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!

That’s going in the right direction then, @piscofrisco

@noodlezoodle the blue China is Burleigh calico. There is a factory shop at Stoke-on-Trent, where I picked up a few pieces way back. www.burleigh.co.uk/collections/blue-calico

Thank you Bimbles!

Sounds like a great day @Bimblesalong. I had a fitting for my prosthetic today. Rather late because I had my surgery in 2020 but I somehow slipped through the net. I thought you just got a softie and that was it! I have been admiring my shape all afternoon!

Lovely stuff @Confusedmeanderings admire away! You deserve it!
Did anyone see the lunar eclipse? For the first time the puppy slept through as opposed to waking between 3 and 4 so as a result I totally missed it. Bloody Dog can’t be relied on for anything! We have woken up to no hot water for no discernible reason. And so a looonng week draws to an annoying close… with probably an expensive plumber call out to finish it off nicely 😐

They sometimes have odd bits of Burleigh in our old favourite TKMaxx. I wonder whether Nigel ever ventures in 😂 I can’t imagine it

Now that I have finally gone in the big TK, I have a destination on the way back from the artisan bakery. I am amused at the thought of Nigel in TK. That would make a marvellous series: “Nigel out of Context” - I should get DH to pitch that to the Beeb.

Missed the eclipse as I slept through the night for the first time in a fortnight. It’s cloudy out there so I reckon I would have been thwarted.

Brilliant to hear about your prosthetic @Confusedmeanderings and that you are pleased with it. I have a “partial”, a bit like a boob toupee, although sometimes just wear a soft bra and go without. Like you, I’m pleased with it. I must chase the wig store today. I can’t have my hair tinted for 6 months and need to look less like wurzel gummidge. I’m also wandering round with a lint roller for me, rather than just the dog - apparently shedding can take another 12 weeks 🙄.

Good morning all.

@Bimblesalong it sounds and looks like you had a lovely day yesterday. I remember you telling us all about your treatment on the preamble thread and, yes Spring did seem a long time away off. So pleased that we are here now and I hope you can enjoy a bit of sun on your face before you have to get back to work. P.S. Love the twiggy shit!

@Confusedmeanderings also pleased to hear that you've finally gotten sorted with a prosthetic. Better late than never, and great to hear that it's (you're) looking good!

Today marks 5 years since Mum was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and we are off to hospital in an hour for the usual bloods etc. If her tumour markers are low, she will finally be discharged. Fingers crossed.

It's been a busy week. My Dad has been poorly and it's been quite full on with supoorting DD, too. But when I collect her this afternoon she will have completed her first full week. I am taking her to Witchy Bay Market on Sunday as a treat. It's run by the former proprietor of DDs favourite crystal shop in Whitley Bay.

I also have another big surprise for her. I gave up on finding a reasonably priced cottage holiday for May half term and have just booked us 5 days in Amsterdam instead. She will be so excited as I know she'd love to see Ann Frank's house and even moreso the Van Gough museum. Happy days!

Gardener coming again for a couple of hours this afternoon so hoping the sun stays out. There was significant cloud cover when I got up this morning, so no blood moon sighting for me either.

When we were talking in our preparation Nigel thread before Advent, today seemed far away (it is wonderful to have companiable community where we try to find a pocketful of happiness in every day). This is such an uplifting sentence @Bimblesalong. It did seem a very long time ahead when you posted back then.
I love Amsterdam @RainbowZebraWarriorIf I could give you one tip it would be to book a slot at the Anne Frank house asap as it books up very far in advance (and probably do the same for the Van Gogh museum too). You may already know this, but I was very appreciative of similar advice regarding Alcatraz when I visited San Francisco - it would be so disappointing to get there and find you couldn't go in.

Thanks @LillianGish that's really helpful. I'd kept the Van Gough museum page open from last night and I'm delighted to see that it's free for under 18s. Anne Frank's house is also very reasonable and only €7 for DD!

I am irritated yet again by another gardener who let's me down. He was supposed to come at 10am this morming then he said he couldn't as he was staying at his (new) girlfriends and he 'drops her off' at work at 12 (he doesn't drive!) so we agreed on 1pm. He's now messaged to say he has a sore back (Hmm) and can he do tomorrow instead. He's 25, not a kid and I pay him top whack. Bloody flaky people. I genuinely don't think folk used to be like this.

Bet Nigel doesn't have this problem! 🙄

Ahhh, a little bit of property window shopping is very therapeutic. Here we have the perfect wee bolthole for Aurora and stargazing opportunities. 2 bedroom detached cottage set in mature gardens. Only £88k. It's even called Northern Lights Cottage and has some examples of the Aurora sightings in the listing.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159282011#/?channel=RES_BUY

That is a stunning location - love the fairy lights in the garden. It would be a dream to live somewhere like that although I’ll have to pretend the boat journey wouldn’t have to happen.

I really hope things go well for your mum today @RainbowZebraWarrior

It’s super to hear how dd has had a good week. Loving also the plans for Amsterdam- good tip re the pre booking. The Nightwatch should have finished being restored too at the Rjeiksmuseum. Will you go to Vermeer’s house?

Girls - I’m a city type these days, so that cottage is NOT for me, but I will come to visit you all!

Amsterdam is such fun my fave restaurant ever is there - Cafe Bern - best fondue on earth (literally). It’s a little hole in the wall and you need to book. ££ not £££. Also Rosalia’s Menagerie nearby - finest cocktails on the planet.

What a lovely place for a cottage. Ideal. We could all chip in?!
I too love Amsterdam. Prepare to sob in the Anne Frank Hus.
Will you go for a wig akin to your own hair @Bimblesalongor would you be tempted by something wildly different?
Home from a very cold day at work to find Dh roasting some Lamb and a little watch of the Gold Cup-lovely. I always think Spring starts around the Gold Cup thought it can regularly be relied on to be chilly. I wouldn’t mind going but I don’t own enough stylish tweed!

Also, be prepared for a gazillion heavy Dutch bikes to thunder past you as you leave the station. Amsterdam is amazing and it’s been too long since I went there.

@piscofrisco I’m having one in my hair tinted colour, which is apparently “sandy blonde”. I’ve got a just below / on the shoulder length one on order that’s just about covered by my nhs wig voucher. My pre chemo hair was just above the waist so I fancy something a little more manageable. I’d order one on Amazon but it’s so hard to get the colour right for skin tone.

I’ve just booked to see my hairdresser next week for a trim so that I feel less tatty. There’s an interesting growing bald spot on the top which I cover with a combover and a scarf/ band. Apparently chemo hair comes back curly to start with so I may end up looking like I’ve got some kind of mullet perm once the thin area resprouts. I feel like a car that’s been stripped back, ready for the spare parts to be added!

Today’s find has been m&s Mexican Style Layered dip. How has this not been in my life so far?!

OHMYGOD @Bimblesalong it is the best dip but do not order it from Ocado because they cannot keep it upright and it all mixes. For a short while they also did a layered Indian one which was equally delicious but I haven't seen it for a while.

@SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense even on my short walk back to the car it sloped a little. Thanks for the Ocado tip. The wonder of being in M & S in person after an absence of 6 months was rather good. I deliberately only took a small carrier bag so that I would not over buy. I will keep an eye out for the Indian dip.

I really am going to have to get back to work to A pay for the fancy foods and also B to make sure I am at least at my desk for some of the week rather than food display surfing. Current plan is a gently phased return in May, with clients at my home office.

Oh I love Mexican 5 layer dip. I make my own - I didn’t know you could buy it!!

Love a mooch around TK Maxx. I actually wore a jumper from there today and was complimented on it by someone at work. What are there candles like, or is it pot luck like everything else I wonder.

Trying out new cocktail glass with a Parisian Nights drink. Dog sitting parents dog and all dogs are getting on so perfect Friday night.

That’s very beautiful @CrushingOnRubies , what constitutes a Parisian Night?

Thanks. A Parisian night is Gin, Creme
de Cassis and martini. Some suppose it’s a fancy name for a blackberry martini. very yummy

should have said sorry I haven’t been on this thread much this week, it’s been a shit show week at work. And been a week of surviving.

@RainbowZebraWarriorhows your dd getting on at her new school?

Hello lovelies, work mayhem was swiftly followed by DD having pneumonia and being admitted to hospital. We're out now but by heck it's been quite a few weeks. I feel like a wrung out dish rag.

Apologies that I haven't managed to read anything- I hope everyone is doing ok.

I think it’s sounds very chic bimbles.
and now I want a blackberry cocktail….and some layered dip-which I’ve not tried despite dh and his penchant for an M and S dash. We live near a very big one and it’s too tempting.

I hope your DD is feeling better. Pneumonia is horrid.

Gosh @BobBobBobbing that sounds like a scary time. Pleased your DD is out of the woods now though. Sending gentle hugs all round.

@CrushingOnRubies that cocktail looks and sounds delicious. DD has had a great first full week at her new school, however she has talked at me non stop since we arrived home at 3.30 and my head is ringing. (ADHD plus her B12 shot kicking in) Send multiple of your lovely cocktails my way, please 😆

The M&S Mexican dip always comes out top of the 'what to buy at M&S' threads. I remember rushing there with a shopping list last year and being really disappointed to see a guacamole heavy bowl of slop. I was expecting a mega spicy cheesy affair! Mind, I'm still bitter that they discontinued their nut cutlets in 1988 so I'm possibly holding a grudge as well as being in the minority.

It’s 3 ingredients and ice and it’s really simple to make. So win win

so happy that’s your dd has had a great first week. Will keep making and sending cocktails your way