"Cottage Progress, Planting the Cutting Garden & A Trip Down Memory Lane 🏡 Chateau Chronicles Ep

This week is full of exciting updates! 🏡 We make great progress on the cottage renovation, and I have a crazy idea for a cutting garden, bringing some beautiful blooms to life. 🌸 To top it off, I take a trip down memory lane with a special high school reunion, reconnecting with old friends and sharing stories from the past. Join me for a week of hard work, nostalgia, and a little bit of fun!
#CottageRenovation #CuttingGarden #ChateauLife #HomeRestoration #HighSchoolReunion #FrenchCountryside #GardenDesign #DIYProjects #ChateauLiving

[@cherylcampbell472]

You might enjoy planning a Master Gardener retreat. Lots of gardeners walking your estate would have lots of helpful suggestions.

[@karolealucas]

Oh, yes, please!

[@carolfranco425]

I would forage on your property for leaf branches, foliage & woody branches to fill your vases, then buy 1dozen roses, add only one rose stem per vase, the rose should be cut so it is near the top edge of the vase… the foliage & branches should be taller. Adding greenery to a room always adds freshness🌱🌿🌹🌿🌱 - ( Save 💵💰& be stylish ) - no need to have a floral garden it’s labor intensive to plant, water, fertilize etc. ... I’m sure your plate is already full with many other tasks as a chatelaine

[@helenneave8328]

Agreed! There is more than enough greenery and foliage to make wonderful arrangements. Maybe plant a few picking perennial and some bushes for foliage picking . Big dramatic vases of foliage can look amazing and are free .

[@joanneshalit8494]

Agree! also rosemary is lovely in vases

[@susanamann1806]

The chateaux had a very good water removal system. You just need to use it and keep it clean. Wow,they knew what they were doing.

[@lynettemuzyka8833]

Hey Abby, could you just sprinkle a bunch of wildflower seeds that are native or good on your area? Thanks for sharing this journey with us.

[@teepeeX]

I agree with the shower. Do it all, not just a bit of rock.. the reunion made cry, how wonderful to have such treasured friends from school, looks like all the pg school girls had a wonderful time, it certainly showed on screen 😊

[@nancyclark7736]

If Forsythia bushes will grow there it would add some yellow to your garden in the spring and add yellow daffodils too. Yes a soaker hose may work for continuous watering. Don’t know if that would work in your situation? But maybe lots of purple heather would fill in some space too. I don’t know if you have at least 6 hour of sun someplace you maybe able to grow some vegetables, that is if not to many deer or rabbits etc. You maybe able to collect water in a rain barrel also for use in the garden too.

[@Tigerlilart]

Irises will grow wonderfully done in the proposed cutting garden. I made raised beds in long rows for the cutting flowers. Add lilies and peonies, daffodils, from seed you can plant delphiniums , poppies, etc etc. how exciting

[@432hz-Quartz]

Hi , my name is Mimi I just noticed your fountain is really green and thought I would suggest cleaning it then putting some copper in it to keep the algae from returning. You could even get a copper lily pad or swan or something.

[@HandbagDiva]

She has fish in it

[@catfishm.1361]

No copper in fish water!

[@Eagleeyeshopper1]

I really have to give it to Bruce and Thomas. They're real professionals in their respective field of work. I admire their hard work and how much attention they put on every project. Seems you got the best Frenchman for the job and imported the very best American for the job. Please let them know this. Never heard of stink bugs until now, lol.😂😂😂 You're very fortunate to have old friends from your school days fly out to see you. Not many of us are that lucky. Very nice video of your reunion enjoying beautiful France. 🇫🇷 ❤❤❤😊

[@pdq5465]

That’s a beautiful comment. Small correction though - Bruce is Canadian & lives in the Toronto area. He is quite the asset, isn’t he? As is Thomas.

[@Eagleeyeshopper1]

@pdq5465 Thank you. My bad. All this time I thought Bruce was American. OK, correction imported the very best Canadian for the job. 😆 Thanks for clearing that up. 😊❤️

[@deniereynolds6119]

Remember to take pictures of where your pipes are, so that when the walls are finished and you hang a picture; you don’t hammer a nail into the pipe.

[@Finn0892]

That’s a great tip!

[@vernakg]

I have my 50th in April 2025 and it is the 75th of the school. The school will be throwing us a huge weekend

[@Burnberg1]

Check with the gardening volunteer to get expert advice for flowers, etc. She really seemed to know her stuff.

[@BarbaraNolan-lw7gj]

Walnut trees have something called juglone and some plants will die if planted near walnut trees. I check Google it has lists of what you can n can't plant near them. Good luck. Love your show!!!

[@catfishm.1361]

Is it all types of walnut, I know black walnuts do this not sure about English walnut?!

[@BarbaraNolan-lw7gj]

@@catfishm.1361 yes

[@pattyt7776]

I saw on the web that a mixture of 2 cups hot water, 1 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup dish soap in a spray bottle gets rid of stinkbugs. The dust from that chemical in your rooms would make me nervous. How lucky you are to have friends from high school-you all seemed to have such a great time! ❤️❤️

[@catfishm.1361]

If it’s food grade diatomaceous earth it’s edible for humans and animals. Just don’t breath it in! 👍🏻

[@rosewright4605]

Diatomaceous Earth is non toxic and even edible. I use it for slugs in my vegie garden.

[@janeingram7331]

One of the universities in the US south did a study on the stink bugs. They said they were drawn to areas where corn was grown. When you do squash them there is a green liquid which is from them sucking out the juice of corn stalks. We have had several years of infestation of them in the Philadelphia suburbs. I lived between two large farms that grew corn. Exterminators said they did not have a chemical to kill them. I had 20 to 30 at a time in my living room. They were hibernating in my chimney flue. As much as I loved my log burning fireplace, I had to close the damper, seal it and then close the fireplace doors and seal them. That eliminated their point of entry. but took away one of my greatest pleasures of reading near the fireplace. The exterminator said not to vacuum them up unless you were going to empty the vacuum afterwards as they would hibernate in there. I don't think they do any damage to a house other than being an annoying and ugly pest. What always surprised me is that they came in from the flue while I had a blazing fire. They were drawn to the heat.

[@rosemariedeschenes7013]

How fun to have your friends come for a visit. Looks like everyone had a great time. Lifelong friends are the best 😍😘

[@lorimenroy8037]

Raised beds near the house. Practical and attractive!

[@thomasmyrick5195]

The best thing to do is build raise beds for your flower garden. It would make things much easier in the long run.

[@jacquim4468]

Maybe Bruce can make mesh screens for the windows , to stop the bugs getting in

[@jennifercampbell7698]

I enjoyed seeing the Reno updates, the calcium deposits 😳 and your reunion. I suspect PG might be Parental Guidance somehow! 🤣🥳😂

[@RitaMoore]

Almost all of the flowers you will want will be a minimum of 6 hours of sun per day. Think about perennials because they come back every year. To get rid of weeds and weed seeds consider solarizing the soil. An alternative would be to put down cardboard then aged manure, then compost and then leaves or straw, no digging necessary. Also consider some blooming shrubs to fill out the flower arrangement. You will need to keep up with wedding but you should not have many

[@JoshAmes1980]

The amount of maintenance you have to deal with on this property is overwhelming. It’s no wonder why so many old mansions go into disrepair.

[@mollygordongeorge]

How wonderful your high school friends came! LOVED the PG girls!

[@BCapStarR335]

Thank you for sharing your friends with us!

[@Sooz-g1q]

Tineco for your stink bug vacuum. One third the price of Dyson, easy to clean filters, a headlight on the main floor tool and an on switch you don't have to hold constantly while vacuuming.

[@SherryBaby1107]

Loved seeing your HS reunion with your besties!! I bet you had so much fun!! The cottage is going to be amazing! You should invest in an industrial steamer for the sheets so much easier than ironing!! Or at least a larger capacity one it will certainly take so much less time to complete the bedding!! I would consider using branches and items growing around the chateau for your vases in the rooms vs actual flowers ivy moss Eucalyptus would work well! Flowers can be fickle to grow in the area you are discussing. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead! Au Revoir 💜

[@tanyakelley9083]

peppermint spray for stinkbugs

[@virginiawestcot3111]

What wonderful fun memories made with your long-time school friends ❤️

[@dianayavetz6286]

Old friends are the best! You’re very lucky to have them in your life.

[@EmilyBoltz]

Nothing like the bond of childhood friends! I can tell you all had a blast. I don’t think you all changed that much! I could be wrong but it sure looks like it’s Abby in the red shirt and the other 4 friends are right there in the first row from left to right! This was so much fun to watch! ❤ see you next time!

[@Storygram8]

A small vacuum that chewed the stink bugs up were the only way we ever found to address them. We paid our children a penny a bug and they made good money during stinkbug season. They are disgusting, especially when they dive bomb you and get stuck in your hair!

[@womenendorsed5905]

Irises love water so maybe incorporate them into your landscape. Also hydrangea (hydra - water) love water and shade. You are always up to something interesting!!

[@kathyeyesopen4078]

Hi Abbie. Your friends are beautiful and looked like they were having a great time❤. Girls weekends are the best❤❤❤

[@arianahoule7223]

What happened to your fountain? Didn't you spend a bloody fortune getting it fixed? So fun watching you and your dear friends play. Sending happy thoughts to everyone.

[@Que-sera-sera8765]

For cut flowers - assorted hydrangeas would grow really well in the lower garden.

[@KymeGracia]

My daughter and I made Indigo cold processed soap this weekend, how cool you saw how they dye fabric with it.

[@gardenfairygodmother1893]

How lovely to have a high school reunion at the chateau❤ Ideas for the future cutting garden, try perennial plants first as they are lower maintanace than annuals. The flat sunny area you have earmarked could have raised garden beds so the rain run off from the slope won't wash them away and aid drainage. I' m thinking Achillea, Aster, Campanula, Coreopsis, Delphinium, Echinacea, Lupin, Phlox, Icelandic Poppy, Rudbeckia, Scabiosa, Shasta Daisy and Veronica. Bulbs to plant in Autumn in pots for flowers in the Spring include Acidanthera, Alliums, Calla Lillies, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Iris and Lillies. They should come back every year in France. Tulips and Dahlias don' t reliably return every year and should be dug up and stored, but who can be bothered to do that! I like the suggestion from another comment to buy flowers but use your own foliage foraged from the garden.

[@joannecrocker5232]

That was a great reunion .

[@jesuscortez6150]

You guys look so cute! Good times, building more memories.💜

[@snowbirdlady7221]

How fun to have a high school reunion visit! A trip to remember for all.

[@juliannadougherty2647]

adorable friends! Glad you had fun! Enjoyed this vid, thank you!

[@janeblandford852]

Will you be putting a ceiling extractor fan in the bathroom to help vent the moisture? Looking great! I have seen other chateau owners who have used the Tatelakt in white and an off white in their showers....it is a lot of work but looks amazing and is totally water proof. Look it up on line for the info. How wonderful you had a reunion....lots of fun!!

[@Ana-Maria-Sierra]

Garden: Plant seedlings to be transferred to the garden bed. Prepare to trim trees to allow more sunlight, which will allow more warmth and create dryness. Depending how it unfolds, you may need to install a sprinkler system in the future. Dahlias are an excellent flower to plant too. You’ll have to wait until the fall and may want to experiment with a small dahlia bed given they require a bit more maintenance than other flowers. Plant bulbs! Lots! The daffodils and tulips will produce wonderful cut flowers. Also choose some flowering bushes for color and greenery. Calendula are an excellent choice. They frequently bloom even in winter and throughout the year, plus they’re very hardy. Finally, I recommend lots of Hydrangeas because they’ll flower in shade and filtered light throughout late spring thru early fall and the dried blooms on and off the bushes are gorgeous. You have so many choices!

[@Burnberg1]

The calcium build up makes sense since your water is draining through the cliff rock.

[@victorsummers2283]

The cliff is basically dissolving away.

[@marcie685]

Hi from Tasmania Australia on the subject of flower garden if I were you with winter coming on I would be getting some big pots or planters and filling with spring bulbs or camellias can grow in big containers . Cut flowers are lovely in side but I don’t think in every bedroom is necessary after awhile they get messy . Check out some good gardening sites or books for other ideas . Love your vlogs by the way. 🙋‍♀️🇦🇺

[@denisebukowski6231]

Wonderful. Hi from Frankfurt.

[@cherylcampbell472]

Morning sun; afternoon shade is perfect. Full sun works for many annuals. Look for a Rodales book on Annuals and bulbs. They have lots of great information and pictures too. I also love their book on Perennials.

[@janeharden1163]

a flower garden needs lots of morning sun. go down and look for the place. and of course water. yea siphoning with a hose is a fabulous idea!

[@floridastitcher1]

That’s nice you had your friends over. My 40th reunion is next year.

[@caropapa]

I was wondering Abby about your new fountain it looks like it is covered in moss. Sorry i couldnt find a nicer way of asking you what happened.

[@nancyclark7736]

There must be something to use all around the house outside to keep the bugs down. Ask pest control what keeps the bugs away. We all have some kind of a bug around, I just went around my whole house with ant granules it creates a barrier to keep them out that’s why I think there must be something for stink bugs.

[@chickadeeacres3864]

Most cut flowers require full sun, which is a minimum of 6hours direct sun. Part shade is 4 hours-6 hours. In my cut garden annuals are great for summer long blooms and colour. My favourite are the tall cactus giant zinnias and calendula which are also nice as a tea.

[@michellenetrval-hc1it]

Good choice about the shower! We’re staying in a place in southern Spain right now (where it’s super dry); there’s a shower with exposed stone (don’t know if it was sealed), and it looks great, but definitely smells moldy! I’m sure you’re right in thinking that it’s just too much effort for a questionable result!

[@MarianneInmarsilia]

A flower garden is a fantastic idea !

[@CatMindy2187-o4v]

I cant believe the buildup from that pipe!!! It wasnt that long ago...

[@peterwhite9261]

That was a lovely high school reunion. Seeing all of the work in the cottage is great to see. Wow, that calcification is wild.

[@ellenmadsen7308]

Flowers need light so plant them in the sunlit area. Perhaps Tomas could build some steps-with a hand rail.

[@lmaier5171]

Maybe plant just big round buckets of flowers … from seed it would be easy! Cosmos, marigolds, mumsferns are easy too!

[@ma-ac5507]

I am so happy to see how wonderful experiences and aventures you are having in your life. That reunion with your friends will be something unforgettable. Abby you have a wonderful life.

[@summertyme9046]

You guys adorable!

[@cosudu3002]

I give my dogs diatomaceous earth powder in small amounts (about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon) in their food every once in a while to kill any worms in their gut. So it kills stinkbugs, too?.......interesting. I see the obligatory French beret and Marinière are in order LOL.

[@amysimpson646]

It has several uses. It's used on and in animals, dogs, cats, cows, even chickens for mites and lice . It's also used in homes and barns. It comes in powder too.

[@kathleenmcginley4827]

It was hard to figure out which one you were in the HS photo...mainly because you never go without those big tortoise glasses. The garden: over the winter, on one of your trips back home, go to a big bookstore and get some picture books for ideas. Annuals, perennials, cutting gardens and flowering blooms by season. Also check out French gardens...they can be so beautiful in their geometric patterns. Are there any libraries near you? I spent many a winter Saturday in the plant section, and garden architecture sections, just devouring the ideas & photographs. As much as I google everything, there is nothing like a good coffee table book to peruse!

[@whitneyfisher994]

Flip shower to other side where there is stone. Tub on opposite wall where shower was with beautiful lime washed wall. Vanity and toilet on window wall. Toilet next to shower. And if there is room, shelves at end of vanity for overall use but also for the bathtub since it would be next to it. I would paste in a sketch but… can’t.

[@whitneyfisher994]

I wouldn’t place tub long ways as you mentioned. Having the cumbersome items at each short end of space would be lovely. Which is the Tub and shower.

[@Francis-kw9ui]

Great mirror

[@RuthWalters-d2g]

Which one were you in the high school reunion photo? Picture went so fast, I couldn’t figure out which one was you. Cool getting together with your friends. I bet you had a great time.

[@pattyt7776]

I think Abby was in the back row on the right in the coral shirt.

[@gailbutler483]

It would appear you have some really hard water to form those calcium deposits.

[@varogabrielrealestate6250]

You should grow your flower garden in a greenhouse on your lower garden field. That way you can control soil water etc. also go back to brocante and buy the two greyhound statuary for your garden at your chateau !

[@57motherbear]

Tadellac is hot hot hot. You wouldn’t be making a mistake by doing Thomas’s recommendation. Zero tile in that cottage on the walls. And this from a tile installation company owner.

[@charmees6637]

A wonderful group of ladies ❤

[@allisontison40]

Do walnut trees prevent other plants from growing? Furthermore, while many plants can grow well in proximity to a black walnut, the growth of some plant species is thought to be inhibited by this tree. Black walnuts produce a chemical called juglone, which occurs naturally in all parts of the tree, especially in the buds, nut hulls, and roots. Raised beds 24 inches high is what I would do. Make sure you close the bottom so the roots can’t get into the beds.

[@catfishm.1361]

Boxelder bugs always want inside for winter! Where will you put the fish for winter?👍🏻

[@PaintWithWheat]

Oh Abby! Your property is so gorgeous!! I love the pearl bracelet you always wear. Could you put a link for it in your description? If you made it an associates type link you would make $$ each time one of us buys one :).

[@RitaMoore]

Sounds like you will need raised beds because of the excessive moisture and the soil ph will probably need to be adjusted.

[@christinawilliams4077]

Abby I would do a raised garden bed, start small.

[@karenlewis5937]

Our apartment is 4th floor (5th floor in the US). We’ve been fortunate to not get any. Then the other day I see one out on the balcony so I went out to flick it off, thinking it would just fall. Hahahahaa - last laugh on the stinkbug cause it just flew off. What are they doing this high up? I’ve heard good things with diatomaceous earth and those doggone things. Hope it works for you.

[@binalavery836]

Stink bugs are hard to take! Just one can send me into a frenzy! Good luck!

[@paulacorreal1675]

I just heard that plain old WD-40 sprayed around windows and doors will stop insects in their tracks. I haven’t tried it yet but it sounds like it’s worth a try in a small area. I know it’s greasy so you’d need to take precautions on how liberally you apply it…just a thought…from PA, USA.

[@karen936]

What about a wildflower garden that will resow it's self every year.

[@bethcervenka1813]

Do not put sink in front of window. You need a mirror above the sink. A recessed medicine cabinet type mirror would be best. That way you have storage and a mirror. Also put a two level niche in shower for shampoo, etc.

[@LSTEdD1]

☀️What wonderful progress on the cottage!! And how much fun to have your 40th reunion!! ...Not sure I can wait until June!! ☀️😅💃🏻

[@elleeg.9413]

Might need to make some screens in that stink bug war.

[@lisacollins5466]

For most flowering plants you need an area that gets about 6 hours of sun a day.

[@marciadynes7628]

Thanks for sharing yes have to be careful of the walnut tree limited as to what you can plant so nice to see long term friends come to visit are they Canadian girls they seem to party like us Canadian gals ! Have a great week Abba!

[@chrismont5475]

You need a Dyson Vac Portable we have one on each floor of the house. They are the BEST Expensive

[@jtholland1013]

Pull out the black walnuts while young- bad location and as others said likely will call off nearby plants. You can try to relocate to out of the way… wood can also make for brittle tree limbs.

[@jomeyer13]

of doable maybe some lavender... but not wet area.. make yourself a pond to contain and then use the incoming water...

[@natasha1369]

Now you know why the previous owner left the water channel open going from house across the driveway and down the hill. Pipes get filled with calcium.

[@DigginWithDeej]

Walnut trees have juglone! Some plants are sensitive to juglone. I would speak to a gardener in the area knowledgeable about juglone from walnut trees. I love the joy you all share spending time together 💜Deej

[@rosarinhodourado6558]

Hello from Portugal !!😊

[@mariagillinson8527]

I’ve done that Turkish technique and you polish it to be shiny…

[@Theselfiechick]

The hazelnut crop here in Turkiye has been affected badly by these stinks bugs, very strange, I wonder if its because of the warmer than normal season, here it feels like summer still when generally we start opening the heaters in the evenings because of the damp chill

[@maryhirsch2909]

So fun to have high school reunion. Good luck with bugs.

[@0210rokvist]

You should ggogle Mother Shiptons Petrifiing Well. Turn your teddybear to a statue. Make it a tourist attracktion

[@KerriHammond-mr2cy]

Abbey, how are you liking the antique marble sink in your new bathroom? Is it proving difficult to keep clean?

[@Burnberg1]

Bummer!!! Looks like some bedroom screens could help??? And maybe vacuum them up instead of leaving them I. Hopes they die after you dust them??? Does the dust cause another cleanup for you??

[@judiehavard4903]

If you make zinnias as part of your planting...it may draw some of the stink bugs away from your house.😊

[@christinebarbato2515]

Hello from Pennsylvania. I would love a Q&A with Thomas (Toma). Do you think he would do one?

[@acadacad1]

Calcium deposit: If you could control it, it would produce interesting sculptures.

[@karenviglione503]

Hey,,, Culligan man❣️ always a Project 😅

[@connieperkins5135]

❤❤❤

[@erickoelsch562]

Maybe raised beds for different types of flowers? You know that KISS principle? Keep it simple silly. Your wonderful garden nurseries Wii give you good advice too .