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Christmas

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The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3

1000 replies

RainbowZebraWarrior · 11/12/2024 15:14

Welcome to thread three.

The Christmas Chronicles is the story of Nigel Slater’s love for winter. Taking you from 1 November all the way to early February, The Christmas Chronicles covers everything from Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year to Epiphany. Throughout the season, Nigel offers over 100 recipes to see you through the build-up, the celebrations and the aftermath.

Anyone who hasn't yet joined in, there's still a big chunk of the book to go as you can see from the description above. It's in diary form with an entry most days and is easy to dip in and out of.

Anyway, welcome friends new and old. Pull a cosy chair closer the the fire, light a candle, pour a glass of something warming and settle in.

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RainbowZebraWarrior · 19/12/2024 21:50

GlomOfNit · 19/12/2024 21:32

Oh blast from the past! Some of my earliest memories on MN were of the Playmo threads (NormanTheForeman??). In fact they inspired me to play with do my own Playmo story about how we were going to go camping - it started out as a social story I did for DS2 who's autistic and went a bit mad. I'm very happy to see that MNers are still playing with their Playmobil! Grin

Norman the foreman is now Prime Minister! I believe he formed a coalition with Sanji. I voted Norman so I am very happy that he's now running the Playmobil country (insert comments here about how he would be better than any of our recent leaders)

@AllTangledUpInTinselAndTiaras we are looking forward to Tivoli Gardens, but DD would freak out at that. I'm hoping and praying that this trip isn't too overwhelming for her. I've booked a suite for us in our hotel as we will likely have to spend a lot of time there decompressing between jaunts out. It will be a suck it and see expedition. Thank you so much for thinking of us ❤️

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AllTangledUpInTinselAndTiaras · 19/12/2024 21:53

Ah never mind, I thought I'd just let you know. 🙂

Tivoli is lovely. There might be a lot of people, but in my experience there are always little nooks where you can get some peace. Especially if you're not interested in the rides where people will be queuing. At least I hope it hasn't changed too much since I last went!

Bearsinmotion · 20/12/2024 06:27

I love Copenhagen, been twice and really want to take DS!

I have been up very early to marzipan the cake. We are being Not At All Nigel and going to Butlins as soon as DS finishes school at lunchtime today. I am working but also have parcels to post, and collect, plus packing. At least all my present wrapping is done!

RainbowZebraWarrior · 20/12/2024 07:27

Good morning, all. No CC entry today.

@Bearsinmotion enjoy your trip, and hope you manage to relax a bit.

@AllTangledUpInTinselAndTiaras good advice. Our intention is to have a wander around Tivoli just to see it and swerve the rides. Might ask the hotel when the quietest times are. We will be buying out tickets from the hotel.

Right, best get up and pack I suppose.

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Foxybyname · 20/12/2024 08:16

@RainbowZebraWarrior have a wonderful trip! Look forward to hearing about it when you're back 😊

EphemeraleEudemonia · 20/12/2024 10:16

@lucysmam Do it! If you are careful it's possible. We tend to have everything except money, but there are ways and means and all things are possible.

@LillianGish So sorry to hear about your friend. In total agreement with @AgathaMystery about lay on surplus fat and @Bimblesalong about hand and body creams and gingins, I'd add good hair conditioner if doing cold cap. We have a drink used both for anti nausea and several other things, including as a response to both cancer and nowadays chemo induced nausea.
People should check with medical teams if interested as amongst other things it can thin blood, and boost the immune system (mine needs to be kept suppressed because of medications and medical team further suppressed my immune system and let me carry on using it.)

140ml milk (can use Vegan barrista)
Small piece of grated galangal root and small piece of grated fresh ginger
1/2 tsp of cinnamon and1 tsp of turmeric
Pinch of ground black pepper (boosts the turmerics effects)
Approx 1 tsp of honey or maple syrup or golden syrup ( sweetener - not required)

It's been in use for many generations here and while |I can't testify to all it's supposed properties, found it a good antidote to chemo nausea and for combating continuous metallic taste.

@Confusedmeanderings Love your crib and set. No one would thank you for replacing them, half the joy is old familiar favorites with all their history emerging annually. In our tradition the three Magi have whole retinues traveling with them and the shepherds, flocks of goats, sheep, accompanying dogs, and cows.
Nowadays we alternate between representing them all with three present laden camels who long ago wandered away from Balthazar, or three gloriously shiny silver snails who had to stand in, in emergency one year, that travel the room until they arrive at the tree on the 6th. They are very much loved.

@RainbowZebraWarrior Hope you both have a really wonderful time and find what you are looking for to achieve it.

Our beautiful big tree is prunned and reviving in a bucket of water recovering from it's previous use, life, and storm Darragh. Slight concerns over what it's been through, but tlc seems to have perked it up no end.

Before anymore can happen here, we have to 'bell the slayer' for safety and luck, make a new spider decoration for the tree, and hide die Weihnachtsgurke (gherkin) on the tree. (Our's is an ancient Russian one that's survived four wars and much else, with half plain half mercuric glass to assist it's hiding.)
Traditions reaffirmed, the lights can start going on, and then tinsel, and then decorations, which have to go on in specific order. It's a two three day process, and I still have to work, and as with @piscofrisco nothing's yet wrapped here either. We're running late...

Pic is Brugge parade, quiet close to our traditions

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
ExquisiteDecorations · 20/12/2024 11:22

Safe travels @RainbowZebraWarrior I love Copenhagen but only ever been in the summer. I liked hearing about your Belgium trip too @EphemeraleEudemonia , we had a lovely trip to Ghent recently and Brugges a few years ago, again not at Christmas though.

Just coming back to say, remember that giant jar of pickled onions I made at the start of thread 1? I have just cracked them open and they are DELICIOUS. Very pleased.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
RainbowZebraWarrior · 20/12/2024 14:21

We are having a lovely time already and we are just at the airport! I got overly excited at our boarding cards, (I am a small child at heart) and all the airport staff seem to be in fine fettle. We've bought Fortnums tea, a new watch and sweeties and are having the most fun. I always say that holidays start at the airport.

Anyway, I've got all the CC opening paragraphs and photos saved to my phone for the next few days, so I will still be posting the relevant chapters each day.

Those pickles look amazing @ExquisiteDecorations

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
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EphemeraleEudemonia · 20/12/2024 14:25

As an equally small child, I love the boarding cards!

imp2007 · 20/12/2024 14:32

@RainbowZebraWarrior have the best time away - such a magical time to be going and hope your cold holds off. @Confusedmeanderings I love your nativity I have a very similar one which I inherited from my lovely Great Aunt who I was super close to it always sat in her hallway every Christmas - can't post a pic as I daren't put it out this year for fear of the pup breaking it - I'd be devastated. I am loving hearing about everyone's different traditions and Christmassy activities thanks to everyone for making this such a lovely happy place even if I'm not completely keeping up it's always a joy 🥰

lucysmam · 20/12/2024 15:29

@LillianGish sorry to read about your friend. From my own experience, being available for a rant & moan when your friend needs it is priceless! I would be lost without my best friend...utterly lost.

I drink litres of dilute juice since chemo 🤷‍♀️ so she may appreciate some nice cordial maybe.

Adding to what @Bimblesalong said about the lady at chemo said - I have stage 4 breast cancer & am living a jolly old life at the mo - I have gigs and outings coming out my ears & feel (mostly!) well! It is really tiring some days, but I find a slooow day of napping & nothing much helps 😊

@EphemeraleEudemonia I am intrigued by "bell the slayer" and the gherkin! I've heard the spider story before & think it's lovely you'll make one - what will you use?

@RainbowZebraWarrior safe travels to you and dd 😊 Looking forward to hearing about your adventures!

I think I'm behind again after the last push to the end of term 🙄 Shall have to catch up later on maybe once we're chilled for the evening & my fridge is full of Christmas goodies from my shop.

LillianGish · 20/12/2024 16:26

@lucysmam thank you so much for that lovely, positive message. Just what my friend needs to hear at this point. @RainbowZebraWarrior I love the fact that your dedication to the thread is such you have organised your posts before leaving for your trip. That reminds me I have Nigel on my Kindle so I will be able to keep up - I plan to have a good catch up on the Eurostar tomorrow (a delicious, uninterrupted two hours - bliss!)

GlomOfNit · 20/12/2024 18:13

Trying to keep things on an even keel here as we help a very autistic boy with LDs celebrate his birthday ... Lots of treading on eggshells going on!

I spent what feels like most of today making a cake that bears a passion passing resemblance to a favourite local bus of his. Most of his presents are bus-things!

Going to see if my phone is better at posting images to MN than my laptop was. My totally useless orange slices (as in, not remotely stopping the cats from assaulting the tree).

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
AgathaMystery · 20/12/2024 19:23

Girls, I’ve taken one for the team and done central London for us all, so you don’t have to.

Old Bond St looked amazing, & I popped in TopShop pop up ikea and got 20 baby bratby bags (small fraktas - the perfect grocery bag) & a personalised Frakta.

Also hit up Burlington Arcade, walked the whole of Piccadilly, had 2 glasses of red wine in Mayfair and a bruschetta in St James.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
piscofrisco · 20/12/2024 20:08

Have a lovely trip @RainbowZebraWarrior

And a happy Friday evening to all. I am on call so not much time to catch up this evening. On til 11pm which cannot come soon enough!

RainbowZebraWarrior · 20/12/2024 21:27

Good evening from Copenhagen! DD and I are full of delicious Lebanese food from a lovely place we found near our hotel. I am currently hitting the espresso machine big time, but need to stop otherwise I will not sleep tonight. Our hotel is beautifully Danish and very eco friendly.

Hope everyone is well. Happy Friday.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
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AgathaMystery · 20/12/2024 22:02

@RainbowZebraWarrior that looks lovely!!!

drspouse · 20/12/2024 23:20

Have not been keeping up but have got our tree up and making my supermarket list for Lidl and Booths where I shall go on Monday.

GlomOfNit · 20/12/2024 23:52

@EphemeraleEudemonia I had no idea about this tradition of the Weihnachtgurke! I have one on my tree (think I got it in Flying Tiger for a couple of quid!) just because I like quirky mercury glass ornaments. (We've left loads off our tree this year, on the basis of what I'd be really sad to lose if the terrible cats bring the tree down.) I didn't know you were meant to hide it but I might try it! Reminds me somewhat of the 'Travelling Lemon" in John Finnemore's Cabin Pressure. The Gherkin Is In Play... 😃

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
RainbowZebraWarrior · 21/12/2024 06:33

21 December

A wreath for the front door

The wreath is a symbol of welcome. America and Scandanavia have a long tradition of tying a ring of evergreen leaves to the door, but the habit has only recently become popular here. Indeed, I walk down the streets of London where barely a door is unadorned. Wreaths of Holly and red ribbon, wreaths of Mistletoe, wreaths of Douglas fir and rosemary. Some are clearly the handiwork of professionals, others rely on the charm of amateurish. I spot one finished with beech leaves and copper and green pheasant feathers in a way that let's everyone know the owners have a second home.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
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lucysmam · 21/12/2024 08:49

@GlomOfNit my oranges did not deter the cats either! However, last weekend I took the whole thing apart in a strop (and to re-fluff the kitten squashed bits), and put it all back together, adding tin foil to the bits that stick into it's middle bit (hope that makes sense, I've attached my pic), and they haven't touched it since other than to sit under it!

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 3
GlomOfNit · 21/12/2024 09:04

@lucysmam a baffle! Like you can get to deter squirrels from the bird feeder. Hope yours works!

Dinosaur ornament count on the floor this morning: 3. I think they're beginning to chill out. I did spray some more of my orange flower perfume on the baitiest ornaments...

@RainbowZebraWarrior hahaha, love that bit about London display of pheasant feathers indicating a second home! Grin I live in the countryside and could probably pick the manky things up on a walk. I'll stick my own wreath up later, it's a bit pathetic. I used to run a wreath-making evening for a local charity I volunteer with at the start of December and that provided me with superior materials and a wreath weeks and weeks in advance of Christmas! This year I barely got it together to make one from ivy yanked off the fence in the garden...

lucysmam · 21/12/2024 09:06

@GlomOfNit I had no idea it has a name! Thanks for educating me 😊

AgathaMystery · 21/12/2024 10:08

We have a pickle in our tree too - we hide it each day. We had one when I was a little girl too. I thought everyone had one?

re:wreaths - I hate mine this year. It’s too big and wild. I’m going to go full NVN next year with a bauble one. It will go well with my 1960’s house. The one I’ve made this year is totally in keeping with my last house, which was 200yrs old - not sure what I was thinking really.

Cats & trees…. Our big (6kg) cat has finally grown out of climbing the Xmas tree. Thank god. He lies under it now, cuddling a small chopping board he fell in love with 3 xmases ago. However, little cat has taken a real shine to a glass roast Turkey ornament. She’s pulled it off the tree and lies under it, licking it.

lucysmam · 21/12/2024 11:41

@AgathaMystery I'm sitting on the bus chuckling at the theft of a roast turkey ornament 🤣. The ornament of choice for mine is the pink flamingo with tail feathers!

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