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)

@RainbowZebraWarrior I'm in Cyprus. We moved here after years in the Middle East. It's too cold for me to go back to the uk. I love autumn but the cold and rain, I can't cope with that.
Hearing everyone's talk of walks and looking out of windows and cooking makes me miss those days as a child.

OMG that's so weird. I looked at the picture and said to myself that reminds me of Cyprus. I have a similar photo that I took in Protaras a few years ago, so maybe that's what made the connection.

Beautiful place. You do right to stay in the warmer climes.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I'm in rural North Pembrokeshire, not as exotic as Cyprus unfortunately! Thank you for the welcome 🤗
(Edited for my random spellings!)

Cooler today after a beautiful Indian summer this week, all packed up now apart from a couple of last minute things and tomorrow will be an early start (after one last night out with workmates tonight - DD has been warned not to have a late one 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️).
When we were raiding dad's cupboards we found one of the old-fashioned tomato soup cups that apparently came from garage stamps in the early 80's so that's going with!!! Dreadful forecast for next week so I'll be spending it filling the freezer with soups and slowcooker things. Also need to find an autumn wreath.......

I’m offering mushroom soup - inspired by all the mushroom murmurings earlier in the thread. Love all the photos ❤️

The autumnal spiders webs! I keep walking into them in the garden - they are incredibly strong

I wave a stick in front of me as I go-I can't bear spider webs clinging to me.

It's the strength of them that amazes me!

@HappyDane just had to thank you for inspiring me with your Christmas bowls from Royal Copenhagen! I actually thought I'd seen them on the Christmas bargain thread until I couldn't find your name there! Have you seen the price now?! £70 down to £60, I wonder if there was a mix up and instead of lowering them by £10, they priced them at £10! Free delivery too! They're beautiful. Anyway, clearly I've been lurking and enjoying the vibe here, here's a pic I took last year as my contribution to the thread 🌈 🍂

Those colours are stunning.

Mmmm the soups are calling to me as well. Another week or two and then I'll get properly into that, and also the warm salads. I like your pumpkin cream art @Bubblesbythesea!

I've got shitake mushrooms but only a small punnet so I think I'll use them in a Japanese broth.

<Shuddering> a bit at the thought of industrial strength spider webs clinging to me. I've got used to spiders since living in this old house - there's enough space for all of us. But I don't want them or their webs on me...

@ShinyPrettyThings87 yes I did notice that and thought that must've been what had happened! My parcel arrived today and I'm very happy with the bowls. So pretty. Glad you were able to take advantage of the bargain too.

What a gorgeous photo, too; the colours are glorious.

I've got used to spiders since living in this old house - there's enough space for all of us. But I don't want them or their webs on me...

I am told it's an old wives tale, but it works for me - conkers. Dotted about where the spiders lurk. I'm not afraid of them, but sometimes when I am sitting watching tv and I spot a web dangling, it makes me feel a right slummock! The conkers have stopped the webs.

I tried that in the greenhouse last year (there's a huge chestnut tree in the garden behind me, and most of the conkers drop into my garden) and it didn't make any difference. Does anyone know if it makes a difference whether they're horse or sweet chestnuts?

Mine are horse chestnuts - conkers.

The silk material that spiders webs are made from is actually stronger than steel. I also use a stick to navigate them. Been caught a few times this week by ones that have been across the doorway.

We are just home after DDs gym training session. Boy was I glad to be welcomed home by the smell of the crockpot brisket!

My mother swears by having bowls of conkers (horse chestnuts) in the house. It's never worked for me though, and we live very close (so very similar houses and surroundings).

Our conkers are very late falling this year.

Regarding spiders, I'm on a spider group and have seen a few pictures of spiders standing on conkers! Those in the know say it's a myth but if it works for some then worth trying! I did see someone said Vicks/eucalyptus oil deters them but personally, the ONLY thing I've found to keep spiders away.... Are spiders.

Cellar spiders are the big ones that have long, spindly white/blonde legs and they eat all other pests, including the giant house spiders. My eyesight isn't great so I don't notice the cellar spiders until I'm near one but since letting them stay, I haven't seen any other spiders in atleast two years... And I have windows open all day, every day!

I leave the spindly cellar spiders to keep the big chonky ones away. They look flimsy, but they are effective! I'd rather them than the ones that are so big you could shave their legs for them 🫣

leaves thread until all talk of spiders is finished and buried

Bold fail.

Thankyou all for your kindness. I’m home and resting.

here’s a picture of my angel of northern lights I snapped in May before I knew about any of this nonsense (ironically the day of my mammogram, so watching over me by catching it early!) …

loving the content. A good friend has brought some tasty vegetarian broth round to help recovery. VN!

So pleased your op is over and you’re back home, @Bimblesalong . Hopefully you can feel more relaxed having got that over, and have a good night’s rest.

Oh my! If you don’t follow edmunddewaal on insta already, he’s a treat in store. A lovely new post on Nigel awaits.

My my @bimblesalong - what a beautiful image.

I'm glad the op went well and that they caught it earlier. Plenty of rest now.

Glad you're safely home @Bimblesalong

I got woken at 5 by another massive thunderstorm and haven't been able to get back to sleep but I did find this interview with Nigel in The Times
Nigel Slater: ‘I love food. We need to eat better, but less’

https://www.thetimes.com/article/41aea595-5c38-4e2d-94db-5ff1efcd82da?shareToken=d48b7ed4aa2f8ac27877408dc9bf1aee