Weather, Christmas tree hunting and kitten shenanigans! What a life and what a nice peek into the world of chateau owners! Stay warm and thanks for another great video!
Does anyone else find themselves saying "thanks for watching" when abruptly ending a conversation? My partner and I use it all the time now, and it makes us laugh. Thank you Lincoln and Amanda for being so humorous in the face of your chateau life challenges!
That heating system sounds much better than I thought it would be. So glad Marble did not get out through the chimney, and glad you are closing them up, so she can't become a repeat offender. I know they can cause worries, but your animals never fail to entertain.
I love how you were able succinctly explain what happens if you don’t heat the chateau! Other chatelaines should take note!😂 Lovely and entertaining video as always! ❤
Yes, we know of one in particular that has spent over a 100,000 euros on an elaborate system and they still don’t have heat. Too busy using Patreon $ traveling and buying decor that will be RUINED with the cold and damp. Had to stop watching as it wasn’t good for my blood pressure 🤯
Marble has that "I'm innocent of everything" look on her face. She seems like a lovely cat/kitten with beautiful coloring. Thanks for the ever-interesting vlogs!
I loved watching both of you pick out trees. One year I decided we would have a tree almost touch the ceiling of the living room which is 1 1/2 stories high. It was free to cut one fir tree in the forest a half block up the street and that’s what we did. It was easy to get in the house and looked beautiful decorated but on January 6th when it was time to put everything away and remove the tree, we realized that the branches had opened much wider. We couldn’t get it out the front door until we sawed the thing in half. The living room was an absolute mess of dead needles and it was the last real tree we ever had. 🤣
4x! Chopping, splitting, stacking and burning! And that's if you don't count lugging from the woodshed to house to burn! I heated with wood for decades, much of that time as a single woman ( who is 4'11") and now thoroughly enjoy my heat pump.😁
For your patio furniture cushions. If you purchase a trunk you can put the cushions in the trunk. You take the cushions out when you want to use your outdoor furniture and when you finish just put them back in the trunk.
Watching Marble looking out from the top window was just magical!….i don’t know what it is but it gets me eveytime when you show them looking out at you in the garden….like they are so happy to be in this amazing chateau however, that they still peer out out with curiosity on their past lives! I as thinking you could write a kids book about their lives ( the cats that is) … and all their different personalities and hang ups!😂… I’d read it!!🤗🤗📚📚
I was loving the 'old married couple' banter picking out a tree. I hope you go back and get that hedgehog house, it was SO CUTE! Thank you for another lovely video! Those kittens are too cute too! I hope they all find good homes soon. Thank you for all the work you do to help animals in need.
Thank you for sharing in Canada I just take my tree UT of a box every year 75 Canadian dollars too much from a real tree theses days ! Senior on low income my best option ! Just 2100 dollar car repair ugh! So saving every way I can before the changing of the guard in the US in 2 months impacts us! You two are so enjoyable to watch and the bantering even better ! Keep doing what you are doing well all enjoy your real life experiences owning a Chateau !
For kinda insulating single paned windows, I've used bubble wrap. Spray a bit of water on it, and it will stick to the glass. Not for everywhere, but for the least used rooms, etc. And it's so easy to put up and take down, and up again ; ) Warmth to you all
I would use perspex panes, you can buy them in large sheets at the brico. Put them in front of the window opening as dubble layer of insolation in the winter, take them away in the summer.
Glad Lincoln figured out how to efficiently heat your home. Amanda can you take us on a tour of Paris decorated for the holidays? Girls weekend in Paris, sign me up. Always enjoy your videos.
Im a Dutch born and bred. Now an Australian citizen and I love watching you prepare for the festive season. Choosing Christmas trees, heating, preparation of the garden. I miss the cold around this time whilst sweating and trying to get in the mood to decorate 😅
Enjoyed as always. The heating discussion was interesting. I'm always interested in how things work. LOL at choosing a Christmas tree. A true test of many a marriage!
I love your vlogs! Beautiful home, funny moments and never a dull moment. You take us grocery shopping, trips to Paris and into a scary basement just to stay and chat about heating and butterflies! Thanks so much 💕
You never have a dull moment kittens are like little children they will get into trouble no matter how much care you do happy you found your trees have a great week
Perhaps you ought to consider using dehumidifiers in conjunction with the current heating sources in different rooms or levels of the Chateau, for example, the dressing room. Using a dehumidifier does as well as removing moisture and also increases the room temperature.
They also make these little pots of stuff that soak up the humidity, just dump the water out and reuse. Don't know how safe they are around cats, though. My dad used to use them on his boat.
Hot Saturday here where I live in Australia. I do miss Ireland at Christmas and all the fun gatherings in Dublin. I am putting up my tree today and decorate my home. I am a christmas nerd love this time of year. Your videos are always fun Amanda. Funny to me I have air con on to stay cool while you are trying to keep warm.Nice open fire and an Irish Coffee used to be my go to when it was very cold in Ireland. Thanks again for sharing getting the tree.
You’re both hilarious picking out a tree. When you were looking at the trees with the birds. I thought it’s as long as the tree doesn’t have a live critter freeloading on a tree. 😂😂😂 Marble is so sweet and innocent looking. Looks can be extremely deceiving. Thank you for sharing❤
Your roof lines are Beautiful, the nice varried detail along the ridges looks fantastic.... A great thing to have more than one way to heat too... Best, Brian
I have a good solution for cushion storage... you know those fiberglass boxes that are kept on the dock near the boats? They're great storage, waterproof, and hold many cushions. You might be able to get one in the alcove under the steps. Because they're made for docks, as long as what you put in there is dry, your stuff won't mildew.
Have you ever considered bringing the chateau into the modern era with features like solar panels or a heat pump? If so, was it too costly or potentially damaging to the existing architecture? And with the renovation of the cottages, have you thought about installing solar panels on their roofs for power as well? I can see you have quite a lot of land too maybe some ground solar panels? There are some historic houses in the UK that have managed to keep up and become almost net zero by hiding solar panels behind landscape scenery.
I love the donkeys and cats!! Did not see dogs this time but I really like them too! Glad you guys have a warm home for the winter. Sounds like Lincoln has mastered the heating system. I think the butterfly has found a warm home in your basement. Will be looking forward to seeing your Christmas decorations! I am sure they will be perfect!! Thanks for the visit!!
Loved the video! Learned a lot about the two furnaces you have and their issues, lol. Hope you keep warm. Next video show us your decorated Christmas trees! Finally I’m obsessed with all your cats! I have one that adopted me and I feed her everyday. I’m glad Marble is safe. She’s very lucky to find such loving human beings!
I live in Half Moon Bay and have exactly the same issues with moisture. I can’t stand our force air heater and as you probably know it never gets that cold in HMB. You convinced me- I’m going to have to bite the bullet and turn up the heat😊
Hi Emily, I guess you are in California? I am in Australia. Greetings & Merry Christmas! 🎄There are 2 Half Moon Bays here. One in Victoria and one Western Australia. From Julie 🌷
My previous house was built in 1827 and was listed, so no double glazing allowed, and, I totally agree; it takes a long time to warm them up if they get cold! I now live in a house which is 15 years old and, although it can be cold, if I am away and there is a sudden drop in temperature, it heats up really quickly. Heating is an absolute necessitate in chateaux and, not just for the house itself but for the health of its inhabitants. Damp is so damaging as you say. I find it incredible that another chateau owner seems to be ignoring this. Glad Marble is safe and sound!
Old brick houses are like that too. We try not to have anything with cloth against the outside walls and we leave closet doors open in the winter. The sacrifices we make to live in these old places.
we fostered several moms and kittens over the years, and one bunch we had, had to be segregated, because they had ringworm. we had them in a basement room, and when i went in one morning, they were no where to be seen. I discovered the mom and had taken her two kittens, and taken them thru the hole in the wall, where the sink pipes were and , I guess, decided they were safer there. What an ordeal, that was, getting them out.
Rather than trying to get pipes and radiators up to the bedrooms , have you looked into having woodburning inserts fitted into the existing fireplaces in the bedrooms most used. Have the chimneys lined, and look round for some decent second hand inserts or do a deal on the number you need .... I fitted a wood burner in our bedroom in our farmhouse in Italy.... The cold north part... Game changer. I bought a jotul insert for £150 off of eBay they are about.... They help dry out damp and ventilate the rooms.... Enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work!
I feel you. On the double glazed windows - don't replace the single glazed ones but maybe find a way to get another single glazed in front or behind the current ones. Has been done with man houses and chateaus in this way. People took the additional windows down in spring and put them back up in winter. Ideal is a distance of about 8 cm between the windows. There is even a study of the Fraunhofer institute in Munich that shows that these old double window construction is as good or in some cases better than modern double-glazed windows. Most likely you could even make these additional single glazed windows yourself. One other thing to mention - the interior windows need to seal well, the outside windows should allow a slight draft. So you won't get fogging in between those windows.
My husband and I love watching your episodes! Probably because we're likely the same age and definitely the same sense of humor! We're also from the Bay Area. Amanda--your chateau decor is so lovely. Definitely a source of inspiration minus the chateau. ;-)
The butterfly in the furniture room and the bird in the tree was cool! That was a good bit of going back and forth for a tree, but will be beautiful when they are up. ❤
My house is much the same being 3. Storey takes forever for all the radiators to come on - can highly recommend log burners - oh wow good job you found marble - they used to sell a chimney balloon you could put up the chimney inflatable but let air through then easy to remove when needed - thanks for sharing ❤
Can definitely relate to the unique married-couple conversations that you guys had at Leroy Merlin. So many times when out shopping, my wife will ask something that I have no idea how to answer. Thankfully, like 2 people that don't speak each other's language, you find a way to work things out. 😊
This reminds me of going to pick out a tree back in the 1960’s with my dad, except it was in Montana so the trees were frozen solid. So we’d bring it home, thaw it out, and then dad would add branches to make it perfect.
The 2 beautiful tress you got will definitely be a place for all the cats to play at least my cat Sheba loved getting into my tree and would love to play with my Xmas wrapping paper when I was getting the paper for the gifts and while wrapping ❤
I love Chateau shows. Why haven’t I found you before now?! ( I’ll blame it on the horrible election) I’m binge watching yours over the Thanksgiving holiday. I love your sense of humor. Love from Michigan ❤
It's so fascinating seeing the day to day life of your chateau. So you were visited by a butterfly... It means the start of a new beginning, freedom, and joy... Or it also means you may have been visited by a dearly departed 🤗 I find your married humor entertaining.... Love and hugs
I prefer a Charlie Brown Christmas tree myself! I think you can see all of the ornaments much better than on a full tree. The story of Marble and the chimney escape was frightening. I'm guessing she came out of the chimney by herself? Lastly, I appreciate how the French "Home Depot" stores are not crammed with stuff all over the place. I walk into our stores and start getting dizzy. It's good and bad.
Regarding the wood boiler two things: maybe it could be modified in otder to get a secondary combustion which it will make it more efficient. A buffer water tank might help to regulated the operating temperature.
Hi Amanda and Lincoln, heating the chateau is a challenge, do you use in the bedroom heating blankets at night. I must admit though the grounds look so beautiful with the light coat of snow on them. Please stay warm, watch for missing kitties, thanks for sharing. Love from N.Y.
As always, a wonderful episode, complete with a butterfly buddy. And gads, we both gasped when we heard the 'kitten up a chimney' story. Glad it had a happy ending.
I hear you can periodically remove creosote mounting up in the chimney flue by burning potato skins. Second, if you add radiant floor heating, you should keep your radiators still on the first floor. You can get new radiators for the bedrooms. Chateau LaLande made the mistake (they say) of having geothermal heating and nothing ever got warm enough. When you want to get warm, the radiators will do the trick in a way nothing else quite will - with a boiler and a radiator you can hug if you wanted to.
We lived in a c1900 home & heating by oil was far too expensive so my husband had a hopper put in the main fireplace & burnt wood pellets. In the colder months he would fill the hopper before we went to bed & again at some point in the early mornings. What a difference!
😂🤣OMG!! I’m cracking up over the Christmas tree selection………sounds so familiar! Phase 2 is even worse for us……..getting it in the house & in the stand!!🫣
I love that green candle that you have burning in the kitchen window. I was in a shop in Savannah called “The Paris Market” and I did look for a candle similar to yours. No luck😂. Stay warm
Thank you my favorite you tube family. I already gave my like because I know it will be another great video, I couldn't wait calmly for the next video. I hope you had a sweet and happy thanksgiving.
Thank heavens over Marble. We fear the well in the cellar. But we've got wire mesh over it's hole. Plus no kitties are allowed down there. This year I counted eight heated houses outside, plus a really large, well insulated one my husband built.
Interesting weather in France. Here are some winds that occur in France: Tramontane A cold, strong wind from the north or northeast that's common in the Mediterranean Sea. The word comes from the Latin trānsmontānus, which means "beyond/across the mountains". Levant A mild, damp, and rainy wind that blows from the east in the western Mediterranean Sea and southern France. It's most common in the spring and fall. Marin A warm, moist wind that blows from the southeast onto the coast of Languedoc and Roussillon. It's usually strong and steady, and it brings heavy rainfall. Mistral A cold, dry northwest wind in Provence. Foehn A strong, dusty, dry, and warm local wind that develops on the leeward side of the Alps mountain ranges.
Nice video. I have, as told once here, a same kind of heating set up. 19kW woodburner and an oil/mazout burner. When the wood burns, the smoke goes through a sort of chicane inside the woodburner and then horizontal out and then i to the chimney. You also have to clean out the chicane area. It is above where the flames are. When my wood is burned up/gone, the oilburner feels the water temperature getting less and then he goes on automatically. Or when the woodburner ( brand Eder) has heated the water warmer then 40°C, the oilburner goes out automatically. Late in the evening, you can also put briketts ( the black blocks, almost as big as a brick) in the wood/all burner and then in the morning, you can start up the wood fire easier. I bought the mazout/oil in september and then it costed €0,80 per liter. I bought 1500 l for €1200. I can put 4700 liter in the tank. Yes, use as much as possible wood. Chopped wood, old construction woodl hedge wood, etc. i also burn root wood from a big shrub/bush. Here in the Ardennes, the people let their wood dry for two years. My heating set up is from the end 80s and one technical guy who inspected my house for efficiency told me to keep it because the new set ups need more yearly maintenance. The village historican told me my house is not from 1870 but from about 1820. It is on a map from 1823. Regards from a Dutch in the Belgium Eifel/Ardennes.
Well, in the Finger Lake area of NY tonight it will be 29degrees.Our desire would be to install under floor heating the kitchen. Right now we have a fireplace insert going full blast in the eat-in kitchen, a pellet stove in the Living Room, and a small propane wall heater upstairs. (It heats very well, btw.) I go nuts trying to think if we are saving. We could run the propane furnace for the entire house but we'd have to fill monthly. This house was originally oil but when it blew no one would install another one. Oh, I sleep in the Living Room as to put a heater in my bedroom .. well, we had a $500/mo electric bill last year. Like yours this way, way smaller farmhouse is compartmentalized. Must say, you have a creative system. At least you have a basement. This 1868 home has a stone walled dirt floor one, in the original part. What do they call these old houses to heat, white elephants I believe!
My grandmother lived on a farm with lots of pine trees in the woods. We would find a pine that needed to be thinned out and just cut off whatever length we wanted for the Christmas tree. Not sure what kinds of trees you have.
I can’t believe your subscriber count has not gone way beyond 50 K but what the heck it’s heading in the right direction! LOL! Of course, always love your videos! Grant from Nova Scotia!
We had an oil boiler installed when we first came as cheaper than gas. Then when it started playing up M Macron decided that as tax declared in France we could get a huge chunk towards replacing it with a pellet boiler. Ma Prime Renov had previously helped with replacing 16 windows and 5 doors with engineered oak and double glazing. Yes it was sad to see handmade glass go although the same thickness as our greenhouse was in UK. The difference it made was incredible! Azurenov 32 a 1000 thanks. The pellet boiler now means no lugging in logs and removing ash. The house stays cleaner longer. It starts at 6:30 and stops at 22:00 . We didn’t want it on all night! It’s warm all day, if it’s sunny the Thermo stops it over heating. WE LOVE IT! Especially DH the chief log hauler. Okofen chaudière à granulés de bois. Also in English MAD! Bon courage❤❤🫶🫶
Cats do crazy things! I was sitting on the floor in front of my fireplace one year and my cat was sitting on the hearth watching the smoke rise from the flames. Next thing I know he jumped up the chimney and was clinging to the bricks while the fire roared below him. We were able to grab him and pull him out, but he melted his claws and singed his tail a bit.
I am at a point in my life that I decided to get another kitten/ young rescue cat. The strangest thing has been happening all day. I keep thinking I hear a kitten meowing. I searched all around the house and there isn't a kitten in sight. I guess it's time to go to the rescue center and find me a little bundle of fluff.😊 I know people are going to say get an older cat but it's time for a little one. My last 4 cats were all older when they showed up in my yard. I want a little one that is going to have fun climbing up the Christmas tree this year.
I think I remember you saying at some point that neither of you had house restoration experience before you decided to take on this project. Why is it again that you decided to commit to this very protracted and complex endeavor? It’s got to be ‘more’ than you imagined, right? Your children are cool with this whole wild idea you had that seemed romantic back in the states and now seems … well, less so? Break it down for me once again next time you do a Q & A. Start with the seed idea to move to away from the US and to France in particular and buy a several hundred year old building(s) that will take years more to tame. WOW … I’m baffled and awe struck by your indefatigable spirit. ❤ LOVE you guys and your channel!
The hubby and I laughed because we go through a process when we have to decide something together, ie choosing Xmas trees. We call it dithering. After 48 yrs we just say, “Let’s dither.” And off we go to launch into a deep conversation.
Growing up with 2 beef ranches on thousands of acres of trees Dad loved the old saying "When you cut your own wood, it warms you twice." ❤️🙏
Weather, Christmas tree hunting and kitten shenanigans! What a life and what a nice peek into the world of chateau owners!
Stay warm and thanks for another great video!
Your vlogs never disappoint. I look forward to each and every one. Best wishes to your family of humans and critters. ❤
😊
Does anyone else find themselves saying "thanks for watching" when abruptly ending a conversation? My partner and I use it all the time now, and it makes us laugh. Thank you Lincoln and Amanda for being so humorous in the face of your chateau life challenges!
😂
Just make sure there isn’t a squirrel in the tree! 😂 You guys make everything an adventure, even tree shopping 😊❤
We rarely see squirrels here! When we do, they're the red ones. Very cute.
@ourfrenchchateau totally had visions of Christmas Vacation!! 😂 and red ones? Those must be so cute. 🥰
That heating system sounds much better than I thought it would be. So glad Marble did not get out through the chimney, and glad you are closing them up, so she can't become a repeat offender. I know they can cause worries, but your animals never fail to entertain.
Thanks you for the heating lesson. Always interesting to hear how people live. Love your donkeys.
You are such a kick . Make me laugh.. love your sense of humour. That’s why I look forward to to each episode ….😂❤❤❤
Joanfelt - Yep, well said. Exactly how I feel watching y’all. Delightful!
@@joanfelt8069 Yes, totally agree ❣️
Another great episode. I love the humor, it must have been terrifying to lose a kitten in a chimney. I’m glad you finally found the right tree! ❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love how you were able succinctly explain what happens if you don’t heat the chateau! Other chatelaines should take note!😂 Lovely and entertaining video as always! ❤
It’s so cool to learn all of that. In Montana, I actually have to add humidity to the house or all the wood gets ruined😅
Yes, we know of one in particular that has spent over a 100,000 euros on an elaborate system and they still don’t have heat. Too busy using Patreon $ traveling and buying decor that will be RUINED with the cold and damp. Had to stop watching as it wasn’t good for my blood pressure 🤯
@ 🎯
Marble has that "I'm innocent of everything" look on her face. She seems like a lovely cat/kitten with beautiful coloring. Thanks for the ever-interesting vlogs!
Another great video....thank you and loved hearing about the kittens. Can't wait to see your trees all decorated. Have a great week!!
Thank you so much!
Come on, 50,000 subscribers!
Give them a like
I’ve heard it helps❤
Right now 14.5 k watched and 2.9 k liked
🤷🏼♀️
@@haw_n_thorne I have been subscribed since their first video! I love their channel!!! Always hit like!!
Ok 🎉we’ll put a link on our next video! We only have 649 but maybe a few will join yours so Lincoln’s dream can come true 🎉
Amanda and Lincoln, your gardens / grounds are really beautiful, in rain, sun and snow!! Loved your video! Thank you 🦋
I loved watching both of you pick out trees. One year I decided we would have a tree almost touch the ceiling of the living room which is 1 1/2 stories high. It was free to cut one fir tree in the forest a half block up the street and that’s what we did. It was easy to get in the house and looked beautiful decorated but on January 6th when it was time to put everything away and remove the tree, we realized that the branches had opened much wider. We couldn’t get it out the front door until we sawed the thing in half. The living room was an absolute mess of dead needles and it was the last real tree we ever had. 🤣
Cracked up at your Christmas Tree shopping 😂😂😂😂😂Glad Marble is safe. Sounds like she’s quite the little rascal 😻😻😻😻😻
Wood warms you twice. Once when you chop it, once when you burn it!
4x! Chopping, splitting, stacking and burning! And that's if you don't count lugging from the woodshed to house to burn! I heated with wood for decades, much of that time as a single woman ( who is 4'11") and now thoroughly enjoy my heat pump.😁
For your patio furniture cushions. If you purchase a trunk you can put the cushions in the trunk. You take the cushions out when you want to use your outdoor furniture and when you finish just put them back in the trunk.
Watching Marble looking out from the top window was just magical!….i don’t know what it is but it gets me eveytime when you show them looking out at you in the garden….like they are so happy to be in this amazing chateau however, that they still peer out out with curiosity on their past lives!
I as thinking you could write a kids book about their lives ( the cats that is) … and all their different personalities and hang ups!😂… I’d read it!!🤗🤗📚📚
I was loving the 'old married couple' banter picking out a tree. I hope you go back and get that hedgehog house, it was SO CUTE! Thank you for another lovely video! Those kittens are too cute too! I hope they all find good homes soon. Thank you for all the work you do to help animals in need.
😊
Thank you for sharing in Canada I just take my tree UT of a box every year 75 Canadian dollars too much from a real tree theses days ! Senior on low income my best option ! Just 2100 dollar car repair ugh! So saving every way I can before the changing of the guard in the US in 2 months impacts us! You two are so enjoyable to watch and the bantering even better ! Keep doing what you are doing well all enjoy your real life experiences owning a Chateau !
This channel is so enchanting, it should have way more subscribers. Come on people!!
I do recommend an electric desiccant dehumidifier which will also generate some heat as well as remove moisture from the chateau.
Interesting - we'll look into that.
For kinda insulating single paned windows, I've used bubble wrap. Spray a bit of water on it, and it will stick to the glass. Not for everywhere, but for the least used rooms, etc. And it's so easy to put up and take down, and up again ; )
Warmth to you all
I would use perspex panes, you can buy them in large sheets at the brico. Put them in front of the window opening as dubble layer of insolation in the winter, take them away in the summer.
🍾🥂 ~ CONGRATULATIONS 🎉 on reaching 50,000+ Subscribers!!! 🤩
Hello Marble was happy to be inside during the storm
Glad Lincoln figured out how to efficiently heat your home. Amanda can you take us on a tour of Paris decorated for the holidays? Girls weekend in Paris, sign me up. Always enjoy your videos.
Love going tree shopping with you two. Your videos always entertain me.
Im a Dutch born and bred. Now an Australian citizen and I love watching you prepare for the festive season. Choosing Christmas trees, heating, preparation of the garden. I miss the cold around this time whilst sweating and trying to get in the mood to decorate 😅
We missed the change of seasons while living in SF...
Enjoyed as always. The heating discussion was interesting. I'm always interested in how things work. LOL at choosing a Christmas tree. A true test of many a marriage!
I love your vlogs! Beautiful home, funny moments and never a dull moment. You take us grocery shopping, trips to Paris and into a scary basement just to stay and chat about heating and butterflies! Thanks so much 💕
You never have a dull moment kittens are like little children they will get into trouble no matter how much care you do happy you found your trees have a great week
So very happy you found Marble 🐈⬛ .. sweet kitty ❤️
Perhaps you ought to consider using dehumidifiers in conjunction with the current heating sources in different rooms or levels of the Chateau, for example, the dressing room. Using a dehumidifier does as well as removing moisture and also increases the room temperature.
They also make these little pots of stuff that soak up the humidity, just dump the water out and reuse. Don't know how safe they are around cats, though. My dad used to use them on his boat.
Hot Saturday here where I live in Australia. I do miss Ireland at Christmas and all the fun gatherings in Dublin. I am putting up my tree today and decorate my home. I am a christmas nerd love this time of year. Your videos are always fun Amanda. Funny to me I have air con on to stay cool while you are trying to keep warm.Nice open fire and an Irish Coffee used to be my go to when it was very cold in Ireland.
Thanks again for sharing getting the tree.
Your Christmas tree adventure was hilarious...!!! Ive been married for 34 years...!!
You’re both hilarious picking out a tree. When you were looking at the trees with the birds. I thought it’s as long as the tree doesn’t have a live critter freeloading on a tree. 😂😂😂 Marble is so sweet and innocent looking. Looks can be extremely deceiving. Thank you for sharing❤
Your Christmas tree shopping adventures was hilarious and brought back so many memories. And if wondering, I’m divorced. 😂
😜 Oh no!
Your roof lines are Beautiful, the nice varried detail along the ridges looks fantastic....
A great thing to have more than one way to heat too...
Best,
Brian
I have a good solution for cushion storage... you know those fiberglass boxes that are kept on the dock near the boats? They're great storage, waterproof, and hold many cushions. You might be able to get one in the alcove under the steps. Because they're made for docks, as long as what you put in there is dry, your stuff won't mildew.
Have you ever considered bringing the chateau into the modern era with features like solar panels or a heat pump? If so, was it too costly or potentially damaging to the existing architecture? And with the renovation of the cottages, have you thought about installing solar panels on their roofs for power as well?
I can see you have quite a lot of land too maybe some ground solar panels? There are some historic houses in the UK that have managed to keep up and become almost net zero by hiding solar panels behind landscape scenery.
Yes, solar panels are coming...
You are Snow White with the butterflies, birds and all the animals following you around. 😂❤ or Cinderella. 😂
😂
I love the donkeys and cats!! Did not see dogs this time but I really like them too! Glad you guys have a warm home for the winter. Sounds like Lincoln has mastered the heating system. I think the butterfly has found a warm home in your basement. Will be looking forward to seeing your Christmas decorations! I am sure they will be perfect!! Thanks for the visit!!
Loved the video! Learned a lot about the two furnaces you have and their issues, lol. Hope you keep warm. Next video show us your decorated Christmas trees! Finally I’m obsessed with all your cats! I have one that adopted me and I feed her everyday. I’m glad Marble is safe. She’s very lucky to find such loving human beings!
I live in Half Moon Bay and have exactly the same issues with moisture. I can’t stand our force air heater and as you probably know it never gets that cold in HMB. You convinced me- I’m going to have to bite the bullet and turn up the heat😊
Hi Emily,
I guess you are in California?
I am in Australia. Greetings & Merry Christmas! 🎄There are 2 Half Moon Bays here. One in Victoria and one Western Australia.
From Julie 🌷
Despite the filming fiasco, happy to say my understanding of complex chateau heating systems easily just doubled.
My previous house was built in 1827 and was listed, so no double glazing allowed, and, I totally agree; it takes a long time to warm them up if they get cold! I now live in a house which is 15 years old and, although it can be cold, if I am away and there is a sudden drop in temperature, it heats up really quickly. Heating is an absolute necessitate in chateaux and, not just for the house itself but for the health of its inhabitants. Damp is so damaging as you say. I find it incredible that another chateau owner seems to be ignoring this.
Glad Marble is safe and sound!
Old brick houses are like that too. We try not to have anything with cloth against the outside walls and we leave closet doors open in the winter. The sacrifices we make to live in these old places.
we fostered several moms and kittens over the years, and one bunch we had, had to be segregated, because they had ringworm. we had them in a basement room, and when i went in one morning, they were no where to be seen. I discovered the mom and had taken her two kittens, and taken them thru the hole in the wall, where the sink pipes were and , I guess, decided they were safer there. What an ordeal, that was, getting them out.
Oh my!
Fun video as always, Amanda! thank you
Rather than trying to get pipes and radiators up to the bedrooms , have you looked into having woodburning inserts fitted into the existing fireplaces in the bedrooms most used. Have the chimneys lined, and look round for some decent second hand inserts or do a deal on the number you need .... I fitted a wood burner in our bedroom in our farmhouse in Italy.... The cold north part... Game changer. I bought a jotul insert for £150 off of eBay they are about.... They help dry out damp and ventilate the rooms.... Enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work!
I feel you. On the double glazed windows - don't replace the single glazed ones but maybe find a way to get another single glazed in front or behind the current ones. Has been done with man houses and chateaus in this way. People took the additional windows down in spring and put them back up in winter. Ideal is a distance of about 8 cm between the windows. There is even a study of the Fraunhofer institute in Munich that shows that these old double window construction is as good or in some cases better than modern double-glazed windows. Most likely you could even make these additional single glazed windows yourself. One other thing to mention - the interior windows need to seal well, the outside windows should allow a slight draft. So you won't get fogging in between those windows.
My husband and I love watching your episodes! Probably because we're likely the same age and definitely the same sense of humor! We're also from the Bay Area. Amanda--your chateau decor is so lovely. Definitely a source of inspiration minus the chateau. ;-)
Maybe some tent stakes through the frames of the outdoor furniture? Might help if it's a common occurrence. Love watching your escapades.
The butterfly in the furniture room and the bird in the tree was cool! That was a good bit of going back and forth for a tree, but will be beautiful when they are up. ❤
My house is much the same being 3. Storey takes forever for all the radiators to come on - can highly recommend log burners - oh wow good job you found marble - they used to sell a chimney balloon you could put up the chimney inflatable but let air through then easy to remove when needed - thanks for sharing ❤
Can definitely relate to the unique married-couple conversations that you guys had at Leroy Merlin. So many times when out shopping, my wife will ask something that I have no idea how to answer. Thankfully, like 2 people that don't speak each other's language, you find a way to work things out. 😊
This reminds me of going to pick out a tree back in the 1960’s with my dad, except it was in Montana so the trees were frozen solid. So we’d bring it home, thaw it out, and then dad would add branches to make it perfect.
The 2 beautiful tress you got will definitely be a place for all the cats to play at least my cat Sheba loved getting into my tree and would love to play with my Xmas wrapping paper when I was getting the paper for the gifts and while wrapping ❤
I’m not certain if you mentioned this before, but between donkeys, straw, leaves, etc., you would have a primo compost pile.
Had no idea all that could happen due to the cold, in an old stone home...thank you for explaining all that to us.
I love Chateau shows. Why haven’t I found you before now?! ( I’ll blame it on the horrible election)
I’m binge watching yours over the Thanksgiving holiday. I love your sense of humor.
Love from Michigan ❤
So happy you found us!
It's so fascinating seeing the day to day life of your chateau. So you were visited by a butterfly... It means the start of a new beginning, freedom, and joy... Or it also means you may have been visited by a dearly departed 🤗 I find your married humor entertaining.... Love and hugs
I prefer a Charlie Brown Christmas tree myself! I think you can see all of the ornaments much better than on a full tree. The story of Marble and the chimney escape was frightening. I'm guessing she came out of the chimney by herself? Lastly, I appreciate how the French "Home Depot" stores are not crammed with stuff all over the place. I walk into our stores and start getting dizzy. It's good and bad.
Regarding the wood boiler two things: maybe it could be modified in otder to get a secondary combustion which it will make it more efficient. A buffer water tank might help to regulated the operating temperature.
Hi Amanda and Lincoln, heating the chateau is a challenge, do you use in the bedroom heating blankets at night. I must admit though the grounds look so beautiful with the light coat of snow on them. Please stay warm, watch for missing kitties, thanks for sharing. Love from N.Y.
Down comforters work just fine :)
As always, a wonderful episode, complete with a butterfly buddy. And gads, we both gasped when we heard the 'kitten up a chimney' story. Glad it had a happy ending.
Heating the Chateau but lovely when it is warmed up.
I hear you can periodically remove creosote mounting up in the chimney flue by burning potato skins. Second, if you add radiant floor heating, you should keep your radiators still on the first floor. You can get new radiators for the bedrooms. Chateau LaLande made the mistake (they say) of having geothermal heating and nothing ever got warm enough. When you want to get warm, the radiators will do the trick in a way nothing else quite will - with a boiler and a radiator you can hug if you wanted to.
The decay caused by lack of heating would explain why other chateuas are crumbling... good to know you are all snug as a bug... 😊
It's like traveling back to the 18th Glamorous indeed despite the setbacks. Amanda, your editions are simply magnifique.❄️🙌
😀
You are the best!! Enjoy every weekly visit to Brittany.
We lived in a c1900 home & heating by oil was far too expensive so my husband had a hopper put in the main fireplace & burnt wood pellets. In the colder months he would fill the hopper before we went to bed & again at some point in the early mornings. What a difference!
😂🤣OMG!! I’m cracking up over the Christmas tree selection………sounds so familiar!
Phase 2 is even worse for us……..getting it in the house & in the stand!!🫣
OMG, the stand is the worst part of the entire process.
I love that green candle that you have burning in the kitchen window. I was in a shop in Savannah called “The Paris Market” and I did look for a candle similar to yours. No luck😂. Stay warm
Thank you my favorite you tube family. I already gave my like because I know it will be another great video, I couldn't wait calmly for the next video. I hope you had a sweet and happy thanksgiving.
Thanks so much :)
Another lovely episode, so enjoyable and always a highlight of my week . Marble is such a beauty 😻Meowy Christmas ! 😻🎄🐈⬛🐕🫏🫏🎄🌟💫 🥰
Thank you! 😊
Thank heavens over Marble. We fear the well in the cellar. But we've got wire mesh over it's hole. Plus no kitties are allowed down there. This year I counted eight heated houses outside, plus a really large, well insulated one my husband built.
How wonderful!
"Rest when I'm dead" 😂🤣 I laugh because I know it's true! 🙈
Lincoln has a very relaxing voice 👍
Interesting weather in France. Here are some winds that occur in France:
Tramontane
A cold, strong wind from the north or northeast that's common in the Mediterranean Sea. The word comes from the Latin trānsmontānus, which means "beyond/across the mountains".
Levant
A mild, damp, and rainy wind that blows from the east in the western Mediterranean Sea and southern France. It's most common in the spring and fall.
Marin
A warm, moist wind that blows from the southeast onto the coast of Languedoc and Roussillon. It's usually strong and steady, and it brings heavy rainfall.
Mistral
A cold, dry northwest wind in Provence.
Foehn
A strong, dusty, dry, and warm local wind that develops on the leeward side of the Alps mountain ranges.
Interesting!
Nice video. I have, as told once here, a same kind of heating set up. 19kW woodburner and an oil/mazout burner. When the wood burns, the smoke goes through a sort of chicane inside the woodburner and then horizontal out and then i to the chimney. You also have to clean out the chicane area. It is above where the flames are.
When my wood is burned up/gone, the oilburner feels the water temperature getting less and then he goes on automatically. Or when the woodburner ( brand Eder) has heated the water warmer then 40°C, the oilburner goes out automatically. Late in the evening, you can also put briketts ( the black blocks, almost as big as a brick) in the wood/all burner and then in the morning, you can start up the wood fire easier. I bought the mazout/oil in september and then it costed €0,80 per liter. I bought 1500 l for €1200. I can put 4700 liter in the tank. Yes, use as much as possible wood. Chopped wood, old construction woodl hedge wood, etc. i also burn root wood from a big shrub/bush. Here in the Ardennes, the people let their wood dry for two years. My heating set up is from the end 80s and one technical guy who inspected my house for efficiency told me to keep it because the new set ups need more yearly maintenance. The village historican told me my house is not from 1870 but from about 1820. It is on a map from 1823.
Regards from a Dutch in the Belgium Eifel/Ardennes.
Well, in the Finger Lake area of NY tonight it will be 29degrees.Our desire would be to install under floor heating the kitchen. Right now we have a fireplace insert going full blast in the eat-in kitchen, a pellet stove in the Living Room, and a small propane wall heater upstairs. (It heats very well, btw.) I go nuts trying to think if we are saving. We could run the propane furnace for the entire house but we'd have to fill monthly. This house was originally oil but when it blew no one would install another one. Oh, I sleep in the Living Room as to put a heater in my bedroom .. well, we had a $500/mo electric bill last year. Like yours this way, way smaller farmhouse is compartmentalized. Must say, you have a creative system. At least you have a basement. This 1868 home has a stone walled dirt floor one, in the original part. What do they call these old houses to heat, white elephants I believe!
Chateau owners from the past lived in town during the winters. But of course they didn't have the heating possibilities we have today.
My grandmother lived on a farm with lots of pine trees in the woods. We would find a pine that needed to be thinned out and just cut off whatever length we wanted for the Christmas tree. Not sure what kinds of trees you have.
I can’t believe your subscriber count has not gone way beyond 50 K but what the heck it’s heading in the right direction! LOL! Of course, always love your videos! Grant from Nova Scotia!
Thanks Grant!
Nice Christmas trees 🌲. The cats will love them 😀
Unfortunately, they will 😂
OK Amanda and Lincoln we might have to rename your channel Our Crazy Cat French Chateau !😁😆🤣✌🏻💞😊
Marble is so lovely ❤
Can't wait to see all your Christmas decor this year. Be very blessed.
We had an oil boiler installed when we first came as cheaper than gas. Then when it started playing up M Macron decided that as tax declared in France we could get a huge chunk towards replacing it with a pellet boiler. Ma Prime Renov had previously helped with replacing 16 windows and 5 doors with engineered oak and double glazing. Yes it was sad to see handmade glass go although the same thickness as our greenhouse was in UK. The difference it made was incredible! Azurenov 32 a 1000 thanks. The pellet boiler now means no lugging in logs and removing ash. The house stays cleaner longer. It starts at 6:30 and stops at 22:00 . We didn’t want it on all night! It’s warm all day, if it’s sunny the Thermo stops it over heating. WE LOVE IT! Especially DH the chief log hauler. Okofen chaudière à granulés de bois. Also in English MAD! Bon courage❤❤🫶🫶
Poor little thing ,but they are very mischievous 😂😂❤.
I am glad you covered the oil issue
🐾 Marble looks just like our Alleycat 💕
It's a super informative video, thank you so much!
Cats do crazy things! I was sitting on the floor in front of my fireplace one year and my cat was sitting on the hearth watching the smoke rise from the flames. Next thing I know he jumped up the chimney and was clinging to the bricks while the fire roared below him. We were able to grab him and pull him out, but he melted his claws and singed his tail a bit.
What a beautiful kitten ❤
I am at a point in my life that I decided to get another kitten/ young rescue cat. The strangest thing has been happening all day. I keep thinking I hear a kitten meowing. I searched all around the house and there isn't a kitten in sight. I guess it's time to go to the rescue center and find me a little bundle of fluff.😊 I know people are going to say get an older cat but it's time for a little one. My last 4 cats were all older when they showed up in my yard. I want a little one that is going to have fun climbing up the Christmas tree this year.
I think I remember you saying at some point that neither of you had house restoration experience before you decided to take on this project. Why is it again that you decided to commit to this very protracted and complex endeavor? It’s got to be ‘more’ than you imagined, right? Your children are cool with this whole wild idea you had that seemed romantic back in the states and now seems … well, less so? Break it down for me once again next time you do a Q & A. Start with the seed idea to move to away from the US and to France in particular and buy a several hundred year old building(s) that will take years more to tame. WOW … I’m baffled and awe struck by your indefatigable spirit. ❤ LOVE you guys and your channel!
I recall Amanda mentioning something about french butter being one motivating factor😅😋
The hubby and I laughed because we go through a process when we have to decide something together, ie choosing Xmas trees. We call it dithering. After 48 yrs we just say, “Let’s dither.” And off we go to launch into a deep conversation.