Building a calm life on 1.5 acres of land.

[@colinmacdonald8738]

I love your calming presence. We are richer for knowing you. Thanks ❤

[@shirleyrice7093]

I see you have a real refrigerator!! Wow. That is wonderful! I listen to a lot on my iPad when I’m working around the house, but I have to stop and sit down to watch you. You are very calming.

[@susancoulter4129]

I just love your channel! Thanks for all the beautiful content. You are truly a whole family work team. I enjoy the dogs and especially the cats joining in everything you both do. Your white kitty is always, always, always with you both. Love your hat in todays episoode. It suits you. You do make a very good couple.

[@rhondasutton6014]

Hi Carissa and I've thank you for sharing...love your garden and animals and look forward to your updates..happy birthday I hope you enjoyed your day 🎉❤

[@deniseanglesey972]

Hi Carissa, try putting down cardboard or 5-6 sheets of newspaper over your existing beds and around any plants you still have. Layer your manure and compost on top and then approx 4 inches of wood chips. If you are putting it around existing plants, pull the woodchips back from the stems so it doesn't burn the stems. Once everything has broken down you can push the woodchips and manure back. The woodchips you need are the sort you chip with your chipper that has the branch wood and leaves in it. This will break down over winter and be amazing come next spring. This method is called Back To Eden Gardening and it drastically reduces weeds and massively reduces the need for watering.

[@kevinnye5132]

You took the words right out of my mouth 😁 and what an awful lot of words there were 😂, good advice is never short and can last a lifetime 👌🏻.

[@sheilakerr-jones4345]

Yes, exactly. Even the sludge from the well would have helped as a type of “compost tea”.

[@markstrahl5399]

Make pear brandy with the pears Can them if you can I’m

[@kevinnye5132]

@@markstrahl5399Pear Palinka would be great 👍🏻, strong and hits the shot spot 😁.

[@sheilakerr-jones4345]

Beautiful content, thank you.

[@MacehuaAtStonehaven]

Im 73, been eating purslane my entire life. They usually grow late summer in sidewalk cracks and very dry garden soil. Delicious as is or added in salads.

[@MarieMathieson]

Frankie is so clever. , she is stocking them up for winter 🤣

[@bonniesheplar5130]

I’ve just discovered your channel this week, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I adore the dogs. I love the chickens and the kitties. The whole set up is just awesome. You guys are just lovely. Much continued success. Love from North Miami Beach, Florida, USA

[@shannonlynne1558]

I love watching the slow decline of your couch cushions. (I went back and watched some earlier videos😉) When I see a new little hole I giggle and imagine (probably Diogo) just living his best life….chomp chomp chomp. When I walk into a home and see evidence of the pets taking over like that I think “these are my kind of people.” 😍Also, Frankie’s happy little personality really shines in this video. 🥰

[@mafish7962]

Loved seeing the gang all sleeping on the sofa! Special moments ❤Laura ❤️❤️happy birthday!

[@tonynunes4965]

Your videos are a balm for the soul. One of my dogs loves watching. He is very interested in dogs on the TV, even shadows of dogs or where dogs enter in the background. Videos of dogs up close playing, etc. he often overreacts and starts barking and jumping. But with your videos, he watches calmly and intently, with great interest. Have you ever thought of trying to make your own crumpets and other home goodies? I was introduced to Peak Frean shortbread cookies when I was a child by our Welsh neighbour in suburban Toronto. Really, really love 'em.

[@lisakenyon9429]

So very glad that Diogo found you and you did him right! He gets around like there was no problem with his leg! Kudos to the vet who fixed him! And GOD BLESS YOU AND EWEN!

[@נעמהלוי-ע8ל]

I like the musical aspects,and visuals as well. They work very well together.

[@brucebotrel2275]

You both impress me about many things, but what impresses me the most, is your love for your animals and their obvious happiness, the highest of achievements.

[@carolbulmer8253]

Hi, Carissa and Iwan. Your courgettes would make a very tasty bread. I could send you two recipes… both are delicious. Happy Birthday, Carissa❤️🎂🎉🎉

[@jenniferhilton4648]

Hi, lovely vlog as usual, pear cider is delicious and easy to make.

[@abigailgerlach5443]

Purslane is a plant that was very popular during the middle ages as an addition to their diet, especially while waiting for the gardens to produce in spring and summer. Anything that kept the peasants from starving! I had a Shitzu who stole socks and would eat all the toes out! I got to the point where I'd take my socks off and throw them directly into the washer. I love crumpets, English sausages, Coleman's mustard, Heinz baked beans, Bourbon Creme biscuits, and Flakes!!! Have you ever stuffed courgettes? Scoop out the seeds and stuff them with sausage, onion, mushrooms and bread cubes. Bake them until the courgettes are soft. Pear chutney?

[@jennywalsh479]

Great show, You could make pear chutney with all that fruit. Love all your animals and your ginger cat is so funny and good on you both for rescuing the dog and nursing him back to health.

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Ooh good shout on the pears! Thanks!

[@victoriakopp1483]

Happy Birthday to you. Love your videos, and Frankie with his socks. That will make a beautiful children's book. All your pets are awesome to watch. Take care and have a beautiful week. Love from Pennsylvania USA 🇺🇸 ❤️

[@chrisdouglass7962]

Another very nice vlog 🥰 ahh flora and fauna, Frankie and socks 😄😁🥰

[@nancyspence2965]

Your garden is really coming along! You do a great job on your videos! You should promote yourself along with your illustrations. Your videos are always relaxing to watch. ❤

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you so much Nancy!

[@merrittbaxley6032]

Frankie is working on growing a sock tree to replenish all taken and more and more. I am sure it would be beautiful. LOL. Adorable.

[@moniquevelasco20]

Have a wonderful birthday Carissa. It’s amazing how your garden never stops producing. You are definitely in the right track. Love and be safe!🤗😘☀️🇻🇪

[@mezanian]

Chilling with your beautiful garden, animals and music😊 well done everyone 👍 Happy Birthday Carissa, mines on the 7th, 60 bloody 5😅

[@susanlauchlan3539]

I've just discovered your channel and love watching your lives unfold there in Portugal (I've gone back to some of your earlier episodes). Your filming and the music you choose is very relaxing and peaceful, thank you! I love your animals and how they like to cuddle with each other! And dear Frankie seems to take each addition in stride. PS: When planting onions, they do not like the top of the bulb completely covered with soil. Leave a tiny bit exposed or at least near the surface.

[@glorialeopard8808]

What a lovely landscape you've created. Looks so peaceful. Enjoy your channel very much. Saying hello from Alabama, USA. Keep up the great content.

[@tessaelvan5149]

loving the gardening, get Frankie her own socks lol. never thought of crumpets as butter sponges but so true. Thank you

[@100Noddy]

Your post this week beautifully reflects the joy and calm of the life you have created for yourselves in rural Portugal. That you have managed to achieve this at your age is inspiring, so many who want the same do not. Hope your motor vehicle woe is resolved without enormous expense. Life is so much less complex without a car and the worry of mechanical breakdown.

[@dweamy1]

I love seeing your pets all sleeping together and really laughed at Frankie's sock fetish..lol.. My mum used to make Pear juice (very concentrated and you'd need to water it down when drinking).

[@Winnie-hq5hs]

In many, many years from now, other people will wonder about all the dirty socks, they find in the soil😂 But maybe it's not always fair to blame Frankie. In our house socks tend to dissapear too, and we got no dog! It's a mystery..... Should I look in the garden?

[@FrankieOffGrid]

I’d consider it more likely that Frankie is sneaking into your home to steal the socks… 😆 definitely consider checking your garden for them

[@SuperToronto416]

Nancy Birtwhistle - a british cookbook author has a great recipe to use up courgettes. It's called: Lemon Yellow or Lime Green Courgette Cake

[@4711karo]

Your videos are so beautiful, gentle, informative, funny at times and so easy to watch..a delight, and thank you. You are achieving something very special with them … and your choice of music is in my opinion, perfect for what you are producing. And one last thing - I love animal as and I love watching your connection with them Clarissa. Heartwarming, and Yet another delight. So … delight all round and everywhere! ❤

[@4711karo]

ANd Many Happy Returns Clarissa for your 34th which I think you said you were celebrating on Wednesday. Hoping you will have a great day.

[@LorraineinAustralia]

Ways to eat zucchini… grated up and mixed with egg and a tiny amount of flour , with your favourite seasoning, and make little fried patties. Great for ant meal, alone or with salad. Zucchini cake/bread. Sauté with onion, tomato and olive oil.. great on toast (or crumpets😉)

[@faithvansanden82]

Happy birthday Carrisa, crumpets with chocolate spread, peanut butter or even melted cheese are delicious x

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you! They certainly are!

[@joyharding6052]

Nooo, it's got to be marmite!

[@heidihughes8806]

I've really enjoyed this video Carissa, it's been lovely to see so much of the animals. The chickens were so funny, following you around the garden. , which is looking beautiful by the way. Could you possibly set up a market stall and sell the fruit & veg that you have an over abundance of maybe? 🙂💕💕💕

[@BertKetz]

Chapeau you handle the change of life in beautiful Portugal.

[@gardentours]

Last year my beans grew again after the heatwave. I wanted to take my courgettes out already but after I've seen this video I might give them a second chance to grow and produce. That look 👀 of Diego at the says everything 🌝 I wonder what that chicken voldemort did that she got that name 😂😉 Have a wonderful weekend 🏖 Greetings Heidi 👩‍🌾💕

[@rachelfrees1268]

Everything is looking great. ❤

[@cbwmama8461]

Since that root stock for the now dead lemon appears strong and healthy, have you considered grafting onto it? In Arizona, a neighbor grafted a sweet orange, a grapefruit, and a lemon onto a bitter orange tree. Now he gets 4 types of fruit on the tree. The bitter orange makes wonderful marmalade! I have a brown thumb -- so can't tell you how to do it -- but he said he grafted one type of fruit each year so not to weaken the root stock. I'm sure the Internet has instructions on when and how.

[@FrankieOffGrid]

That’s exactly the plan! 😅 we’ve not done it before but fingers crossed!

[@glenyscallaghan1195]

Very gentle lifestyle.❤❤

[@magicwendy210]

lovely calming relaxing video for my Saturday morning chill time, thank you ❤x

[@jokevasconcellos6930]

The sock story. Definitely subject for a book.😂

[@susanmay4082]

Hi all your videos bring me get joy thank you so much ❤

[@meglange3595]

I so love purslane!! In the spring a friend gave me 4 starter plants she'd gotten from a nursery. Not sure of the variety but they put on gorgeous flowers of deep pink and yellow, also edible. They've grown well and I'm hoping next year they really get big and bushy. I havn't had the heart to pick much off of them yet because they're so lovely. I miss the kitten too 😔, but I'm sure his brother was lonesome without him. I envision Iwan becoming a great wine maker 😊👍. Will you plant more vines in the future? In the videos your property seems larger than 1 1/2 acres. I live on 1/2 an acre which is actually loads of space. This was my first summer to start a wee small garden. Next spring I'll do more. Lots of herbs. I love hanging them to dry and hope to make my own spice blends. Frankie is such a precious little dog. I agree with Frankie stories 😁. Have a good week!! 🥰🌾♥️

[@cynthiaszymkowicz2083]

I love purslane, too, especially the tender stems, and especially in salads.

[@vivienneturner2028]

I just watched Make Do Grow channel taste their courgette wine and apparently it was delicious 😊

[@alisonward3167]

‘Make,Do,Grow’ have made courgette wine with their excess.

[@judyweber9855]

You can grate both the corgettes and pumpkins and freeze them for cakes/pies and soups. Along with garlic and onions (saves chopping at cooking time.Just portion the grated/chopped garlic into tablespoon (15gm) portions and freeze on a tray. Then pub them in a freezer container.) you can also do this with ginger.

[@deborahashaw6044]

Your garden looks so beautiful on your videos!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@PrimitiveSkillsnet]

Hello you two, your garden is very large. I discovered that there are some vegetable plants similar to those in Vietnam. I think it would be great if you could buy some Vietnamese vegetable varieties to grow in your garden. adorable pets, you are a beautiful girl who loves your videos from Vietnam

[@terryevans5476]

The great sock heist ! Would make a good children's. book. Love from Cornwall ❤😅

[@jan9562]

​@@terryevans5476I think you meant this as a stand-alone comment. ( ps my uncle's name is Terry Evans; he's from Birkenhead).

[@robertbird3086]

Zucchini Breads... Yum.. Smile. and lots of stir Fried Meals .. Ninette Bird- The Caribbean Wife

[@channiere]

Your vlogs are brilliant therapy for me . I watch them all dreaming of when we finally move over to our house in Mortagua . Love the crazy hats you wear . My outlook on animals is slightly different to Iwans , if it’s for the pot it’s a Liverpool player if it’s to keep its Cantona Charlton Best . Thank you for your brilliant work .

[@ceriwibberley8364]

Thank you loved it 😄 so smoothing and happy birthday 🎂

[@SherryClarke-b6m]

You guys have a really good weekend too 😁

[@juliebower4265]

Hi guys Thankyou for sharing your day💕you work so hard and your pets are so funny I could watch you all day sending love and good luck with the harvest of melons! PS:We use our courgetts for quiche with onions garlic and tomatoes. If you don’t want to make pastry just bake with out. X x x

[@arjanvogel6444]

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love and bless you guys.

[@thefarawayhollow]

I used to have tiles lining my garden but I found the slugs and snails use it as a cozy home 👀 your garden is looking beautiful by the way 💚

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you! Quite miraculously and fortunately.. we don’t have any slugs here and very few snails.

[@alexalves4865]

​@@FrankieOffGridtoo dry for the slugs and snails... Quite different growing conditions compared to Wales 😉🌧️

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Haha just a bit different!

[@agnesw9540]

You could sun dry the pears and store them in paper bags for use in winter in baking, snacking or making a hot fruit soup.

[@silvielarischova6137]

přeji hodně sil

[@elizabethtighe3071]

I love crumpets also. Especially with covered with peanut butter. Love watching your videos on a Saturday morning. Keep up the good work both of you.

[@knelson5442]

Hi there. Loved your calming video. Two thoughts. You should draw Frankie in his “Rub my belly” pose. Perhaps call them “action shots!” 😅. Also, when will you start work on your ruin/bedroom? Love your building projects.

[@projectportugal]

Another awesome video guys❤ hope your delivery comes soon

[@bobbybaldeagle702]

I subscribed to your new channel. Can hardly wait to see your work

[@christinedrumm973]

Christine. We are giving garden veggies to our Siamese boys We are amazed the variety they consume We may try some of their favorites, dehydrate and treats!

[@peterwhite9261]

I am glad kitties home was found but I am sad gor you. Maybe he will visit now and then. Congrats on the new chickens, and your gsrden looks great. I love howball the fur babies sleep together. Ours do too.❤

[@leonormariaparrachoedviges8244]

Hi Carissa that plant in your garden is caled baldroegas and is very good in the soup.

[@elizabethtighe3071]

I have left my Courgette plants in and I’m still getting Courgettes now.

[@nancypatricio9972]

I used to eat purslin in Mexico, you can cook it with a little bit of oil and chopped onion and garlic. If you want to make it 🌶 spicy, you can add chili. We used to do it more like a liquidity soup.

[@olliesear1151]

@Butter sponges'... The perfect description of crumpets! I may actually have to go to the shop for crumpets now...😁

[@lesleybazant1013]

Love watching your videos. Think about canning those pears since they are so abundant. Happy Birthday from Texas 🎉🎉

[@leeworley5160]

You should (when your ready) have an arched doorway going from the kitchen area into your future bedroom. I often wonder why you didn't when you rendered. Uncle Nick can show you, lol.

[@kathleenpitt1981]

All your flowers are so lovely. Try air drying the pears. They’re delicious.

[@deborahlee8135]

Pear cider vinegar 😊 you'll also be able to collect your own seeds from the courgette and pumpkin if you let some grow as big as they like and develop seed for next season.

[@4711karo]

Hopping Iwan’s ribs are mending well. He works so hard…he seems to never stop but just quietly gets on with things. As you do too Clarissa … but the results are wonderful. Congratulations to you both for achieving what you most certainly are!

[@terrygauvin3961]

Love your videos always interesting great job ❤️ 👏 👍

[@riskodisko]

Olá, have a ptguese delicacy tip for the extra pears, Pêras Bêbedas/ Drunken Pears, you just need pears, red wine and sugar...peel it and boil in wine with sugar until it turns into sort of syrup...you can put in jars and save, delicious! Try it! Abraço!

[@elainekaufman2264]

Pears ripen best off the tree and make pear cider..yum yum

[@judyweber9855]

Pear butter/jam is wonderful also.

[@artstartdiy]

Great work on the garden. It looks like your soil still needs some work. For really productive beds your soil should be as dark as the potting mix. More manure in all the beds! Decomposed cow manure is excellent for veg growing. Can’t remember if you have a worm farm? All you need is 2 plastic buckets to get it started (cover and put holes in the top one) and tiger worms. Add your kitchen scraps and you’ll get free fertiliser (castings) and worm wee is excellent liquid fertiliser (ratio 1:10 like weak tea). A great tool I use for weeding which makes it so easy is a Hoe Ho-mi Korean Traditional Garden Digger Tool. It’s made from Steel and only costs around $13 (aus). It is a pointed triangular too that has a blade on one side that slices thru weeds with ease. Hope all this helps❤️✨

[@paullloyd2634]

Happy Birthday Carissa x

[@jeanrichardson2044]

A weed is just an opportunistic plant growing where one would prefer it didn't. Fortunately for your weeds you have found a use for most! Happy gardening...

[@jackiclark6667]

Love your homestead it's so picturesque - wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY and don't work too hard. What are those two dogs up to! on the couch.....hey when all the dogs and cats are on the couch where do you and Ewan sit? LOL

[@joannpilgrim1580]

Pumpkin blossoms are great fried. Put in eggs and then flour and fried.

[@deoritadomingo-mu2fs]

hi sorry for skipping ads too xcited for the whole vlog✌✌😙ill not do it nxt time...a follower here from the Philippines❤

[@judyweber9855]

You can wrap the melons/squash with tulle (the netting they sell in fabric stores for tutu’s) which does help keep the animals from eating them. It wouldn’t seem like it but I guess the texture is just enough to inhibit the critters.

[@sharongaines3043]

Courgette wine, enjoy

[@deborahlee8135]

Carissa you will be able to graft on to your old citrus stock in the garden. It would be a fabulous learning exercise and no losses, just wins if one takes. You may need to source a cutting from another tree (there are always people talking of trees that have the best fruit in town etc) and a few tools/materials to help. Each time you hear of another nice citrus, add another cutting to your tree. ❤❤❤

[@elainepearman2309]

Dried pears are delicious. They could probably be sun dried too. Love your videos.🥰

[@uppanadam]

Despite the heat you guys do have a pretty good setup there!! A tad jealous really!! LOL!!

[@juncusbufonius]

Ever thought of making Perry from the Pears?

[@secret_one]

Loving the videos. Gradually catching up. A quick question ... Have you looked at getting brush cutter blades for the strimmer instead of the nylon cord ?

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you! I have a mulching blade and a grass cutting blade.. but using them around rocks and trees is a bit sketchy 😅 the Stihl wire system is really easy to use

[@marilouw207]

I just love how Frankie communicates!! Hang the socks higher so she cannot reach it.

[@giavroumsas6329]

You can make amazing Greek courgette balls with cheese and wine are really majestics ❤

[@moonhunter9993]

Frankie is planting socks. She likes them so she wants more. So plants them (saw mom do it)...

[@frantaylor1100]

Happy Birthday x

[@lorianndean472]

Happy Birthday Carissa !!! Hope your day is wonderful!!! 🎉🍾💐🎂

[@duncanmcdowall]

love your films. total breath of fresh air. In asturias its a solid 30 degs in the mountains. Really late summer action! Hope it will make for a short winter. How did the pear cider go? Missed the results of that one.

[@AleeshaSattva]

I loved your sharing about the chickens. Can you show us the inside of the grey cement chicken shack? We've never seen how you completed it.

[@anadorsamp3560]

Está precioso todo!!. Qué suerte tienes de vivir ahí ❤

[@BrendanClark03]

Courgette cake is amazing

[@lindagage7315]

Good video! Love the sock thieves!

[@teresajames5993]

Maybe it’s my British background too but I also live crumpets mine with jam or peanut butter!! 🎉🎉❤

[@marybates2201]

Jam all the way, or plain with just butter. Yumcious