The Year Round Nigel Slater Discussion thread

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello, all.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles readalong usually takes place here between November and February each year (the Christmas Chronicles being a book written by Nigel Slater full of winter recipes and anecdotes) It's been running for a few years, and the contributors have collectively decided it would be nice to have it running all year round.

So here it is. It is a place to appreciate all things Nigel-esque. Think seasonal food and recipes, enjoyment of nature, sharing of news and small moments of joy. It's a calm, cosy space for gentle chat and merriment so pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

I've also looked for an art class. I haven't done much since GCSE art but I'd love to. I also want to take dss2 who has a real talent. There doesn't seem to be any thing at all near us. I used to go to our local
Tech on a Saturday morning 9-11.30 art classes for 10-16 year olds. Loved it. We need something like that!

Still off poorly sick today. Feel very ropey. I've had a binge watch of the (most un Nigel) Rivals on Netflix. Absolute drivel. I loved it . I realise I will probably be chucked off the thread as a result!

Welcome, @KosyKat and @PumpkinPatchScarecrow !
@KosyKat £385 is a lot, I don't pay anything like as much as that - but it would depend how long the course is (and don't underestimate the price of materials, I spend £30 every time I walk through the door of Hobbycraft), does it break down to a sensible price per session? But of course an MOT is more important, stupid cars 😂There are loads of tutorials on youtube these days but I find it hard to get going at home - I wish I had a space I could leave things out because I have to use the dining table so it is just too much bother mostly to get everything out then have to put it all away again for dinner.
@RainbowZebraWarrior I secretly still quite like a bit of dessicated coconut. I choose the bounties from a box of celebrations! NVN and quite retro.
@LostInAMist , hello Flora!
I also went for a walk at the bird reserve this morning - such a lovely day but still quite cold. There were a load of old boys getting quite excited about Whooper Swans but they were genuinely 2 miles away and even through their massive lenses, if they'd told me it was sheep I'd have believed them - white blobs in the distance. A nice man let me look through his very expensive scope at some avocets. Now home to do some work, 5pm deadline. Roast chicken for tea. A nice day!
@piscofrisco I reckon Rivals might be just the sort of guilty pleasure Nigel would enjoy 😂

I hope it's ok if I join in too? Strange that several of us got the urge today! I read the threads on and off before, I've got CC but never managed to follow along. I've got a toddler and I'm trying increasingly to do things that make me feel like 'me', which lots of the things in Nigel's writing and on these threads do - good cooking, good writing, attentiveness to nature and the seasons, being in the moment, 'self care', generally feeling in tune with the world. I can't manage my life to be 'perfect' in all or even most of the ways I'd like it to be, so I'm trying to find little ways to make simple pleasures for myself and our family.

In December I got myself St Eval Winter Thyme - the first one I'd tried - and I've had a little ritual of, in a little window of time when my daughter is at nursery or out with her dad, getting at least the living room tidy and clean, sitting in my favourite chair by the bookshelf and a lamp with a warm bulb, and lighting my candle to read. Sometimes I listen to rain sounds or classical music or over winter I've had the 'crackling fire' playing on Netflix (no roaring log fire in our little flat!). It's really restorative and calming and cosy and helps me focus and not just sit rotting my brain scrolling on my phone. I'd really like to carry on into Spring but I need to change the vibe a bit!

I thought this would be just the place to see what recommendations people have for a Springy St Eval or other (not too £££) candle? I've read some of the other candle chat above but I didn't see specifically Spring ones, sorry if I missed it. I'm thinking fresh and light but not too floral, any ideas?

We're not near a TK Maxx which is a shame as I got a really lovely Christmas candle there once and have never been able to find it again. I've kept it with a bit left and I light it only when we're doing the Christmas tree. If I happen to go near one I'll have a browse for springlike ones!

@Writerscompanion (and anyone else who feels like treating themselves to a candle) The White Company have a free delivery code C22FHMG37 this weekend, which makes ordering one of their lovely candles a bit more affordable.
Haven’t been posting for a while, but have been following the thread, sympathising with those who are feeling low or under the weather for whatever reason, enjoying the photos and artwork and generally appreciating everyone’s posts.

Sending love @LostInAMist

@piscofrisco erm, Rivals is the best telly of last year (alongside Black Doves). I loved it. If you are a die hard Cooper fan (my cats are named Rupert & Agatha) then the little Easter eggs hidden in it are such gems. It was written by true, true lovers of the Rutshire chronicles. I have a lot of thoughts about the casting of RCB but that’s for another day.

Husbands redundancy is back on. GREAT. FFS. I’m going to treat myself tomorrow to a trip to Newmarket for a quilt exhibition/show. All my NHS shifts have been cancelled so I’m officially a layabout. Learning to quilt will come sooner than I hoped. I’m going to make a diary quilt. Watch this space!

Leftovers for tea tonight, will chuck a casserole in the slow cooker tomorrow ready for the weekend. Sending love and welcome to all. X

Ooh thanks @Seasidebubbles. They literally have one called Spring which might be a sign to treat myself but it's more than I'd usually spend. Has anyone tried it?

Hello new people and old lurkers :)

@SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense if he is, I doubt he'd admit it
@AgathaMystery I adored Black Doves.
I've only really read Rivals of the Cooper canon and even that when I was about 18 so it's been a while. Rupert should be blonde though shouldn't he?! And more strapping? I found Danny Dyer to be surprisingly lovable in it though. Is there to be a season 2?

Continuing my poorly tv watching with my old favourite The Tudors. It's not very high brow chez pisco today.

Sorry re your husbands redundancy @AgathaMystery. That sucks and it's not bloody fair at all. Sending lots of love to you both

A hearty welcome to @Writerscompanion Three new members in a day. How marvellous! The more the merrier. I also bought a fabulous candle from TKMaxx when I used to live near one that I've not found since. I do sometimes browse Vinted and find stuff there. I've not tried WC Spring, but here's a 15% off code that works alongside the free delivery if you fancy splurging.

Sorry to hear about the bloody redundancy hokey cokey @AgathaMystery it's a nightmare when it keeps rearing it's ugly head as you feel like you can never settle.

Just making DDs dinner then will have a proper catch up. Shout out to @EphemeraleEudemonia and hoping all is OK with you my lovely. I know you'd recently been through some very difficult times. Thinking of you.

Also, just to add that the solar wind is very elevated today , there's a good chance of an Aurora show tonight if the skies stay clear. The bz is swinging between North and South. (The further South it swings, brings a bigger chance to more of the UK getting a glimpse)

@RainbowZebraWarrior only just got washing in, its a very clear starry sky in my part of the UK.

Really sorry to hear about your husbands redundancy @AgathaMystery 😔sending you both love.

Hello everyone and hello new friends. I haven’t had the chance to read back properly as I have been distracted by Swiss meadow cheese rolled in flower petals, bread and whole apples baked in pastry. Dh has been left a rich bottle of red by the accommodation owner which he is making inroads into.

Can I just say, look at that blue in the bowl in the creamerie, practically climbing out by itself (it’s a little bit runny).

Passing cheese to those who eat it …

Bitterly cold here, tonight. Fingers can barely type after going in and out of the garden to hunt for the Aurora. We've had a 'good glow' here so far this evening. A clear and very starry night so far.

It's been a cheesy day here, too @Bimblesalong as I finally cracked open the Havarti that i bought in Copenhagen back in December. Had it with home made wholemeal bread and lots of butter. DD arrived in the kitchen to find me in Cheese Heaven.

Shetland webcams getting a great show again.

https://www.shetlandwebcams.com/burrafirth-unst/

Ooh all that cheese looks divine!
I had a flower gifted to me today. Hand forged by my lovely DH (he's a 5th gen blacksmith). He said he wanted to give me something botanical as I'm a plant nut, but something that would last longer than cut flowers and be unique in the house plant jungle, so he made me one. Really lovely surprise, as he isn't a romantic gesture kind of guy!

@LostInAMist how thoughtful! It is beautiful!!

Your rose is beautiful. You have a very talented dh.

Not much to report here just busy busy. Won the flower arranging club quiz this week, the prize is was pride but a really fun evening.

@LostInAMist that's beautiful and such a thoughtful gift!

Thank you for the additional code, very tempted now although also pondering St Eval Wild Gorse. I've got a lovely memory of a coastal walk in Pembrokeshire, smelling that unexpected coconut scent and then seeing all the yellow flowers.

Just a quick hello to everyone (& sorry to hear about your husband's redundancy @AgathaMystery).

Here's a photo of some lovely clouds earlier this evening.
They looked a little like an oil painting.

Hello to new friends. @LostInAMist a blacksmith! That is fascinating! What a beautiful gift.
We have been experiencing one of the warmest and 'greenest' half terms here. The snow has melted so much and just left ice. It breaks my heart a little bit. The vinter ferie weeks here in February are usually guaranteed to be full of fluffy snow and the mountain here with the lifts is the heart of our tiny community. No snow means less visitors and it's not good. Hopefully we will due some more decent snow next week.

Yesterday we had absolutely beautiful sunshine, clear fresh air and very cold. We spent the day snowboarding, but the top of the run is looking very green. Beautiful, but green.

Today it's a hearty -11, so not the coldest it's been, but a step in the right direction and hopefully snow this evening.

That's a beautiful photograph @Willow12345.

@Bimblesalong I hope everything is going well with you. I think about you often.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I hope you and DD had a restful half-term and you both feel ready for the new start on Monday.

@piscofrisco sending love to you and your dad and I hope Finland was everything you wanted and needed.

Jealous of variously everyone's cheese, aurora and blacksmiths-for-husbands....glorious, all three!

+1 for this!

@AgathaMystery sorry to hear you've been thrown back into the redundancy worry. Especially for second time.

I'm enjoying the days lengthening. It's nice to walk dog in the light. Lovely sky and sunset yesterday.

Fabulous cheese @Bimblesalong. Tomme fleurie (rolled in flower petals) is a favourite in our house and a cheeseboard staple.

Good morning from a very cold, bright and frosty NE coast of England and a happy Friday!

Lovely photo @IngenTing but sorry to hear about the snow disappearing at half term. You must feel rather bereft. Hope you get a lovely fresh covering soon.

That rose is simply wonderful @LostInAMist and a true symbol of love.

I need to get up and make a pot of tea, but I'm waiting for the heating to kick in. I made a date and Walnut loaf the other day and it's gone down very well. Is it wrong to have cake for breakfast?

I'm busy later at a hospital suit fitting. I wear what's called a HyMo suit, which were originally designed for patients with cerebral palsy. I was one of the first to be funded for one as an EDS patient and I feel very grateful for that. They are made to measure and reinforced at every joint to help avoid dislocations. Not something that can be worn in hotter temps mind, as it's rather tight and constrictive (think wearing a wetsuit two sizes too small)

Anyway, I found this darling little espresso cup for £1 in the Habitat sale so I am going to make a lime and lavender candle with it. DD also saw this teapot yesterday in a charity shop and declared she "wasn't too sure how to feel about it"

Speaking of candles for the new season, I've just had an email from Fortnum's and this delightful candle caught my eye. Honey and orange blossom, with peach and caramel notes. Looks rather beautiful, too.