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!

Thanks all.
Aquilegia! I’ll suggest planting some to DH (Head Gardener chez Ripple).

DH has just gone off on his annual golf trip to Portugal. So it’s just me, DD and the hell hound till Saturday night.
Strangely, as I get older I seem to miss him more when we’re not together. We’ve been together 24 years and I can remember thinking in the early days, oohh I’ve got control of the tv remote and a big bed all to myself.
Whereas now, if we’re apart, I’d rather we weren’t!

Is it your birthday week @RainbowZebraWarrior? 🎉 Hope you enjoy all the treats!

Rigoletto sounds amazing @leporello

My dad's headed back home this morning - very mixed feelings as it was so nice to see him but I am also immediately enjoying the quiet. Bits of work to do today, and a long phone appointment, but otherwise lots of lying down.

Morning all from a mountainside in Spain, property surrounded by nature, inhabited by my dear friends and their three increasingly elderly dogs.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I hope this week brings you many glimmers. I’m so sorry your dad is not good at the moment. Indulge in the joy my friend. I forgot to say the other day but I loved the glass, particularly the uranium glass.

@LillianGish Nigel’s garden is lovely. My wisteria was going for it just before the weekend, hopefully once I get back it’ll look fab. DH will enjoy it in my absence as he is at home working on some independent jobs. He’s finally secured a programme commission he’s been hoping to film for years - so pleased for him.

I’ve just been for a run and happy to report the first elderflowers ❤️

I say this on a loop in my head each year every time I see them: "Summer starts with elderflowers and ends with elderberries"

Can't wait for the lovely elderflower smells!

Here are my front garden and back garden aquilegias. Google Lens suggests the varieties are 'Nora Barlow' and 'William Guinness', who sound like characters from a novel about a Northern town in the 1950s.

We are planning a big Elderflower cordial making session at work. We have tonnes of them.
chilly and rainy today and I feel absolutely knackered
DH is on a work away evening at Coworth Park-some posho hotel somewhere so the DD’s are having a NVN Chinese takeout and a watch of Rivals (also NVN)

Ohhhh I suspect Nige loves Rivals 😂

Gorgeous aquilegias and lovely elderflower talk. We’ve been to a local small town with thermal springs at 48°. There were lots of locals rocking up with empty water bottles and filling them. We visited a small pasta factory, which makes pasta with this mineral water. Presents for my boys are sorted!

They are gorgeous. Haha yes, they sound like Coronation Street characters! I'm sure it was lovely to see your Dad, but I also understand how much it can take out of you when you have visitors (no matter how cherished) so you absolutely need that rest time.

Yes, it's my birthday week 😊 and I am doing small things. It doesn't take much really. Some time down the beach, the sun shining, the birds singing, seeing the flowers and the fruits ripening, watching Mr D enjoying the evening sun on the windowsill. All absolutely joyful. A bit of Aurora would be a real treat, but I am usually long gone to bed for any Aurora time this time of year.

Enjoy your Spanish hillside retreat @Bimblesalong

Elderflower cordial sounds gorgeous @piscofrisco Hope the sun shines for you soon. I believe better weather is on the way for most of us, soon.

Fabulous before and after pics of your Mum's garden @LillianGish Well done, you!

I have never seen Rivals, but possibly need to catch up, as I suspect I would actually really love it. I am a sod for just permanently rewatching things like Detectorists and Afterlife.

I have leftover Greek Chicken tonight, so that's a huge bonus when the old spoons have ran out.

Speaking of Mr Darcy enjoying the evening sunshine...

To be fair @celiathebansheeit does have something for everyone so to speak :)
is it your birthday TODAY @rzw?

No, @piscofrisco it's my birthday on Wednesday (20th) I am just being indulgent 😊

Happy birthday week, @RainbowZebraWarrior. A lovely idea to spread the treats out - something to look forward to every day for the next few days. 🎂

Good for you! A birthday week rather Just a day is a great idea I think.

Grey and miserable here all day, but finally managed to catch up the part of the thread I missed in hospital, and the last couple of days.

I'm going to have to limit it for now to wishing @RainbowZebraWarrior a happy birthday week.😀

I said to someone on here that Christmas gets attention all year here, so somewhat late in the thread; my NVN combined desk and work space of shame, in need of sorting out..
Lots of part made decorations and a few waiting for repair as well as ancient laptop,hiding paperwork that needs dealing with. I'm afraid the chair has a pile on it awaiting attention too.

Big elderflower fan here, my fancy dinner on Saturday included a rhubarb sorbet in a lake of what must have been egg whites whipped to a froth with elderflower cordial and edible elderflowers dotted on top - was divine.

Happy birthday week, @RainbowZebraWarrior, all the love for everything you do and especially THIS THREAD 💐💐💐.

Happy birthday week @RainbowZebraWarrior !

fnarring at the sensitive content warning on the gloriousness of @EphemeraleEudemonia ’s photo.

My current view from the breakfast table …

Morning all,

Happy birthday week @RainbowZebraWarrior💐💐

@leporellothat dessert sounds divine!

A very grey and wet start to the day here, but the weather is supposed to pick up towards the end of the week. I have booked Friday off work, so let’s hope the weather is as expected!

Oh wow. Those decorations are amazing! 😍 and thanks for the birthday week wishes.

Yesterday's treat was a meal deal including birthday muffin. I also had my first ever hazelnut latte. Gosh, they are sweet!

Haven't picked today's treat from the list yet, but as it's raining, and I ache all over, it may be an indoorsy restful day today. I was going to sit and sketch the garden in the conservatory with a big pot of tea and my Greek orange cake, but I can't actually much see out of the windows for the rain pouring down them!

I have the earworm "Ain't no doubt" by Jimmy Nail this morning, courtesy of Sarah Millican. Hope you all enjoy it too!

Thanks Bimbles. Lovely view!

Thanks lovely. Fingers crossed for the weather later in the week. I can't believe that yet again, I have my thermals on. I want flip flops and vest tops in May, not granny underwear!!

That food sounds immense! ❤️

Aww thank you so much. That's so kind 😊

@EphemeraleEudemoniawhat a treasure trove of decorations! They look lovely, what are you focusing on making this year?

@Bimblesalongyour view is considerably better than mine, I am very envious.

@LillianGish
Nigel’s garden is beautiful. A feast for the eyes.

@RainbowZebraWarrior
A birthday week? Excellent idea. DD will turn 18 the day before my birthday so I don’t think this year will be the year to launch! Enjoy all your gorgeous moments. And your Greek orange cake, sounds delectable.

@martha79
Those aquilegias are stunning.

Aargh, I couldn't remember the name of the song but I saw the post the other day and keep wandering around going "she's lying" 🤣

I love your desk @EphemeraleEudemonia - so many shiny things!

Beautiful view @Bimblesalong

Very rainy here too this morning. I'll be mainly indoors running a workshop at work. Should probably do some food shopping as I'm down to random combinations again. Did make a nice avocado and ham pasta last night though.