s doing signed copies. It’s out just after my birthday, a perfect gift for dh to get me.

What excellent timing @Bimblesalong - almost as if he planned it 🤣 DD planning some time out at an art school in Florence in the summer - I am pointing her in the direction of the Santa Maria Novella emporium!

Ooh I didn't notice that. I've been keeping an aye on his Insta lately as he's in Taipei and the photos are fabulous.

@LillianGish certainly is! I’m in a first world sulk this year as the ballet gala at Palais Garnier is usually around my birthday and on a weekend. This year it’s later and midweek and I just can’t justify a few days out of work (own business), so can’t go. Booo! The book will help. 😳

If it’s any consolation @Bimblesalong the Garnier is entirely under wraps for renovation at the moment so this is the year to miss if ever there was one (I always think part of the joy is walking up the steps to the magnificent entrance). Just took DD to Opera Bastille to see Don Quichotte - she was firmly of the opinion that the Garnier is a more beautiful theatre by half, but you have a much better view at Bastille (and we can walk home from there).

Ah you lucky thing. I'd be there for everything if I lived so close! I'm off to the Royal Opera House soon to see Swan Lake (again!). I was a Friend before Covid and went a few times per season. Now they've mucked around with the trains and the rehearsal start times I can't go as often but do when I can.

I love Garnier and used to visit a few times a year. I've missed it and the first ballet after covid was dreadful as they'd got the dancers acting and speaking - a wonderfully dressed French chap in the very expensive seats stood up mid-act, shouting at the stage in displeasure and walked out. I agreed with him!

I'm waiting on general booking for something at the Philharmonie and if I get tickets am going to arrange a few nights over with my younger son (an adult). We'll go to Garnier whilst we are there, which will be Spring, if it all comes off.

Is it just under wraps outside? Or is the wonder of the inside also covered up?

I really love the size of the stage at Bastille - I recently saw Turandot there and was bowled over by the production. I find that audience behaviour there is probably the worst of any opera house I've visited, with a lot of photography and rustling, although this production was obviously watched by people who knew how to behave!

The restauration is of the facade - so just the front and outside @Bimblesalong. Scheduled to finish at the end of the year. Still haven’t been to the Philharmonie (never managed to get tickets for anything I wanted to hear), but I do love the Radio France concert hall on the Seine.

Ooh I’ve not tried that concert hall. Will take a look.
I went to one of the most incredible concerts of my life at the Philharmonie. Left booking late and the press seats just behind the conductor had been released - amazing seats and I went for it, as it was Simon Rattle and the LSO. It was the Stravinsky ballet triple - cried my eyes out through The Firebird and will never forget an incredible evening of music - awesome accoustics.

Has anyone seen that Nigel has a new book coming out in September? It sounds lovely,. perfect for cosy autumn evenings my favourite time of year.

Just checking back in, I had noticed the new book getting mentioned too.

@Bimblesalong have you been to Swan Lake yet? I’ve never been to the ROH (it is on my bucket list) but I like going to the cinema for the livestreams, I saw Swan Lake recently, you get lots of close-ups and behind the scenes chat in the interval which is really interesting, it was all about the costumes this time, they are incredible.