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!

Oh crikey. That must be unbearable at the moment. Is there anything that helps? DD and I have cooling facial mists that we keep in the fridge and we lay single water wipes in the freezer so they go frosty cold within 5 minutes and we can then wipe them over our skin (we both struggle to regulate our temperatures - a feature of our EDS)

I've just got up to get one of the frosty water wipes out of the freezer and note that DD made orgami hearts out of the 'batch' she put in last night!

Oh mate! @Confusedmeanderings I share your heat. Not easy with the weather, eh? I’ve been taking antihistamines every night (Loratadine), partly as they’re shown to have a protective factor against recurrence, to help with aches and also as mosquito bites are my Achilles heel. This means I can leave the window open a crack or so. I’ve got a neck fan, that looks like a pair of headphones and helps when I’m not in bed.

I like @RainbowZebraWarrior ‘s idea too.

I think we previously enjoyed some house and garden content on YouTube. I’ve watched a couple more today. Oh my. There is so much I could say (although am still boggling about how many staff people have behind the scenes!).

what a lovely house.

Some great ideas @RainbowZebraWarrior . Especially the love hearts! 💖. You've reminded me now @Bimblesalong I have a neck fan that DH bought me when I first started the hormone therapy. I wonder where it is?!!

On a different topic, I have always been perfectly happy shopping online for things, but we are considering buying a new freezer and I got really frustrated trying to easily find the specs of each one I looked at. Either pop-ups kept getting in the way or I had to scroll through loads of rubbish to get to the info I wanted. In the end I had a good swear and went off to town this morning to look at freezers in a real shop. And what a pleasure it was! So is it just me getting old, or is real life shopping so much better than shopping online?

@Confusedmeanderingswe did the same thing when our washing machine packed up last year. All the online options were so confusing and all I wanted to do was see a physical washing machine. So we did and had a good look and brought one there and the

Went to flower arranging this evening. The arrangements were inspired by Christian Dior designs. Mum wins hand hold of alliums , and picked up lots of ideas

Christian Dior’s flower designs are dreamy, I love to see the flower painted silk scarves. Sounds like a lovely evening’s activity.

I love it. It’s a once a month thing if that normally every 8 weeks. You get tea and cake and you just listen to someone who just talks about life or inspiration or whatever whilst making beautiful flower arrangements. I quite often feel drowsy not in a rude way but in a I’m not doing anything just sat here in contentment way.

Hello all!

Christian Dior inspired flower arranging sounds divine. I adore Dior.

So thankful for a dry day today. I have a wonderful uni student here at the moment who was looking for a few extra £'s over the summer. He's brought his girlfriend with him and they are weeding and mowing my back garden. They are then going to valet my car for me. I've told them I have a big list of jobs so can offer them probably a day' work a week for the next couple of months.

I'm just about to book a quote for a replacement conservatory roof, so keep your fingers crossed it isn't too eye watering!

Christian Dior inspired flower arrangements sound fab!

Mr and Mrs fox have a warren in my vegetable patch. I’ve suggested politely that they move. This reasonable request is met with acts of petty vandalism like digging up my potatoes 😆

Here is Mr Fox having some alone time in my front garden. Mostly they won’t pose for me; today he was feeling photogenic and is framed by flowers.

We had a visit from a fox a few days ago and he knocked over several of my plant pots - thankfully not broken but I’m hoping he doesn’t come back.

I love your fox @Gribbit987 ! We are a bit concerned about our hedgehog lodger - he seems to have disappeared off out into the garden. I know that is exactly what we have been trying to persuade him to do, but now he has, I miss him!

He is lovely @Gribbit987 ans what a cooling looking photo. We are out in Spain and I’ve never known it so hot! Plenty of books on the kindle and plenty of water.

DS is in charge back home so doggo will be getting plenty of love.

Your Mr Fox is rather fantastic @Gribbit987 as is your lovely garden.

Ooh, Hooe you're enjoying Spain @Bimblesalong I can only do heat with a pool, and I've been craving a cool dip lately (especially yesterday with our mini heatwave)

Aww @Confusedmeanderings that's a shame and I hope your lovely Hedgehog is safe and sound. I've been worried about the wildlife in my garden this past couple of days. My blackbirds 2nd brood began hatching on Sunday and one of the young was gasping for air in the heat yesterday. Thankfully its still alive and the mother is back with it today sitting on the remaining eggs.

Enjoying the cooler air today and have actually managed to get stuff done as its a pleasant 16 degrees.

Loving the fox pictures. Only find traces of fox 💩 which the dog then eats

offered for my sins to do a salad for a bbq next week for 40ish people although there will be other offerings. Any ideas for the ultimate mumsnet salad. The easier the better.

jn other news got a new responsibility at work today . Big boss apparently gave a glowing reference 😁😁😁

@CrushingOnRubies I know pasts salad can divide people, but I love pasta, brie, celery and walnut (grapes can also be added). If not, then my go to is a chunky Greek salad.

Also, if doing a pasta salad, then a bowl of chilli jam for people to dollop on thr side is a must.

Was thinking a pasta salad or Greek salad. And I’ve seen a simpleish bbc good food recipe for a Greek salad so might do that.

I did this for a family dinner last year, and the salad was so popular I've been asked to take it to every BBQ since! https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/mains/egyptian-filo-pie-with-chopped-salad

That could work. Thank you and want to try the filo lamb pie too. What’s sumac??

It's made from dried and ground berries. I bought a jar of it in Waitrose. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumac

My mother uses Sumac a lot after happening upon it years ago in her favourite Mediterranean style café. Lovely, lemony flavour. (Dil and the Bear for anyone local to or visiting Tynemouth at all)

Might have to get some and have a taste. Sounds intriguing

Yes, judging by the colour you'd think it was spicy; but it's very light and fresh.