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!

Good luck today @Bimblesalong we are all thinking of you, which is the loveliest part of this thread I think

finally a couple of sunny days here which is great after all that cloud and it looks like the temperatures are going to tumble in the UK next week. My weather app says -1 to 5 for St Evenage and surrounding areas so we may get some frosty leaves of our own soon. The dog will be furious, he hates having to wear his winter fleece, but also being very close to ground he will definitely need it.

Beautiful colour-work @Bimblesalong. good luck today.

I’ve got ‘Advent’ but have yet to make anything from it - it was on my wishlist for a few years but never came down in price so DH bought it for me one Christmas (after a heavy hint).

I’m making mincemeat today. I’m not much of a Delia Smith fan but everyone seems to rave about her mincemeat so I’m trying a half-quantity to see how it goes.

Lordy, yes @Cactuscuddles I've just checked our forecast and we have around 3 days of -1 forecast too. Then 3 days of possible sleet. DD will be doing a snow dance as one of those days is her birthday. Me not so much as we have five (routine) medical appts next week which have all just come together like the proverbial buses.

I don't envy you at all @NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights it's what's putting me off moving house. There literally is nothing worse. I'm awful at coping with change now what with age + AuDHD. I've just been looking at a lovely fisherman's cottage near Cullercoats Bay here but it would need a new kitchen, and other work so perhaps not. Plus DDs school is closing (farce) so we aren't sure where to be. Looking at a new school tomorrow 🤞
Hope you get a bit of peace and quiet this evening.

@Cactuscuddles I've got a snowflake for the 'nidge on my weather app for Thursday! Could it be??!!

@NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights @RainbowZebraWarrior

I absolutely identify. Our kitchen is 40+ years old and an absolute state. We are v lucky and have the funds to replace, but I keep putting it off as I find renovations so, so stressful.

@piscofrisco I would be thrilled to get some snow, there’s nothing quite like seeing it falling all silent and serene, but I have learned not to believe it. I’m not sure if it’s because we are in a valley but we very rarely seem to get snow ever.

I very much identify with the kitchen Reno hatred. Ours was 30 years old and very battered but I just couldn’t face changing it. In the end I spent weeks sanding it all down and repainting it instead and now it looks great and involved no upheaval or loud workmen. Perfect.

Gosh it's freezing cold here. Just waiting for DD to come out of school and literally just took this. A slightly different sunset this evening.

Skeletons.

I am behind because busy week of work plus DD2 turns 18 today so it’s been birthday food not Christmas food here. Behind with both book and thread but have just skimmed the latter and would like to say that I love cinzano - the trick is no nasty mixers - so @RainbowZebraWarrior you are quite wrong about that, and @ElectiveAffinities I’m afraid you are wrong about Delia and she is v.g. I don’t know when I will have time to make mincemeat but I seem to recall there are some ‘instant’ recipes that don’t need to mature so perhaps I’ll try one of them this year.
Hope today goes smoothly @Bimblesalong

Has anyone else found this? Link on Nigel's insta today, I'm about half an hour in and thoroughly enjoying it

https://shows.acast.com/the-modern-house-podcast/episodes/nigel-slater

Thanks so much for this. I'll enjoy settling down to listen to that later.

I always use this freezer mincemeat recipe.https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjYorql5dmJAxU3Z0EAHcoPAYAQFnoECAoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmersgirlkitchen.co.uk%2Fhome-and-freezer-digest-enduring-legacy%2F&usg=AOvVaw18TthWGwVxRr-8vlZdxhlZ&opi=89978449

Thankyou, lovely Nigel people. One more ticked off 😊. Back to ds2’s cooking tonight and sadly no toast from dh.

good luck tomorrow with schools, @RainbowZebraWarrior

Now. Can you please enable me, er remind me, who Advent is by?

@Bimblesalong glad to hear it! 💐 Advent is by Anja Dunk.

@Bimblesalong - you look so fabulous in your cardie and hat. Glad to hear today went well. @ExquisiteIyDecorated thanks so much for linking that podcast. I came across this yesterday for anyone who hasn't seen it which might make a suitable companion piece. I enjoyed todays chapter and realised I had in fact been inadvertently Nigel today since I spent the morning sorting out my window boxes (as close as I get to a garden here!) - trimming back geraniums which will usually over-winter nicely and adding a bit of winter colour with some jewel-coloured cyclamen and a rather lovely hellebore I picked on the market.

@bigbadbarry thats me told 😂

I’ll blame the steroids!

Oh that looks straightforward, and tomorrow's work has just been pushed back 2 weeks, so I might have a go. Thanks!

Your cardigan is indeed beautiful @Bimblesalong glad todays treatment went well and it’s another one ticked off.

Back in the 1970’s my grandfather used to book a coach and pay for all the Estate workers children to go to the pantomime, have very fond memories of that.

Pictures today are sunset in our local town while doing a Covid test, BIL came, gave and left, sadly positive and not feeling great

Glad it went well Bimbles.
I just listened to the pod cast. Shamefully for this thread I haven't read or seen Toast in full. Just extracts here and there. He's very candid which is quite refreshing, usually celebrities don't really say what they think or mean.

@FiveGoMadInDorset boo for Covid. Hoping for a swift recovery. Lovely piccies.

looking forward to the podcast. @piscofrisco how is the hound? I bought toast for 99p on a kindle offer day - hoping similar bargains arise.

@Bimblesalong he is bored and fed up, but putting weight on his leg well during his 5 minutes 3 times a day that he's allowed. The rest of the time we are constantly wrestling with him to stop him getting up (he's surprisingly strong for a Jack Russell), or in his crate moaning to get out. It's going to be a long 8 weeks for us all . But better than the alternative. Thankyou for thinking of him

Oh bless him. His feistiness will see him through. It is a lot to do caring for a poorly companion - but absolutely worth it if there is the option.

After reading about it on here last year I hinted for Advent for my birthday this year and got it. I haven’t made anything yet but have bookmarked several things and rye flour and quark are on my shopping list for the big monthly shop.

Pleased doggy seems to be coping OK so far @piscofrisco

Sorry to hear about the Covid situation @FiveGoMadInDorset Hope it's short lived and mild.

My hip impingements have flared up tonight, so I'm trying to do a last few bits while the painkillers are still working. Made Gingerbread vodka. Looks rather murky atm, but smells gorgeous.

Not sure it's PN (Particularly Nigel) but the John Lewis Christmas ad drops tomorrow. Hope it's a lovely feel good one!

Too late to light a candle now, so I have this little light up bauble by my bedside. The child in me likes to imagine some little people inside.