The Autumnal Christmas Chronicles Preamble thread

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hi, and welcome to the Nigel Slater appreciation society Christmas Chronicles Premable thread.

The thread will start proper in late October where we begin our annual journey of reading the Christmas Chronicles in real time. It is a cosy, heartwarming event that one can dip in and out of as life allows. Think flickering candles, woodsmoke, delicious recipes, the odd home made tipple, and bucket loads of touching Nigel-esque anecdotes. It is a veritable Hyyge of a thread.

This thread is to see us through until that time. You will find me, like a squirell, checking on my store of candles at the back of the cupboard.

It's also worth noting that Nigel's new book; A Thousand Feasts is out on 26th September. (with a deliciously Autumnal cover)

Summersplashing, Sorry, but laughing!

Don't leave! The more the merrier. Or do you mean leave to (hopefully) buy the right book?

Re: Brandalley, I got a 12-piece set of Sophie Conran Mistletoe dinnerware and matching gravy jug. Has been on my wish list forever and it was such a good price. But then I also got a couple of sets of Georg Jensen Christmas ornaments (I try to buy one or two each year but never, ever at full price, so when I see a bargain I do tend to pounce), a tabletop lighted twig tree for the dining room, a couple of smaller decorations and some Emma Bridgewater crockery which will be a gift for MIL.

In my defence I've had a year of mostly not buying, so this was an exception rather than the rule.

Not sure how I haven't noticed, but that's quite the spelling shocker I've made there.

I've reported to MN to ask them to change the title to read Preamble (although I've also done it in the opening paragraph, too)

Thanks for the thread 🍁🍂🥮

I have the new book on order as a signed copy as it will arrive just before my birthday. Looking forward to reading it and to cocooning.

I've also got a signed copy coming which I ordered on my birthday back in May.

Lovely Dawn from MNHQ has corrected my title and said it always gives her a warm feeling when the Christmas Chronicle threads pop up each year ❤️

I’m going on my first sunshine holiday for years in September. I’m really excited but also love that it will be Autumn when I get back - it feels like a lovely break between the 2 seasons. I got my decorations down from the loft at the weekend in anticipation and sorted all my candles so they’re ready - I have far too many! I got a lovely Autumn house tea light holder from Asda and I’m tempted by some felt bunting too 🍁🍄🎃 Oh and the Jellycat Amuseable conker, it’s very expensive for what it is but so cute!

Joining in for this year! Done it for the last few years and it's one of my favourite threads for my favourite time of year. Closely followed by the Christmas fridge threads 😂

Re candles, if you sign up for the st eval newsletter you get 10% off. I'm more of a wax melts fan myself though I buy handmade ones from Etsy.

I've pre ordered Nigel's new book and I can't wait for all things autumnal and cosy.

Love back to school and the start of a new term it always feels much more of a new start than January does. I feel so much more "me" in the autumn winter months love everything about it and I seem to manage to romanticise it all even the cold dark mornings I love getting up when the house is silent (I have a hearing loss so it's extra silent 😂), putting on the heating, having my tea on the back step in the cold air it's my little ritual. Baths with candles, slow cooker meals. Tights boots and dresses. Early nights with a book. Bliss 🍂

When I was a child the Autumn term was magical - started with harvest festival, conkers, followed by halloween (real halloween, not trick or treat!), then bonfire night, and all down hill til Christmas. Bliss

I feel exactly the same like there's almost a magic in the air!

@SunshineonLeaves I am an utter sheep! I'd never seen the jellykat conker before so had a look on Vinted. Lots for £35+ (as is per with Jellykat) then I spied someone had literally just listed one for £14 (new with tags) so I pounced!! He will sit beautifully with my home made felted pumpkins 🎃

@Decafflatteplease I also love the fridge threads. Mine got a lot of comments last year asking how many I was hosting (there's only 2 of us)

For the last three nights, when me and DD have gone for our evening walk, there is the distinct whiff of woodsmoke in the air and its delicious! Its also ever so slightly chilly when we go out (we like to leave it as late as possible when it's dark and quiet)

Ah, harvest festival! We used to take all kinds of foods to school then sort them into hampers. We were then able to nominate a member of the community to receive one and we delivered them ourselves. I remember just being allowed to wander off at the age of 8 and knock unannounced at an elderly neighbours door. I also remember how absolutely overjoyed she was that we had thought of her.

It's not terribly different at DDs school, but it's dried and tinned foods only for the food bank. I used to love seeing kids carrying giant leeks from their Dad's allotments and apples from their gardens. DD is glad to be moving to high school next year as our vicar comes in for harvest festival and tells the same story and sings the same songs every year. Bless.

That all sounds very Nigel, bar the tights and dresses! He loves quiet early mornings too.

So pleased to see this thread after following the CC ones last year, and looking forward to meeting up with everyone there again in October. I’ve been feeling distinctly autumnal, wanting to light candles in the evenings as it gets dark earlier, and making another throw from discarded cashmere sweaters ready for snuggling down on winter evenings. I love St Eval candles, especially the rosemary and bay - must check up and see if I need to stock up while there’s an offer on!

Hi @Bubblesbythesea lovely to see you. Your cashmere throw is wonderful. I used to buy cashmere fingerless gloves from Turtle Doves, but found a lady on eBay who made even more beautiful ones from recycled cashmere. I sent her a parcel of cashmere jumpers recently and she's made me some gloves and cowls from them. I'm so excited as she sent my parcel on Friday, so hoping to get my goodies any day now.

My order for the 'bargain' Jellykat conker from Vinted has been cancelled and refunded, so I'm guessing the seller has realised it was too much of a bargain. (No explanation given)

I have changed my name in honour of this thread marking the transition to autumn 😂
Just popped round and asked a neighbour if we could pick some apples from their tree as it was spilling on to the road.
Going to try and make apple cinnamon butter to use in the next few months.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I’d never have thought to look on Vinted as I thought it was just for clothes but sounds like it was too good to be true anyway, what a shame 😔

Ooh, exciting. I was a bit inconsistent following last year's thread but it made such a huge difference to how I felt about the night's drawing in. Delicious anticipation rather than creeping dread! A particularly wholesome and lovely corner of Mumsnet. Thanks for getting the ball rolling @RainbowZebraWarrior

Wonderful thread, so glad I popped on here today as a I’ve been dabbling in Christmas thoughts but don’t want to wish away Autumn. Will pop in the shed this weekend and dig out my copy. ❤️

I love NS. I preordered a signed copy of his new book today.

I am back after a year out and a name change . Last year we moved house in October and so many things needed urgent attention that Christmas was more of a military operation than a gentle cosy season.
I’m looking forward to autumn vegetables the most . If I never see a courgette again it’ll be too soon.

Normally I lurk on the main thread as despite my enthusiasm go always fall behind on the cooking. I love reading Nigel and his calm ordered house. I am determined this year I will make a better stab at having a good run up to Christmas and not the stress fest I normally end up with.

I'm tempted with that book, OP!

@gardenmusic

that seems utterly reasonable to me 🤣🤣

@HappyDane

oooohhh good shopping!! Well done!