Year round Nigel Slater discussion thread - Part 3

[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 chair to the fireplace, grab a drink and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

I'm just imagining Nigel reading about Ginger's cleavage and our pets' deposits on the carpet 😂

The sun actually came out a bit here - I popped out to Asda as we'd run out of cat food, and then had a two hour nap.

I'm onto the St Clementine's hot cross buns today and they are indeed very nice.

Ha at the cleavagey ladies . Was slightly apprehensive about Wuthering Heights but enjoyed it on balance despite some odd aspects here and there. Grapefruit negroni for dd afterwards and a cherry liqueur thing for me. Off to compete in friend's charity quiz night at very short notice later. Only time for a v quick mushroom risotto in between.

I always force myself to wait for hot cross buns, not sure why. I might break the habit now they're one of the few nice things I can actually have.

Pleased you enjoyed Wuthering Heights @leporello I must admit, I was wondering as to the shock value given it's the same director as Saltburn. I'm not sure I can erase some of the scenes from my mind from that! A Grapefruit Negroni sounds delicious.

Hope your Mum has a lovely birthday @Bimblesalong and best of luck to DS1 in his new job.

Thanks for that link @DameProfessorIDareSay DD loves to hear success stories about fellow anxiety sufferers.

Really clear night here, so it's a shame that the Stargazing event was cancelled. Stupid weather forecast!

Thanks for the reminder about the White Chocolate and lemon hot cross buns @martha79 I've added them and the St Clements ones ro my Waitrose order for tomorrow. I remember having them last year and thoroughly enjoying them, despite not liking white chocolate. They are definitely more lemonny.

We have opened one of our Pokemon trainer boxes and got four rare cards. Happy with that!

Called by my favourite bakery today, but the lovely fella who ran it has sold up. He now has to run the family farm. He was previously staying up for 48 hours straight in order to bake his goods and fulfill orders each weekend. That was never going to be sustainable in the long term. It's kicked my butt into gear getting back to regular bread making myself.

Haven't had a chance to look through my seaglass yet. Looking forward to longer days with more time and more daylight. Getting there. So many birds in the garden before sunset tonight including a Cetti's Warbler, which I initially mistook for a wren.

Very much enjoyed the cleavage lady description. Also good to hear a positive review of WH, glad you liked it.

We have had a VN evening (actually a modernised version of an Austen book), in that mum and DH were playing a word game, DS whipped up some hummus and fed it to me on tortillas whilst I played the piano for background music. I think we were firmly in some sort of French and Saunders skit but it was very lovely.

Bugger on the bakery closure, @RainbowZebraWarrior . I must also get back onto the regular bread baking. I was derailed by trying to make sourdough but realise I should just stick to yeast in a packet for my loaves and buy the sourdough from one of the amazing artisan bakeries. I picked up some hot cross buns from Waitrose earlier and realise I have some st Clement’s. Looking forward to those at breakfast (I usually have overnight oats but haven’t brought all the gubbins with me).

That seaglass after the storm sounds amazing @RainbowZebraWarrior . As does the Pokémon - I’m not into the cards but recently hit level 75 on PoGo and am now more than halfway through the tasks to 76. Never bored!

Bay Area forecasting is weirdly complicated because there's such a difference between areas. The general forecast is split into Coast/Bay/Inland - we are Bay - but within San Francisco itself there are tons of different microclimates, so it might be chilly and foggy in the west of the city and sunny and warm in the Mission. It keeps life interesting!

Thank you all for such a merry and funny and fascinating thread - am torn between laughing at Ginger's bosom and gazing happily at Chris Hemsworth. What a lovely corner of the internet this is.

For.some reason, I now have these lyrics going round in ny head:

"And now the chilly California wind
Is blowing down our bodies again
And we're sinking
Deeper and deeper in the chilly California sand"

I'm happy with that earworm as it's an incredible song. Gosh, Jim Steinman was a talented composer / writer. I now need to listen to the whole Bat out of Hell album, I think. My parents played it all the time in the car when I was a child and we never, ever got sick of it. As a 7 or 8 year old though, I remember hearing those lyrics and thinking "I thought California was warm"

Yes, this is definitely a fab corner of mumsnet. Where else would you get Nature, Meat Loaf, Chris Hemsworth and bosom anecdotes all on the same page? 😁

Loving your French and Saunders skit description @Bimblesalong but it does sound very lovely. Our bakery that just closed was called the artisan bakery and the owner brought his sourdough starter over from Auvergne about 15 years ago. Apparently it was already 40 years old when he aquired it. I called into Sainsbury's on the way home to stock up on yeast as I'm sticking to regular bread too, although I experiment with different flours, and adore a loaf made from spelt flour with a couple of teaspoons of honey added.

DH has set up ‘album club’ with some of his friends and neighbours - like a book group but they pick an album to all listen to and swot up on then spend an evening together listening to it and discussing it and they have a little quiz so they can all show off their esoteric knowledge of the music business - last week’s pick was Bat Out of Hell so it has been back on my life recently after a long break, too @RainbowZebraWarrior. It doesn’t take me back to childhood but to my first year of uni as I had a boyfriend who was a fan

@RainbowZebraWarrior at one point I was playing Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu, which is somewhat devilish, ds2 was posting a handmade hummous and chickpea tortilla into my mouth whilst telling me “this is one of my favourite pieces” ! I’m not sure I could tell any other group of friends 😂

I now have Bailéro from Songs of the Auvergne in my head and very nice it is too. What a lovely starter provenance. We’ll be heading to the South of France in the summer although into Italy but I hanker for Provence too.

Loving the sound of the album club @SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense what a good idea. I’ve just spotted that Chester has an arts club and the talks / trips look great. I intend to give it a try next season as the current talks I’m interested in coincide with travel.

Had a couple of hours down the beach just after sunrise. It was so beautiful. It may not be the Caribbean, but at 9 degrees with No Wind for a flipping change, I felt like I was on holiday. It really is my happy place. I used to work on the beach when I was a chef, and I've just realised how much I've missed it on a daily basis. I love being in tune with the tides and how different each day can be.

Another kilo of beautiful seaglass collected and some lovely doggies met. It's always so lovely when folk give you pieces of glass to add to your bag, too.

I love the idea of an album club. How marvellous!

Pics: the lovely, calm sea this morning, and possibly the saddest thing I've seen washed up on the beach!

@BimblesalongI’ve been meaning to join for months - my neighbour goes and they have some really good talks and trips

I love the sound of your evening @Bimblesalong!

Sorry to hear about your bakery @RainbowZebraWarrior - it's so nice when you have a good local one. I've made bread on and off over the years, and I did enjoy the sourdough phase until my starter went weird - dark and alcoholic and lumpy.

I had a rehearsal of the music group I run this morning - warned them in advance that I wasn't on top form, so I was mainly handing out music, counting them in and making the tea. It was nice though, we played a lot of Mozart, with a bit of sun shining in, and French Fancies at the tea break.

On the sofa for the rest of the day. Considering takeaway for this evening - well, actually considering it mid-afternoon as I've had nothing but toast and cake so far today!

Went to the local farmers market this morning. We saw less than a week old lambs which were so cute. And had coffee and a mooch. Was willing to buy some actual produce and I do want to buy local. However, it is hard to justify when it’s triple the cost of the local supermarket.

came back for round two of pancakes has do p didn’t get any earlier in the week. And made special dog friendly ones for the dog which she likes

My biggest problem at the food markets is the street food prices. I see folk clutching crepes every week that they have paid £7 for. We regularly see our school receptionist at the Sunday market and she was saying that if she buys one each for her and her three kids, then that's the best part of £25!

There was a bloke and his two kids wandering around with an open pizza box. We visit the Pokemon stalls and they clearly have signs saying 'no food or drink' yet there they were, fingering the cards with greasy cheese all over their paws.

There's a stall that sells sausages at a fairly reasonable price. I think it's 3 packs for £12, but I still can't get around to spending that. Largely due to the fact that I don't like sausages all that much, and DD is veggie, however, my biggest issue is that these sausages are just displayed on tables - no refrigerator - even in the height of summer!

@RainbowZebraWarrior I know exactly what you mean. However apart from Christmas the local farmers markets here are mostly jewellery / crafts and local produce. The one today is at a farm in the barn. The farms sells its meat and veg. There’s a couple of bakery’s and a cupcake place. And a coffee place. The meat for two standard sirloin steaks was £16 each. so of course went to the supermarket where a steak is £7 each.

The coffees were £3. each and a pastry was £3.50 each. So for the two of us that over £13. Which for an hours entertainment is quite a lot. Also brought a woolly headband thing. £6 which I’ve been looking for a new one as my others are losing elasticity.

a friend dropped like £50 on some veg, flowers and a couple of snacks at a similar event recently.

just don’t see how it’s that financially stable

I've just caught up whilst drying my hair. LOL'd at ginger's bosoms! Also appreciated the lovely Mr Hemsworth. We're just working through Poldark and I have to say Aidan Turner is hitting the spot for me ☺️.

NVN day yesterday I feel - I did my first boot camp! I've been on a weight loss journey since summer 2024 and am 7.5 stone and 5 dress sizes down. I joined a gym last year and got quite into circuit training so have now signed up for a month of boot camps. Then came home to watch all the rugby.

It's actually sunny in the midlands! I managed to take a snap of some of the 100,000 bulbs our estate management company have planted (new build estate, not aristocracy!). They cheered me up so much!

Morning all. What a beautiful day it looks ro be. I can hear all manner of birds in the garden and the skylarks are back on the farmland. Having said that, it's the starlings that are still most vocal and most greedy. I need to but some lard today to refill the coconut feeders as its cheaper than replacing them. Inalready have lots of seed. Feels like the type of thing you do with toddlers. Can't see DD being interested in helping now she's 14. Wouldn't blame her. Anyone remember the artisan Scotch egg thread from years ago?

Anyway, we are off to pick up Belle from my parents and she is coming with us to Tynemouth this morning to meet our friendly stall holders. I am also picking uo my jewellery. Hope to get back out in the afternoon and maybe down to the beach again. Need to time this carefully with roast potatoes prep and bread proving!

I remembered about a little old bakery when we were out and about yesterday afternoon. Both of their shops are now closed, but the actual bakery premises is still open. DD was agog at the fact they didn't have a proper till and the lady added up our purchases by totting them up with a pencil on a paper bag! It was like stepping back to the 70s.

Happy Sunday to all.

That's a lovely display of daffs @petitpasta

Exciting that you get to pick up your jewellery today @RainbowZebraWarrior

It's gloriously sunny here - I'm currently back in bed after breakfast, listening to the birdsong and admiring the blue skies. Planning to sit in the garden once it warms up a bit more.

Morning, sunny in Mum’s part of the midlands too, @petitpasta , so I’m out for a stroll to flower spot. We had an “interesting” day yesterday as her cat was suddenly very ill, involving emergency vet hospital, £1k bill and much worry. It looks like heart issues. We’ve just collected her from a night in vet hospital (cat, not mum) and she is going back tomorrow to see the heart specialist. I’m back up north today altho ds2, who lives with mum at present, will be supportive.

Around cat trauma yesterday we made it to the local 2nd hand bookshop where I bought kitchen diaries 4 and Tender vol 1, both of which look almost new at £2.50 each.

Oh no, sorry to hear about the ailing cat @Bimblesalong , at least they know about the heart issues. One of ours died without anyone ever realising she had them.

More rain here, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain... Can you tell I've had enough of it? Cheering myself up by cooking nice fish from the nice fishmonger - smoked haddock rarebit yesterday, and today I'm making a coley and prawn pie with saffron potato topping.

Oh no, poor cat @Bimblesalong

Sending you some sunshine @leporello Your fish dishes sound excellent.

I'm in the garden with Nigel!

Great company @martha79!

Sorry to hear about the cat @Bimblesalong fingers crossed for a good long term outcome. Which one is kitchen diaries 4? Is it the one with the 'food splodges' on the cover? I get confused as there's 1, 2, 3 and a fourth one that isn't numbered that was made 2 years before KD3 I think. I also picked up Tender yesterday. I've found a couple of charity shops that do 3 for a pound on all books. I've had some absolute crackers in the past couple of weeks. Must limit visits going forward as I'll need a bigger house, never mind bigger bookcases!

How lovely that you've been able to sit in the garden with Nigel @Martha79 hope you enjoyed it. Our forecast was 'cloudy with sunny intervals and a moderate breeze.' AKA blowing a hoolie, flipping freezing and on and off rain. I'm not going back out today. Ache all over from doing way too much this half term, but have enjoyed every bit of it.

Got my rings and absolutely love them. I couldn't stop telling the lady how amazing she is. We were both a bit emotional as she said she had loved making them and was really pleased with how they had turned out. She's off for a couple of weeks now which gives me some time to think of another project for her!

A date for the diaries: Gardeners World 2026 starts proper on Friday 13th March (I don't watch the compilation episodes that are on at the minute) I have just started chitting my potatoes and I am rather excited! I also have some more seeds on the way, and have had notification that my creeping thyme is now in stock at Herbal Haven.

Gorgeous rings @RainbowZebraWarrior how special to have had them made for you.
Been quite a long and cold half term here, but finally got some sunshine today. This morning went to watch DH run in a 10k (rather him than me!) then home to make some belated pancakes for lunch. Every tear when I make pancakes I think, these are so delicious I'm going to do them every weekend, then next February rolls round and I haven't done it once! Popping outside to do a couple of jobs in the garden now, helped (or hindered) by DD4.
Enjoy the rest of your weekends everyone.