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!

Sad I'm a bit too far away to come to one of your honeybee seminars @RainbowZebraWarrior

It's not feeling like spring here today, very cold and misty! Snowdrops are out though, and a couple of the daffs in my front garden look almost there. I'm glad that past me had roasted various veg and some chicken thighs in the last few days as I was exhausted after work but had a thrown together salad (leaves, sweetcorn, pepper, squash, chicken, minty dressing).

Oh - breakfast, lunch and tea here (Scottish living in Yorkshire) although I often ask the cats if they want their dinner (in the evening) for some reason.

Ah here you all are… just checking in for the year round thread :)

I’ve binged Bridgerton today. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would though it will never reach the heady heights of season 1.

I’m trying not to binge Bridgerton more eeeking it out. Been waiting so long for it I want to make the most of it. Loving it so far. And it’s pretty true to the book.

Morning all.

There won't be any daffs here till March I'd say, but these opened up through the night and were a welcome sight when I went to make a cuppa earlier. Picked them up at Tesco last night as they were reduced to 35p.

I might start Bridgerton today if I get a free hour.

The wind is absolutely howling down the chimney. It's another evil easterly. The weather forecast likes to pretend it's a 'fresh breeze'

We're breakfast and dinner here.

Christmas celebrations only came to a close for us an midnight on Monday, but circumstances mean the sort out of decorations (not a simple task) etc must wait.

For those interested in traditions some Candlemas ones in pictures:

We pushed the boat out a bit because we know we're in for a tough time, and I've been so ill, there's been a sense of not as good a time to look back on, that needed addressing.
Day started with semolina custard filled pancakes with some put out on the thresholds.
(Currently still indoor) chucks followed a time-honoured tradition of supporting Candlemas by restarting laying over the weekend.
Our Candlemas is lit only by candles, and there's a Candlemas flame that for the next month must be kept alive. A flame lit from the original one, is passed from candle to candle. The original flame comes from large candle lanterns that have been 'blessed' and then travel to light others candles.
Anyone can go to a home with an original flame with an expectation to light their candles from it, others can in turn then light from theirs.

So last week included finding what was left and remaking from stumps to ensure enough, as well as as a fresh batch made to keep a continuous flame for the month. (Our candle cupboard's not really big enough, may well be a project for this year)

All pancakes or crepes that are tossed, (some are made on a flat iron) are done with a gold coin in the other hand to bring luck and wishes made while they're in the air.

For the hollow legged we also had saffron rolls, braised honesty, lemon, pistachio,
saffron, and honesty nougat, and saffron strudel with fresh mango and marzipan stolen, as well as Nigels boozy apricots, (fortified with mango) and the fragola strawberries topped with lemon whipped cream as a pancake filling.

A last blast of feasting like kings in the face of oncoming difficulties.
All full moons must be first looked upon not through glass.

A grey day followed by Candlemas full moon and part frozen pond still says winter wont return but will be slow leaving.
We say better to see a wolf than the sun on Candlemas. No wolves, but the foxes where out in force and looking healthy and fine.

We also have traditions regarding employment contracts, It's one of the times they're ended, or new ones signed. I got approached at the celebrations about joining a much needed possible new opportunity, and have fingers very crossed, as the contract I was on no longer has funding,

This is truly fabulous @EphemeraleEudemonia I've said it before, but I adore reading about your traditions. Best of luck with the new opportunity, and for better health for you too in the coming year.

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior Wishing good health for all of us.

Yesterday started foggy and the grey dirge that has been the norm broke and we got blue skies and sun instead, which heralded the sudden appearance of bees.

Today we're back to grey and wet.

What wonderful photos and descriptions @EphemeraleEudemonia - thank you! And good luck with the new opportunity.

I've never watched Bridgerton, perhaps I should give it a go. I started Downton Abbey a while ago but then when I was ill there was too much drama for me!

It's another horrible misty murky day here, but I have just been cheered up by the delivery of some rings I bought from Vinted - from a jewellery maker who makes some of their creations from old cutlery - I got a few made from old Sheffield EPNS spoons, my favourite of which is pictured. It's Quite Nigel wearing cooking utensils, surely?!

Love your traditions @EphemeraleEudemoniaand I hope your new opportunity brings you great things .
love Downton @martha79. Dd and I rewatch it all the time. Bridgerton is much racier though!
lovey Daffs. We have them form the minute I find them in the shops to the end of their availability-my favourite flower bar none.
wet wet mud mud. Been at work an hour and I am soaked through wet weather gear already. Have got the beginnings of a cold (or course not had one for ooh, 4 weeks or something so I was due one by my standards), and feel energyless. I’ve got my most energetic co farmer today so we will do a very fast at least 5 mile wade through mud this afternoon. Wish me luck!
I’ve started making my own protein mousses as the shop ones are so full of sugar. All very well but it turns out the sugar was what I liked about them. Cursing my sweet tooth as usual.

@EphemeraleEudemonia this all sounds wonderful. I'm sorry if I haven't been paying attention - I am rubbish at remembering usernames and who's who - but where are you / what culture is this?

That's fabulous, and I've actually looked at that sellers stuff before. We have a chap at our weekend market who has been there for years, and the whole family has had stuff made for them. I always get him to make stuff for me in a particular pattern, Kings, I think it's called. I've looked at his rings before but never taken the plunge. I have allsorts of other stuff, though. Keyrings, forks, spoons, etc. It's just a pain keeping EPNS polished.

Here's his insta in case anyone is interested, and this is some of my stuff.

https://www.instagram.com/benthespoonman/?hl=en

Those spoons are amazing - as is the ring.

@EphemeraleEudemonia thankyou for sharing such a lovely recount of your culture. My mind is whisked somewhere warm and real.

Loving Bridgerton. I’m spinning it out and have watched the first three.

sending sunshine to you all - stocking up ourselves, as it’ll be extra yuk when we get home - and from a quick glimpse at the inbox, extra busy!

Very nice Martha.
(If in service, wearing the tools of your trade on your hat /head covering, used to be a way of advertising yourself as available for hire.)

@SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense My base is mainly in London but follow work all over the place. Would rather not expand on our culture as this is t'internet, just that we've been coming and going from England for a few hundred years.

Hi all, and hope you're all surviving the awful weather.

I'm just preparing for honeybee seminars, so going through some old emails from my Dad (the Master Beekeeper) I think I have mentioned before that we have kept bees at various NT properties in Northumberland over the years. I happened upon an email from my Dad to NT property Delaval Hall from 11 years ago advising them to plant Salvia Horminum for bee activity. I then realised that I'd taken this photo last summer with the whole walled garden still absolutely full of that very plant over a decade later.

If you can get your hands on this plant, then do plant it. It's stunning.

How lovely re the salvia!
very jealous of your sun @bimblesalong.Ive been soaked through since 10am, came home and had to get in the bath (which I loathe) to warm up. Achey and tired and the forecast is a wall of rain until Sunday. Bah.
DH came back from Bordeaux laden with Macarons and chocolate petit cour biscuits which are my favourite so I’m getting into bed with them, a big mug of white hot chocolate and my book. It’s impossible to eat cleanly in this weather. (For me anyway, I’m sure other people with willpower can). on the upside I’ve got a cracking candle on the go-one the DD’s bought me back from Canada from
bath and body works. They cost about 4 dollars there instead of the £24 quid they knock them out for in Next here and a much bigger range. Well worth going if you are ever in the US, or Canada.

I hope nobody thinks I'm a chef for hire, or indeed a cutler - they'd be quite disappointed in my skills! I might tell people it's a symbol for having to keep an eye on my 'spoons' energy-wise.

That looks stunning @RainbowZebraWarrior and I like the spoons too.

I went for a walk after a rather frantic work day and it was, well, like getting a face full of slush.

Hello Nigelistas! I was wondering why the other thread had gone quiet and pleased to find you all over here.

Ver busy week here. Will be pleased to get to the weekend, plus tomorrow is THE BALL. So I can wear my princessy swishy dress.

I've been buying a few spring bits on Vinted. Lighter weight long sleeve dresses and some 3/4 sleeve blouses. I really wanted a cotton poplin maxi skirt with pockets but the Vinted pixies aren't working for me right now.

A definitely NVN evening with a Co op pizza deal and the rugby. Goodness, Ireland were outplayed!

You all seem very green fingered so can anyone tell me if I can grow lettuce / salad leaves in a pot on my patio? I really resent throwing away half used bags of salad and would like to try growing some. I don't have a vegetable patch and I am really not a gardener. If it is possible please can someone explain it like I am 5?🤣. Like literally tell me what to buy...and do!

@petitpasta Ooh, enjoy the ball!
I am looking for some quite specific fashion stuff too, but I am getting increasingly frustrated with everyone now being a 'vintage fashion seller' on ebay and vinted - and at my local market, and 2nd hand shops -Nope, I am not paying £30 for a 2nd hand, sorey, 'vintage' gingham seersucker long skirt. I shall hit the charity shops. I am also sick of things being described as Y2K likely from sellers in their 20s Stop making me feel old!! The year 2000 is not vintage! (I get that it possibly is, just about, ish) Oh, and everything is now also labelled 'cottagecore'

Wrt sowing and growing lettuce, it is very easy. You can start some off now ish indoors, but don't sow any seed outside until mid to late March. Honestly just pick up a packet of lettuce seeds next time you are in the garden centre or supermarket and follow the instructions. (You will also need to buy seed compost) I like lambs lettuce. It pokes through within days and you can just cut and come again as you please. We sow lettuce every two weeks from March until September. We use mostly troughs with gravel in the bottom (a 3 inch layer at the bottom, then compost on top) but I also sow indoors in the plastic tubs I've saved from raspberries etc.

So, buy seeds and seed compost.
Wait until March, and sow outside or find a sunny windowsill indoors
Sow according to packet instructions and keep watered (just moist, not swimming)
Wait not too long for lovely lettuces (lettuci?)

You can also use a glass or plastic cloche for over the top of your pots outside - just in case you have nibbly rabbits locally.

Yes enjoy the ball @petitpastai hope you feel very fabulous in your dress!
thank the old gods and the new that it’s Friday. It has felt like a very long week. No idea what I’m going to do with my group of co farmers today. We have expended all crafting resources in this bad weather and I have expended all ideas.
dd and I are going g to some sort of pop music dance class at the local chi chi gym tonight. Assuming I have the energy which I very well may not. Happy Friday all. Stay dry

@petitpastaHope you have a fabulous time at the ball!

I do outdoor salad every year - usually a tub of lettuce/ mixed leaves and one of rocket, but just depends what seeds I have/ see.

The only things I would add to what @RainbowZebraWarrior says is to make sure your containers have drainage holes (lesson learned from buying some cheap troughs in Home Bargains, I had to drill holes in the bottom). And that lettuce doesn't mind a bit of shade - I don't have much shelter in my garden where I can put containers and it tends to shoot up and flower when it gets hot. Here's a pic of mine from a couple of years ago - planted outdoors in early April and these were taken mid-May. No rabbits here but I do get slugs and snails - I've got copper tape round the containers and I've found they're less keen on red lettuce and stronger tasting things like rocket.

Hope you enjoy the dancing if you go @piscofrisco

It's my weekend but I have got a bit of freelance work (music teaching) this morning. Not quite sure what I'm doing with the rest of the day. Yet again it's rainy/ sleety and cold.

A weather forecaster said yesterday that some parts of the country have had rain everyday this year.

Oh, can I join? On the work commute, which could definitely do with added loveliness and don't want to miss all the news and updates from the 'Nigel family'. No rain on the walk to the station today, and a pretty sunrise, very welcome.
Last night I was at a concert of orchestral film music, a sell-out and the mood was so buoyant and cheerful, it was a proper tonic. We were seated in front of a school party and their VERY enthusiastic music teacher, Dd1 and I were highly entertained.
I need to hear alllll about @petitpasta's ball 💃.

Special thanks to @EphemeraleEudemonia, your gorgeous post about local traditions has made the commute fly by 🤩.