November

Thus wears the month along, in checker’d moods, Sunshine and shadows, tempests loud, and calms; ( John Clare)

Hello There,

On the First of November (today, if this has correctly popped into your email box - please accept my apologies once again this newsletter is far too long - you may need to read on the App!) I seriously start thinking about Christmas. Throughout the next few months, I’ll be listening to Nigel Slater’s Christmas Chronicles and dipping in and out of the book. Now I’ve worked out how to add links you should be able to click through to the podcast! (Fingers crossed).

There will be plenty of fireworks throughout the next week or so, with both Diwali (which started last night and last several days) and Bonfire Night on the 5th ( with fireworks on both the weekend before and after). I used to love them, but now we have a dog who is extremely nervous, I have a supply of tranquillisers from the Vet for her, and will also sprinkle essential lavender oil on her bed, it is supposed to be soothing and an aid to sleep, I think it is definitely worth a try. Unlike a small or even medium sized dog, making a cosy box or cage for a frightened greyhound is not an option, we therefore close all the doors upstairs, putting her duvet in the hall and ensure there is no light, the closed doors muffle the sound of the fireworks, and although not totally relaxed she fares better there, than with us downstairs (though she can be a bit of a trip hazard during the night, she is very long!)

She was slightly anxious on a recent walk to Ham House, as there were sounds of guns from the nearby shooting range, we sat down for a few moments, whilst I persuaded her to come home.

We had had a lovely walk around the gardens at Ham House. There is a fabulous display of pumpkins and squash in the kitchen garden, and the shop is brimful with delightful gifts, I’ll definitely be buying some stocking fillers there.

(In addition to The Christmas Chronicles, I will be using some of my favourite Christmas recipe books :

Delia Smith’s Christmas - Mincemeat, Christmas Pudding and essential timings on the day

Nigella Christmas - Buche de Noël, Christmas Chutney

Christmas at River Cottage - Quincemas Cake, Sausage Rolls

As well as the above recipes, which I use every year, the books are full of ideas for the whole Christmas period…planning for those days both before and after the main day is just as important as the focusing on the Turkey and Christmas Pudding on December 25th. I have bought a new book to add to these, Jane Lovett’s The Get-Ahead Christmas Cook.

When I saw that both India Knight and Charlotte Pike were recommending the book, I knew it would be useful. I’ve just taken a quick look, there are lots of scrumptious recipes for the whole season, as well as plan ahead ideas starting in October. (I’m so pleased that I have made my mincemeat, two Christmas Cakes and a Quincemas Cake already - Christmas pudding is next on my to do list!)

The Quincemas cake is perfect for those November days when you want to eat some fruit cake, but are reluctant to broach the actual Christmas cake!

My husband is off to Brittany for a few days later in the month, I have a shopping list (which keeps growing) for him. He will of course purchase some wine, hopefully some local honey, Miel Fleurs de Bords de Mer is my absolute favourite, and perhaps a Vacherin Mont d’Or.

Mont d’Or is a seasonal cheese and best eaten hot. We were fortunate to find some lovely Staub Mont d’Or baking dishes, being given away with the cheese, several winters ago in France. I have left the blue one in France, but brought the red one home. Should you not have a specific baker you could fashion one with tin foil, make sure you bake the cheese on a baking tray, as once cooked it is extremely unctuous and gooey. We usually eat Mont d’Or with roasted vegetables, little potatoes and chunks of good bread for dipping. It it a delicious supper for two or three, or a great starter for more. If you have an independent Cheesemonger near you, I’m sure you’ll find Vacherin Mont d’Or, otherwise Waitrose does have some.

We took a short break in Greece during October, in preparation I thought I should brush up on The Greek Myths. I love some of the modern, feminist retelling of the stories (Pat Barker’s Women of Troy trilogy, which I read a while ago is particularly good).

During the autumn I read a second trilogy, this one was written by Claire North : The Songs of Penelope.

Each of the stories is told by a Greek goddess, Hera tells the first tale. It was wonderful to see her portrayed on an urn at the Museum (see below). She was obviously still important at the founding of Nicopolis, by Caesar Augustus.

Although we didn’t visit Ithaca itself, I could imagine the setting, especially when we visited the vast city remains and then The Archeological Museum of Nicopolis. Such incredible treasures, and the city has not yet been fully excavated.

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Back home there is a definite chill in the air, early mornings are shrouded in mist and the ground is damp on my daily dog walk. my summer linens have been put away, my cashmere jumpers and cardigans, which were stored for the summer, guarded against moths in my mother’s Camphor Wood Chest, are back in my wardrobe.

November is the month for lists!

*Christmas food including menues

*Christmas cards

*Christmas gifts

*Christmas tree and decorations

*Christmas books

*Christmas drinks

*Birthday Gifts for five people (who are celebrating in November, December and very early January!)

I have started thinking about Christmas gifts, they don’t need to be huge, I always think something one wouldn’t necessarily buy one’s self is a good place to start. I’m considering Cashmere Socks for my daughter-in-laws (My husband and sons will probably get some sort of sock too.) My daughter wants Silk Pillowcases, maybe they would make good birthday presents for those who have birthdays before Christmas. I have the lovely Baguette bags, which I bought in France during the summer, for some of my friends, there will be books for some, sweets for others and toys for my Grandsons, I had better raid the piggy bank!

Now that (I think/hope) I have the link thing sorted, here is a short list of some of my favourite newsletters here on Substack, I’ll share more next month.

As well as India Knight and Charlotte Pike (see above)

The Cook’s Edit is fabulous. Kate gather’s recipes, restaurants reviews and travel suggestions from the (non-tabloid) Newspapers and shares them with her readers.

Angie’s Changing Pages is wonderful written by Angie, gentle and thought provoking. (Her accompanying photographs are beautiful.)

Lickedspoon with Debora Robertson. Super recipes and every time I read about her life in a small French town/port I want to visit.

French Family Food (it’s worth following Alexandra on Instagram too), simply delicious recipes.

Letter from Nettle and Quince (Valerie also has a super Instagram), more seasonal French/ English recipes and updates.

I do try and make some Christmas Gifts, Peppermint Bark being a great favourite. It’s easy to make, looks gloriously festive and always makes recipients smile.

Peppermint Bark

2 bars Dark Chocolate (such as Green & Black’s 70% 90g)

2 bars White Chocolate (such as Green & Black’s 30% 90g)

Pure Peppermint Essence

Peppermint Candy Canes (preferably Christmassy colours)

In a Bain-Marie (or simply a bowl over water - ensure the bowl does not touch the water) melt the dark chocolate

Pour into a shallow, lined baking tray and allow the chocolate to cool thoroughly (you could put it in the fridge, if you don’t have a cool room)

Meanwhile put your candy canes into a plastic bag and hit them vigorously with a rolling pin, you want some tiny pieces and other larger shards

Once the dark chocolate has fully hardened, melt the white chocolate

Add a few drops of peppermint essence to the white chocolate and the tiny pieces of candy cane, stir to incorporate throughout the chocolate (you may want to taste, to ensure the correct chocolate/peppermint balance- your looking for the flavour of After Eights, rather than Bendicks Bittermints!)

Spread the white chocolate mixture on top of the dark chocolate (return to the fridge/cool room) and sprinkle the larger shards of candy cane over

Once fully hardened, break into abstract shapes and package in a cellophane bag fastened with ribbon, or a gift box

I’m looking forward to plenty of festive reading this coming month.

There are a several books which I bought late last year, they definitely need a revisit. I firmly believe that ‘Christmas’ books need to be read in November, waiting until December is simply too late. I have others which I haven’t read for a few years!

Indeed there are so many that I think they well may require a separate post, look out for a Christmas book list very soon!

Take Care,

Jude xx