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!

I used to be able to buy proper whirly Cumberland soss in Waitrose but I haven't seen any for ages. I forget to buy them linked, so if they're severed, I mate them into one big one by undoing the casings at each end and smooshing them together! Nigel's recipe towards the end of the book (Boxing Day?) with juniper berries and sticky things is lovely, I make it a lot.

Folk gig was great - Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden!

This is so odd-I’ve just come back from town with sausage meat for sausage rolls! I wonder why we are all feeling sausage rollie at the same time!
I also got some very spendy Bread and cheese and I’m about to pickle sone pears to have with it for lunch.
Im ok Thankyou @Bimblesalong it’s nice to see you :). Your tray bake sounds nice!

@GlomOfNitglad you stayed leak free-I’m waiting for the phone to ring and it be the tenants in our house complaining of water through the ceiling-it’s done it randomly before in heavy weather and we have tried to find where it’s coming from but no one we’ve had in has managed it.
Nigellas ham in coke is the best ham. Bangs gavel. Sorry Nigel!

@LatteLadyyou’ve been busy! How much does as a school safeguarding lead get paid just out of interest. I wonder if it’s more than an adult services one?

This ruddy thread :) now I fancy some rainbow carrots too!

rest up @AlicePotterylong Covid is bloody awful :(

Thank you @piscofrisco, it is indeed horrible, I'm one of the luckier ones (never had any trouble with my lungs, and have managed to carry one working albeit with adjustments, I also have an amazing DH), and I'm still optimistic about a cure or efficient treatment being found one day. I'm at 4.5 years now.
This morning I've been collecting pretty leaves to make a wreath that I saw someone make on Instagram (I put the link on the Poncetastic thread for a different wreath, but the same account). It's great so far, I'll share a photo when it's finished.

Diving in with a quick candle klaxon. Just picked up this 5 wick winter candle (same supplier as Aldi?) from Argos. Should have been £25 but I got 25% off. I ordered and did a click and collect.

Well here's the wreath, it was quick and looks good, I did it with fresh leaves so it won't last long but that's ok as it was just a test. Tying the knots with the stems takes a bit of practice but once you get the knack it doesn't take long.

That looks fab. Was it you who made the Bay leaf wreath on the poncetastic thread a year or two ago? If not you then it was probably Trumpton as you guys both make such a lot of beautiful things.

Thanks for the klaxon @Bimblesalong I went down a bit of a rabbit hole looking at the 25% off deal on Argos, but I'm going to take stock as I've bought 3 candles already this week. I've had to enlist the help of yet another shelf!

@GlomOfNit oh I love Eliza Carthy!

I'm pretty sure it was Trumpton, it's the first time I've tried making one with leaves (I do a Christmas one with Christmase tree offcuts but I don't think I've ever posted a photo, although I could be wrong as I do tend to overshare my crafting offerings 😂)

@GlomOfNit Sounds like a great gig - both wonderful musicians!

@AlicePottery Your wreath is gorgeous. I'm sorry to hear about your long COVID, I hope they figure out something to improve things.

I'm feeling very grateful for a quiet afternoon, having wrangled a collection of musicians into practising carols this morning. I'm just six weeks out from catching COVID (for the first time, somehow) and my energy levels are still nowhere near back to normal, so the concentration/ crowd control/ sound levels felt like quite hard work.

Have been VNVN and popped into McDonald's on the way home so that's lunch then I'm snuggling up with at least one cat for a nap.

@Bimblesalong Gorgeous photos.

Ah the silence of snow. I always thought when it snowed I just seemed to know before getting out of bed because of how silent everything was. I didn't think I made it up!
I would love my kids to see proper snow. I don't think we have had any since 2007? I was 18 and sleighed down the hill for the first time ever (and with my much older brother's!). A great memory.

I don't think my children have seen a white Christmas either. I'm not entirely sure I have myself.

It's got me in the mood to watch some Victorian Christmas film, reading about the frozen thames and the fairs. I don't know of any though other then A Christmas carol and I like saving that for Xmas eve.

This morning I made the kids French toast as a little treat which went down well.

Ahh @Bimblesalong I just spotted the photo of your lovely boy in the pic with the candle ❤️

Smashing wreath @AlicePottery. Have you tried preserving the leaves in glycerine solution?. It’s dead easy, takes about two weeks then they come out a sort of weird almost rubbery texture-but they keep shape, colour and detail perfectly and last forever. I’ve got some gypsophila in at the minute ready for poncing my door arch.

GlomofNit; I've done this one a few times, and it's been very well received. I just did it in the oven, as I don't have a slow cooker. boredoflunch.com/recipes/slow-cooker-winter-sausage-meatballs-cream/

@piscofriscoI have indeed put my leaves in a 1:1 glycerine/water mix, I thought a couple of days would be enough so I'd better find a better place to put them as they can't stay on the dining table for 2 weeks 😅

I have set up Thread 2, which can be found here. We can try and use this one up before shifting over, but I thought I'd get it prepared.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5444762-the-nigel-slater-christmas-chronicles-readalong-2025-part-2?reply=148554957

We also ended up in McDonald's for lunch- in my defense I did try Marks and Spencer's cafe but it was heaving. I have rectified things with cream of marrow soup tonight.

@Strawberryfield12 What’s Riga like, weather wise at this time of year? And was the market affordable? I went in September about 7 years ago and loved everything but didn’t feel able to buy too much. Beautiful felt slippers I still love, though I’ve worn them through! And an amber ring. I wanted a pottery mug as well.

I made gallons of soup yesterday to take to IL’s today. I may have put the pepper in twice, as they really packed a punch. Still, that’s a variety of lunches for the week.

I saw beautiful areas of the Peak District today, with an odd light that brought out the both reds and all the greens. Mossy walls, red leaves and acid green ferns against peaty streams and dark rocky hillsides. Unfortunately I couldn’t get any photos due to driving, pah. I was extra observant because the flooding meant we went on byways and highways that were a bit obscure. I’m actually quite pleased to get home as it was hairy and the route was amended continuously as roads were closed while we were driving.

I’ve boosted the heating, and am looking forward to a plate of pickles with bacon and egg pie, a glass of wine, and Strictly.

Awesome wreath, @AlicePottery ! Is there a frame under it? They look like Virginia creeper leaves.

It's just lying on the floor in the photo @PrizedPickledPopcornit will need a circle of cardboard or something to hold it in place when I put it up, but for now I haven't got anywhere to hang it 😅. They are indeed leaves from the creeper on the front of the house.

So it’s just leaves? No wire or anything? It’s gorgeous. I made a very informal haphazard one last year and want to do a better effort this year. I must get some glycerine! Apart from anything else, I’ll be able to pick in better weather. Last time I picked in appalling weather having left it to the last minute for freshness!

Yup, just leaves, hang on I'll find the insta post.

leaf garland

@AlicePottery that wreath is gorgeous. I’m really sorry to hear about the long covid.