A Week In Our Life: A Missing Cat, Chateau Renovation & Organic Food Shopping In France 

I used to put beer traps out for slugs which worked very well, then one night the raccoons came through and ate the drowned slugs and drank the beer and got drunk and disorderly at 2 am which disturbed the whole neighborhood. Did you know that raccoons can scream like mountain lions?! They tore up the garden and then came back night after night looking for beer. So I switched to iron phosphate so when the raccoons now come though they just belly up to the bug bar under the bug light. There isn’t anything under the bug light they can tear up. I love your property, it’s beautiful. Hugs from Washington State.

Poor Lincoln. He will never live down letting Fluffy out. Haha

I laughed so hard when Lincoln went missing after Fluffy was found. It read like a murder mystery. Your sense of humour is wickedly great. Glad Fluffy is home. Loved seeing so much of your donkeys and the supermarket was interesting. Now that you ended with cheese and dessert, I must have some Brie and something sweet. Cheers.

What a love about this chanel is the how real and simple it is. There is no craziness or to much going on, to muc people...just the two of you, living your best life...very relaxing to watch...

Absolutely adored the long video and watched to the very end! It amazes me when my simple life in Connecticut tracks with yours occasionally. I'm the lady with the Also- Lincoln husband who owns a home dated from 1920 we're constantly repairing! We also have two rescue cats and they're also indoors only! Just last night our little female disappeared and we tore our home apart for two hours only to find her wedged behind the refrigerator. Apparently the installation of the air conditioner in the bedroom freaked her out enough to go to ground and hide. Like you, I was in tears - these animals put you through your paces for sure!🙄 Loved every part of this video - you are the vlog I wait for each week! Thanks for always making my day!❤

I appreciate whatever videos you are able to get out as I know it takes time. Always love your content and just adore all of your animals. Thank you!!

I like the longer videos. I watch all the time. Old lady...needs a life! Ha...keep going!

I’m so happy you found fluffy!!!

Crushed eggs shells or shell grit stops slugs. They don't like crawling over it. Feeds the soil too.

Love watching your posts and sooo enjoy your quirky (?) and and totally enjoyable personalities.

Poor Fluffy. Glad she was found. Seems old habits die hard. So sorry about your daughter. My oldest has severe contact dermatitis and my youngest was on the spectrum. I know that feeling of just trying to keep them safe. They are older now, living far from home. Miss them so much. Hold them tight!

The tree alley/drive is just so beautiful ❤️ The birdsong just incredible 😊 Fluffy welcome back home❤🐈‍⬛

Hello from 🇨🇦. I opened up a pkg of bean seeds, yup only 3. They germinated. Hurray

Amanda, I am a retired advanced practice nurse after a 44 year career with a specialty in trauma med. I envy you and Lincoln for being so brave in taking the plunge and moving to France! I can’t stop watching your video! You both are like my husband and I about our hard work ethic. I marvel at what the two of you have accomplished and continue to do so. I just love you and Lincoln as well as your hilarious humor!!! I am also a gardener, animal lover, refurbished through DIY renovation and decorating. Occasionally take time for yourselves! It is good for mental health!

Wow! Painting the garden beds really makes them pop! Thank you for taking us on a walk through your property. It’s just stunning! The variety of trees and colors is beautiful. I live in a small apartment with a 7’ x 8’ cement patio. Watching your videos lets me live vicariously through you.

I enjoyed watching a longer episode. Love to see your markets. Thank you for sharing.

I have spent many hours with you after 3 days of binge watching. So I can tell you from certain that we are friends and the fact that you have never laid eyes on me is a minor detail. You probably didn’t see a comment I made the other day on an old blog was that the only way I could justify spending so much time watching strangers’ lives was to pretend the chateau is mine and you are surrogates in a parallel universe working on my property. Luckily for all of us, I approve of your choices. You and I are also soulmates when it comes to rescue animals. My sister always said one of these days I’ll be on the evening news as the crazy cat lady.

My word, Lincoln must be Superman disguised as the Energizer Bunny!😮 How does he do it?

'Fluffygate' was brilliant and had me laughing at the end. Love the Bio shops in France, and glad that Kombucha has made an appearance!

I love those donkey paths. Those donkeys are so cute.

It's always a good day when a new video drops for this channel! Happy to see Lincoln wearing a mask and gloves while taking down those beams. I can only imagine the accumulation of dust and other things from over the many years that they have been there. Those beams are impressive. I hope you find a good use for them. Donkey sighting! Those Ing/Yang beans look awesome. What a difference the paint makes on the border of the gardens. It really is impressive the amount of work that you both do. Kudos. The Fluffy/Lincoln adventure! Hilarious!! The shopping trip was awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Oh Thank you Amanda , your effort to show the donkeys did Not go unnoticed. I am sure they thought what is this lady doing with our 💩. lol Poor fluffy out in the cold am sure she now remembered the old days . My house has a lock down when any cat 🐈 can’t be found .The whole world 🌎 stops . Your garden is looking amazing. Your a perfectionist and just can’t see it yet. The black just stands out and makes it pop.

Your vegetable garden is looking great especially the way you set it out brill.

The birdsong is incredible ❤

Oh my gosh...You two are a hoot. So glad Fluffy was found and Lincoln, you will be forgiven. Eventually. 🤣💚

I bet Lincoln wishes he could really work that fast 😂

This longer video was a treat. I have done a painting of your driveway it's spectacular. I loved Lincoln and the cat.

Just thinking about the fact that the cottage renovation is happening so you can start the kitchen renovation. Gotta luv the pre-reno renos. Also ummm...hardhats? 🙂

The garden is looking great. Beautiful, practical, good for the soul and body. ❤

Bad, naughty Lincoln! lol Y'all are too funny!!!

Glad Fluffy is safe a sound. You both are so great to watch. Love love your videos. The best ever 👍

I loved the perfect arch of a bite mark out of the cheese. So happy Fluffy has returned and the Lincoln disappearance, fabulous!

Beautiful property and chateau

Love the pitcher Lincoln moved in the shed. So cute!

Just love the sense of humour you two have. Fluffy is so lucky that you found her, didn't look away and took her into your care.

Amanda, your vegetable garden looks wonderful and I love the varieties of vegetables you have planted. The garden is large and so much work. I respect you for how hard you work. Lincoln hiding and saying no comment was hilarious. I’m sorry for your daughter’s auto immune disease, but she’s very lucky to have you for a mother with your dedication to organic and healthy foods. The trees on your property are beautiful and clearly the birds love them from all of the birdsongs in the background. Loved the longer video and that wonderful market you showed us! xx

I figured Lincoln had been relegated to the pump house with the door shut to spend time pondering his life decisions. (So glad Fluffy was safe!)

I doubt Fluffy will be in a hurry to go out again soon. They can sneak by us so easily. We only have 1 cat and 1 dog. Our cat won't leave even if the door was left open. He knows how good he got it here. The garden is looking great. I always had to deal with slugs. They love hoetas. I found egg shells broken up helpful. They didn't bother with the beer. The organic store was interesting. IBS is horrible to live with when it is poorly controlled or too much stress. Christmas and Thanksgiving can be tough on resisting goodies, but I am sure you accommodate everyone. Keep the great videos coming. I really enjoy them.

Please give a Big hug for the Three legged Dog for me ! ❤❤🤗

It’s great to see a Lincoln wearing a musk! The dust from that old wood was dancing in every ray of sun. It was crazy dusty.

Wow! I work as a therapist and am in awe of your husband's body mechanics! So cool to watch the dismantling of the shorter beams. No need to worry about bodily injury with him!

I just love all the outbuildings at this chateau and the walled garden, but my god it would be be too big for me to do it justice even tho I'd love to! Happy Spring! 🌷🌞🪻

The donkeys are adorable. Your garden is looking good. I have been having a terrible slug problem this year too. The beer traps do work well. I also go out in the evening and hand pick them off too. Also, if I find any toads on my property, I put them in my garden. Aww poor Fluffy, I am glad she is OK. I laughed at you acting like a reporter to Lincoln 😂

I feel like a houseguest from away who tags along as you continue your daily activities. It's all so different yet so similar. The cheese and sweets at the end of the day are definitely a bonus. It must be a pain to set up your cameras but thanks for taking us along.

Your garden looks great

Me immediately jumping into the comments to check on the kitty. 😸 Ps - love the longer video and so great to see Uvea and Dominick.

Copper tape!! I stick it around all my pots and the perimeter edging of veggie beds and I have zero slug and snail problems! It lasts for years too, in all weather! I highly highly recommend copper tape. You can get the narrower kind of pots but get the wider kind for the veggie bed edging as if a leafy hangs over it a slug can use that as a bridge. The wider tape stops that risk so much. But seriously, copper tape! It’s a ha,e changer and it looks pretty too! Also an upturned plastic pot with a little doorway cut into it. Just put a few in each bed and overnight the slugs and snails go in there for some reason. In the morning collect all the pots and dump them in a big bucket of water to drown all the slugs and snails. It works a treat. You can even put your dish of beer under the upturned pot if you want but you don’t need the dish really. I never use them now, just the pots.

This dissapearance act is real funny, cat wise and human wise!!!

Loved the longer video. Poor Lincoln hope he is out of the dog house soon!

Absolutely love all the birds singing in the background!

Love your garden and the longer video! Thanks for sharing your daily lives.😊

Your interrogation of Lincoln was hysterical😂

I don't care if your videos aren't long enough--just make whatever works for you! So glad Fluffy was found, Lincoln was shamed, you ate dessert. ♥

Amanda and the magic beans!

Yippee....Thank you for providing the lunch time entertainment.

The drone shots make the trees look like broccoli! Maybe they're magic beans? (Yin/yang beans) Asparagus takes 3 years so I hope you started them already. Artichokes are perennials fyi. I think the tree Lincoln was taking a photo of is some kind of nut tree...walnut, pecan, etc? The 2nd tree is an oak, the one with the scar in the side. FYI every plant flowers. It's how they reproduce. Some flowering is insignificant. Beech trees get really big. You might want to clear stuff away from them to give them some room? I would love to have a copper beach. Ash trees make the best firewood.... per Lady Celia Congreve (not sure who she is/was) "Beechwood fires are bright and clear If the logs are kept a year, Chestnut's only good they say, If for logs 'tis laid away. Make a fire of Elder tree, Death within your house will be; But ash new or ash old, Is fit for a queen with crown of gold Birch and fir logs burn too fast Blaze up bright and do not last, it is by the Irish said Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread. Elm wood burns like churchyard mould, E'en the very flames are cold But ash green or ash brown Is fit for a queen with golden crown Poplar gives a bitter smoke, Fills your eyes and makes you choke, Apple wood will scent your room Pear wood smells like flowers in bloom Oaken logs, if dry and old keep away the winter's cold But ash wet or ash dry a king shall warm his slippers by." Ash trees her in southern Indiana are in decline becomes of some disease so there is a lot of ash we're burning and it makes a wonderful fire. Dont' get overwhelmed Amanda. I had a 100 year old farm (after my divorce) and I did it alone (with paid help). Geez, that I would've had a ready and willing partner to do it with would have been heaven. Revel in your Eden. I loved the work but at 65, living vicariously. Cats know what side their bread is buttered on and they're never far away. Maybe leave a litter box out for Lincoln? Well done. Love the longer video. Thanks!

Grocery shopping in France looks fun.

Loved the longer video!!! Keep 'em coming :)

Love watching you both and the longer video. Especially enjoy you humor and how you tie it into your videos. Thank you for your time and work in making your videos entertaining.💐💐💐

I heartily enjoyed every second of your video! Especially when you went shopping in stores and I could see all the products available. Life in France is so incredibly interesting. I'm so glad fluffy got her excursion before the heat of summer, and that you found her in her old haunting grounds. Even animals miss familiar spaces. I love your gardens, the Donkey's field and the alle and so happy to see Lincoln working slow and steady on the cottage restoration. That is incredibly hard work for just one guy. Keep up the phenomenal work of just taking one day at a time and enjoying your time outdoors before those temperatures rise. I'm looking forward to your next posting and to see if your yinyang beans sprout. For four euros, all three had better come up.

I love the range of products you can find at your organic store! I started eating only organics 5 years ago in an attempt to feel well. Not only did I start feeling healthy, but my autoimmune disease (SLE Lupus, 30 years) has totally gone. No symptoms at all... it took about 6 months. I weaned myself off my meds, to my Dr's disapproval, and I was totally fine. Maybe your daughter could slowly come off her meds, if she is totally on organics? Maybe she doesn't need to take them for life. I believe the chemicals and toxins that they spray on our foods, and the additives for preservation, contribute to our collective ill health. Love your videos.

Hello Amanda and Lincoln, If you use an iPhone, you can take a picture of the plant or tree you would like to identify and go to your photo library and tap on the picture. You can then slide up on the photo which will give you a "Look up - plant" option. This option will give you detailed information about the plant / tree. I live in Florida and have an extensive plant collection and I find that this feature is about 95% accurate. Hope this helps! 😃 Love your channel!!

I have to say it ... I LOVE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR! Our family runs off of dry humor, my eldest being the queen of it. Thank you for the weekly smiles and joy you give your audience. I have binge watched your videos and you might have seen your hours spike. 😂 The chateau is beautiful! I don't normally watch this type of content. What drew me in was your sense of humor and sarcasm.😂 I'm hooked! My husband and I will be visiting Italy in October looking into regions to live in. My hope is that if you two can be successful with the move and transition maybe we will be too. Busy in Seattle, Tiff💃🏼 Btw - I loved the bit of you interviewing Lincoln at the end. 😂😅 PS - loved the long video.

I was just thinking Lincoln needed someone to help with that heavy lifting then you said he's getting help soon. That's good to hear!

You two are hilarious. Last video, under your flowering shrubs, looks like deer bed down for the night. Probably nothing living there, just sleeping. 😉

Loved the longer video. And very happy that you found Fluffy. Really though, you and Lincoln are hilarious. 😂

About removing the Long HEAVY beams...I saw on another channel- Life of Ryan, that they cut through them at an angle towards the center. That was they rest on themselves downwards. Just a thought

Amanda & Lincoln first I really enjoy your vlog’s. Two hope you find your missing kitty. Your veggie bed looks nice.

I love all your chives. I discovered last year you can take blooms off and separate the petals to mix them with butter. So yummy! Your garden is amazing! Garden goals!

Perhaps a wormhole?……..my wife feels 33:45 of our life is worth it💕Happy you found Fluffy

So happy Fluffy is safe and sound! Walled Garden and your acreage is magnificent!

Hallelujah❤ My ❤ about fell out so Filled with such joy you found fluffy!

Thank you for the longer video…loved it….👏👏. But I do appreciate that , with all of the work you have to be doing at the chateau… and family responsibilities too…that you can’t always fit in longer episodes!!……Lincoln’s epic removal of those cross beams was rather frightening 😱😱….and what a state they were in!!!… Thank goodness help is coming for tackling the main beams… putting new ones in place…. Fingers crossed 🤞…. Enjoyed the walled garden tour (particularly)…Amanda, you have achieved such a lot… so don’t sell yourself short…. Everything looks healthy… and the strawberries thriving without being in rows!!!…. Gardening tasks are never ending… and anyway you need to get away from renovation worries etc…when you can 👍🤞…. Great to see the market and go shopping in that fascinating organic store…amazing… and essential for your daughters diet ( another consideration to cope with… sadly….But she is in very safe hands, I’m certain)….Loved the ‘missing Fluffy’ saga ….and the Guilty ‘party’ interview… No Comment indeed…!!!🤣… when is the Trial??….More ‘Hard Labour’ for Lincoln I think !!!👎👎…. Fluffy…gets off Scott free…but safe!!….Your chateau. Grounds are really beautiful… the trees so varied and magnificent.. even if identification not easy….I have a brilliant book The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Gardening (described as the Difinitive Practical Guide…. it covers all aspects of gardening…loads of colour pictures and detailed images and ‘how to do’ instructions….You could look it up on the Internet… and may be able to get a second copy…if you like the look of it … no idea if it in orint( have had mine for ages)….Thank you again Both for a varied and interesting video… as usual….Sue (UK) 😀😃

Also … but wild garlic plants … pesto from the leaves is divine ❤

Glad Fluffy is safe inside again. Love the garden and organic grocery store. Glad you are getting help with those beams. It’s always something when doing any renovations but it’s on a bigger scale with a chateau. Thanks for sharing 😍😘

The garden is looking great!

Beautiful garden. Lovely property.

I love your humor! I empathize with your situation. I have a cat that it took 10 years and several vets to recognize that he has Irritable Bowl Disease. He is on steroids and gets home cooked meals with carrots, green beans, and no grains. Even the very expensive perscription foods sets him off on episodes. And because his bowels don't process the nutrition well, he eats 5, yes 5 times a day. So, I guess I'm officially in the crazy cat lady category too. At least I'm in good company. 🤣

Lincoln’s playing Jenga in the cottage!

Not boring in the least. I enjoyed the shopping trip.

The best video! Totally loved seeing all the beautiful, delicious French produce in the organic shop. What heaven.

"Reunited and it feels so good..." I know the feeling when you need to know your loved family of people and pets are safe and well. Your place exudes harmony for all things. Such beautiful aerial views of your incredible property.

Poor Lincoln, hiding! Spotted you flying the drone. Fluffy had a not so great night out. And the donkeys so curious. Amazing that market produce shopping so different than here in US. Think that I would prefer France’s way.

Looks like you had a busy week and a missing kitty glad she is back inside where she will stay. Isn't that right Lincoln? lol. The organic shop looks amazing I was shocked to see Salicornes Sauvage . " Samphire greens in a jar." Here in Canada we call them crow foot! I still go with my family and look for them on the salt marsh whenever I am in the east coast of New Brunswick or Nova Scotia a great family tradition. Love the videos and you are so lucky to live in such a beautiful countryside and in such a beautiful home. Keep them coming please!!! Cheers

A Save you egg shells, put in garden for snails and slugs. They will chew on them rather than your plants.

Fluffmeister is my spirit animal!

So very sorry to hear about your daughter and so young at that. Our 22 year old was just diagnosed this week with Crohn’s disease. I will keep your daughter on my heart ❤️

Hahahahhaha the paparazzi going after Lincoln 😂 So funny! My husband looked and smiles at me. I would have done the same 😂

Your garden looks so lovey, well done!

Beautiful! So much work. Slaves!

Fluffy had a plan of escape… to get back to the old hang out. Don’t blame innocent Lincoln 😏

Oh! My God! Loved your video….I am sorry 😢 Lincoln didn’t see the cat slip out……but cat had happy ending🐱I’m thinking of knitting a sweater for Lincoln…..

What an amazing grocery.

Happy to know Fluffy is allright....love your video's......don't be to hard on Lincoln.....😁

Walled garden is coming along nicely! Beautiful! Leave the strawberry’s, that can be your “Natural” garden bed😊👩🏼‍🌾

Poor Lincoln I'm sure Fluffy snuck out while he was wrangling the dogs. He's a hard working guy & great partner to you...your yang to to his yin. I enjoyed your shopping trip.

Miluji vaše videa, máte oba velký smysl pro humor. Opravdu jsem se uchechtala , pán Lincoln je super. Amando , záhony vypadají úžasně.

So much fun. My animals and I love your show. Poor Fluffy. Poor Lincoln. Love your music. Garden looking very nice. Gardenias yet? I want to see chef Amanda cook.

Everything looks lush and beautiful. Protect the animals at all cost!

For inflammatory belly disease or endometriosis (which is horrible to live), and which for me appeared due to chemical spreadings on fields, there is a very old plant called Yarrow or Achillée Millefeuille in French and you can find tincture in Pharmacy if you order it (at Boiron). It just saves my life. A few drops and the pain desappears immediately. You can take it 20 days per month when you feel you need it, not during your period because it stops the bleeding. This plant was well known by carpenters or soldiers in the past.This plant is well known and used from very ancient times. Except that nowadays doctors prefer curing with pills rather than very efficient herbs that grow everywhere in nature ! and which are much more efficient, especially for this kind of issue ! But nowadays who knows the power of plants ? 🌿