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)

The Christmas Chronicles, Misty. You will love it, I am sure!

Yes, I happened to be a few miles from Aldershot at the time and it was a terrific storm, flash floods everywhere. But once it was over the sun came out and it was really warm again.

@MistyMoonlight there has been a thread every winter for the last few years where we read the Christmas Chrinicles together, it tends to become a tongue-in-cheek attempt for us to all Be More Nigel so it is a wider appreciation of autumn, winter and all the lovely thing associated with those seasons. This thread is to get us in the mood to start reading in November.

It's a lovely thread, and after reading the article being more Nigel is a phrase that fits how I want to be in life perfectly! I love how friendly and cosy the conversation is, it's been a wonderful boost since discovering it

Morning all! Hope everyone is doing OK. I've been up with the larks as my new table and chairs had a 7am - 9am delivery.

It's quite strange that Nigel's recent article speaks of 'eating better, but less' After I had a strop a few weeks ago at the doctor having stern words with me, that's exactly what I've done. I've eaten so well, and it has turned out to just be naturally lower in fat and carbs. I'm eating smaller portions and using excellent quality fresh, seasonal produce. I've actually lost 4kg in 4 weeks, and I'm over the moon. I am thoroughly enjoying every bite of food I eat, and I am much more mindful when doing my grocery shopping, as I hate waste. I've also reflected this in my Christmas food shopping list. There's no need to go mad. I shall only buy what I need with just a few treats.

(Sorry for mentioning Christmas food already, but the M&S food ordering and Waitrose slots will both be open later this week)

I love making an early morning cuppa and seeing if there are any new posts.

Good morning all. I just love the story of the witch, the lamb tails and the Halloween tale (tail!) that had a life of its own. Brilliant!

St Eval should bring out a 'Burnt turnip' candle - though perhaps it will be named 'Burnished Brassica' 😁

Nigel lost weight at one stage, on purpose and in a very Nigel way. He wrote down everything he ate in a year, drank lots of water and exercised but it all seemed very sensible and he didn't deprive himself.

I'll hunt for the link

Found a nice Irish Times interview from the past https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/nigel-slater-i-m-happy-but-i-ve-only-just-realised-it-1.4068262

I remember at Halloween when I was a child my Grandad would carve a swede. It was so hard that there was lots of swearing and then the smell of burning swede with the candle in it.
I think he used to make a handle out of string and we would go out and he'd tell me local ghost stories (that he swore were true).

I've been meaning to read 'Toast' for a while now. I'm putting it on my Christmas wishlist.

I am really enjoying everyone’s Halloween reminiscences too.

@EphemeraleEudemonia you have reminded me of something important so thank you, one year my neighbour built a car jack apple press but I must have been heavily committed to the task of finishing off last years leftovers because it completely slipped my mind.

I hope to put in some espaliered apple trees over winter, now inspired me to make sure there’s a good cider variety.

I’ve discovered an eBay shop thecotswoldlibrary that has pre-loved copies of lots of Nigel’s older books for a couple of £ each, if it’s helpful to anyone.

Took an age to find it: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2003/feb/09/foodanddrink1

Nigel on his head of documenting what he ate 2003

Apologies - Nigel on his year...

Autocorrect impossible on this Kindle

@EphemeraleEudemonia spare copy of CC obtained if you DM your address details I’ll get it posted off to you this week. I hope you love it as much as I do

I'm kind of shocked by the 4 cucumbers in a year.

Thanks, Monty. Interesting reading (and a good chuckle as always with Nigel). It's very similar to what I've been doing myself. Even down to the Evian water and fish being my main source of protein.

I've gone from loving food, but making frequent poor choices, simply not thinking, or saying "that will do" and shoving a pizza in when I'm tired, to buying and enjoying beautiful, fresh Albacore Tuna or Plaice every day.

I also write absolutely everything down and imagine my daily intake on a table in front of me. I love a project, so I find this aspect rather enjoyable. The best bit is that I go to M&S Café once a week and order a bacon ciabatta and a pot of tea. I relish that bacon butty. I think I've re-learned to savour my food again. Mindfulness. I suppose that's what it all comes down to.

Cucumbers are one of those things I have to buy every time I go shopping, they just vanish in this house.

Yes, he obviously doesn't grow them. We are eating at least four a week here!

Currently laid up with a rheumatoid flare and this thread has been the best soothing medicine- thank you!

Especially enjoyed the tales of Irish halloween as my grandparents were Irish and we had many of the same traditions. I always had a Halloween rather than birthday party and recognised the games described above. Although our version of the flour cutting game had 50p in the middle and the last person standing got to keep it. I cracked many years ago on the tradition of a turnip lantern though. 3 kids=3 turnips= lots of swearing. Pumpkins are easier especially if you use an electric drill to help carve

I love autumn and winter and have all the good intentions to Be More Nigel, but am not so good with the implementation as life, work and pesky joints interfere. Yesterday I did manage to fill some glass bowls with fairy lights, pine cones, dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks which look so cozy when the nights get darker.

Oh and I'm another from the NE

The wine rack in my fridge is mostly used as a cucumber rack.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I grow them too, last year they went mad and I had about 80 of them, ended up giving some away and pickling some. This year I haven't counted, maybe 10 from 6 plants, picked what will probably be the last one this morning

I harvested 4 cucumbers yesterday and it was the same last Saturday. Very late to get going this year but they are making up for it now.

Yes, they were much later than last year here too. I have still got a few small ones on the vines but whether they will grow or not who knows (they are outdoor not in a greenhouse).

Im finding it more and more difficult to buy Russet apples. M&S sporadically stock them each autumn (along with the beautiful Kissabel) Waitrose haven't had them in years, or my tiny store hasn't, anyway. A quick Google brings up Asda as a possibility, so I'll try to pop there next time I'm passing one if the Greengrocers in Whitley Bay doesn't come up trumps.

So annoying. The hunt will also be starting soon for proper, fat Satsumas. So many imposters these days (looking at you easy peelers / clementines)

THANKYOU20 gives 20% off at St Eval. That's a decent chunk off the price for anyone thinking of purchasing the Advent Calendar. (I checked and it works; brings it down to £35.20)

I get you! I solved that by planting a russet apple tree in the garden. I’m buying one for my son’s new home - mum has one as they were dad’s favourites. It is fortunate I had a bit of space to cram one in tho!
the apples often need to ripen a bit more off the tree tho.

do you eat yours with cheese? I like my russets with a nice crumbly one like Lancashire.