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!

This is my last day (I know there is weekend) unemployed. I start a new job on monday. I need to make sure I keep up with CC.
I also will be going back through the thread and adding to my list of recommendations people have added. The recipe today looks like something I wild love.

@Brightermornings I hope the new job goes well.

Thank I left my other job after being there 30+ years. Wasn’t how I wanted to leave but shit happens.
I’ve took a step down so I’ll be earning less longer commute and more hours. But it’s not forever.

I am working from home today (couldn't bear the thought of navigating the flash flooding down the country roads I have to drive up and down to get to/from work), so have tried to be more N and lit a candle to brighten things up as I write a briefing document. Am also going to treat myself to a mince pie for elevenses... (it's an M&S Collection one and they are so good!) ☺️

@RainbowZebraWarrior impressive glove collection! we are lucky if we can find a matching pair of anything! Teenagers…

It is hammering it down here - we have newish glass doors and can be inside out on days like this, a side extension with 3 skylights - I love being in the wet weather but dry at the same time. I find blanket grey light quite calming, I paint portraits and having north facing light that doesn’t change, for me is better to work with.

After our fairly successful food week or so it’s not very Nigel homemade pizza Friday (and will be at least whilst the teens are in the house) I do pack it with flavour, garlic, onion, fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes in the sauce, with spinach, red pepper, red onion, more fresh garlic sliced and jalapeno on top (feta and fresh mozzarella - prosciutto, chorizo and njuda for those that want) - it’s not a quick dinner, dough is on the bread maker right now. House smells of tomato and garlic on completion, that will have to do.

I need to swim to the butcher for weekend meat shortly and have almost every appliance going at the moment to get as much housework out of the way before end of work/college/school day. And having mini workouts by going up and down two flights of stairs carrying stuff. Should all be worth a n hour or two with the Strike novel by the window by the rain (in my pink armchair)

First world issues here in that the builders are reaching a crescendo of disruption. Hopefully all will be usable this weekend, if not finished. I escaped for a swim first thing and was rewarded with an empty pool.

Now I’m finishing some work and enjoying Welsh cakes made by a lovely choir member. It is chucking it down and I really don’t want to have to walk back to the house from my office. I might just put a candle on and curl up for a nap on the sofa! (These ongoing drugs I’m on really disrupt sleep).

@RainbowZebraWarrior your glove collection is gorgeous, amazing colours and so beautifully arranged. I keep meaning to go through a drawer a day and organise it beautifully but never seem to get round to it 🙈 @Brightermornings good luck in your new job hope all goes well. I did something similar last year, very nerve wracking, less money took a bit of adjusting to but a year on I've never been happier - the wages have unexpectedly significantly improved and my whole life is now better as a result. Funny how things just work out sometimes.

Good luck @Brightermornings ! I’m sure there’s a rough time behind what you say and hope the fresh start builds you back up again.

I could do with a kind of potted history for each other- nothing heavy, just a three sentence summary that we can use to remember who’s who!

Like, I think Bimbles is having a kitchen rebuild, sings in a church choir, and like me, recently lost a much loved dog.
Zebra has an awesome glove collection, makes candles and keeps bees, and like me has to count her spoons….

Perhaps I just need to keep a little notebook myself 😁

Meant to ask, are you in Wales, Bimbles? My granny used to make Welsh cakes which I didn’t appreciate as I dislike dried fruit!

@Bimblesalongthat is a beautiful pool - plus welch cakes too (swooooon)!

Cheaper melograno alternatives for mere mortals like me are available from TK Maxx. I paid four quid each for these last week. Bought three and they are currently scenting the wardrobes beautifully. I'm going to start using one of them on 1st Dec after the current hadwash is used.

@LatteLady that sounds like a midge. We get tons of fruit flies each summer, but most of them have died off. Midges, however, seem to have one last hurrah in November, before any frosts come. I know I was definitely bitten by one earlier this week. I'd describe them like mini kamikaze pilots and you can sometimes hear them making a zooming noise. Fruit flies always seem a bit more fluttery and dithering I think.

Best of luck with the new job @Brightermornings I hope a bit of gentle Nigelling helps too.

Bless you, @Bimblesalong it must be difficult how you're back at work but still having the ongoing meds side effects. That pool looks gorgeous mind. As does your lovely office!

Just had to take my car to the village garage as the undertray had come loose and was scraping along the ground. It's handy when you went to school with the manager. I was hoping to get maybe booked in early next week, but it was "Get that Merc off the ramps lads, and get Rainbow's car up there and fixed" Half an hour later I was on my way.

NVN, but if anyone sees Elle magazine for sale, it's worth grabbing one as there's a Charlotte Tilbury light wand in their months issue worth £40. Good for a Christmas stocking gift! I've just grabbed one for myself and one for my best pal.

Love the potted histories @PrizedPickledPopcorn I think I Tey and remember posters in a similar way.

I adore Welsh cakes, but I'm of Welsh decent and use my Granny's recipe which was handed down to me via my Aunt who passed away a couple of years ago. Warm straight off the Aga preferably. Delicious!

I almost feel we need a spreadsheet at times, @PrizedPickledPopcorn but we soon get to know each other through the chat. I'm just over the border from Wales but it was a Welsh choir member of our Alto squad who made the yummy Welshcakes for me.

Thanks for the heads up on that Melograno, @RainbowZebraWarrior I'll have to check out one of our TK Maxxs to see if I can get some. I have a tablet of actual Santa Maria Novella soap to put in the new kitchen - it is currently scenting my bedroom table beautifully!

Thanks also for the tip re Elle. I had stopped buying magazines as I can read them all for free on the Libby app - but a freebie like that appeals.

@Comtesse I am very lucky to have this so close. I got an insanely good deal on membership and it's only a few quid a month more than the local municipal pool. It's been a real godsend as I continue my cancer recovery and treatment.

Thank you for the Bill Nighy recommendation - looking forward to listening.

Lit the Perfumer H Ash candle last night- masculine and VN. Quite like it but probably not enough to rebuy. Also bought a Nest 'Holiday' candle - Ok (and NVN - too giftshoppy). I will enjoy these but am still seeking my holy grail candle.

It's a dank day here in York. Heading up to London for lunch tomorrow so will do some more candle hunting there. Has anyone tried Earl of East candles?

Thank you so good to hear from someone who has been through the same. I am fortunate that financially I’ve been ok and I can Iive with a lower salary. I’ve been off for just over 3 months so it’s going to be a shock when my alarm goes off on Monday 😬

Magnificent pool @Bimblesalong and magnificent glove drawer @RainbowZebraWarrior which seems to be in your image with all those colours. I was won over to Santa Maria Novella soaps after splashing out a couple of years ago. They don’t go as soggy as other soap bars so you can use them down to the last sliver and they perfume the bathroom when not in use. I think on a cost per wash basis they are actually not bad value compared to other brands I’ve tried and the gorgeousness of the melagrano fragrance is oft remarked on and remains pronounced to the end of the bar. I need to stock up as I’m down to my last bar, but the concession in le Bon Marché where I usually pick them up seems to have disappeared.

@frozendaisy your home made pizza Friday sounds delicious and just the ticket for a day like today. I have a Waitrose No 1 meal deal lined up which I've shared with my Mum. Needed an easy option tonight. Hope your swim to the butchers wasn't too ardous.

The icy rain has started here and the wind us awful. We aren't in a weather warning today, but it's still awful. I've just got home and will be lighting the stove soon (Mr D is already giving me The Look) I'm listening to Radio 2 and Sara Cox has just finished her Children in need challenge. By god she's had a tough week and the weather has not been kind to her.

@AlicePottery Hope you're doing OK as you sounded a bit down this morning.

I had a gorgeous surprise yesterday when I received a parcel of beautiful things from a Mumnsnetter on a different thread. No particular reason other than she knew it would be things I'd enjoy. So lovely.

Happy weekend, all!

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior let's just say I'm glad my working day is over 😅 Actually it did end nicely with a group of my SEGPA kids (children who have learning differences and do much more hands on stuff) came to put up an extra shelf they'd made for my room. They took it in turns to do all the different steps and I chatted a bit with the others as they waited their turn. I mentioned that I'd quite like to do a mural on one wall and they came up with all kinds of great ideas and asked if they could turn it into a project for when they got back from their work placements in a fortnight.

(The top shelf was put up by the official school handyman years ago and it's not remotely straight)

Hello everyone, I need to catch up with the thread, I have been away for work this week. Goodness it was cold and wet, my hotel was cold too. So cold that when I had an aurora alert pop up at 1am a couple of nights ago I didn't bother to get out of bed! I did listen to CC in the car but want to read as well so a few pages to look forward to when I go to bed later.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I have also been following/celebrating Sara Cox's massive achievement, both today and yesterday in parts of the country I know very well. Amazing woman.

I took one of my DC to our favourite pub for lunch today. A VN sort of place. It is only small, stone walls, roaring log fire, candles, comfy high backed sofas at dining tables. The owner is a massive foodie and the food is divine, always seasonal. I ate lambs liver and bacon with mashed potatoes, green broad beans and a red wine jus and excelled myself (rarely eat puddings) with stewed victoria plums with spices and star anise, clotted cream and homemade shortbread. I won't be eating tonight.

Haven't read today's entry yet. Just finished work and now off to a local arts centre to hear someone talk about the shipping forecast. Rain has been terrible today and we have to drive close to the Trent and the Dove so hoping they aren't flooded as the detour is about 45 miles!

Realised yesterday that I had been given a lovely electric wax melt burner for my birthday a few months ago so I have dug that out and am experimenting. Never used one before! The melt wax feels VN but the electric part feels NVN. Am conflicted!

Dh is having a gathering of friends on Sunday to mark his birthday so I have a huge cheese delivery coming tomorrow.

Lord what weather! We had to send the co farmers home early as the lanes had started to fold and it taken me 3 hours and a bit to get home. I’ve been soaked through since 9.30 am this morning.
Listened and blubbed to Sara finishing her challenge on the way home. I love her-I know lots of people don’t-but I always have. She did so well.
will have a proper catch up with the thread once I’ve sorted dinner and lit the candles for maximum hibernation mode!

Both our teens battled a drenching coming home, one walked just over a mile it was “ok coming out then it was a downpour” the other, walk train, walk was effectively wetter than a drowned rat!

I had warmed their loungewear and dry rubbed their hair with a hand towel (because I loved getting my hair dried when I was younger) - they let me fuss for about 12 minutes! That’s my window (I think they secretly like it more than they make out)

Not your sweeping leaves, crisp morning days in a skeleton garden.

Hot showers, hot tea, waterproofs, shoes, damp school books scattered over the radiators (no indoor flames here we only have a fire pit in the garden), pizzas prepped, tumble still on, washer on it’s third load today, just shirts left and a load to start at dawn (sodden hoodies basicaly).

All football cancelled so a warm lie in, it might be a morning for homemade cinnamon bun tray bake, that’s definitely Nigel. I might dehydrate some orange slices to tie to Christmas wreath, with cinnamon sticks and cloves stuck everywhere.

We had amazing cocktails in summer with dried apple slices decoration (can’t hurt to try can it)

We get a Saturday newspaper delivered, so sitting around together with the paper, buns, coffee, tea, fruit and toast could really Slater kick start the weekend.

And I need to make a Christmas present/December birthday list. I have random presents should probably do an inventory.

I did buy a red pyramid advent candle today (but that’s for me) and saw some beautiful small berries fairy lights in four colours, pink, turquoise, green and purple I think. Pastels, pretty, I don’t have them. They are the sort of fairy lights once up will never come down, just need to work out where they could go first.

Hot shower
fluffy loungewear

Ooooh, can I make a suggestion for a good winter hot drink if you are not keen on hot chocolate... Apple cordial, boiling water, stick of cinammon and a star anise, it is Christmas in a cup, warming after a session in the garden and it has the promise of Advent in its perfume.