A Bittersweet Goodbye + Sourcing Antique Copper Pots For Our French Chateau 

Before we get flooded with flower comments: Yes, it's a Snapdragon, not Gladiolus. Wondering what I'm talking about? Watch the video :) ⬆

You are so kind caring for these strays….thank you.

Poor, dear creature. Made me tearful thinking of how he has suffered with his tail. But thanks to your compassion and caring he has been helped and spayed as well. Your property is a haven for all animals. What lovely, lovely people you are.

Thank you so much for taking care of Shadow and all the other feral kittens that come to your property. It breaks my heart, as I can tell it does yours, to see animals suffer. You are very good to them!

Very happy you were able to help Shadow. Thank you for caring so much!

Once the hedge has grown a little you won’t notice

You have the most beautiful chateau

It’s not a half-ass garden anymore, it’s beautiful!! Great video. Love how you take care of the animals around your property. You work on things at your own pace, don’t apologise. We love your lives. You do you.

I love how quickly Lincoln worked removing the beams from the cottage with the help of the funky music 🤣 way to go Lincoln. Shadow is such a beautiful cat and lucky to have you take good care of him, even though he wasn’t enjoying the company. I’m sure he will come back for food in the future and to say hi. Those copper pots are gorgeous. I would love some, but don’t have anywhere to store them in my little kitchen. The gardens are looking great. Well done both of you.

What a lucky kitty to have found you folks. It warms my heart how you care for all these precious animals.🙏🏻

Half-assed garden porn and a bobbed cat. A 7 pound copper pot from the 30’s! What’s not to love? This channel is the best!

Thank you for taking care of the cats guys.

Bless Shadow's heart! Such a beautiful cat. 😢❤

😍Thats really “true love” the way Lincoln follows your lead in your passion for cats!!🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛ OMG! 🦔 So cute!!💖

From all the Chateau YT Channels this is the only chateau I would desire. Perfect size, perfect locality, perfect landside....

So happy Shadow was trapped and fixed. Bless you for taking care of him. Love the copper pot 😍😘

Nothing better than the simple pleasure of bringing cut flowers into the house, especially when they smell good ❤️

Amanda, much praise for putting in the hard work on that superb pan. Even if the retinning costs €100, you still win. That pan new would probably cost over €1000.

I live in rural Northumberland UK and have adopted many feral cats over the years like you. I start to feed them first to catch them and then have the stressful journey to the vets, it’s traumatic for the cat but just as much for us too as they try to escape. Keep up the good work your doing a tremendous job caring for these animals and renovating your chateau.

You guys are the best. I’m a failed foster as I kept more than I found homes. Once you snuggle you’re hooked at my house.

Thank you for your care and love to animals ❤️

Your channel is one of a few worthwhile endeavours. As a long-time rescuer, I appreciate those of like heart. Donation made in memory of myfurred family members.

I only read recently, that snails have a homing function rather like pigeons. So when you pick them off your plants, put them in the car and drive a long way before you release them. :)

Glad you could help Shadow ( he certainly had a great turn of speed!). Also loved the footage of my favourite animal-the hedgehog.☺️

Amanda, you and Lincoln are blessed for what you've been doing for shadow🥰

Thank you for taking care of these cats.. as I'm a cat lover as well. ❤️🙏🇨🇦. Keep up the amazing work.

You have our sympathy in regard to caring for all the work that properties require. In regard to the work on a chateau with renovations, animals & rescues & a vast garden we truly understand why most chateaux required a "gardener & staff " to get it all done year after year!!!! We commend you both for ALL YOU ACCOMPLISH!!! Good job, everything looks beautiful !!! Those strawberries look yummy. Your garden is envyable. (I live in S Fl with salty sandy soil & scorching heat) 😉🙂

You are both so kind , much respect.

Amanda, well done on your copper pot ~ I agree much more appreciated when used, with character. Shadow is blessed to have you and Lincoln look after him. Your entire garden space is huge~ so any amount of time spent on weeding will take longer periods of time. And it is you and Lincoln, the pair of you who do ALL the work. So kudos to you!! Both your Chateau and garden are looking so lovely! Thank you for your videos!

Your property is looking so nice! Thanks for taking us brocante shopping. We once had a half- assed garden. We called it our Frankenstein garden. Take care. Hope you & your family sit outside & admire your work once in awhile. 🌳🌸🌹🌺💐🥀🌼🪻

I love your humour. I love the way you take care of animals. I love your relationship with your hubby. I love that you are real. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures. Best wishes from Toronto 🇨🇦😊💜

Thank you for all that you do for the animals, blessings to you always x

Shadow looks so beautiful

Something I saw on another channel, (Living the Skye Life), was crushed up eggshells spread around your strawberry plants will deter the slugs. Worth a try.

Shadow is a lucky cat to have showed up at your place. Shadow will be back. Love your videos they are so enjoyable. ❤❤.

Thank you Amanda and Lincoln💕 for taking care of Shadow he would have not survived with that wound if left for too long. I relocate slugs and snails too collect them in a bucket and take for a long walk to open fields. Your videos are always a pleasure to watch 🌹🐈Xxxx

Weck is indeed the name of probably the oldest German storage pots. In the Netherlands we therefore call them "weckpotten" used for jams etc. that need to be steam-sealed with rubber rings between pot and lid.

Thanks for taking care of so many stray cats. I love seeing your gardens. Those climbing roses are divine.

What a pretty looking cat, Shadow was. Well done for doing your best for him/her, you've given it a fighting chance. 😊

You're such good people. Thank you for what you do for the animals. 💚

In Brooklyn NY we had minimal dirt and lots of cement. The slugs always found their way to the minimal dirt. We put down a plate filled with beer. The slugs climbed in, drank the beer and could not find their way out thus they drowned. It worked for us and our veggies won many blue ribbons.

The best way to control weeds.... MORE PLANTS!!!!!

You both have such big hearts. Thank you for helping these defenseless animals! I'm certain Shadow is thanking you even though he ran away as fast as he could.

So happy to see Shadow is doing better. I understand how you felt about letting him go, hope he will come back. Love seeing drone shots of your property and chateaux. So beautiful 😃

I can totally relate on the boxwood! Taking care of 5 hectares on our reno project has been a massive eye opener. Now I understand why these big houses had a team of gardeners! Good work with Shadow, he’s a beauty even without his tail. 7 rescues and counting here plus 6 abandoned kittens rehomed. In love with your walled garden that was always a dream but not so many of them here in the SW. Thank you for sharing your story and the beautiful and peaceful aerial shots.

My dear American friends, I had. No idea that Americans were living in Paris. Rennovatating Chateau's.I am supporting all these people who are from France and London. And I'm not supporting my own Americans. Are you kidding me once? I heard you were American. I clicked and subscribe button not to mention. When I see half a** garden I was like wait a minute. That's so American to say. They say that in London or Paris. 🤔🤨And then you said you were American. So once again , why I subscribed. I'll pass your channel along. Like I would pass the California green grass.🤣🤣🤣🤣 Hope ur , Loving your life out of the USA🙋🏽‍♀️ from across the pond.❤❤❤❤

I just love you guys! Your hearts are big, the compassion for all things fluffy and the wonderful dry humor! Your garden bed looks amazing too! Loving the edging. That takes ALOT of work, noted by another half ass gardener;) keep cranking them out your fan base is true and we love seeing your adventures at the chateau.

Thank you for taking care of all the critters! You're just boss. The boxwoods look fab, don't sweat the inches. Store in glass, not plastic. YES! And Amanda, when do we get to see your kitchen & some of your cooking?

Bless you for the update on the injured kitty. He has a better chance at life, neutered and tail procedure. Lincoln seems to roll with the flow, he is a keeper 🤗 love and hugs 🐾💖

Thanks for taking care of all of the kitties!

You channel is the only one i think, where i don't miss any video. You both are really fun to watch. Great job with editing Greetings from Germany .

Tell Lincoln not to worry about the boxwoods. They look great. Nice compliment to the stone wall.

Fraise from Brittany! Miam miam! I so love it when you show your garden and drone shots of your property. Merci! ❤

Your gardens and flowers, the large rose bush, so beautiful. Continued success!

Your property is big and beautiful especially in the spring. What's even more beautiful is you, cool couple, doing almost everything (property maintenance and renovations) with glee and calm and good-nature. I hope that all who view your vids will mindfully hit that subscribe and like button and even leave a comment for your channel to grow so you can continually amuse us with the humor that you are able to see amidst the rubble and endless pile of things to be done. Thank you for each down-to-earth sharing of what's happening in your French abode.

Appreciate your channel so much❗️I lived in France for 17 years and now USA planted…I live vicariously now thru your videos❗️. I was truly impressed with your determination with the copper pot ….

That pink climbing rose is glorious - love all you do

Thank you for caring about the cats. And donkeys and dogs, of course! Your videos are beautiful.

Sad that he has no home. He is gorgeous. Thank you,I sent some money.

Our favorite strawberry snack: dip the berry in sour cream, then in brown sugar. Eat. It's wonderful.

Both gardens look beautiful. Your, so good to take care of the cats.

I believe Weck's gaskets and the metal clips are also sold separately. They are amazing and practically forever items. All the best! Your vlogs become more and more entertaining:)

Bonjour Amanda and Lincoln. Once again you saved another life. Thank you so, so much. I love the little hedgehog too. I do the same thing, I now have a wild pair of ducks living in my yard, they will remain until Fall and head out to where it is they go. I got an all-weather proof house from Amazon for the kitties I feed. I love your walled garden. I love that you guys take life as it comes, no pressure or timelines. Well done on the pot. Love from N.Y.

Very interesting vlog this week. Shadow is a beautiful cat. I am sure she will return. The small slugs will grow into big fat ones. Due to the invasion in my garden, I started going out after dark or just before dawn and cutting them. They have no natural enemies and tried special ducks in the garden, too no avail. If there are slugs guards at the pearly gates, I will burn in hell. But during my life I enjoyed lots of lettuce,fresh herbs, fruits, berries and vegetables and had a ball watching them grow and able to share with family and neighbors. I also have strawberries but usually don't make jam, instead they get mashed and sugared then frozen in small pots. Looks like you have pots on hand already. Then the jam doesn't turn a dark color by September.

ThNk you both, for another varied video 👍…. and for the update on ‘Shadow’… relieved that you were able to get him to the vet and give him time to rest , recover and eat some more good food before giving him his freedom… really hope he still returns to the ‘feeding station’ and stays healthy. Some how I feel that he ‘will realise that you were helping him…’ forgive you fir the trauma of the experience… and stick around…. What you do is Good, Beyond Measure!🙏👌. When I saw that you were going to source antique copper… I brightened up even more!… Copper is beautiful.. and I have a few items myself…not pans… but a small watering can, candlesticks, a lovely stick/ umbrella container that my Dad made many years ago… solid and heavy with a hammered finish ( which made in his retirement years together with copper planters with brass handles which he sold as a little sideline)… Amanda, you did so well with the one you chose…it’s a beauty!!! Wanted to ask why (or if?) Lincoln didn’t keep any of the timber from the cottage… even I’m if only for firewood…??….more small gardening improvements… every little helps in the scheme of things…including the row of box plants….takes me ages to get around to plant certain things too…made worse by having tons of rain… Again!…. So much for ‘flaming’ JUNE !…. So far 🤬….Would definitely have bought that huge horse painting… another passion of mine…€30 !!!… We have an unexpectedly imminent general election over here ( as you may have heard)…will probably end up by writing’None of the Above’😂 on my Ballot Paper!!….Anyway, once again, look forward to the next Chateau events 👏👏…. Sue (UK) 🐈‍⬛🫙🌳…

So glad Shadow was seen by the vet. I have Box hedge envy as mine has been decimated by the dreaded caterpillar and it is a constant fight to keep ahead of them in the wet Spring weather!

I needed to see this today. You're helping me keep some hope for humanity alive.

I appreciate your kindness to all animals. I hope Shadow will come back to visit because he knows he can find respite at your barn. The half ass garden looks great and yes I hate when the weeds grow through a plant. With the boxwood , whether your forming a hedge or just shaping them I think they’ll be fine. Recently ( I volunteer in local public gardens) I had to plant 120 annuals at our village library. I was introduced to the auger by a fellow gardener . It’s attaches to your drill . There are of course different sizes. I believe we used a 16 in auger bit. It was an absolute game changer. They make larger ones for planting things like your boxwood’s. I am going to give it a try for bulb planting this fall. No bending and digging , yay! It was actually fun!

I have purchased some beautiful copper pots through the years. I love cooking with them. I’m sure you can’t wait until you have a stove where you can use the pots. You are a good soul taking care of feral and stray cats. I know you love them and want to do what’s right. Love your channel. xx

You guys are PHENOMENAL! Thank you for saving sweet little Shadow. I love your strawberries, they're my favorite fruit. Incidentally, you should have gotten the horse painting and hung it in the donkey shed as inspiration for Dominique and Uvea! Every donkey needs a dream 🤣

Oh my, I know how hard that is trapping a feral. It does bring tears. It is why I could never do pediatrics as it takes a special nurse to ease children's fear but the young ones do not understand you are trying to help. Hate suffering, of any kind. Children and animals need special love and thank you both for all the love you give. Our beautiful wild, purple irises are now saying farewell till next year. The lilies will take over. Must dig some out, as well, because they do take over, huh?

Oh the half fast garden looks beautiful,scored for the copper pots.wow what a deal . that was a great job, catching your injured cat and taking care of it for three days before you let it go hopping out as fast as a rabbit..

hehe, so nice. you should have called him bunny, he ran away like that !

Love the music choice for the opening sequence with Lincoln using his superspeed power to remove the wood. Great job with Shadow! Lucky cat. With all the work you do I'm amazed you are able to make any progress with the garden and the boxwoods. haha garden porn! The roses and the snap dragons look great. You have such great colors on your property! Nice how to clean a copper pot segment. Learn something new on every video. Thanks for another very enjoyable video.

Like your new copper pot. Worth retinning. Gardens are looking nice. Thanks for sharing.

Wonderful pan will be amazing retinned

In Paris in the summer of 1970, in a restaurant near diplomats' row, I paid $65.00 for lunch for two. Lunch was six prawns (crevettes) each, and dessert was six strawberries with fresh cream (fraises à la crème fraîche). Fifty-four years ago, it was a revelation about Paris restaurants, and I still remember.

Thoroughly enjoy your videos! Hats off to you guys for your genuine concern and care of the kitties! Support forthcoming ❤

Dear Amanda, if you ever wish to have your copper pots tinned, there are still in France some tinsmiths (étameurs) to whom you can ask for the job 🙂

You are a terrific cat Mom. Knowing the needs of each cat is wonderful to see ❤ The newly planted bushes will become one - growing together along the building. It looks nice. Those pots are heavy! Lucky you have big, strong Lincoln to help pick it up when it's filled. They are beautiful & worth it tho. What a great find 👍 Half-Ass Garden looks great too! Hope you all are enjoying "almost" summer.

Thank. you for caring for all the cats needing assistance! I always enjoy your vlogs!

If this video were a menu, I’d say, “I’ll take everything!” Every subtopic was delicious!!! Loved every minute.

This pot, plus that fabulous vintage stove you found (forgot maker's name), these will look so good in your cottage! Love your site!!

It occurs to me that as you have a great talent for composing vignettes, perhaps you could go through footage and find a series of shots to frame and put in the cottage. Thanks for the episode! Seeing the forested areas from above clarifies why hunters return to this vicinity as well as why the supply of cats is ample. The glimpses of life in France are very welcome!

As much as i love your renovation videos, i really enjoyed the gardening+brocante shopping+pot restoration combo in this video. Would love to see some cooking in the future as well, that would be awesome. Cant wait to see what you’ll do with your daughter’s bedroom.

Great pot find! It’s a special day when you find a treasure like that!

Loved Shadow, hope he shows up again. Also love your half-ass garden. Way to go

Are you not worried about the Japan Moth problem in France? It destroys box balls and hedges.

Oh how I love a half-assed garden. But you did a nice job at tidying it up too. We love your channel.

Shadow is so cute, and you are doing a great job with support of the CAT Fund. I love your humour, which makes me keeps watching your channel.

I freaking love the humor of your life. Thank you for reality and you being you!

I just read about a trap neuter release program where they snip a tiny bit of the tip off a feral cats ear so they can be recognized easily and not have to go through the trauma of being trapped and checked at the vets.

So enjoying watching you shape the garden and renovate and furnish the chateau and out buildings. Plus, you are both very funny.

Was so excited this morning to see you had a video out. So sweet that you took care of that cat. I’ll be anxious to know if it comes back for visits. Love, love your copper pot. I am wanting to start a collection. .

Shadow will be back. You saved his life. He will bring you treats. Hopefully, not birds or mice. That copper pan is a good deal, I thought. I would like to see it when it is retinned. Those strawberries are beautiful. I knew that wasn't a gladiola, but I wasn't going to say anything. I think the box woods look great.❤

Thanks got the copper pot tutorial! In the process of purchasing a French farmhouse/barn in the Loire Valley near Loches....so will be on the lookout for these! Happy you were able to catch Shadow and get him to the vet for treatment and surgery. He will be a much happier fellow! The boxwoods look great! heers!

Of my goodness what fantastic finds!! Those pots/pans, are gorgeous!! I’m with you, I like a little grunge! Things are just not made now, the way they once were!

Shadow has lovely eyes lovely cat

such a beautiful garden and what beautiful kitty love your channel

Thank you for taking care of all the cats, it will make a difference! Your garden is beautiful! I was out of town one week, and mine is now full of weeds as well. LOL It never ends does it? Beautiful copper pan! Thanks for sharing!❤