Hello there, I started my monthly Substack seasonal musings, a year ago. Thank you so much for following my little stories here. I’ve just taken a look back at my first ‘column’. As it was November, I wrote about early Christmas preparations, focusing on the recipe books I use to inspire me. A little reminder here, do start
Thanks for the reminder about the Christmas Chronicles. I’m going to get mine out too and lean into the festive season this year. Diana Henry, Roast Figs, Summer Snow is giving me a lot of pleasure at the moment. I bought the new edition as well as having the old one which felt extravagant but has been worth it for the enthusiasm it’s given me.
I love Roast Figs, Summer Snow as well, I have an old copy! Because we also have family birthdays (both my sons) plus both their partners, between now and 12th Night I tend to decorate early December and we celebrate throughout the season. My brother and niece are coming from New Zealand, and we have our grandson this year, so it’s going to be extra special. I’m actually quite glad we’re in Brittany for a fortnight, or I might be tempted to start now 😂 xx
Thanks for reminding me to start my most favorite Christmas book. The Irish Bakery has been tempting me for quite a while now. Despite owning 100s of cookbooks, I may need to add this one to my collection. X Deb
Christmas Chronicles is just the most perfect book for dipping in and out, I also relisten to the podcast that Nigel Slater made when the book was first published. The Irish Bakery is a beautiful book, and Cherie’s recipes are fabulous. Lots of lovely breads, cakes and biscuits, but also some delicious savoury pies. xx
I meant to mention also that your Thanksgiving books gave me a stab of nostalgia. We’ve lived in the UK for many years (it was supposed to be two years!) having emigrated from the US. I always celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s one of the few holidays that hasn’t become overly commercialised. Some recipes become cherished traditions, but I also experiment and try new things.
I'm impressed by your early Christmas preparations, Jude! To me Christmas begins on the first of advent or December 1st, as Thanksgiving still looms large late into November and leaves little room for anything else. Thank you for the reminder that the Christmas Chronicles start now! I also just received the The Irish Bakery, it's beautiful and so very tempting.
Thanks Valerie, I wish we celebrated Thanksgiving! I always start early, partly habit, when I was teaching full time half term was the obvious time to bake and prepare, and as we have four family birthdays before 12th night, I have to think of those gifts too (I try to be original- but it gets more and more difficult!). I try to put decorating etc off until the first Sunday of Advent. The Irish Bakery is fabulous, I baked Flakemeal Biscuits yesterday. They’ll be good for travelling to Brittany!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful occasion. I grew up with it at home and have always celebrated it with friends, even when it meant stuffing chickens as a student as turkeys were too rare and dear! Ha, yes, we too have three birthdays to add to the celebrations before 24th December... it's a crowded period! Have a wonderful time in Brittany, what a great time of year to be there.
Thanks for the reminder about the Christmas Chronicles. I’m going to get mine out too and lean into the festive season this year. Diana Henry, Roast Figs, Summer Snow is giving me a lot of pleasure at the moment. I bought the new edition as well as having the old one which felt extravagant but has been worth it for the enthusiasm it’s given me.
I love Roast Figs, Summer Snow as well, I have an old copy! Because we also have family birthdays (both my sons) plus both their partners, between now and 12th Night I tend to decorate early December and we celebrate throughout the season. My brother and niece are coming from New Zealand, and we have our grandson this year, so it’s going to be extra special. I’m actually quite glad we’re in Brittany for a fortnight, or I might be tempted to start now 😂 xx
Thanks for reminding me to start my most favorite Christmas book. The Irish Bakery has been tempting me for quite a while now. Despite owning 100s of cookbooks, I may need to add this one to my collection. X Deb
Christmas Chronicles is just the most perfect book for dipping in and out, I also relisten to the podcast that Nigel Slater made when the book was first published. The Irish Bakery is a beautiful book, and Cherie’s recipes are fabulous. Lots of lovely breads, cakes and biscuits, but also some delicious savoury pies. xx
I meant to mention also that your Thanksgiving books gave me a stab of nostalgia. We’ve lived in the UK for many years (it was supposed to be two years!) having emigrated from the US. I always celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s one of the few holidays that hasn’t become overly commercialised. Some recipes become cherished traditions, but I also experiment and try new things.
I wish he’d do another podcast. His voice and words are so soothing.
I'm impressed by your early Christmas preparations, Jude! To me Christmas begins on the first of advent or December 1st, as Thanksgiving still looms large late into November and leaves little room for anything else. Thank you for the reminder that the Christmas Chronicles start now! I also just received the The Irish Bakery, it's beautiful and so very tempting.
Thanks Valerie, I wish we celebrated Thanksgiving! I always start early, partly habit, when I was teaching full time half term was the obvious time to bake and prepare, and as we have four family birthdays before 12th night, I have to think of those gifts too (I try to be original- but it gets more and more difficult!). I try to put decorating etc off until the first Sunday of Advent. The Irish Bakery is fabulous, I baked Flakemeal Biscuits yesterday. They’ll be good for travelling to Brittany!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful occasion. I grew up with it at home and have always celebrated it with friends, even when it meant stuffing chickens as a student as turkeys were too rare and dear! Ha, yes, we too have three birthdays to add to the celebrations before 24th December... it's a crowded period! Have a wonderful time in Brittany, what a great time of year to be there.