Year Round Nigel Slater discussion thread - Part 4

[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 has been running for a few years, and the contributors 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, grab a drink and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

A bit of a color theme going on here

@EphemeraleEudemoniabit late for this year. But I am going to make a note of this idea for next time. Had to pick up my Lily of the valley button hole for tomorrow and it’s also a gift wrap place and they had the perfect bow so got that.

This is such amazing work, I often wish I'd learned to do something like this, or stone masonry. I follow a church bell making company on Instagram, that's also a fascinating craft.

You've reminded me I've got some spiced hot chocolate powder, definitely trying that in the chilli next time.

Always dark chocolate or cocoa in a chilli.
It’s been freezing here today and I know because I’ve been at the races. Not the posh wear-a-hat-and-get-a-seat bit, the jeans are fine but you will be standing outside bit! But I’ve come home £9.50 up so that seems ok. My tactic of good name or nice colour and the odds have to be long enough that a win is a bit exciting actually worked in my favour!

Loving the #TNFW @LillianGish

Raising a glass to your lovely Dad tonight@piscofrisco I also think that tomorrow will be the day for Clover 🤞

There's just been a sheep featured on our local news who has just given birth to seven lambs. Apparently the world record is eight.

I am always in awe of the skill of thatching. We don't have it so much up here, but one of my favourite places in the world is a village called Thornton-le-dale in North Yorkshire. It had one of the most photographed thatched cottages in England, and I once had my own photo of it featured on a BBC weather report.

So many possibilities for enhancing chilli con / non carne. I have made a list. An ex of mine who was an excellent cook used to swear by Aromat. I hate the stuff, but his cooking othwrwise was marvellous.

My mother has a sign above her aga about adding a dash of wine being beneficial to both the food and the cook @EphemeraleEudemonia I forget exactly what it says, despite seeing it every day, but I might take a photo tomorrow.

Despite the day starting cold and grey, it's a mild evening here, and the rain that was forecast all day never actually happened. I've managed to get the lawns strimmed in case the rain thats forecast for the next couple of days does actually come.

My tulips continue to thrive in my sheltered back garden. The ones still to open look like they are going to look a bit different. Hopefully Nigel Would Approve.

Am I imagining things, or does Nigel have something to do with a garden this year at Chelsea? I feel like I read something recently about it, but it could have been a previous year.

I've found my actual photo of the thatched cottage. This is around 25+ years old and I remember going into Boots and asking for it to be enlarged (in gloss, not matt finish) Those were the days when we didn't have the instant gratification of camera phones!

@Celiathebansheeglad yoy had fun at the races. My only knowledge of horse racing is the Grand National but the tactic of best name and colour of outfit has seen me won a little bit over the years. Best way I think

Just caught up with @RainbowZebraWarrioron Trevor Nelson. Lovely to hear you RZW!

I'm just packing to go to Suffolk for a week and then Kent for another week. I've done my usual thing of choosing a book set where we're staying, so the Suffolk one is Death in Holy Orders by PD James. I've also treated myself to some watercolours. I am really not very creative but I have been watching some videos which have inspired me to try. I have packed an analogue bag to take away with me - watercolours and paper, notebook to journal in and some physical books. Hopefully that will help with some very much needed unwinding.

I have a couple of job applications to finish while I am away including one at an actual cathedral! V excited about that one, imagining myself eating along ancient corridors. It's probably more freezing and spidery...🤣

@martha79my TNFW (love this @LillianGish) is that the DD’s and I used to bell ring, in fact DD2 still does at times.
How are you feeling @EphemeraleEudemonia?
Congratulations on your winnings @Celiathebanshee-ive a similar tactic for betting but it has never worked for me.
I hope you enjoy your time away @petitpastamuch needed and well deserved. A cathedral job sounds VERY Nigel indeed! Fingers crossed.
Thankyou re thoughts about my Dad all. I had an odd night in the end, kids in and out, DSS’s mum up to shenanigans again, DH on edge. I went to bed and watched Amandaland in the end. I did make progress at work on my duck pond renovation however which had been practically a one woman job (largely because it has been truly disgusting digging a metre deep of duck poo out of a pond). I realise now that it was always my Dads ambition to have a duck pond (never realised), so perhaps that’s why I’ve become a bit single minded on it.
No miniature Clovers yesterday and she was gambolling about the field yesterday (as much as a pregnant ewe can gambol) so at this rate she will have the longest sheep gestation on record. 7 lambs @RainbowZebraWarrior! That’s amazing!
I ate badly yesterday (lots of junk, never one to not eat my feelings) and didn’t sleep well. Very glad it’s Friday.
Have a nice day all

Also I would Love a thatched cottage. I know, fire and and pest risk etc etc. In fact it’s probably my equivalent duck pond. I will probably just take the one on your picture @RainbowZebraWarriorthanks 😁

Happy friday all!

Races sounds good @Celiathebanshee It's years since Ive been, but I also used the same tactics and got quite good results.

Hope you manage to get a bit of R&R this weekend @piscofrisco as it sounds a bit stressful (and your job is so physical)

Also hope you have a lovely break and some much needed down time @petitpasta Love your book idea, I've occasionally done that when I used to holiday abroad regularly. An analogue bag is also a great idea. I have something similar in the car that I dip into when I am waiting around for DD. Books, playing cards, a sketch pad and pencils (in fact I bought some new sketching pencils yesterday, which I am going to put in a lovely old F&M tin today) I also recently found an old Ispy book and am now after one of these old 1980s games to play. I amused myself when we went camping when I was a kid just running around in nature, the aforementioned ispy book and pinball game, and endless games of patience kept me entertained the whole time. Oh, and marbles and scrap booking! (Bought myself some marbles recently, too)

Thatched cottages are wonderful but a poor lad at work is currently homeless while his home is being rebuilt after a horrendous fire in the thatch 😱. I would hate to see them, and the skill of thatching, die out though.

I'm a diehard marmite lover, it goes in everything. Umami flavours are the best.

Flora Day done for another year. It didn’t rain and it was so sunny it was almost a bit too warm. But not complaining. Will post pictures from the local
paper in the next day or so. Absolutely shattered.

Well done and pleased it didn't rain on your (Flora) parade. Hope you will be able to relax tonight.

Evening all,

This week has been a busy one work wise. I managed to get today off as annual leave as had to take senior cat back to the vets this morning and had the plumber over this afternoon to look at issues with our boiler......it's actually turned out to be quite an expensive day!

I'm glad the weather was good for Flora Day @CrushingOnRubies and your tulips are looking lovely@RainbowZebraWarrior

One of my good friends is Helston born and bred (but now lives up here) and went home to see it today. I was just looking at her pictures and wondering if one of the ladies might be you!

Awesome stuff, @CrushingOnRubies I look forward to the piccies. Enjoy the feet up!

Ouch @MrsJLevinson some weeks really are a pain in the pocket.

It’s been a busy one today, so I’ve just taken DH to our health club but for a meal rather than a work out. We’ve had a stroll in the gardens, which smell amazing as the herbs and flowers are really doing their thing.

I went into a special provision resource for today’s young person. I’m so very inspired by the work of the professionals there - a terrific place, really given the young people such a good chance at life. I’m shattered but uplifted.

@Celiathebansheequite possibly. There were a lot of photos being taken.

@Bimblesalongmy right foot especially is so sore. And I was only wearing 3cm (if that!) block heels nothing outrageous.

A belated Happy Flora day to you @CrushingOnRubies
Was cat ok @MrsJLevinson?
No lambs for Clover still today. It has occurred to me that the duck pond under renovation is next to her enclosure. Does she think it’s a birthing pool
and is waiting for me to finish it perhaps? I wouldn’t put it past her.

Being new to these parts, what is Flora Day? Guessing it’s nothing to do with margarine.

@RipplePleaseFlora Day is my hometown’s celebration of the coming of Spring. The is the Hal -an-Tow which is a performance about George Slaying the Dragon amongst other things. Then there are 4 dances where the maids and partners dance through the street in the early morning and in the evening. A children’s dance where the local schools take part. One of which I work at and I accompany them and have to dress up to supervise. Then there is the midday dance where men where morning suits with top hats and the ladies where fabulous ball gowns. And dance around the town of Helston in Cornwall.

when the local paper has posted its articles will
post them as it has to be seen to be believed

Oh, I love hearing about Flora Day, long may it continue 💐.
Not many plans for this weekend. I need to hunt down some galangal and listen to @RainbowZebraWarriorbigging us up on National Radio.

Morning all.

Love hearing about Flora day, and chuckling at the thought of Clover in the birthing pool.

We were supposed to be going to an allotment plant sale today but the weather is utterly atrocious, - and in for the day - so I thought Sod It and stayed in bed. I only really wanted to go to buy some lovely cheese scones that a lady sells.

So I have spent a happy half hour lying with DD watching daft Dachsund and German German Shepherd videos. This something I never do, so was nice to indulge. We have a Christmas candle on the go (seeing as it is so dark) and also DDs lava lamp. The heating is on, I am still in my pyjamas and I am having another cup of tea in bed with an Audible book

Will make some cheese scones of my own at lunchtime and get ready before the Waitrose order arrives at 4. Hopefully there's something easy to cook on there. Ooh! I have buttermilk so I will make american biscuits at the same time as the cheese scones. Biscuits and gravy for dinner it is!

A NVN lazy, carb laden day 😊

That sounds like a lovely cosy restful day @RainbowZebraWarrior

Glad to hear Flora Day went well @CrushingOnRubies

I keep meaning to ask @RipplePlease - is your ripple raspberry ice cream or the Galaxy chocolate bar? Or something else? 😄

I've had a back to front day eating wise - had run out of any normal breakfast foods so I ended up having the last of the chilli and rice this morning. Then went to the shops so I've had toast for lunch.

Damp, grey day here, but the peonies are starting to flower.

Lovely peony pic @martha79 Mine are currently being battered by wind and rain which happens every single May. We get about two days out of them. Also. It was a nice relaxing moening but I became both bored and very stiff so me and DD are off out now for a charity shop rummage

I'd also like to know about Ripples name. Ooh I love a galaxy ripple!