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)

Oh those are wonderful! They belong on the poncing thread for sure! Love the little sprites.

Thank you.
UnimaginableWindBird no, I'm living life rather differently to my neighbors, in London. 😀But I did learn much of what I know about hops (and a few other things) as a child going down picking them annually in Kent. I'm at my happiest on the road and bring nature to where I am because I can't live without it.
I used to be thought to be entirely loopy but over the years it's been realized there's a literal permanent crowd of butterflies, bees and birds around my home (they haven't quite clocked onto the rest of the amazing ecology I'm sharing with or it's importance yet) and maybe I'm not quite as mad as they thought. 🙂

Happy Dane I've just had a little look at the 2023 poncing thread.
Fascinating, fun, and many lovely ideas, but also slightly frightening too, 😀

@EphemeraleEudemonia heh yes, some serious poncing goes on! I mostly just read along and think about all the things I could do, and then end up doing very little. But this year I might make some dried orange and gingerbread garlands.

Just had a little look back at the thread and oh my goodness @Greaterthanthesumoftheparts that food! And the lovely table setting/autumn decor.😍 I've a few Royal Copenhagen Christmas pieces and will probably add one or two every year. I'm absolutely chuffed with my bargain bowls!🎄

This sounds wonderful, and Very Nigel. ❤️

@HannahDefoesTrenchcoat. I love that advent book. I bought it last year and made loads of the Christmas biscuits from it, this year I am definitely going to try the pear loaf

I can’t even begin to find the words to describe the incredible candle and package from @RainbowZebraWarrior
its been a difficult day, my first birthday since we lost dad and a tricky night. Hospital team have sorted me, I’ve had many lovely cards and calls and, oh my. This parcel. Honestly, can’t thank @RainbowZebraWarrior enough. It is Peak VN

The candle is beautiful and smells so lovely - dh came into the room to ask what the gorgeous new smell is. I am gradually working my way through the deliciously wrapped little packages.

A very cleverly made and generous gift that will sustain happiness and Nigel levels for quite some time to come. 🍁🍂🍁

(only a snippet shown as I want to savour exploring this box of joy).

That's very sweet. So glad it's perked you up a bit. Good work RZW!

Oh my. That's must have been a lovely treat for you @Bimblesalong.
And @RainbowZebraWarrior what a lovely thoughtful gift.
Yes all VN.

What an amazing package to receive 🥰 I think we all need a friend like RZW!

How very thoughtful, @RainbowZebraWarrior , and obviously very much appreciated. Hope all goes well with you @Bimblesalong, so many good wishes coming your way.

Ah how lovely, what a wonderful way to spread some cheer.

💐 @Bimblesalong and sorry for the loss of your dad. Hope you can have a gently happy birthday evening.

I'm so pleased you like your Bimbles / Nigel collaboration* candle @Bimblesalong Hope you enjoy the other treats, too. I just love making things and putting together the package was an absolute joy for me. Hope you have a restful night.

Long day here. Quieter day tomorrow, thankfully. Hope everyone else is doing ok, too. It's almost A Thousand Feasts day 🍁

*the candle scent was a blend of French Lavender and Laurus Nobilis.

The candle scent is pure heaven!

What a lovely kind and thoughtful thing to do @RainbowZebraWarrior . Feel a bit misty eyed!

Oh how lovely @RainbowZebraWarrior ! Well done you :)

My second hand copy of CC is currently in an airtight container with some baking powder as it was a bit smoky. I’m hoping it freshens up in time for me to join the reading.

@RainbowZebraWarrior how lovely the candle sounds gorgeous what a lovely thoughtful thing to do. I love your list writing and ticking off I do exactly the same!!! Such a good feeling!

Joyeux anniversaire @Bimblesalong. That beautiful package is just the most thoughtful thing I ever @RainbowZebraWarrior. I love this thread ❤️

@RainbowZebraWarrior - that's just lovely of you. @BimblesAlong were all rooting for you 💐🕯️

I've cleaned a lot of the house this week. It's all feeling very cosy and hopefully Nigel's book arrives on Thursday.

Ds has a rotten cold and I'm desperately trying to avoid it.

@MontyVerdi I swear by echinacea tablets! Apparently they're great for your immune system. I ran out a while back and a week later, got hit with the lurgy! Never been ill while taking them... Though I've just read they're not meant to be taken long term... I'd definitely give them a try if I were you, might help your ds recover faster too.

How does echinacea work on the immune system?
Some research shows that the echinacea plant contains chemicals that help your body create white blood cells. When your upper respiratory tract (nose, mouth, and throat) becomes infected, these white blood cells work within your immune system to fight infection.

What a lovely thing to do @RainbowZebraWarrior and definitely VN. @Bimblesalong I'm glad the hospital team sorted you out. Hopefully it's just a blip on your way to recovery.

I hope the parcel was the start of things improving @Bimblesalong, and what a lovely gift @RainbowZebraWarrior.

Today I will be stripping the wallpaper from my stairs and hallway in preparation for putting up this lovely but nvn wallpaper

@UnimaginableWindBird I respectfully beg to differ. I feel that paper is Deliightfully Nigel. (If he were to have wallpaper) I absolutely love it.

Treat day for me today. M&S Bacon butty and pot of tea whilst browsing the new Christmas food mag. I also bought Good Housekeeping Christmas magazine yesterday.

Hope you're doing OK this morning @Bimblesalong I cam across a tub of our Heather honeycomb this morning that was supposed to be in your package. I shall send it on another time.

P.S. Cold here today, and the Arthritis is letting me know. This is the part of Autumn and Winter that I forget I struggle with.

Lovely wallpaper @UnimaginableWindBird! Good luck and may all your lines be straight and true!

@RainbowZebraWarrior that's exactly what I need today! Oh I'd give anything for a bacon butty right now...are the magazines any good? I haven't bought any in years, having switched to books for my Christmas Inspiration, but quite fancy one this year.

Feeling quite discombobulated this week as always happens when there's a great deal of destruction, dust and disarray around me.