Year round Nigel Slater discussion thread Part 2

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello, all and welcome to this lovely space for our continued chats.

A bit of background for anyone not familiar with this topic:

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, gardening, appreciation of the weather, and sharing of news and small moments of joy. It's a calm, cosy space for gentle chat and merriment so pull up a deckchair, grab a drink and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

I love those from ST eval.
We bought some incense sticks from a pop up shop years ago. It took me a long time to find them again and they're sooo expensive but my gosh they smell like fire.
Astier de vallette. Aoyama.

If you DM me OP I'll happily send you a couple.

Not long before we can crack open the chronicles in earnest

@Titasaducksarse that is such a kind offer. Unfortunately my asthma means I can't use incense, sadly. I think this is also the problem with something that's in the WC candles. Thank you so much though.

Lovely sunny day. I'm dashing about grabbing as much washing as possible as it is a DDD (Definite Drying Day) so I've done jumpers. Sheets are next and then I might to Autumn jackets. The rest of the week doesn't look that good so I best try and get the lawn done today, too. My diary informs me that on the 4th September last year, M&S began putting out their Christmas stock out, so I've booked a morning out in my diary next week for a good old browse. It will feel strangely freeing as DD is back to school so I will be alone. (She literally spends 24/7 with me) I think I may treat myself to a scone and a pot of tea while I'm there.

Hope everyone has a very enjoyable Bank Holiday Monday.

@RainbowZebraWarrior you have just described my dream day - a scone, a pot of tea and a mooch round M&S. enjoy it when it comes.

I’m away at my parents house at the moment and it’s nice not having to cook, clean or really do anything. My mum is a treasure and I love spending time with her, having coffee together in the morning and going around the shops with her. It’s hot here so all my autumnal feelings have gone away. We are back to the UK on Wednesday and I’m kind of dreading the start of the school year. My older one is starting secondary school and it will be a huge adjustment for him (and ultimately for us). So trying to enjoy the last few peaceful days while I can.

@Piletka my Autistic DD started high school in February after moving from a 3 tier school system to a 2 tier one. She struggles going back to class after morming break, never mind a six week break so I hear you.

Lawn didn't get cut in the end. It was just too much in this heat.

Does anyone else have a kitchen bench resembling this? I have two more trays full of tomatoes. My Mum has made roasted tomato soup and I'm going to make and freeze tomato butter sauce tomorrow.

I have a spring flowering shrub that's just burst back into flower again. I was listening to Adam Frost yesterday on Radio 2 and je basically said there are virtually no seasons left now when it comes to certain plants. With that in mind, I'm considering planting some sprouting Jersey Royals. I've done it before and harvested potatoes on Christmas eve for Christmas Dinner.

Love those tomatoes. Nothing better than homegrown veggies!

Making the most of the last fairly sunny day here and have a lovely washing line of bedding.

Those tomatoes look fab. It's been a great year for them and we / DS have had lots of fruits from them. Our courgettes have been monsters this year - I'll grow the same yellow climbing variety next year, along with the purple french beans which have served us well.

There is a definite autumnal feel today. Whether it's just the herald of the rain/ storms coming through at the weekend, or autumn on the way, I'm not sure. It's just in time for me to take mum away to Cornwall for the week. We have books packed and I'm looking out some crochet to take with me.

Ds made stuffed courgettes last night - they were delicious.

Can’t wait for autumn. Our library is selling off “old” (unpopular?) stock so I got Eat and autumn/winter Greenfeast, the cloth covered versions, for 25p each. I’m thrilled. DH cross with me for not making a larger donation on top of their purchase price - will pop some money in their donation box next time.

Oh Cornwall for a week right now sounds delightful @Bimblesalong hopefully it's a bit quieter as the school holidays are coming to an end. Enjoy. The stuffed courgettes also look amazing. I stopped growing them this year as I was heartily sick of facing the glut each year, but I could fancy some now! I might go back to growing the yellow ones next year as well as the purple green beans again <adds to seed list on Alexa>

Wow what a bargain @QueenOfWeeds our library does that sometimes, but my bargains are always a little more random.

Definitely sliding into Autumn here although it's currently very stuffy. DD and I have had a little whizz around some not-oft-visited shops, so I am now in possession of a Woodsage and sea salt candle and another Nectarine and Honey one as I was impressed with it. DD got a Wax Lyrical 'Library Room' one as we are in the process of redesigning her room in the style of a gothic library. We have also bought random pumpkin and ghost cushions. We are a bad influence on each other!

I've started on my Christmas crafts which my mother thinks is potty. The truth is, it is all stuff I bought last Oct / Nov and never got done, so I'm starting early this year. I'm making cross stitch designs to sew onto festive coloured hand towels. I'm enjoying it as I forgot how relaxing I find it. This is my progress so far.

Hello everyone - I wonder if I might join this lovely thread? I lurked last year with a second hand copy of the Christmas Chronicles and have since spent far too much on candles and made far too many visits to TKMaxx as a result of all the recommendations for lovely things on this thread!

I’m on holiday on a remote Scottish island at the moment, where it is decidedly autumnal. Brown leaves, windy, the autumn smell in the air and blackberries (which I should call brambles here) all over the place. It’s also luckily been very sunny and warm for at least part of each day, so we are fortunate.

I found the most excellent soap shop yesterday selling wonderful local soap with scents such as Honey and Oatmeal or Lavendar and Raspberry. Very Scottish. And they had a “soap station” of washbasins and fluffy white towels and a tester bar of each scent so you could really try before you buy. I bought a few to take home, justifying the cost by all the bargains I’ve found in TKMaxx over the last year! We also tried some Whisky Marmalade ice cream which was delicious and I might try to replicate at home.

I love autumn but find the dark of winter so depressing, but was much cheered by this thread last year so thought I’d take the plunge and join properly this time round. Fingers crossed that the theory of Christmas Chronicles vol 2 proves correct!

@Bimblesalonghave a lovely trip to Cornwall. If you want suggestions which are slightly Nigely for things to do ask away.

Went to a local country house gardens today. It was alright, was expecting more

Hello! Yes of course you can. A Scottish island retreat sounds wonderful! A soap station sounds lovely. And whiskey marmalade ice cream … delicious

What a bargain! I have to say other than the CC, the Greenfeast books are my favourite from Nigel. I have made most of the recipes in them and have a few favourite recipes. I wish they would republish them in a larger, more manageable format though. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. You should get the spring/summer version too.

@LemonVerbenaGeranium Remote Scottish island and soap station sounds fun, but Whisky Marmalade ice cream sounds amazing!

@RainbowZebraWarrior In answer to your question, no tomatoes here, they're getting eaten as fast as they ripen, but see below for what's taken over our work top. Trying to bottle lots, but got a load in the freezer needing to be turned into sauce, and still more on the trees. (All preserving recopies that will last a year, welcomed though not brave enough to go fpr plum wine yet,)

@QueenOfWeeds Wow! Lucky you, well done.

@Bimblesalong Being in Cornwall when the leaves change is one of my ideas of happiness. Enjoy. (and send pic's please)!

@EphemeraleEudemoniaWow, what a fabulous crop of fruit you have there! I planted a plum tree in lockdown and we had our first proper batch of plums from it this summer. Nothing like as many as yours, though, and sadly the wasps got to several of them before I did. So no need for preserving measures, but we did enjoy eating them.

Just when I thought that nothing could beat whisky marmalade ice cream, the flavour of the day yesterday was whisky cherry and dark chocolate. There’s a tiny outpost of the island’s ice cream producer a few minutes’ walk from the cottage we are staying in: their kiosk opens when some combination of factors aligns that I don’t fully understand, but the flavours are always fabulous.

@EphemeraleEudemonia I will certainly try, although looking at the forecast for next week, they’ll either blow away or wash off!!

Mum’s plum tree has been dripping with them. It’s been an amazing year for fruit.

Just back from a gloriously sunny holiday in Brittany and it’s still 25 degrees here so I’m still very much holding on to the coat tails of summer, but noticed a definite softening of the late afternoon light as I walked home from the swimming pool last night. DS left yesterday to work on the Champagne harvest, a sure signifier of the turning of the seasons. DH has just booked us a last minute weekend in Normandy to eke out the last days of August and the forecast is a bit mixed, but thanks to all the autumnal enthusiasm on this thread I shall pack my raincoat and embrace whatever the weather throws at us.

That's lovely, @LillianGish . I love that'd it's warm and sunny but that the sunlight in your picture is starting to look autumnal.

I went for a swim before work and can feel the water starting to cool and the leaves turning and the plants going to seed.

Gosh @LillianGish what a lovely post. I’m so looking forward to my trip out to Paris mid Sept - I’m going to see La Bohème, the 19th Century romantic opera. Set in space. 😵‍💫. Can’t wait!

That is a lovely place to swim @UnimaginableWindBird lucky you! I’ve not been swimming for a few days due to my lurgy - but at least will have the option through the winter at my gym.

My cold is on the way out, I think. First one for 18months and glad to get it out of the way. It’s not been too bad and has, I hope, prepped my immune system for a gentle return to work in schools as well as from my office.

La Boheme in space sounds amazing!

I think September is my favourite month in Paris @Bimblesalong - la rentrée will be in full swing with lots of lovely stationary everywhere. I love that feeling of renewal - it actually feel more like the new year than New Year itself. The weather is generally at it its best, still warm, but without the sapping heat of midsummer and everything is back in full swing after the sleepy shutdown of August. Very tempted by La Boheme myself having seen the posters and watched the trailer - maybe I'll treat myself to a ticket!

I always feel new yearsy in September and not January too, @LillianGish. January is an appalling time to be making resolutions whereas September is the perfect new start.
We are just back from a gorgeous few days in Fife visiting MIL (photo attached) (of the sunny beach, not of Grandma!). It is starting to feel a little autumnal there too - and definitely here - but still very warm during the day. We sat out with some friends in the pub garden one night and that is quite rare up there! And I had a dip in the North Sea which was very bracing but wonderful. I can count the number of times I’ve been in the sea up there on the fingers of about half a hand 😂 and that’s nearly 30 years of visiting.
Just having a restorative cup of tea post-long motorway drive the going to see if anything has survived in the garden. Not sure there’s been any rain.

Ooh the thread is starting to get really busy, and I remember similar conversations about the transition into Autum last year on our Autumnal preambles threads.

@Bimblesalong I'm so happy to read that you are getting back to your lovely trips this year and going back to your beloved opera.

@LemonVerbenaGeranium I think I know the island you mean. I really want to visit there, but it's not easy with Autistic DD. I also recently got an email about a winter trip to the Shetland Isles to see the Aurora, and I'd love to do it, but it's something that will have to wait a few years.

So, Aurora season is again also almost upon us which is another reason to love the Autumn and Winter months. I think I'm going to invest in a new camera too as I've been after one for years and my old one is kaput.

Some fabulous photos this week. My only issues with the bountiful produce at this time of year is the dreaded fruit flies. We are really swatting them off tonight as they seem to have reached a peak!

Busy day here as I went to pull my wooden blinds up last night and the flipping thing came away from the fixings and took half my ceiling plaster with it. Company came out today and fixed them (with much more heavy duty fixings) the plaster can be re done at a later date. Had my final measurements taken for my new conservatory roof today too. All very exciting, however the lead in time is long, so we are looking at the week before Christmas. Eeek! Hope we don't get too much bad weather / storms that may put it back further.

Your swimming pond(?) looks magical @UnimaginableWindBird We have a lot of wild swimming and surfing going on here on the NE coast of England, however, one of our bays was sadly recently declared one of the most dirty in the country. I drove past yesterday to see dozens of folk and their kids bathing there which I found rather alarming.

Love that pic of the beach in Fife @SheherazadesSpringNonsense My aunty was from Fife and I have many happy memories of beachcombing on wild and stunning sands when we were also often the only ones there.

Love that pic @LillianGish and hope you enjoy your last minute break in Normandy.

We are enjoying our final 6 days of school hols here by indulging in some felting. DD is making another pumpkin to add to our collection, and I'm making a Jellycat inspired toy Hash Brown. Next project is a copycat Jellycat conker. Our 'pumpkin display' is already out in our hallway.

Lovely picture of your Fife beach @SheherazadesSpringNonsense. Here’s ours from our current holiday location on the west coast. This was today after a lot of rain, but sudddenly the sun appeared. Sadly the ice cream kiosk did not open at the same time as the sun shone, so no more treats today! Your pumpkin display looks wonderful @RainbowZebraWarrior,and I love the idea of a Jellycat-adjacent hash brown.

Stunning