The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 2

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Welcome all new and old friends.

The journey continues.

I normally do (mainly because we have allergies, but also because as I mentioned a few days ago, I only really like the light spongey sort and the bought ones are always dark and treacly). However I am failing to keep on top of Nigel, the thread, my housework, anything really at the moment, just spinning plates, so if it doesn’t get done this weekend it probably won’t. The allergies mean most shop bought puddings are out though.

Good morning all and happiest of birthdays to @IngenTing and your dd @RainbowZebraWarrior

I succombed to temptation yesterday and bought a St Eval Winter Thyme candle in a farm shop. Having said “no more candles” this year 🤦‍♀️

@LillianGish only DH likes Christmas pudding here so I’m afraid he gets one from a (nice) shop

Ooh, it’s snowing here! Bet it won’t last long or stick though, it rarely does where I am (in the south west, and down in a valley so we often see the snow on the hills around us but doesn’t always reach us).

I thought about making a Christmas cake this year but it’s only me that really eats it and it doesn’t feel worth the effort. My MIL always makes our Christmas pudding so not really much point me making one of those either!

Looking at the snow radar, it looks pretty heavy snow for the SW for the next couple of hours.

Happy birthday @IngenTing and @RainbowZebraWarrior DD. All the best people have November birthdays (my turn tomorrow )
I meant to say earlier as a fellow Raynauds sufferer, that heated gloves/insoles are a game changer for winter. No more white and purple fingers and even better, no burning agony when they heat back up.

I'll confess to sneaking around for snaffled greenery as well. I've more ivy in the garden than you can shake a stick at but for holly it's out late Christmas eve to the fields on the edge of the village for a few sprigs. And a further confession that with 3 woodburners (including my pride and joy Esse with a hot plate and tiny oven) I do use firefighters (the natural kind) as it means I can haphazardly chuck logs, kindling and firelighter in and move on to the next one.

Yes we have it here in West Dorset and A35 now closed.

We make pudding every year. Annoyingly we made a really lovely one a few years back and I cannot for the life of me remember what recipe we used! This year we are going to make a dark one, with prunes because we have a whole bunch we need to use. Haven't decided between Nigel or Nigella. Or we might go Delia, or Mary. Or possibly Good Housekeeping.

Oh I don't know if I have the energy for all this decision making! 😞😞

I don't ever eat more than a couple of bites (dried fruits aren't really my thing) so I really just do it for the cosiness factor with DH.

Happy Birthday @IngenTing and @RainbowZebraWarrior's DD! 💐🪅🎁🥂🍰 🥳🎂🎈🎉

Happy birthday everyone! It will be my DD’s turn on Sunday. We’re going to a nearby ‘illuminated gardens’ event, although the weather’s not looking great so it might be cancelled or very wet!

@ExpertlyDecorated I've just been to Aldi where the candle offering was surprisingly great. Dead ringers for some I got from
Bath and body works in the US (but also now in Next) a few years ago. (NVN at all!).

No snow here. Cleaning and wfh and a trip to see Paddington 2 after school for us.

Took the able bodied dogs for a tramp around Knebworth Park (which we are lucky enough to be able to walk to)-we usually have it all to ourselves in the week (not many people know about the footpath I think and assume you have to pay to get in) but this morning it was like Piccadilly Circus with them setting up for their Christmas Fayre thing this weekend. Lots of trees being wheeled in!
We did get to see the Deer quite close which is always lovely too, though they are well camouflaged against the end of autumn dunn brown of the trees now.

Actually if anyone can get to Aldi I recommend this candle throughly: it smells quite cathedral-ish to me, but the right side of overpowering. Nigel would approve!

Happy birthday to @IngenTing and to @RainbowZebraWarrior ’s dd.

It’s a bright and sunny day here, with remaining traceries of frost and snow in the shaded areas. I’ve had my weekly hairwash and spa morning and am going to head out for my walk shortly, to admire the lovely berries brightening the sides of canal and fields.

Thanks for the candle suggestions - DH has an Aldi list accompanied by photos and strict instructions not to side quest!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes to my DD. That's very touching ❤️

That candle looks and sounds lovely @piscofrisco I Must Resist! I've just seen this mould which is made by our beekeeping supplier. £30.50 for the mould! It's only tiny at 6cm high, but it's So Cute! I might see if I can make a candle with that wibbly silicone mould I made chocolate houses with the other week.

Happy birthday @IngenTing and @RainbowZebraWarrior ‘s dd. Hope both have a lovely day. I’m planning to bake the orange and poppy seed cake tomorrow @Teacaddy66 and I shall now be extra vigilant on checking it’s properly cooked, so thanks for the warning. I do think that warmed up as a pudding and with ice cream should somewhat amazing though.

Today I'm attempting rice pudding in the slow cooker for the first time. It smells heavenly! Does that count as Vaguely Nigel?

I think that is Quite Nigel although I wouldn't put it past him to have an irrational dislike of rice pud (I seem to recall he is weird about eggs) (not that there are eggs in RP)
I, however, absolutely love RP. What time shall I come over? 😂

I tried to change my username, as discussed above, and I can have the new name but I can't use it on this thread. Is that a new rule or have I just not been paying attention?

Quite Nigel will do for me!

It should be ready in about 2 hours.

Actually on second thoughts - I don't know if he approves of slow cookers?

Oh well

sings, "didn't we almost have it allllllll"

I've heard of it recently, but you used to be able to within threads, because I remember folk saying 'name change fail'

You could hang on until thread 3, which I reckon will be in about 2 weeks.

Yeah you can't namechange any longer. The numpties who kept engaging in sockpuppetry ruined it for the rest of us!

I've just made some little scented tealights. They started off as 'Bimbles Blend' (Lavender and Laurus Nobilis) and then I added some Nutmeg and Indian Frankincense essential oils. Rather pleased with that blend. Let's just say they were fiddly, but fun and I haven't just made a huge mess in the kitchen, honest DD will enjoy trimming the wicks when she comes home.