The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello all, it's nearly that time!

For anyone who has not already had the pleasure, the annual Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles read along is a real time annual MN tradition.

The book begins on 1st November, however there are a good few pages by way of introduction. This is why I start the thread now; so that we have time to prepare and settle in.

A lot of us already have the book. For anyone who doesn't, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up a bargain. WH Smith has come up trumps in the past, as has ebay. A rare and precious charity shop find is the holy grail and adds a certain special-ness that simply extends that warm, fizzy Nigel feeling.

I shall post each day and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the day's recipes and sentiments. It's particularly lovely to share any memories and personal traditions (as Nigel himself does)

Note: Reading by candle light can be particularly enjoyable. Cire Trudon may be one of Nigel's favourites but they are somewhat pricey. Share your festive finds here, even if they are at the cheaper end of the scale and possibly NVN (Not Very Nigel)

Pull up a chair, grab a cosy blanket, and light your candle of choice. It's that most wonderful time of the year!

@Dender

To sterilise a jar, wash it in hot soapy water, and then either pop into a oven (gas 1) until dry, or put through the dishwasher on a hot cycle.

The dishwasher works better for jars with lids attached, like Kilner jars. The oven works best for lidless jars for jams and chutneys, as you can time it so that the jars are still hot when you spoon in the hot jam/chutney (otherwise, the hot filling in a cold glass jar can cause it to shatter)

Morning! Gosh what jewels already - gorgeous liqueurs rzw.

The intro makes me pleased I had read his memoir Toast, which vividly describes his early work in hospitality.

smiling at the sozzled fruit. Many years ago I was prepping a party and decided to chop the fruit for the Pimms jugs early and cover it with Pimms to stop in browning. It duly steeped for some hours. After the party there was some left at the bottom and I happily snacked on it. Reader, my hangover the next day was legendary. Not a mistake to repeat!!

Hello, and welcome to you.

Looking at the quantities Nigel gives for the Muscat Prunes, you will either need a One litre Kilner type jar, or two 500ml wide necked bottles. The bottles I've just used for my Apricot Brandy are 500ml Kilner milk bottles. The quantity of fruit and alcohol I used was a similar proportion to that of the muscat prunes (I used about 400g apricots and 750ml Brandy)

I'm definitely going to try the apricot brandy

Morning - I’m just catching up on thread as busy day yesterday. I must say I think I’ve found my people, the calm, cosy comfort oozes from this thread.

I hope those struggling with difficulties find some ease @IngenTing in the coming days….and the poster about their dog.

I normally go huge on Halloween as love this time of year. DS18 went to a nightclub for the first time and was not on hand for big brother duty to DD12….DD and I had a day trip to Derbyshire for spooky/magic shopping instead, the lost cauldron and puny dukes were just right.

DD has a friend over today so I am catching up and all things house and hopefully some bulb planting later. DS is still in bed.

I’ve read the intro and have fireside candle burning from Woodwick - I’m open to further candle suggestions

Thanks to @RainbowZebraWarrior as I had flicked ahead and was wondering about the best jars for apricots etc as I shall have to order these off Amazon today, any guidance welcome

Finally - I’m wowed by the foodie offerings- house cakes and the quinces and apricots and that table pic looks dam fine

….and I bought four new glass baubles yesterday- I’m very good at this apparently 🤔

Good morning all.

And so it begins. 🕯️

Well wishes to all who need it - may we each find some solace here - positive energy sent out into the universe today for perfect peace ✨✨✨ Thinking of you @IngenTing.

@RainbowZebraWarrior your rom com story was delightful.

I'm a little sad today, thinking of the one true regret I have in my life; in the grand scheme of things not such a big deal - I'm truly grateful for that - but the sort of thing that leaves the heart really aching every so often. I will have to let it go, as I always do, but in the meantime I'll be gentle with myself.

My favourite bit of the intro is where it talks about welcoming yourself home. Such a wonderful concept. And that welcome, as Nigel says, extends quite naturally to those we love and care about, for whom 'come in' means love, warmth and a safe harbour. That's what I hope my children (grown up now) will always feel when they come 'home'.

I will really enjoy seeing all your homemade jewelled drinks this year, having decided not to make any myself. @RainbowZebraWarrior the bottles look wonderfully festive.

Good morning everyone. Thankyou for the lovely thoughts about our dearest dog. We have an appointment with the surgeon next Wednesday and have decided to see what they say and then make what might be a horrible decision. Meanwhile I am going to ask the vet for something sedate him as he is very agitated stuck in the crate and the fireworks are making it worse.
We were actually meant to be going to Marrakesh for 4 days today, which we have of course cancelled. So it will be a slow and quiet weekend at home with a hopefully calm Dog to care for. I may never have needed Nigel more.

Will have a morning of trying to get some bits done and will take down the autumn decorations if I get chance, as I like a good month of a paired back, clean house before the Christmas things come out. Then hopefully an afternoon of calm and a dip into Nigel then.

Hope everyone else is well and have a lovely gentle day as needed

💐 @piscofrisco it's such a horrible thing to go through. Hope you can lose yourself in some hygge.

@piscofrisco such a worry for you, we love them and they break our hearts

I haven’t read today yet but have been for a glorious swim and just a few hours of work before I can light a candle and settle down

Gosh, @FiveGoMadInDorset that looks stunning!

@piscofrisco such a worrying time for you. Sending you gentle hugs. 'I may never have needed Nigel more' seems very poignant. I do hope he knows how much his lovely words can (and do) help heal our souls. It is a wonderful thing when a person commits words to a page (or their voice to an Audible book) that they are somewhat immortalised. I know I often feel very grateful that I can reach for my ipad and press 'play' when I feel in need of comfort or cheer.

@NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights It is precisely when we have those sort of thoughts and feelings that we are reminded to be kind and gentle on ourselves. Sending gentle hugs to you, too.

I've realised that I have to play this little game with myself. Last year I was going to do evvvverything, and did very little. This year, I wasn't committing to anything, yet I've made two liquers for Christmas already. (I made a marmalade Whisky for my Dad last month) Taking the pressure off definitely works for me. Of course I may well have peaked too early today!

@piscofrisco thinking of you.

You too, @IngenTing and hoping you’re keeping busy.

I am in my nvn fake oodie with heated patches on it. Bliss! Getting my act together for a decent walk to view the autumn colours. Now that it’s November we will start to consider lighting our open fire - although the mercury will have to fall a little further.

I was given some amazing mouthwash at my last chemo which has brought back some of my sense of taste. Last night I made the pasta, feta, squash, sage dish that I’ve previously linked to. I could taste most of it and had a total Meg Ryan moment at the table (although calmly), having not really tasted food for a fortnight. Great to have some relief!! It does feel to be a VN recipe, even though it isn’t!

😁😉 just got the Meg Ryan reference Bimblesalong. 'I'll have what she's having'.

Glad the taste buds made an appearance.

Lovely Halloween in my neighborhood. I'm now ready for day one of Nigel. Still trying to get the garden in shape for winter. I have bulbs to plant soon for Spring 🌱

Mini pumpkins for dinner tonight 🎃

Ah that's cheered me up @Bimblesalong. So glad you got to enjoy your dish.
Thankyou everyone again.
The other two dogs won't leave his side. In fact his sister is literally on top of him keeping him warm whenever she gets chance. They really are pack animals aren't they? They just love each other in their own Doggy way.

Piscofrisco thinking of you and your dear dog.

What a lovely photo, pisco. Such a difficult and precious time.

@piscofrisco oh that image is both heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure. Doggy love is unconditional. They are such intuitive creatures. ❤️

@Bimblesalong pleased you were given 'magic mouthwash' and it has helped you regain some taste. Food is such a wonderful pleasure. Love the Meg Ryan reference.

Our stove was cleaned out here yesterday so we are also almost ready for it to be lit. It doesn't seem to be going lower than 4 or 5 degrees in the next 10 day forecast, so perhaps later in November.

I'm leaving my autumn wreath up until Bonfire night. The Christmas one goes up on 21st November as decreed by DD as it's her birthday, therefore 'the start of Christmas time'

Lovely photo @piscofrisco animals do know don’t they

@piscofrisco lovely picture, our pets make the best friends

I can feel my muscles relax when I read this thread.

I'm really looking forward to getting home from work tonight. I'll be changing the sheets and putting on the winter brushed cotton ones. Getting into it and starting CC will be bliss.

I have read through and made notes of the book recommendations. To add to the pile - I really like Christmas days by Jeanette Winterson, and I've also been eyeing up this since last year. Lebkuchen is my favourite thing and it looks like a beautiful book. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Advent-Festive-German-Celebrate-Christmas/dp/1787137260

Generally when it comes down to it I spend a lot more time admiring lovely cook books and dreaming than I do actually making anything. But its nice to have the option.

Thank you for all of the lovely warm wishes, I am absolutely not tearing up at the thoughtful moments.

I have my appointment in a week. I will descend my mountain and take the 3 hour commute.

After a successful Halloween where I am quite sure I have claimed my Best Baker crown, we are hunkered down. Both my 12 year old and 5 year old are home with a sickness bug. By a stroke of magic, my mum had sent a parcel from Marks and Spencer which arrived yesterday containing two onsies for the kids, so they are wrapped up snug.
It's a proper blizzard outside, the snow is hammering down and it's blowing a gale. Kids are dozing and I am catching up on the intro to CC. I'm a little behind, but looking forward to trying the apple drink over the weekend, if I can open the front door to get to the shops through the snowdrift!

So enjoyed reading the introduction today. What a gorgeous celebration of the changing seasons...I lit a few pillar candles, in the absence of any scented ones at the moment, and took some time to put my feet up with a cup of tea while the LO napped. Lovely! Inspired to get some thermos flasks so I can bring homemade hot chocolates out with us for winter walks in the woods..:so much better than buying another round of babycinos! Must try cardomom in the hot chocolate too, haven't done that one before.

Life got a bit life-y over the last few days so I have just taken the opportunity to sit down with Nigel and read all the introduction and today's part.

I've also been going through the bookshelves and sorting out some which can go to charity shops etc. The shelves are looking much happier - don't get me wrong, there are still plenty of books laid horizontally across the upright ones but they all have a bit more breathing space now. Somehow feels like a Quite Nigel activity, to pare back a bit.

Recently I started to work from home more so we moved the office-y area up to the spare room so my work space isn't in a shared area. I reclaimed the corner where the desk had been and it's now a nice little reading space (opposite said bookshelves), where I'll be sitting with Nigel over the next little while I hope.

The crochet blanket was made by my great grandmother as she sheltered from the blitz on Bristol in WWII.

Gosh that monstera looks a bit sad. I will alert DH (guardian of the plants).

Just about to settle down and catch up!