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 love your Easter decs @ExquisiteDresses . I often float the possibility of an Easter tree here but always get shouted down by the rest of the family, bunch of fun sponges .
Supposed to be going to a Murder Mystery evening tonight but still feeling rough and have tons of housework to do - the kitchen is especially horrifying at the moment - so not sure I'll make it.

Sending lots of love to those with poorly parents and those not feeling spectacular themselves. My mums very old friend died suddenly yesterday and she is so upset, but it’s also bought home to her how vulnerable she is living on her own and far away from us. We’ve been begging her to move nearer to us for years but she wouldn’t hear of it and now it’s probably too late unless she is forced in to it due to ill health at some point. It’s all so tricky in midlife juggling children, parents, work and trying to have a life of your own.

Bright , cold and windy today-weather my lovely Dad would have described as ‘chasey’ (I think because the clouds sort of chase each other across the sky-that’s what he decided and I quite like it).DH has gone to watch DSS’s football so the dogs and I have done some Easter trimming. I spent half an hour looking for some of my Easter things only to remember that we lost them in our house fire, so that was annoying twice over!
I hope your craft fair goes bette than you think it will RZW. I’ve nothing more planned for today than wandering into town for a look round the market later as still not feeling too clever, and I think we just need a quiet restful
day.
have a lovely Saturday all

bah to the fun sponges @leporelloif you want an Easter tree then you should jolly well have one. But don’t make the mistake of traditionally having bowls of mini eggs about the place for the season -it proves to be expensive and calorific. I said I wasn’t doing it this year the kids were not happy.

I’m very jealous of your potting shed @ExquisiteDressesit looks a lovely spot to sit on a stool with a brew, chatting to the plants, whilst the rain drums on the roof.

Lovely Easter decor @piscofrisco and pup looks pleased to be posing with it.

My dad's being kept in for the weekend as a precaution - to be honest he's had a lot going on lately and being forced to stay in bed (apart from a few treadmill tests, poor thing) may not be a bad thing!

Popped out to the post box - it's definitely a chasey day here too. Was going to do a bit of gardening but not sure I can battle the wind. Will put some washing out though.

Wishing speedy recoveries to everyone who needs it.

DP is off on Monday for a few months so feeling a bit bittersweet and like there’s a dark cloud looming. Always feel a bit wobbly when he goes. But as it’s over spring/ summer even more so as there’s so much more going on.

off to a nice restaurant tonight for a last date for a while.

you may remember last year I took part in a local tradition where I had to dress up rather fancy. I don’t know whether I’ll be accepted to take part this year yet. Brought a dress to cheer myself up for the occasion. also have a wedding in the summer so wearing it for that will justify the cost. Also planning the accessories will take my mind off things.

Yes, any day now I will start taking my morning cuppa up to the shed and tending seedlings etc before work, it is sunny then and usually a cat will follow me, I miss it when it gets too cold and all the seedlings have gone out.

My Easter tree is a permanent pot of hazel twigs which sits there all year and gets small baubles at Christmas and eggs at Easter. Yours looks lovely @piscofrisco and such a cute doggo.

So cold here today, it started all warm and sunny but there’s a biting wind and hail showers on and off, brrr.

Some lovely uplifting pictures here. So sorry to hear of parent worries @martha79 and @RainbowZebraWarrior We are the sandwich generation.

It is really really blowy out there. I’ve just been for a walk and nearly got swept off my feet. There is a willow down across the canal, although partially cleared. I’m snuggled in catching up on joining some crochet squares together. I’ve lit my Skye candle co candle and its awesome - the throw is great.

So sorry to hear you are still feeling rough. If you do make the Murder Mystery, then I hope you have fun. Sending gentle hugs x

Chasey is a great word to describe this weather. My old Nanna used to call windy weather 'chewy' because it made her feel all chewed up!

Loving your decor, and as always, your lovely sausage. What a cutie! I just bumped into an old school friend who had two Jack Russell's called Bonnie and Clyde the last time I saw him. He was minus one today. Lost him to cancer sadly, but now has a lovely rescue Shih-tzu who is absolutely adorable and loves everyone, including the older remaining Jack Russell.

Losing stuff to the fire must be the worst, as, as you say, you end up going through things twice and thrice over. I still have moments where I search for stuff and then remember I must have lost it in my flood 8 years ago!

Lovely squares @Bimblesalong

It was chasey-the-washing weather here - two of my sheets blew off the line!

I started working my way backwards on the thread, and am now confused as to where I am at with replying to everyone, however... (this might be long)

Much love to you @martha79 and hoping your Dad will be ok. It must be so frustrating and upsetting, especially with the distance. My Dad has also had a heart attack and also now has a lung condition, and goes through the treadmill tests now regularly. Thankfully, the NHS seem really on the ball with keeping an eye on this type of thing. Lovely daffs, BTW.

My local corvids have ransacked my garden @DameProfessorIDareSay and pulled out all of the bark chippings I mulched the borders with last week. The chippings are all over the path, and they have also managed to tip over some pots!

I remember your amazing pics from that event last year @CrushingOnRubies (has that really been a year?) Sorry to hear you will be without your lovely DH for so long though. That must be tough. Hope you enjoy your last date night in the lovely restaurant. Do report back what you had to eat!

Your crochet is gorgeous @Bimblesalong and you seem to have a natural knack of picking out really complementary colours. Sorry to hear about the tree. The wind has been crazy today, and is apparently ramping up again tomorrow. Fingers crossed for no more damage.

Sandwich generation indeed @Bimblesalong I always knew it would happen - being pragmatic as I am - and used to remind my best mate when we were in our 20's that we should enjoy life while we could as once we got to 40 / 50, we would be dealing with aged parents etc. The problem is that it seems to come around so quickly!

The craft fair was a disaster for all involved and I feel so sorry for those who actually relied on it for income. We only sold one jar of honey - we did, however also sell three of our new skull candles, so at least they were well received - but It just wasn't advertised at all. I have (gently) tried to advise our library folk as to what they may need to do going forward. Hopefully, without sounding condescending.

Anyway, I returned home and dashed round to Mum's to see to her. My younger cousin (she's in her 20's) had already done some jobs for her, and we worked out that Dad had taken the dishes to do at the allotment cos 'free water'

I am very grateful to earlier me who prepped my lovely curry last night and this morning. It smells lush and is almost ready.

I just asked Alexa what time sunset would be tomorrow, and was very pleased (and should not be surprised, but I am every year) that it is an hour later tomorrow.

Oooh I hadn’t thought about that re sunset, @RainbowZebraWarrior great post!

sorry to hear about the disastrous craft fair, not good when you’ve put in time and effort and people are relying on sales.
thanks for the kind comments about the crochet. I can’t take credit for the colours on this one - it’s a Janie Crow pattern and colouring. I love her designs.

Dinner is almost ready - a load of Mediterranean veg and borlotti beans with feta one top. Mmm I can smell it from the sofa!

Anna Jones aloo gobi for dinner here - I reckon she and Nigel are very much on the same page (https://www.thetaste.ie/baked-aloo-gobi-recipe-turmeric except I can’t be doing with a whole cauliflower so I cut it into florets, added some purple sprouting that was kicking about, and also always add a tin of butter beans because they are really delicious in the coconut milk).
So windy here too and we just had a flurry of hail, just to remind us it ain’t summer yet.
I went to water my seedlings this afternoon and dropped my cucumbers and snapped their little stems 😭😭 Fortunately there is still loads of time so I must try to remember to re-sow them tomorrow
Love the beautiful crochet @Bimblesalong and I envy your ability to switch crafts. I’m a life-long knitter and I just can’t get the tension right for crochet. Gorgeous grey background.

Having a fabulous evening with bramble and fruity margarita cocktails. Main meal was a chateaubriand steak which was excellent. Dark and stormy sticky toffee pudding & Baileys Creme brulee to finish.

the fabulous event is 6 weeks away yet but I like to be organised and plan ahead

Oh gosh that looks divine! Also love the sound of the cocktail. I have just discovered Paloma cocktails which are delicious. I have started to buy the belvoir mocktail version and DD is hooked.

Morning, all!

We sat and opened the pokemon cards yesterday (that I queued for in the rain on Friday) and once again, I hit lucky by pulling a rare card worth quite a lot. DD was squealing with delight as she truly believes I have some sort of lucky touch. I told my Mum and she said "get that lottery on girl" so I did and i have woken up this morning to an £80 prize!

I am seeing my lovely silversmith lady today at the market and she has some new designs. I really want her to make me a one off pendant, though, so I am taking a piece of my seaglass for her appraisal. I'll post a picture of the glass once it's light. Fingers crossed she can use it.

That meal is super special @CrushingOnRubies , I'm jealous! Can't wait to eat proper food once the pesky gallbladder is history.

I've popped a couple of paracetamol and I'm hoping to make it to church for the Palm Sunday family service - we have real live donkeys .

What a lovely-looking meal @CrushingOnRubies

Well done on your lucky streak @RainbowZebraWarrior!

Fairly quiet day here, got a friend coming for lunch on her way to an appointment, then I'm taking it easy for the rest of the day.

My dad's in reasonable spirits (despite having to join in with the ward watching football last night, he's not really fussed) but was breathless overnight so they're adjusting his meds and keeping him in to see the specialist on Monday.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I might try those Belvoir mocktails… want to crack down on my home drinking but still want something which is a bit grown up.

yes the food was amazing and super special.

Real life donkeys at church service sounds marvellous!

So flipping cold here. The wind is fierce. I ache, but am necking a quick hot chocolate then nipping back out to my mother's to make her something to eat and do dishes. I'll hopefully have enough energy left to make something hot and hearty for dinner later myself.

Next time I see this beauty, it will be encased in silver and ready to wear on a chain.

Wow, what interesting glass @RainbowZebraWarrior

Had a brief, very blustery walk to the farm (no donkeys, but some small goats doing great climbing), then lunch of bread, salami, cheese, olives etc followed by hot cross buns.

Goat on a beam. Love it!

Hope your Dad is comfortable, my lovely.

I like animals at church services. It just adds something.

beautiful sea glass @RainbowZebraWarriorthe colours and shape are perfect for jewellery

What an excellent goat! Didn't make it to the donkeys, this lurgy seems to like tricking me into feeling a bit better then laughing in my face... Dd2 is on her way home for Easter hols though, no flu is going to get in the way of that!