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)

@gardenmusic It is Rustoleum Painter's Touch, or something like that. I got a tiny pot in B&Q for £3, probably cheaper elsewhere x

Love the idea of being Nigel Adjacent though I fear in reality I’m really NVN. I covet his house, garden and very well stocked fridge. I think you are all right though what we need to take is creating a small pice of calm and order in the usual Christmas chaos

I’d love to join this, I bought CC last Christmas so missed out on the autumnal bits. Can’t wait!

Ooh I'm in. Will come back and read the thread later sweating under a cosy blanket 🍂🥮❄️

Can't wait. Just received a rather magnificent Christmas planner today! My parents are coming and my in laws confirmed they will be coming as well yesterday so I can start all the planning!

Ohh @ranoutofquinoaandprosecco may we have a little peek? I do love a Christmas planner!

Thanks for the thread @RainbowZebraWarrior I was just wondering if anyone had started one and found this.

@Vroomfondleswaistcoat I'll buy a t shirt! What a great idea

I preordered A Thousand Feasts as soon as I woke up this morning (pay day).

Im not very successful at keeping up with the Christmas Chronicles threads as they can be very fast moving. But I’ll try to dip in this year.

Listening to Nigel read his books is one of my favourite things to exercise to. I shall maybe give A Cook’s Book another listen before Christmas Chronicles as I don’t want to rush and finish in November like last year.

@HappyDane here you go. I couldn't figure out how to attach a link but it's from Amazon. I'm actually loving the tv and film section as I always think ooh well watch that and then forget!
I may have also just preordered the new Nigel book as well!

@Bubblesbythesea just saw your throw. Wonderful!

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco that's a lovely planner! I've got one that I've used for the past 3 years but I filled it a bit haphazardly/in an untidy manner so I might start a new one. I'll have a look for bargains in January.

@Gettingannoyednow such lovely pinecones, and actually I think it's Very Nigel Indeed to collect pinecones on your travels and use them for decor. Beautiful use of natural materials. I use a pinecone wreath on my front door every year and it's looking a bit tired now (used to be gently frosted with a hint of subtle sparkle) so I might paint it in January before putting it away.

A Thousand Feasts (Nigel’s new book) is £10 on Amazon today, down from £16.

Thanks @JenniferGreenHat that's been ordered! 🍂🌾🍁🍂🌾🍁🍂🌾🍁

Welcome to all, btw! I often don't register posts first time around (long, very dull story) but wouldn't want anyone to feel invisible, so happy autumn preamble to each of you!

🍁🌾🍂🍁🌾🍂🍁🌾🍂

That's a brilliant price. Especially for a pre order.

It's lovely to see so many replies, so a hearty welcome one and all.

I watched the Instagram film of Nigel in his garden, which was lovely, but I did get a bit of a shock as I thought he didn't look well. It may be down to his previously bown hair, once peppered with grey, is now full on steel grey. It may just be that I watch so many of his old shows, that I still think of him as being around 40, when in fact he's not that far off 70. I guess it also reminds me about my own ageing <eyes borderline high cholesterol test result and removes double cream from online shopping basket>

I do hope he puts his Christmas tree up this year, as I did miss it terribly last year when he was having the house decorated (I've just read that back and it sounds as If I live next door to him or something!)

Yes @RainbowZebraWarrior what a bargain, hence I just couldn't resist! Oh dear it's been a spendy month for me (might've just succumbed this morning to some white Sophie Conran serving dishes to go with the Christmas set I bought). I've banned myself from looking at BrandAlley, or anywhere else, really, for the foreseeable. <----- stern face.

I'm ready to settle into a quiet, restful, calm September, touch wood. DH and I will go out for a walk today at lunch time and I'm so looking forward to sensing little signs of the changing of the seasons.

Per my previous post, the right photo is obviously a PR shot (which I assumed was fairly recent) used on 7 August to promote 'an evening with' type event. Just 3 weeks later, the video was posted (screenshot on the left) so quite a difference.

Oh I recognise the PR shot from years ago, somewhere around 15-20 years if I'm not mistaken, so yes, it makes sense that he looks much older now. I also think of him as looking the way he did on TV back in the day.

I notice my own ageing a lot more now too - that's how it goes after about mid-40s. I remind myself that it's a privilege.

That's very true, HappyDane. I'm 53 and my Mum is 79. I took her to a medical appt recently and she said "Honestly, don't get old, doctor"
The doctor replied that it was better than the alternative.

Gosh you're right. He doesn't look well. Slightly sallow I thought. Hope he's okay.

Christmas Planner, A5 Hardcover Notebook - Perfect for Budgeting - Weekly Countdown with Shopping List - Daily Meal Planner - 100 GSM FSC Paper | Perfect Planner Company amzn.eu/d/8V4M8Zr

I think I mentioned last year that I once saw Nigel in Marylebone at traffic lights but I wouldn't dare go up because he's so private and I didn't want to intrude.

We had one awful Christmas recently (2022) where we had to isolate from one another as some of us had COVID and I was recovering from another virus:(off work for weeks) and couldn't afford to get sick again. There was no Christmas dinner as dh had a raging fever, I was sick and poor teen ds had sausages for dinner!

So we really enjoyed our proper Christmas last year!

We have a quiet Christmas but I know I need to plan early.

Jennifer - thank you! I've bought it now.

CC is sometimes reduced too on Kindle books so I'll keep an eye out for the thread