The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025 - Part 3

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello all, and welcome to Part 3. We Continue our CC journey.

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 began on 1st November.
We continue to read along and comment with the book which is set out in diary form. I will make a post each day (or let you know if there is no entry on a particular day)

For anyone new, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up the book as 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.

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!

@GlomOfNit sounds like you've had an awful time. Pleased to hear you're coming out the other side.

I'm lying here listening to planes going over. Seems like quite a bit of increased aircraft activity this morning so guessing its a busy day for folk going away for New Year.

Haven't seen what the weather is doing yet, but I noted some snowflakes have appeared on my forecast for next weekend.

Working out my plan for today while I wait for deliveries, so far includes making soup (a day late; any leftovers chucked today) polishing my silver cutlery and making something with air dried clay. Also rotating candles as I burned through a few in the past couple of days (DDs Dad's sarky comment when he arrived yesterday; "what's with all thr candles, are you having a seance?")

Sending best wishes for your son on the 30th @IlovetoKnitandRead .
Our thoughts are turning to getting moving and eating a bit more normally after three blissful days doing very little. Family gathering last night ended in some mild tension (we are conflict-avoidant folk but it was in the air) which was a shame, but I remind myself what other families go through and put up with in terms of behaviour of some relatives so it could be worse.
My adult children were really helpful and caring with me over Christmas so I feel very fortunate.
I want (and do not need) that bedding @martha79 😃

Best of luck for the surgery @IlovetoKnitandRead’s son. And a happy birthday to dd @lucysmam
glad you are feeling better @GlomOfNit
I also need new sheets-next sale you say @martha79?
we had a lovely curry last night with our friends and far too many drinks so I will be spending today quite hungover. I might take a few bits of the decorations down to save me doing it in one go when we get back from Paris for new years. Any recommendations on where to go gratefully received @LillianGish( we will have all kids with us aged 11-20 so it’s tricky to find things to please them all).
Other than that I plan to do very little bar a dog walk. I must now stop eating like Henry 8th on steroids as I’m feeling quite chubby-but I’ve enjoyed every meal and @Bimblesalongyour lovely cheese looks delicious-we still have loads left.

I was on a very strict budget when I was a single mum @thebabessavedme-i had a sacrosanct two week meal plan which was a thing of beauty and I used to get any fun money I had over (not much) physically out of the bank and spend only what I had in my hand. It worked surprisingly well. You can deffo do this! And good on both you and DH for adopting a new lifestyle with open mind. I think similar will come for DH as his business is increasingly digitised and he is a bit Jaded by it now anyway so we have started talking about what’s next for us too. Im eyeing up little
small holdings with a view to maybe starting my own little care farm. We need something with a bit of land and a small
house with some out buildings (and we need to sell our house to fund it which might be easier said than done). And DH would need to get used to living more simply and being covered in mud all
day (even more easier said than done!). Tentative plans but we both like the idea at this stage so that’s a start :)

Morning all! Child and I have been up all night as she's got this awful vomiting bug

Beat of luck to your son for his surgery @IlovetoKnitandRead

Sorry to hear of sickness @DarkEyedSailor I hope it passes soon and you both get some rest.

Jumped out of bed at 7.45 with the notion that I must go and explore the middle aisle at Aldi. Got weighed (hit my end of year target!) and proceeded to get dressed, determined to get to Aldi whilst it was quiet. It's Sunday isn't it? 10am opening? Best make a pot of tea instead.

It is Sunday. Tea up @RainbowZebraWarrior
! sorry @DarkEyedSailorbeing sick is the worst.DD1 has just messaged from her dads to say she has an ear infection (she gets them all the time) and feels rubbish. And so it goes on….i think we must had maybe two days where everyone in our household was well simultaneously since October!

@lucysmam the candle lamps are an utter revelation, having onky just heard about them this time last year. Candles last for absolutely ages (I'm talking weeks on end, and over a month in the case of the large one in the conservatory and its on around four hours a day) the scent throw seems more pronounced and of course they are safer. I'd certainly not put a lit candle on a windowsill next to curtains with a cat in the household!

Happy 16th birthday to your DD2 and hope she's OK.

That would make a great gift for DS2 and his GF. They are moving to a place they find a bit fusty, and the cat shows neither sense nor feeling when it comes to candles. He has singed his furry tummy on more than one occasion without appearing to notice. I have been looking for lanterns for a scented candle, but the warmer would be good!

Definitely Sunday. I’m having a no church Sunday- we don’t have many, and the vicar wanted us to cover this one for her, but we had a couple of plans so said no. As it happens those plans didn’t come through- the original one was retiring Mum to her own home, the other was helping DS move some bulky items to his new flat. Neither has made it to fruition!

I’m still in bed wondering how long I can keep it up! As soon as DM sees me she’ll A, start talking and B, start suggesting places to go and things to do. She doesn’t really get that the whole year we are busy, so in time off we want to chill and do very little. She’s determined to make us do compulsory fun!

Good morning, dear Nigelistas! Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday morning. We have my family visiting for next few days. They are still in their bedroom so there is that moment of quiet before the chaos. Last week over here has been lovely although busy. We went to Paris just before Christmas, we did it slow, the only touristy thing being Eiffel Tower to take DD there. DH and I both admitted that it felt like we hadn’t been to Paris before because of us actually taking time to enjoy it this time. And enjoy we did!

Last night we did “opening” (to quote DH) of the Christmas cake. I made Nigel’s recipe including marzipan and icing from Christmas Chronicles. I must admit the cake was lovely, not overly sugary like a lot of shop bought ones. I will add the picture of the cake for the entertainment. The reason why it looks like blushing… we had few sparkle sprays in the cupboard and I thought I would spray one to give a bit of shimmer. Instead it came out in such a force and somewhat red🤣

OMG that is stunning! I have cake envy now.

Oh bloody heck @PrizedPickledPopcorn that sounds like a nightmare. Does she not want to go home? Not sure I'd cope with that tbh.

The candle lamp warmers must be gaining in popularity as I've just checked and I paid £11 each for mine back in Oct. They are now £28.99. Worth it though, and they come with two bulbs.

Smashing cake!
when does your mum leave @PrizedPickledPopcorn? You are doing well to have anyone stay that long in my book. I would be retreating into petulant teen age type behaviour by this stage I think (I don’t think I’m built for long term hosting :) )

Morning all
slow here again it’s nearly time for coffee rest of house is silent so I remain the big bad wolf that gets everyone up

@IlovetoKnitandRead good to hear there is a plan going forward
@lucysmam - house full of germs we are just waiting our turn

I made x1 luxury bird roast curry and a velvet bean dal for me (brown rice and parathas) it was spice garlic and fibre (feel so much better)

the cheese is virtually untouched I might skip the cheeseboard next year - do a Nigel just get one decent universal cheese

our house seems to be the place for teenage hangouts - I keep thinking we will have a quiet day but here we are - additional teens everywhere
I then think I will miss them when they go to uni but they will be back over Christmas and then want to see everyone all at once (again Nigel doesn’t address this issue except having a cake at hand which is fine for fully functional adults but teen boys eat and eat and eat)

traditional trifle followed yesterday it’s trifle for breakfast day today (one of my favourite dats of the year)

@RainbowZebraWarrior thrown tweet clock out yet?

we also have books everywhere had the jaffrey curry bible out yesterday showing additional teen the queen of curries different dishes - the only thing is there are few pictures - I shouldn’t need but do prefer an image of dish cooked to professional glory but as our eldest points out curries taste amazing, they just don’t look the best

@LillianGish so much pink in a December garden

hope everyone has a restorative day we are posting things through letter boxes, nice nip in the air we need to leave building - not sure about dinner this evening - we have a stack of potatoes - obviously I am thinking curry - or salads? Not sure they will accept “left over salad”

All the best to your son for his surgery @IlovetoKnitandRead

Beautiful cake @Strawberryfield12

@lucysmam happy birthday to DD!

@PrizedPickledPopcorn I hope you manage to get some peace and quiet!

Bedding! https://www.next.co.uk/style/SU510218/AM3869 It's not Catherine Lansfield @RainbowZebraWarrior but similar style. Currently showing as out of stock, sorry all, but there are similar and it may well come back in. I paid £12.50 for the double set.

Today is for some gentle tidying - I've got visitors the next couple of days (one per day!). And actually venturing outside for the first time since Christmas Day.

What dates are you here @piscofrisco and where are you staying? My number one tip would be to make sure everyone wraps up warm - gloves, scarves, hats and warm comfy footwear - as one of the best things you can do in Paris is just to stroll around and soak up the atmosphere. The forecast is sunny and bright so the city will be looking it’s spectacular best by day with gorgeous inky blue skies at dusk as all the Christmas lights start to twinkle. Do check opening hours of anything you want to visit as lots of stuff closes on New Year’s Day and hours can vary over the holidays. A great, free gallery is le Petit Palais (sumptuous building, small collection with some big names - no need to book and you can see it all in an hour!) Time it so you come out as it’s going dark and you’ll see the Champs Élysée in all it’s Christmas glory, then head down Avenue Montaigne (Christmas lights spectacular) for a great view of the Eiffel Tower from the Pont d’Alma.

Hehe. Tweet clock is currently twittering away to itself behind a currently locked conservatory door. I might give it another day. Any more and it may start driving the neighbours crazy!

I deliberately didn't do a cheese board this year after realising it simply isn't worth it in a one adult household. He have, however, bought eight packs of this delicious red Leicester with black pepper as its bound to disappear from the shelves soon.

Ah Madhur Jaffrey. We love her and my Mum has all her books and we would all be glued to her cookery shows in the early 80's. I met her briefly years ago when she filmed the drama Firm Friends up here in the North East. Wonderful woman and amazing what she achieved. Also reminds me I keep meaning to read her memoir.

I have an image in my mind of @LillianGish on the Eurostar, with the scent of inspiritus and Christmas cake drifting behind the train à la Nigel. Great calls on the suggestions for Paris. We should investigate cheese next time …

There is definitely a prospect of more soup here. We are positively rotund after all the feasting - it’ll come off with normal eating and exercise.

Mum and ds2 leave today. Sniff. I got up and made a big batch of cherry scones for them to take home with them. DS2 starts his first job outside of having worked for himself next week. He’ll be working in hospitality. Albeit part time, it’s a big step for him and his wellbeing. AI has had a big impact on the industry he’s in and despite him having been super successful for a few years working independently, that’s tailing off and he’s finding he’s amongst hundreds applying for each industry job.

@GlomOfNit I hope you’re really on the mend. What a miserable way to spend Christmas. Get well soon too, @lucysmam and @DarkEyedSailor

@piscofrisco top way to spend a birthday, tbh. DS1’s birthday is 23/12 and it’s always a bit frantic.

@thebabessavedme you won’t look back, despite the level of challenge. We all have so much stuff and really don’t need any more. Plus with the likes of Vinted we can get any special face and body stuff for a bargain. When I was on a very limited income last year it was a really good “reset” and a focus on the important things; family and friends.

@IlovetoKnitandRead wishing your ds all the very best for the operation and here’s to clear margins. I’ll be sending positive thoughts your way throughout the season.

@piscofrisco the plans sound fab. Things come into focus at times of challenge.

Gosh @Strawberryfield12 that cake is a work of art. I hope the taste and texture are exactly as you would want.

Waving to everyone else.

@Bimblesalong Very good luck to your DS, I hope he enjoys his new job.

I honestly feel that we are walking into a human nightmare with the rise of AI, I'm really worried for the next few generations, it's not going to go away but as yet we are not clever enough to use it for the good it could do the planet.

Thank you everyone for the good wishes, I have been poor and rich and I know which I prefer😂However, I'm up for the challenge, I think one huge factor in managing a fixed income is knowing how to cook, thank god and my mother that I can😂

Have a lovely Sunday everyone x

Totally agree, it's terrifying. At the age of 13, DD was just starting to think about her GCSE Options (and still is) and weighing up the pros and cons of possible career paths (Engineer / Archeology / Possibly teaching?) then weighting those options against the odds of AI screwing that particular career path over. Having to think about future proofing your career when you are still at school is depressing. Having said that, I also applaud her, as it's sensible. 60 kids doing GCSE Photography and only her and 4 others so far doing French? (Not that languages are safe from AI!) It sort of tells a bit of a story. I think now, more than ever, we have to be realistic.

We have agreed that if it all goes to crap, we will open a veggie café!

Also agree that the ability to cook stands you in good stead for almost all eventualities. I am also rather grateful that my parents taught me the basic DIY skills. Something I've passed on to DD. In fact I bought her own set of tools this Christmas (screwdrivers etc) next year I might get her a drill.

@Strawberryfield12 that really is stunning, unintentional blush and all! Are those grapes? And what are the tiny flower and snow flake shapes?

@martha79 @RainbowZebraWarrior @piscofrisco we collected her on 20th, train is booked for 30th. 😅
It’s very like having a toddler. She knows it all, has been everywhere, isn’t fond of listening, needs to be entertained and distracted at all times. She is also a chaos vortex, and EVERYTHING MATTERS A GREAT DEAL. She’s not fond of ‘Oh well, never mind’.

This visit she arrived without her phone and coat, and we have done an insurance claim and managed difficult legal situation. As well as Christmas and a National Trust. And a lost pendant which we eventually found on the road by the church. We got a charger for her fit watch, changed its time, organised her money…. It’s unending! Luckily I’m not back at work until 5th so I can have a nice rest 🤣

But really, in comparison with what some people are managing, it’s not so bad. I’m just looking forward to going to the loo knowing no one will shout for me while I’m there! 😁

You really do deserve that 6 or 7 days of rest @PrizedPickledPopcorn Hope you have some nice things planned for yourself, or just have a few days of head space and peace.

My new TV was delivered just after 2pm. We then nipped down to the outlet place by our ferry terminal which was full of folk from the daily Netherlands ferry. I wondered to myself what could be so interesting about Hallmark, The Works, Next and Poundland, but then thought "well we are here"

Popped into Aldi just before closing to check on the candle situ. Nowt much to report, but DD snaffled a Mango candle which, she says, reminds her of some childhood sweeties she used to enjoy. They were literally giving food away. A big sign saying "take as much as you want" Basically all the Christmas veg. I got a couple of swedes and a couple of bags of parsnips.

Grabbed this Gardeners Almanac in The Works as I hadn't gotten round to buying one this year. A bargain at £3!

I'm just looking at the TV box sitting in the hallway and reckoning it will have to wait till tomorrow to be unboxed and tuned in. Ran out of Spoons for today.

@PrizedPickledPopcorn thank you ☺️ they are all made of marzipan. I divided the leftover marzipan and added some food colouring. Then, I rolled little balls and pressed holly leaves and snowflakes with cookie cutters. Finished off with rosemary sprigs.

All that talk about the candle lamps, I got my hands on DD’s present, it is now installed, warming the candle. How long does it take to smell it? Shocking how much they cost now!! I picked one up probably August/ September when it was mentioned on Christmas bargains thread.