The Year Round Nigel Slater discussion thread part 6

[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 on Mumsnet 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

N.B. The Christmas Chronicles thread proper will start in late October, ready for the book beginning on 1st November (seems a long way off, but will be here before we know it!)

First day of the heating coming on here today, it did feel nippy.

I hear you @ElegantDress, it's like a modern day trial by ordeal.

I have just spent 20 mins trying to decide which restaraunt to book for lunch with an old friend tomorrow... totally paralysed by the thought of picking a duff one, so Italian it is! Yet, at work, I would just go and book one without thinking about it. She is my old HT where I am Chair of Govs who retired at Christmas last year, and I have appointed her as DH, HT and then HT of an amalgamated school and she got married again in the Spring having lost her first husband 10 yrs ago with cancer. I do miss her at Board mtgs but the new HT, is good for the school, too.

The bulbs are still staring at me, so I think I might just crack on at lunchtime and finally get some Lasagne layering done...The Muscari that I planted a couple of weeks ago, are already poking through, the window boxes, filled with violas are filling out and some of the primulas that I left behind, looking very seedy have bounced back. Last weekend I found a mega stalk of a Geranium Roses of Attar which I am about to dunk cuttings from in rooting powder smells amazing. And finally the hyacinth which I am hiding in the dark, have also started rooting, so odd to see them when I look in the wardobe and watch their roots growing wild.

And, in a good news column, I had a small win on the Premium Bonds today!

Huzzah for the bonds, @LatteLady , me too! I have similar thoughts re the bulbs but need to pop them in at the same time as the dogs' ashes (yes two, one of whom has been on the mantlepice for around 18 years!). It really is time to do what is literally death cleaning. We plan to have spring bulbs over them. It's a busy weekend as it's Dh's birthday and I can't stand the pain of kneeling to garden. Frustratingly, I'll have to wait until the chaps are ready to help me.

Loved traitors last night. No idea who some of them are, but there are some super big names.

I had a waitrose visit and sadly failed to find the enticing candle @RainbowZebraWarrior mentioned (maybe a good thing? !).

Rather too much paperwork on the list today, so I'd better get off mn and crack on with my job!

Yay, I had a win too!

A small win on the premium bonds is always exciting @petitpasta Will you be leaving it or spending it?

@Celiathebanshee I think I will be happy if I manage one pear. That's my aim for early December so it can take pride of place somewhere among the decorations (haven't decided what to do this year tree-wise yet)

When I fitst applied for PIP, it ended up going to tribunal but I had a total breakdown and was not able to make myself understood (quite ironic as that was one of my issues) Absolutely worst experience ever. Our CIB was overwhelmed and not taking on any further PIP help, so my GP referred me to have DWP come to the house to complete it on my behalf. A brilliant, impartial service from an officer who can actually see how much you struggle. Probably a little known service, and one I think is mostly done in care home situations (for Attendance Allowance). I certainly wasn't aware of it. The lady then came back and did DDs DLA form for us. Took so much stress away from a god awful process. Hopefully this info may be helpful for someone.

I found a lovely little book on the charity table written by pals of us with a honey farm in North Northumberland. It's brilliant as it has recipes for mincemeat made with hobey and really taps into my thinking. Hence, I am making another batch of the blackberry and honey jam I made a few weeks ago. It has freed up a little space in the freezer and I'm thinking of adding some mixed spice to make a festive version of the jam.

Ooh congrats too. I think having spring bulbs among the doggies ashes is a lovely thing.

I have put another candle on my order for tomorrow, but have every expectation that they will be sold out as they are so lovely and very good value at £6

Meant to address last post to @LatteLady and congrats to you too @ElegantDress

You’ve reminded me I need to get to the bulbs and the lawn this w/e

Ah congratulations on your win @latteladyand @ElegantDress. Lovely news for a Friday.

I loved Richard on Traitors. But I just love him in general due to Withnail and I and Beyond.

very much like that pear design @RainbowZebraWarrior

Although warm and sunny on the farm today the wind had a distinctly autumnal chill to it which was not displeasing.

home and have a h it to do before we go to Bristol in the morning, DD wants some clothes of hers vaccume packed and taking to Bristol, she has requested buns be made and taken, the dog sitters sleeping arrangements need to be made, so had best crack on, though what I would really like is a sit down and a big glass of wine!

Afternoon. Well done on all the winnings!

The honey book looks nice @RainbowZebraWarrior - reminds me I'm almost out of my jar of local honey.

The walking group starts in a couple of weeks, but there's a WhatsApp group on the go already and they seem like a nice bunch.

Today I had an experimental outing as the physio from the Long COVID clinic reckoned I could try a very gradual return to running. I didba whole ten minute walk with three short bits of jogging in it. And it was ok! I did nap this afternoon but that's not unusual.

Today's pressure cooker special is chilli with nachos and avocado.

Oh yes, and I am a new convert to the Traitors. The task reminded me a bit of old-style Crystal Maze which I absolutely loved.

Yes! The Crystal Maze. Also great to hear about your walk / run and encouragement from the physio. Your chilli looks delicious. I finally got round to making a Casserole today after existing on sandwiches this week.

Re: Traitors, I loved it when Miranda turned to REG and said "delighted you are here" and he replied with "likewise" I am already lying on my bed rewatching last night's episode (it is dark, cold, windy and raining outside) I also admit that I may have been wrong about James Acaster. I feel that - like a lot of comedians - his onstage persona is quite hyper and OTT, but seeing him as his real self made me realise that he is also actually an anxious autistic person like myself. I hope he stays in.

That sounds like a busy and stressful weekend for you, @piscofrisco I hope you get a bit of down time or a chance for a glass of wine at some point.

Hope everyone enjoys their Friday evenings. We have 30th Celebration pokemon cards to open after dinner (DD doesn't know this yet and thoroughly deserves the treat after a massively stressful week)

Amazing work on the running. I couldn’t run 20
yards so I’m awe of you. I tired to do couch to 5 k once and gave up after about 4 days because it made everything hurt. I can walk any distance and log things about on the farm, but my body just seems to reject running in any form!

up early to get everyone else up and out by 9. Wish me luck. The dogs are already eyeing me with disgust as we are leaving them (with the dog sitter from lunchtime) and they don’t like it.

have a lovely Saturday all

Good luck @piscofrisco

I have struggled to haul myself out of my bed every morning this week, but of course now it's the weekend, my eyes snap open at 5am. I have resolutely stayed in bed though cos it's flipping freezing.

Today's plans are tea, tidy, rest and read, bacon butty, make sloe curd, rest, tidy a little bit more, rest, woodland walk, Food delivery, bit of sewing then dinner which is usually taken in bed. DD is apparently making her delicious vegetable quiche for me. I also need to plant bulbs really...

Picked up a couple of chunky kilner jars for £2 in the charity shop. Loving that the burgundy seals should also match the curd. It's weird, the things that please us, eh?

Have a good Saturday, all.

Good luck @piscofrisco! I guess I still have some running muscle memory - before I got ill this time last year I was training for a 33 mile race 😦I've always thought Couch to 5K progresses too quickly and the physio said she thought the same, even for people not coming back from illness. I've now got to wait a few days as the fatigue can hit with a delay, but so far the only effects are that I woke up hungry at 3am!

Nice jars @RainbowZebraWarrior. I need to tidy and get groceries delivered today too. Might make a start on my Lego bouquet.

Good luck @piscofrisco !

lovely day planned there @RainbowZebraWarrior

I’m going slow to recoup a few spoons. It’s DH’s birthday today and I’m taking him out later. It’s gorgeous outside so we will have a lovely walk first.

Hanging baskets and window boxes are still going strong. The petunias are getting a bit straggly, but the geraniums have properly bounced back once the August heat went.

Look how nice these are! https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/07/curiosity-clouds-manifesto/

@RainbowZebraWarriori think with James Acaster I think when I saw him in the summer he was really scared that when he was on stage he was going to let something slip about the Traitors. He seems less uptight on the show

had a great day. Went to an authentic Italian place which used local Cornish ingredients and was really good value and just fab. Has won loads of award and just felt like a hidden gem. The tiramisu was delicious

now at the local pubs beer festival its in its first year. And just really want to support something so local

Wow. That looks very impressive. My red pelargoniums are still flowering and the roses are having a final flush, but the dahlias are going over a bit now and I have lost the energy and enthusiasm to keep watering at this point in the year.

I cut out some pieces yesterday for my felt pear christmas decorations, and experimented with a little decoration. I am not a natural sewer / seamstress, so there are mistakes and it's not symmetrical, but as DD says, pears are not perfect and I am going for a rustic look! Also, it's not finished yet.

Made another quick bottle of rosehip syrup. It's so easy amd I love sitting in the kitchen watching pan bubble from my little perch stool, and enjoying the delicious scent. Today I fancy making a couple of jars of nectarine jam since I went a bit mad buying £1 punnets. I'm thinking ot will be good to use over Christmas time almost like membrillo; with a cheeseboard, baked with brie, and on mini cheese scones.

Speaking of cheese boards, we haven't seen our trusty old veg knife (which DD uses to cut cheese) for weeks and we reckon it's been chucked out with some cheese packaging, so today we are in the market for a new one!

Oh, goodness me. They are amazing and ideal for me since I am aapparently a magpie a collector of seaglass and other curiosities! I am pondering if I could make something similar with air dried clay, which of course is an entirely ludicrous idea. I have just had a look at the person's instagram and they say that it's such a peaceful process curating all the different clouds. Thanks for sharing ❤️

Bless him, I can well imagine. He seemed less uptight on Thursday's episode, but on Friday's he seemed out of sorts. I hope he gets into the swing of it all and stays for the duration, as it was reported that he had a panic attack and they had to pause filming briefly. Can't be easy being autistic and anxious on such a huge programme that throws so many curve balls at you.

Sounds like you had an absolutely lovely day yesterday.

So, the cat woke me at 4am chomping on some bubble wrap 🙄 and as a result, I have been up, cleaned out the air fryer and fridge, had a cuppa, put the dishwasher on and changed the batteries in my scales and in the pantry sensor lights. Utterly hyper, and full of ideas, which means - as usual - I will crash and burn / have entirely ran out of spoons and be in bed by 6pm. At least I can carry on with some sewing in bed whilst listening to a podcast. I want to download Reece Shearsmith's new book, but I don't think is out for another week or two. Time for another cuppa, I reckon.

Good morning, you were up at the same time as me @RainbowZebraWarrior .
Our kids have just started half term, so it's been a nice slow weekend so far. Yesterday the winter bedding went on and some lamps were put back out upstairs as it's pretty dark now in the evenings.
I spent the morning yesterday booking flights to the UK. It was a trial. I cannot believe how expensive it is to travel. It has cost us £3000 to get to Manchester and back, just flights for 4 of us. And that was the cheaper option. We need to travel from where we live to Oslo, because DH is permanently disabled from an illness, he collects a pension here, that means that when he travels on state subsidised transport, he and his companion get a discount. DS 14 also does as he's a child as does DD 7. So it worked out £50 cheaper to fly to Oslo from here than take a 4 hour train. So only about £350 return. But my goodness! Flights to and from Manchester, unbelievable! I've not done return as it was slightly cheaper to do singles.
Back in 2014 I used to be able to take DS return from Trondheim to Manchester for about £170! And that was a longer and more expensive route.

Sorry for the moan, I've been mardy about it all day.

I feel Autumn is almost over here already and Winter is rolling in quickly! We are due snow this week, although there seems to be a very very strange anomoly in the weather tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday. Today we have planned a good walk in the forest with the dog, a game of Hero Quest and a fondu for tea.

Lordy @IngenTing honestly, moan away. (Not that you were actually moaning. I'd be rightly mardy too at those prices!) Things have been difficult enough for you. Everything has gone crazy now price wise and it's scary.

Speaking of which, I went to post your little parcel the other day and I was quoted £21 plus possible taxes! It seemed a bit excessive so I thought I would look around online for better options. If you know of a company, do let me know. Otherwise, if there is a possibility of sending it to a UK address for when you are over here, then please send me a PM. I'd like you to have it. It isn't big but weighs around 1.5kg mostly due to candles.