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 that and it's exactly the sort of thing I had in mind. To me, it's like bringing the outside in. Things like flowers and trailing ivy are so beautiful. I despair a little at the stark, grey walls and minimalism that a lot of people have these days (but appreciate that might just be me)

I did loads of stencilling in my house in the heyday. A lovely way to add some creativity.

Gosh, hope DD is OK @RainbowZebraWarrior!

Thank you so much for the puffin link, I am absolutely obsessed with them so this will be great.

I loved stencilling back in the day too. We had a border of acorns and oak leaves in our hallway that I was especially proud of. Less tastefully was the undersea scene I stencilled on our airing cupboard doors - I might have sneaked in a diver being eaten by a shark!

Thanks Noodle. It was last Thursday so she's on the mend now, but she twisted her ankle and bruised her coccyx. I've cancelled her hair appt for tomorrow as she doesn't want to sit in the chair for ages. We are going for bubble tea instead and then for a short wander around our favourite market. (Weather permitting 🤞as we are forecast thunderstorms)

Happy Friday to all!

Ouch @RainbowZebraWarrior glad to hear she’s on the mend. The coccyx is particularly nasty to bruise.

I've not been on for a while either - just life getting in the way! But today is my first day with no work for about 6 weeks, and DD1 has been retrieved from uni (it took us 6 hours to do a journey that should be just over 3 😱 Horrible traffic/ a horrible accident so I tried very hard not to be too fed up and to be grateful we weren't involved). We thought about taking the small car as the big one really needed a new part and she said she didn't have much stuff - filled the big one twice (once to move her across town into a new flat and once with things to come home) so I'm glad we took tit in the end but that didn't make for a relaxing drive either, waiting for it to switch to limp-home mode at any moment. It didn't and it is now safely at the garage!
Sorry that turned into a bit of a spiel. I've just been out and filled my bird feeders and I plan to weed the veg beds later. You mentioning cheese scones @RainbowZebraWarrior has given me an idea for later! The forecast doesn't look great but it is beautiful out there at the moment

Oh and DD2 is mid-A levels. We have a busy stressy house at the moment.
I had stencilled walls back in the day too! And I'm not ashamed to admit to a bit of ragging 😀
@Bimblesalong I love what my husband calles 'footery' food, with edible flowers and amuses bouche and all that fannying about. Looks wonderful.
@RainbowZebraWarrior bubble tea is the perfect medicine for a bruised bum! Your poor DD.
@Seasidebubbles book binding looks amazing. I spent a day making a very fancy evening bag once and loved it so much - I'd love to go and do that for a day. You must learn very beautiful calligraphy! Although if it was me I'd have all good intentions then never write in it because I'd be scared I would spoil it. Don't be me.

Good Morning! The snow and clouds have finally cleared and I'm sat outside enjoying a coffee. It's already 22 degrees here today! It's the last week before DS and DD finish for summer!
DS is heading into the mountains with his hammock and his friends on Thursday night to spend the last part of school in the wilderness.

I finally have a plant to share! After seeing everyone's, beautiful gardens etc, behold, my chillies. They are coming along nicely.

sorry been off the thread a while. Been super busy and not done much else

This weekend camping with family and not a bad view for breakfast.

@CrushingOnRubies lovely view! And @IngenTing lovely chillies!

I had a lovely day today. We went to Shepton Antiques and Collectibles Fair, a really big fair not too far away. The reason for going was to meet up with an old school friend who was standing there - I had some stock to drop off to her. DH and I agreed beforehand that we were just browsing and we absolutely weren't buying anything. Of course that resolution went out of the window at the very first stand! We had a lovely time browsing the fair and making our purchases, caught up with several fellow dealers we know, had a lovely visit with my school friend and enjoyed sitting in the sunshine with a coffee. We also had a good old nose at one of the glamping areas for Glastonbury Festival as we drove through Pilton! And here are my purchases - ignore the fact that I photographed them on the drinks trolley!

Morning all. Gorgeous pics! I love thay fish @Confusedmeanderings it's right up my street.

I managed to get to / get around the grounds of Delaval Hall on Friday. Will go back to try the house with DD (too many steps!) It was a beautiful day, and I got there before ut was heaving. Sadly the laburnum arch had just fizzled out. I did spend some time with this lovely lad though. He was sitting on a lily pad in the pond having a spa day to himself. Also note the mirrors at the end of the 2nd photo.

Hello! Hope we are not all melting. Hope dd is doing ok @RainbowZebraWarrior and you too.

Ds1 has chosen the right few days to camp at the tip of SE Cornwall in St Ives. Lucky so and so. I’ve been trying to spot him in the surf beach webcam - weather looks amazing and not over hot down there.

Im easing back into work and trying to crank my poor old brain up to at least half speed. I’m on a very reduced workload, which I need. Still trying to swim a few times a week as I find it really helpful for my painful joints.

setting the alarm early tomorrow to walk our dog whilst it’s coolish - we are forecast 29°. Poor dh has to get the train down to London for a meeting.

Oh camping in Cornwall sounds like a divine idea right now @Bimblesalong I wish DD would camp! Lordy, I hadn't spotted the weather forecast. Its a lovely 20 degrees here today but we are also forecast 28/29 for tomorrow and Saturday. We have been gifted an unexpected inset day tomorrow so have a long weekend. Haven't made plans yet, but bright sun and high temps give DD migraines so I'm going to have to get my thinking cap on for some appropriate activities. Might be a good idea to go to the movies for us!

My Dad is out on his fishing boat today and it really is the perfect weather for it. I have the dog, so DD is excited about the fact that the dog will be meeting her from school. I've also just discovered that my large pack of Cathederal City looks like its been kicked around the warehouse and resembles rubble. I've quickly tipped it into a tin with some green beans and eggs to make a quiche. Hastily lined with a couple of soft tortillas as I don't have time to make pastry.

The garden is a hive of activity with birds and insects at the moment and my barn owl continues to visit every night. Think it's scared the long eared owl off. I also snapped this lovely dragonfly whilst watering last night.

@Bimblesalongwhat a great weekend for your ds to go camping in st Ives. Decent weather and it’s got atmosphere without it being awful like when the crowds descend in a few weeks time.

This probably doesn't look anything special, but my 85 year old Maltese neighbour dropped off some of her amazing spaghetti sauce for me and I've just had it with rice and parmesan after spending two hours planting some stuff in the garden tonight that should have gone in two months ago and I've never felt more grateful for a bowl of food. After 40 years of knowing the family (I was at school with her daughter) I've finally asked her to teach me how to make it. IIRC you have to 'blacken' the onions to give the depth of flavour needed.

Yum that looks great! How fab to have someone to teach you their special cook skills.

Booked a summer holiday to Faro Portugal today. On the adventurous premise that it was cheaper flights from local airport. Anyone been been before and have any suggestions of where to go what to do?

Spent the afternoon doing some much needed work in the garden

That sounds marvellous @CrushingOnRubies I’ve never been but would love to. Just a heads up that I’ve seen the odd thing on TikTok about longer security / checkin queues - hopefully sorted but worth looking into.

popping my head in to report of a super “fresh vines” candle from Marks and Sparks, gorgeous chunky green vessel and the candle scented of tomato leaves, lemon and basil.

admiring @RainbowZebraWarrior ’s glorious dragonfly, what a fellow!

I’ve booked a few days in the south of France across a couple of dates I’d rather forget. Fingers crossed as there seems to be a lot of lurgy round at present. We have plans to go stay with my friends in Barcelona at the end of next week - it’s a balmy 30° + out there but their guest room has aircon and they are also fans of the siesta.

I have started reading “The Hare with the Amber Eyes”, and from my pleasant garden spot can graze on raspberries. It is too warm for anything else, although I must go slay some courgettes from their parent plant as I would like a redo of the Ottolenghi Corsican pie I made last week.

@BimblesalongI’m sure I’ve seen threads on mumsnet about faro airport issues but went to search and couldn’t see anything. But will definitely bear in mind.

Will check out the M&S candle I tend to like their range of candles and smellies in general

My Mum and Dad have been to Faro and loved it, albeit only briefly via a Mediterranean cruise, however, Portugal is my Mum's favourite country and she always says you can't go wrong with it (and she's very well travelled) There's great food to be had there for sure.

Hope the south of France helps with the dates you'd rather forget @Bimblesalong and also enjoy Barcelona. Air con is what separates us here in the UK from enjoying sunny weather compared to our friends on the continent. I'm melting here and we've not had anyrhing too crazy heat-wise, but this little bungalow of mine holds on to the heat! Also, I could hug you right now as I really needed a good recommendation for a new Audible book. The hare with the Amber eyes was the perfect choice and has duly been downloaded.

@RainbowZebraWarriorWe had a tropical style rain storm this morning so it feels a lot fresher down in Cornwall now. But still
warm.

I went to Portugal 20 years ago ( Tavira) and remember the food being really lovely.

I’ve also just finished The Widow Cliquot, @RainbowZebraWarrior terrific read. Not sure if it’s on audible yet but should be. Film version on Netflix apparently.

I’m planning to revisit the Musée Nissim de Camomdo later this year when Im in Paris with my school friend, so the Hare is an appropriate pre-read. I recently read deWaal’s Letters to Camondo, which was like a conversation with the house’s owner, now long gone. I shall take that out with me to read again. Just ordered The White Road, the story of porcelain, which looks to be informative and engaging.

We’ve just had a Ottolenghi’s Corsican tart again, using courgette flowers from the garden. Blooming delicious. DS2 loves doing the fine knife skills and the final assemblage.

Phew! Right now is a bad time for the usually minimal side effects of oestrogen blockers to step up several gears! The hot flushes are not needed!

@Bimblesalong that candle sounds delicious and I will try and find one when I'm back in England later in the summer. That is also a very handsome tart!