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 love the Christopher Dresser teapots, so stylish! Even reproductions go for a good price. I had one in the antique shop once. I was so sad when I sold it!

I have this Le Creuset teapot in Flint. Walked into TKMaxx one day and there it was for £10. Couldn't believe my luck! Good pourer, too.

www.lecreuset.co.uk/en_GB/p/stoneware-classic-teapot/SW0702.html?dwvar_SW0702_color=flint&dwvar_SW0702_size=l1-3

Hello, may I join? This thread and one other on here are the type of "companionship" I'm missing in life and have struggled to find elsewhere online! I'm all about seasons, cosiness, rituals, folklore and nature!
Edited to add a bit about my day after catching up on here (Happy Sami day @IngenTing! And well wishes to both @Bimblesalong and @Confusedmeanderings)
Managed quite a hike with the dog this afternoon around the headland. I really need to fitted up again! Beautiful views as it was so bright and clear, and could see all the little wild daffodil shoots pushing up. Chopped some logs and now have the wood burner going with a sound asleep terrier in front of it! I took try and write something joyous or particularly observation worthy in a journal @RainbowZebraWarrior, I am finding scribbling in my book in bed instead quite the theme I want to continue though... Coveting an antique writing desk, with the little anglepoise lamp in my teeny box room, surrounded by yet more houseplants!

Lovely to have you here @LostInAMist and a very warm welcome to you. I'm pleased that so many new people have found this lovely corner of MN and I hope you find it as helpful and joyful as the rest of us have.

A rather personal post here from me. I have an in year admissions appeal going on for my DD and the hearing is tomorrow afternoon (after it didnt go ahead last week). I found out today that there would be more people present as observers and felt rather overwhelmed at the amount of folk that will now be attending. I've informed the Local Authority that I will now be bringing my father along for moral support (I'm Autistic) so keep your fingers and toes crossed for us please. There have been two incidents of bullying this week at DDs current school and she is in desperate need of a fresh start.

Thanks, and as you were.

Thank you for the welcome @RainbowZebraWarrior, and I shall cross everything so I am like a pretzel for you and your DD

@RainbowZebraWarrior very very good luck tomorrow.

@RainbowZebraWarrior you will also have this motley crew in your pocket cheering you on. Will be thinking of you.
Welcome to more companiable seekers of peace and beauty.
Fire’s lit here, st eval embers taper lit and a basket of wool in front of me.

I hope tomorrow goes well for you @RainbowZebraWarrior 🤞🏻

Thank you so much for the support ❤️ It really does mean a lot. There's an awful lot of negativity and defensiveness in the world. It's so good to have a place where one can be honest and a little bit vulnerable, knowing that it will be met with mutual and gentle understanding.

Warm and happy vibes sent to all. St Eval Embers is like a warm embrace in candle form @Bimblesalong as is a fire lit on a chilly evening.

Good luck tomorrow @RainbowZebraWarrior - I second @Bimblesalong's sentiments and I would go further and say, try to imagine the additional observers in the room are us - we will all be with you in spirit.

To add to the candle discussion, Pecksniffs forest therapy range is lovely! Lots of fresh smells, with hints of lavender, bergamot or cedarwood, depending on which one you pick. They are esthetically pleasing too, with the brown glass, simple label and wooden lid. I picked up loads in TK Max for about £5 a candle (they are a fair bit more on the Pecksniffs website). I'm hoping to go stock up again soon, as my stash is running low!

Good luck tomorrow @RainbowZebraWarrior!

Just seen your post @RainbowZebraWarrior and wanted to add a message of luck and hope for a good result for you and your DD tomorrow 🤞

Delurking to wish RZW and daughter all the best for tomorrow's appeal.

Sending strength for tomorrow @RainbowZebraWarrior

Welcome to all the delurkers

I had a very calming day today. it was sunny and cold, but I made a plan to tackle lots of errands and it all worked out nicely, including finding myself very close to RHS Wisley and popping in for an hour at lunchtime, it was lovely seeing all the snowdrops and crocuses. I was having a mooch round the shop afterwards and trying to decide what Nigel would think, it was all very calm, orderly and expensive, but with a high degree of twee-ness, I decided he would like the garden centre part better.

Oh, thank you so much. That's so kind of you.

League of Gentleman fan perchance?

Sending all the good thoughts, luck and love for tomorrow RZW.

I've found a small st Eval winter thyme in the back of my candle drawer this evening, left over from before Christmas. Absolute bonanza!

@RainbowZebraWarrior we will all definitely be there with you in spirit. How about popping something like a pebble in your pocket, so that every time you touch it, you'll be reminded that we're cheering you on.

That's a good angle lovely idea @Confusedmeanderings

Jealous if RHS Wisley. What a treat...

I will check out the pecksniffs in TK Maxx over the weekend. My candle stash is running dangerously low.

Everything crossed for you tomorrow.

@Confusedmeanderings thats such a sweet idea.

Lovely evening here - Moroccan chicken soup with chickpeas for supper with a crusty baguette. My dearest friend has flown home from work early to see me which is so kind. I have lit some absolutely barking mad looking candles my dad gave to me. I usually favour plain white candles for dinner but these are every colour clashing stripes. Fun but also NVN despite being hand dipped.

@RainbowZebraWarrior wishing you enormous luck for your DD's appeal tomorrow. You always come across as very articulate, so I'm sure you will do well. You have this little corner of MN all cheering you on. Great that you have your Dad there for moral support.

I'm still on WC Winter candle, but have decided that I need a change, so will have a rummage in the candle cupboard and see what I have. I don't want to go full on Spring just yet!

I can second the pecksniffs candles - great value from Homesense, I always make a point of stocking up - hence my candle cupboard! I was bitterly disappointed to hear that my local Homesense closes soon to be turned in to a TKMaxx. I know they're the same company, but a whole shop of - often - random homewares, with a huge candle display definitely beats racks and racks of tat clothing with a squished corner for all homewares. Sigh. Oh well, I may be pleasantly surprised!

I like others lurked on the xmas thread and am so happy this one has started. I need it
I was given the Perfumerh Feast candle as a present. Its gorgeous. I place it next to me when i lie on the couch with the fire on with my big blanket and light it for an hour readn my book on a Sunday. My New Year resolution. 3 hours of bliss. Gets me through the week

This is actually quite spooky as my Dad found this pebble on the beach yesterday and gave it to me last night. I shall take it with me.

I've attached a photo via a safe link (postimage) so I hope it works.

postimg.cc/gXqRrMD1