The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 2

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Welcome all new and old friends.

The journey continues.

Just brought our tree home. It is now standing in a bucket of water in the shed in order to have a big drink before bringing it into the warm house tomorrow (that's the theory anyway.
I do enjoy decorating it as so many of the decorations have memories attached to them, which I think is VN, although the tree topper is a large felt moose/reindeer (never been sure) who I imagine may be NVN at all!

I’ve spent most of the day on an activity that I can’t help feeling must be QN (Quite Nigel) - out in the chilly but sunny garden cutting our enormous yew hedge, which was in dire need of it. It’s probably a good 8ft high and too big a job for one, really, but DH is away and the last collection of the year for the green bins is pressing, so needs must. I haven’t even finished it, as the top's far too high and it’s too broad to reach across even at the top of the ladder (our trusty Japanese Niwaki one which surely must be VN), but the job's taken a significant step forward. Plus I’ve got loads of useful greenery now.

Evening, all! How is everyone doing tonight? I love Friday evenings. It's that lovely thought of having two days of not having to get up and do the school run, etc. Especially at this time ofnyear when you can just close the door on the cold weather and relax at home.

Looking forward to seeing some trees. Our crazy rainbow one will be coming out at some point this weekend.

Pleased to hear you've been cleared to drive @Bimblesalong

Now, what to have for dinner? I'm thinking either a simple Dahl or Lentil soup. I might also prep a corned beef Lasagne for tomorrow, too.

I meant to add; how lovely that your DH proposed at ND @Bimblesalong

I bought a massive bag of pistachios today thinking about making some pistachio baked goods after seeing and hearing about the lovely bakery offerings here. I also bought some probably NVN muffin cases. I am indeed Rainbow by name and Rainbow by nature.

Also, I'm just back from my folks house. The dog was warming herself by the aga and seemingly also guarding my mother's wine!

Me again...

St Eval have up to 50% off almost everything in their BF sale.

https://www.st-eval.com/collections/black-friday?view=all&q=&utm_source=ST.+EVAL+-+B2C&utm_campaign=76c62c3601-NovC09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-1474afc9f7-434329818&goal=0_281309aff0-76c62c3601-434329818&mc_cid=76c62c3601&mc_eid=5f2fd17731

Though didn't his once trash a Christmas tree?

Sorry just catching up here. It's been one of those weeks where it felt 10 days long. Now home with wine and the puppy has decided that it is the perfect time for being independent and sleeping IN ANOTHER ROOM!!

Goodness @Bimblesalong, your knitting is absolutely beautiful. My mum was a great knitter and my dad still has a really complicated arran jumper she made for him when they were first married. Unfortunately I am hopeless and instead of dropping stitches I somehow grow them and end up with strange trapezoid shapes, so I stick to my sewing now!

I can't imagine how long it must have taken you to knit such a complex pattern but it's stunning.

Great news on the driving @Bimblesalong.Freedom!

And a happy weekend of trimming up for those that indulge! I'm very behind this year. But I have at least managed to get the kitchen painted at last and so now I can start in earnest.

30 November

Christmas windows and a soft, sweet cake

To see Fortnum & Mason's Christmas windows is to step into the pages of a book of fairy tales. Each year they glisten and sparkle, like frost on a topiary garden, a scene of old fashioned wonder and delight. The designs are cluttered in the loveliest sense, like looking into a kaleidoscope. The attention to detail is breathtaking.

Oh Lord @RainbowZebraWarrior that st Eval sale has lured me in. NO MORE CANDLES for pisco now. (I've gone for a winter thyme, a bergamot and nettle (hitherto my favourite) and a wild card Oak. (Dh proposed to me under an oak tree and we both have a tiny tiny one tattooed on our wrists, so I'm hoping it smells nice and isn't a duffer).

Must get up and start my day. We are taking all four kids to a Christmas place near us called 'the magic of Christmas' (possibly not that magical on a nearly December Saturday), to choose their this years baubles, then dh is taking them all out go karting to leave me to organise my decorations and do a few hours work.

Right, after todays chapter I'm bloody well getting myself to F and M or bust.

Your candle choices sound gorgeous. I've made a cuppa and lit a candle and am having half an hour back in bed before deciding on priorities for the day.

I've not been to F&M for years, as I've not been up to London in years and DD doesn't fancy it. My ex partner used to make Fortnums tea for them, though and Ive always loved it. It's made by a family company five miles away from me. He was one of their tea blenders in his younger days before moving on elsewhere in the company.

When I did stay in London on a regular basis, I loved to get up early on a Sunday and go for a lovely walk and window shop whilst it was quiet.

Good morning all. I have fallen by the wayside with both book and thread, but will catch up over the weekend. In the meantime here are some pretty Welsh reindeer for you.

'Tea blender' seems a lovely sort of job.

It does! It sounds like a very gentle way to spend your days (I'm sure that's probably not the reality of it).

I'm just about to catch up the last entry and today's, before I move to see if dd2 is awake. I've been listening on Spotify on my walks to work & it's quite surprising to see how quickly we go through the chapters. Especially when some of us struggle to <squeeeeze> them in during the right day!

I'm off for a browse round a festive market in one of our market buildings that has recently been done up, today. Hoping to find a few bits for my dad's stocking, & just enjoy the wander/see what's been done to the building 😊

Loving the proposal under an oak tree and the matching tattoos @piscofrisco how romantic. When through my treatment (hopefully in spring) I’m going to have a small cherry blossom spray tattooed discreetly on one of my scars. Only I will be able to see it but I will know it’s there with the promise of spring and new life.

I looked at the sale but was very steely and looked away. I start my st eval advent calendar tomorrow and have a goodly supply of candles, particularly with the recent Aldi buys.

1st Dec will bring the first lighting of the @RainbowZebraWarrior bimbles candle, an open fire and a new episode of Wolf Hall with dh.

I shall have a stroll around our sunny village today and see what decorations are going up.

Ah yes I also loved the oak tree proposal, and the idea of your beautiful cherry blossom tattoo @Bimblesalong

Lovely photo @ClaudineChronicles that Christmas tree is right up my yellow brick road!

I can't stop laughing. I've just made this little felt fella (mouse? Vole?) to pop into a space I had on my wreath. I've called him Mr Fuzzy Wig as he's a wonky, funny, fuzzy little thing. He will likely scare the postman. Hehe.

That wreath is fabulous!

Lovely idea for a tattoo Bimbles. And lovely use of the word 'goodly'. I'm very much enjoying Wolf Hall. I wish I didn't know how it must end. If I could time travel to anywhere I would go back to the Tudor Court and tell Cromwell what not to do to avoid the axe.

Magic of Christmas done. Dd2 got her usual horrific bauble. When I started this when they were born I thought they would pick one a year and then have a lovely set to take with them when they move out for their own trees. Dd1's are all classy glass numbers. Dd2 has variously, one that looks like a mouldy apple, an angry looking Bird, a packet of chips one, etc etc. This year she has plumped for one that looks like a festive Tractor. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Like chalk and cheese those girls, god love 'em. The boys choices are always large and hilarious. We came very close to bringing home a foot high stuffed Raccoon on a plinth. Not sure what's festive about that really. DH put his foot down.

My tree is up, and the last of the Christmas presents have been ordered! One minor disaster - mice have got into the eaves and munched their way through an old Christmas dress of DDs and some polystyrene berries. There was mouse poo everywhere which has now been hoovered up and (humane) mouse trap deployed!

DS is very excited about the elves arriving tomorrow. DD had sussed Santa and the elves by this age (9) and I was done with the little buggers but DS still claims to believe! He has questioned how Santa can deliver so many presents to so many children but always seems to forget that once December arrives. I must admit I will also be sad when that phase of our lives is over, and there's no more magic.

I miss having littles for Christmas.
I've got all the decs out but of course I'm missing two boxes. Hoping they are in the attic. DH will be delighted to go up there. But it's the nativity so we can't be without it. Nigel probably has someone to get his decs down for him.

Cheery postbox topper in my local market today (lots of Christmas trees on sale too). Plus one of my favourite sights at Christmas - clementines with leaves on.

I'd love to see pics of your tree @Bearsinmotion We also have mice. They live in the dry stone wall outside, but enjoy nibbling the padding on my sun loungers when I store them away in the garage and making nests in them. I also need to check the loft.

DD only admitted a few weeks before her 13th birthday that she doesn't believe any more. We are still doing elves though apparently. They will arrive through the night bringing two small bunny friends which can hang on the tree.

@MovingCrib I've just realised you mentioned my new favourite marzipan. I was gifted some Anthon Berg plum in madeira last year and it was amazing! I also didn't realise it was Danish (I actually thought it was something from Aldi!) so I'm going to pick some up when I'm over there in a few weeks.

Rubbish photo with my finger in it, but for some reason the others won't upload! DS decorated it and did a very good job!

Back home after a hectic week away and it has been a a balm for the soul to read your stories of love, friendship and festivities. @Bearsinmotion that is a fabulous tree with a history yo make it even more special.

Today was for recovery as travel always takes it out of me, but I did manage a quick trip to Lidl and found some interesting drinks. DH always creates a Christmas cocktail for me while I decorate so I have bought a sticky toffee vodka and a chocolate praline rum to try. There was a terrible accident last year when my favourite Christmas drinking glasses got broken but DD got me replacements for my birthday so even though it's still November, I feel able to use them.

The stollen is, er, massive.