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!

Hi All, the usual busy week has kept me from the thread but I am caught up and have managed the first few pages of the introduction. I had forgotten that I have signed up to a Christmas ceramics class with my best friend tomorrow, I’m not super creative but hopefully I’ll come up with something suitably festive. Will share over the weekend.

i just noticed that CC finishes on 2 Feb which happens to be my birthday, which is just an extra bit of loveliness!

@WeMeetInFairIthilien loving your pumpkins and crow! 🐦‍⬛ 🎃

Evening all 😊 Thanks for the thread @RainbowZebraWarrior ! Lovely to see so many of us here - I wonder if Nigel ever reads what we have to say about his writing.

I have my earphones charging at the moment - I plan to properly begin my pre-Christmas "spring clean" tomorrow, in the kitchen...I usually have an hour or two in complete silence on Saturday morning so was going to start reading with my cuppa, and then listen to the rest of the intro while I crack on.

I'm currently using up last year's candles - a VNVN (very not very Nigel) selection of supermarket, Poundland, was in a perfume gift set, and Yankee 🤷‍♀️ . Burning right now is my last one from the Yorkshire Candle Co (Christmas Kitchen - very nice). NVN but they're mostly what I like & I don't think it matters that they're mostly cheap and cheerful. No point spending £££'s if it's not something you like/enjoy.

@Bimblesalong sorry the chemo's done strange things to your tastebuds. I found I used a lot of salt, preferred sweet things, and ate a lot of ice pops/lollies. Went through gallons of dilute juice too - still do now. It's weird!

I can't remember who posted the pumpkins (sorry!) but agree with the poster who said it's about sharing what we've created. I'm currently working on a crochet pug and sausage dog for a display at work. Then need to make a second pug, and repair the neck of the original sausage dog.

The crow is absolutely adorable. Like that one really quite neurotic friend who worries over absolutely everything but still has a heart of gold.

Yes! That is who he reminds me of!

The pattern was in a knitting magazine a friend gave me years ago. I've got a gingerbread man knitting kit arriving this month, am sure the children will be fighting over that one!

The crow/raven is also linked to my finding this thread. I first saw @RainbowZebraWarrior on the Christmas bargain threads, including the one where there was a bargain raven from Argos!

Oh yes the raven thread! Loved that.

I have never done this before but have just found a copy on eBay from a seller local to me so it seems ordained!

@Bimblesalong hard luck on the chemo affecting your taste buds. I mostly escaped that, but I did find that a home made tomato and lemongrass soup hit the spot when I was struggling to eat. Basically, bung any old tired and wilting veg into a roasting tin along with a couple of sliced onions, some garlic cloves and loads of halved tomatoes. Bash some lemongrass stalks with a rolling pin and put them in too. And any fresh herbs you can find lurking in the fridge or growing amongst the weeds in the garden. Season and sprinkle over a bit of balsamic vinegar and a good glug of olive oil. Roast on a high heat until it begins to char a bit. Then blitz in blender along with some stock until you get the consistency you like. If you want it smooth then sieve it. Do you think I might have a career as a recipe writer?!🤣

Evening everyone. I think this is my third (possibly fourth?) year of Nigel and this lovely thread. My usual form is to participate a lot over the first week or so and then life gets in the way and all my plans for Christmas Nigelling fall a bit by the wayside. I think in previous years I'd have said "but this year will be different!' at that point but I am trying to put less pressure on myself and let this season just be what it is without forcing it into any particular shape.

I used to be a whirlwind of crafting activity and baking, preserving and liqueur steeping at this time of year but sometimes I put myself under too much pressure so I am trying to sit back a bit.

That said, there are some things which just seem an inevitable part of this time of year rolling around and always get done - her a this years mincemeat, in various stages. Very satisfactory jars.

My goodness I just realised we need to get on and get our mincemeat done! This happens every year - I'm always shocked when all of a sudden November is just around the corner. I think I might need to get some jars!

I will try to engineer a gentle poncing day on Monday, hopefully, if DH can spare the time.

Picalilli
Mincemeat
Apple chutney

I can't seem to find the comment now to quote (remember it from maybe a couple of days ago?) but pp asked if it makes a difference having the book for the photos.

They are quite wonderful...but there aren't all that many of them, and @RainbowZebraWarrior does post them on the thread when she can. That said I personally do like having the physical book - it's quite beautiful, and lovely to hold, and I just like to see it lying there gently on the side waiting to be picked back up.

Pardon me but I'm confused . What's this all about ? I love cooking and reading but not sure what this really is . Is it reading a Xmas recipe book . Sorry can someone explain ?

It's a readalong thread for Nigel Slater's Christmas Chronicles, which is part cookbook, part memoir, part general musings on the joys of winter. It's written in diary form with recipes interspersed, from 1 Nov to 2 Feb but with a rather long intro to read this week.

I confess I got over enthusiastic and read the intro as soon as my copy arrived! But looking forward to getting started on 1 November!

Thank you for this, Exquisitely. I always think back when I post the original thread that I never properly say what it is. To some it may sound like a secret club of sorts. I've copied your explanation and will include it in the opening post of thread 2.

@JustAMiddleAgedDirtBagBaby Great post, and I think pretty much how we all feel here. Life gets in the way / best intentions etc. BTW, I love your user name and you have given me the best ear worm for a Saturday morning. 😊 Oh, and nice mincemeat!

Speaking of Saturday, I've just had an email from Neom informing me there are now only 8 more Saturday's till Christmas. How did that happen?

@NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights Thanks for mentioning about the photographs in the book. I meant to reply to that. I always try to include at least one photo for every entry if there is one.

@RainbowZebraWarrior MNHQ would probably be happy to add the explanation into your opening post here on this thread, if you ask them to. 🙂

I would love to! I'm spring cleaning today so I will sort out a cosy nook and dust off a candle and a blanket.

I like to think that this thread is about appreciating Nigel's beautifully articulated love of this season and enjoying the finer or simpler things of winter and Christmas, finding some peace in the busyness.

There's another overlapping thread for a delicious, home cooked, home made, crafted, crocheted, knitted, folded, stitched, bought in, slightly more OTT but still gorgeous Christmas here

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5173782-poncetastic-christmas-2024?page=22&reply=139315095

Lots of overlap of course. I'm not trying to police what goes where. The important thing is getting the Christmas you want or at least snippets or moments of it.

@HannahDefoesChristmasHamper I've always thought the two threads are a natural pairing. 🎄🎄🎄

Oh, here you all are 😀. I can’t believe that it’s nearly November. Where did the last couple of weeks go.
Like other pp’s, I start well, but fall off the thread the closer it gets to Christmas. I’d really like to try some of the recipes this year, so can someone post the link to the recipe/ ingredients thread please x

@HannahDefoesChristmasHamper I actually posted something on here yesterday that was meant for the Poncetastic thread. I just need to take my time when I'm playing catchup.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I did that all the time last year (or was it the year before? Or both? Perpetually confused! 😂).

Haha. Me too. Perhaps moreso this year as we've had the two Preamble Ramble threads. I'm rather predisposed to rambling and losing my thread!

@NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights

’” That said I personally do like having the physical book - it's quite beautiful, and lovely to hold, and I just like to see it lying there gently on the side waiting to be picked back up.“

yes me too , it waits on my bed ready for my night time reading

Started listening to the introduction today and what a beautiful way of writing Nigel has. Now all I want to do is curl up in front of an open fire with a mug of hot chocolate. Unfortunately no open fire or wood burner here but I can stretch to a hot chocolate!

Late! Placemarking. I don’t have the book, I’ll be trying to find one.