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've got the cow and the deer in my basket and I'm inclined to agree with you; I think I prefer the bolder colours of the deer.

For anyone who doesn't already have a Christmas planner, the thread favourite Wrendale one is at a good price on Amazon at the moment. I think it was our resident Dane who first introduced us to it. I must get in touch with her as I know she de registered earlier this year.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07P13M1WM/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=A34VCA5FDO2WCH&psc=1

Just popping in from La douce France to share an autumnal mushroom and cheese crêpe, with a pudding one of caramelised banana for dessert.

That looks fabulous @Bimblesalong. So glad you are having a splendid time and not caught up in any strikes and protests. All quiet round our way, but I have planned nothing today to avoid disappointment 🤣

It certainly was. Fortunately, there are a few automated metro lines which got us to the place where my friend had planned to eat for the blog he writes. It’s gorgeously sunny - a little boost before the cooler weather and reality back home.

Looks glorious, Bimbles! Enjoy the rest of your time there.

I've worn myself out today. DD is still off school and I dragged her out for a bit of fresh air at lunchtime. Managed to forage a decent amount of sloes and also got some hops.

Woo hoo! Off to the Yorkshire Dales tomorrow for a short holiday!

Was going to wait till it was framed to show you but I have finally finished this cross stitch. It’s taken years was worried that the puppy would take to the yarn. Now nervously going to soak in water to remove the grid marks

@Bimblesalong that looks absolutely delicious. Right up my street! Hope it tasted as good as it looks.

@CrushingOnRubies Your Mr Fox there is indeed magnificent. Ive been sticking to smaller projects as im less likely to lose interest.

oh enjoy the Dales @Confusedmeanderings ! I love the Yorkshire Dales and Moors and used to go regularly before DD became rather restrictive. Do share some pics if you can.

DD is still poorly, but getting there. I need to crack on though I am going to land on M&S doorstep when they open as the sloes need gin and I'm also stalking their Christmas offerings. I shall then snaffle some more hops from the hedgerow on the way home.

I bought a ridiculous amount of medjool dates from Waitrose when the duchy organic ones were half price a few weeks ago so I think I'll make a date and walnut cake.

@CrushingOnRubies Your Mr Fox there is indeed magnificent. Ive been sticking to smaller projects as im less likely to lose interest.

oh enjoy the Dales @Confusedmeanderings ! I love the Yorkshire Dales and Moors and used to go regularly before DD became rather restrictive. Do share some pics if you can.

DD is still poorly, but getting there. I need to crack on though so I landed on M&S doorstep when they opened as the sloes needed gin and I've been stalking their Christmas offerings. Off to Hobbycraft now then shall then snaffle some more hops from the hedgerow on the way home.

I bought a ridiculous amount of medjool dates from Waitrose when the duchy organic ones were half price a few weeks ago so I think I'll make a date and walnut cake.

Sorry about the double ramble. Stupid phone. I didn't think that had originally posted so I rejigged it and posted again.

@RainbowZebraWarrior thank you, off to the range at the weekend for a frame. It’s not too big, it’s a4 size and blocks of colour so not too fiddly. Will send you the link when I have better signal at home because they are printed on fabric but it’s a bit cheap. There is a giraffe I has my eye on.

Hope your DD is on the mend soon.

Also did this embroidery years ago. Covid project?? And not sure if a square frame or circle frame would be best!

That's so lovely! I wonder if it would be possible to find a nice chunky, wooden heart shaped frame? I just saw some little embroidery transfers(?) on the Poncetastic thread which I'll be looking for next time I'm in Sostrene Greene.

I've been awake since 4am as I thought I heard something. Padded through the house putting lights on and all was well. Went back to bed and heard something again so repeat. Then lay awake planning my Christmas dinner (just for me really; DD only has Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, carrots and mint gravy!)

It's actually rather nice listening to the rain falling gently (for now) against the window pane and being cosy. Mr Darcy has come back to bed and is purring softly next to me. I don't feel any pressure to be dashing about today so will stay hunkered down and at least the Dahlias will get a good watering. Today is definitely a day for candlelight and I may also open my new Autumn Spice Reed diffuser.

Yesterday I made 5 bottles of winter tonic and 4 bottles of sloe gin (will post pics when I get up) Today, Waitrose are bringing me the ingredients for Orange & Apricot Brandy and Marmalade Vodka. I'll also eventually make my date and walnut cake today as I discovered yesterday that I'd chucked my (slightly out of date) baking powder when I had a fit of over zealous pantry cleaning a couple of weeks ago.

Stay warm, safe and dry all.

@CrushingOnRubies a square frame with a circle mount.

A big day here, we are taking DD for her first year at uni. Packing is not quite finished but she's not going too far so we don't need to leave just yet. It feels as though life has been on hold a bit till she goes, we have been doing nice things together (had breakfast out together yesterday, went to the cinema on Sunday, out for drinks last night). It was a glorious day yesterday so I took some photos in the garden and cut the grass.

Thanks for the ideas @Allthings& @RainbowZebraWarrior. Off to the Range today which around here has the best selection of frames and see what they have to offer.

@EndlesslyDeclutteringhope all goes well today, and good luck to your DD

A big day indeed @EndlesslyDecluttering Hope it all goes well. Those photographs look gorgeous in the sunshine. It was a weird day here yesterday. Warm but very dull and windy.

Lovely lazy morning has by all so far here and a few more hours of pottering and relaxing to enjoy. DD and I are going to go out for a late lunch to our local Italian bistro.

Here's my sloe gin just starting to infuse, with some of the winter tonic at the back. I have two of the gingerbread house bottles left so I guess I'll have to make gingerbread vodka.

29 degrees here yesterday - went for a swim and the the roof was wide open at the pool. Pouring with rain this morning so wondering if that was the final flush of summer going out in a blaze of glory. It was DH birthday and I picked up these lobster lights - in memory of a rather lovely Airbnb in New York where they had the same. Probably NVN, but DH loves them 🤣 Good luck today @EndlesslyDecluttering - I expect you’ll be living up to your name for DD’s big move.

I am just sitting on the sofa pondering how much tidier the house will be! She has ADHD and tidiness is not a strong point.

@RainbowZebraWarrior what is the winter tonic?

It's an immunity tonic made from elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, a few cloves and honey. You take a teaspoon a day to ward off colds and viruses (elderberries are full of vit c and are anti viral, honey is anti inflammatory and antibacterial) It's like sambucol but for almost free as I foraged the elderberries and we have bees, so it only cost a me stick of cinnamon, cloves and a thumb of ginger.

Here's the winter tonic recipe if anyone wants it. Although I suspect most people are probably disappointed at what it is as I think most probably envisage a delicious festive accompaniment to gin.

canningdiva.com/recipes/elderberry-tonic-with-honey-recipe/

Popping my head round to wave and show you what I found yesterday! Lots of big news - I’ll read properly when I’m back in the uk next week.

Just sharing this here. Half price introductory offers on the White Collection (Boots version of White Company products, including the winter fragrance which they call winter spice) Candles £3 & £5 and Reed diffusers £5. Worth a punt!

https://www.boots.com/the-white-collection?utm_source=affiliates&utm_medium=Sub+Networks&utm_campaign=Skimlinks-78888

Love those lobster lights @LillianGish I've got some chilli ones somewhere that I used to have in my café..