The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello all, it's that time of year again!

For anyone who has not already had the pleasure, the annual Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles read along is a real time annual MN tradition.

The Christmas Chronicles (Notes, stories and 100 essential recipes for midwinter) book begins on 1st November, however there are 25 pages of Introduction. That's why I start the thread one now; to allow time to prepare and fully appreciate Nigel in All His Splendour come 1st November.

Some regulars to the thread already have the book. For anyone new, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up a bargain. Vinted has come up trumps in the past, as has ebay. A rare and precious charity shop find is always a bonus. Don't forget, you can also listen along to Nigel's dulcet tones via Audible.

I shall post daily and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the days recipes, sentiments and indeed Dear Nigel himself. Observations of nature and the seasons are also very welcome.

So welcome to old friends and new, and don't forget that reading by candle light is particularly enjoyable. Cire Trudon may be one of Nige's candles of choice, but it's somewhat pricey. We don't discriminate against other less expensive brands - even if they are NVN (Not Very Nigel)

Pull up a chair, light a candle, grab a cosy blanket and join in!

My granny made that cake! I thought we were very posh 🤣

I'm just taking some time to read through the whole thread so far, and come to the podcast section. I highly recommend Beth Kempton's The Calm Christmas Podcast for a lovely, gentle and slightly-Nigel listen

Ah I have that book! I bought it about 3 years ago and have still failed to read it. It's likely in my bedside cabinet, so if I retrieve it and put it on the bookshelf, there's a better chance it will be read.

I've not seen or heard of this wonderful cake with a red candle in the middle, and Google has failed to bring up a picture. I have realised, however, that after saying I wasn't going to bother with a cake this year, it seems daft not to when I literally have all the ingredients sitting here. I'll soak the fruit tonight and I've decided to go with Felicity Cloake's recipe. Quite bold for me, considering I've done Good Housekeeping for 30 years!

Love the thought of Vienna for Christmas. This time last year I was looking forward to a Christmas Copenhagen break. Nothing planned this year though due to other priorities. In fact, I've just had a phone call confirming my new conservatory roof is going to be fitted the first week of December. <prays for dry weather>

DD and I have just hunted down some candle bargains at our local factory clearance place. I'll have a proper look through what we for later, as I best get that fruit soaking!

Sharing my glove-knitting progress. It's very therapeutic.

I don't keep them for the fire (no fire!). But I do have plastic folders with hundreds of torn-out recipes.

We used to go to a restaurant called The Priory, which had been a religious building. You could still smell incense.

@WeMeetInFairIthilien I sometimes walk to my local church and sit in there for 20 mins absorbing the history, building and smells. I love it, it is like a complete pause in my life. Often empty, sometimes a verger or someone manning the gift shop but very often just me. It is a 20 minute walk from my home each way, so I feel good about it being a useful number of additional steps too.

I am hoping that the Nightfall candle fragrance I linked to above gives a nod to Carmelite as it shares quite a few fragrance notes - fingers crossed.

The volume of the candle I made the other day was too big for the wick for it to burn well so I've added more wicks by inserting a skewer and cutting them off at the top of the wax. It is now pooling very nicely. 😊

@RainbowZebraWarrior a pre Christmas trip to Vienna sounds really lovely, maybe next year.

@KittyRannaldini lovely knitting. I must re-start one of my endless projects, I only knit, sew and weave once the clocks change. I am planning on getting organised in the project department on Saturday. I have got tons of supplies, ideas and tools ... it is just time that I need, something I seem to make more of in the slower seasons.

More 'paperwhite skies' by the end of the day here today, just beautiful.

@KittyRannaldini those gloves look beautiful, I love the colours! How long does a pair take you?

I used to love knitting but fell away from it, you're inspiring me to start again!

@MintRobin I started this pair on Sunday evening and I've been doing bits here and there; usually I could do a pair in just under a week. Gloves are very easy and they knit so quickly, very satisfying!

My VN reading nook complete with beeswax candle from friend's bees. Also showing off my very autumnal hand knitted slipover.

This is all gorgeous!

Great recommendation. I did her free winter writing 'course' over the Christmas holidays last year and it was a really nice gentle festive activity.

I was inspired by Nigel's idea of a "crackling fresh salad" in the intro tonight and have had a very Scandi-sort of one with smoked salmon, capers, beetroot and various other pickled veg.

I'm resisting downloading the audiobook so far - I do a lot of listening so it's good to make myself sit down and actually read for a change.

Well I decided to root through my candle box, as I was doing so I realised the cupboard under the stairs smelt distinctly damp (yup, damp old stone walls) so I took everything out to give it a good clean. On the plus side I made DH chuck out a load of things we definitely didn't need anymore.

I ended up making three 'frankenstein' candles by melting all the left overs that I hadn't chucked out. They'll probably smell awful 😂

I have just gifted a hideous cheap lemon scented 'gin and tonic' candle to a raffle. This means I can buy a new one to replace it, yes?

Someone needs to enable my VN ideas...

Off to a circuit class in a minute then plan to cosy up on the sofa and start my 2025 Nigel CC journey.

Well I’ve never heard of the CC and must’ve missed the thread every year. But - following this thread for a few days you’ve got me hooked. My copy arrives tomorrow 😊

So these are what I am now working on for Christmas, the knitting will recommence when I open up my Wee County Yarns Advent Calendar. Embroidery is so relaxing as I listen to a few more pages of the Christmas Chronicles as supper cooks in the background… and there might be a G&T involved, too. More designs will be added as I get hit by inspiration, the pink tree is for a friend in work who has a pink tree.

I love those! Are they part of a kit or just your own freestyle designs?

All my own work... I used to do craft fairs at Christmas time, with fabric wreaths, mini Christmas sweaters, stockings and hats, together with felt bits and pieces. They are quick and easy, and great to do when watching the TV.

@LatteLadywow, those are lovely. They would definitely be approved of by Nigel.

My book (a WH Smith £5 clearance bargain) has been located and dusted off. To enjoy Nigel's dulcet tones on a walk, I have also downloaded an audible copy (Amazon Music has a free book a month). Finally, this year's reading candle has been purchased - a travel sized Trudon Ernesto from eBay.

I'm all set!

Misty but properly autumnal day today. We went on a pumpkin trail at our local Abbey, had a sniff of the old stones! I enjoyed introducing the DC to Ela (the founder and first Abbess) and her Abbey. Plus, lots and lots of leaf catching and kicking.

We did have to break for a car-nic, as it started to rain, and we were getting a bit cold to be sitting around in the damp.

The pumpkins were carved this evening, and I'm sat by candle light now.

I love the lingering smell of church incense, the mossy damp of ancient stones, the softness of beeswax. 800 years ago, I'd have joined Ela in her Abbey. I live a cluttered, busy, noisy life, but my spirit resides in a very different place!

I was in the newly refurbished Notre Dame last week with my visitors which was neither mossy, damp nor particularly incensed-scented. It is a spectacular renovation, but it lacked that ancient walls vibe which @WeMeetInFairIthilien puts into words rather brilliantly.

Aww, thanks @LillianGish

I visited Notre Dame in the summer, and really felt the lack of atmosphere too, especially compared to the last time I'd visited, when I went to Mass in the morning dark in a January, many years ago.

By comparison, St Sulpice was divine (pun intended).

I’m sad about your missing treats, and the toe rag that’s nicked them, @RainbowZebraWarrior

Beautiful pictures everyone. @WeMeetInFairIthilien I would be joining you in the abbey I think - whenever I read about medieval women's lives I think how much nicer an abbey sounds.

@ILoveLukeAlderton, can we see your coat please! I'm always in the market for some Claudia-adjacent fashion.