HUNTING FOR MISTLETOE IN THE MIST!

[@TheChateauDiaries]

I'm sorry that tonight's Advent Calendar is a little late tonight! It's a three vlog day for us at Lalande! This one is launching as a premiere, Cadeaux will be out later tonight (not as a premiere) and I'm currently editing tonight's video for my Patreons. So it's an extra busy (and Christmassy!) day here :)

[@corinnegreen4765]

Ooo…. Take care or you’ll burn out xx 🥰🎄🎅🏻🏰

[@mychristmasemporium5927]

Much appreciated but please take care of yourself, I don’t think it would be good to repeat last year and end up in hospital again!

[@VietQuanT]

Omg please don’t stress it! Take care of yourself.

[@linedallaire9631]

No worries from Canada ❤🌲❤☃️😘

[@dotell8925]

Don't make yourself sick please. We can wait.

[@mariahoulihan9483]

TIP. to avoid the chocolate pot flying of fthe table when using that whisk, ring out a tea towel in water - so damp - fold it and place it underneath. I learnt this technique in cookery lessons at school to steady a mixing bowl.

[@twobluestripes]

Genius

[@isabellejarvis7805]

I also thought the chocolatière would fly!

[@mtcannon2541]

PHILLIP that was not nice!!! Stephanie is timeless and will never age!!!! LOL

[@mercurialpierrot7073]

Dan and Amaury are going to have sooo many jokes to do with that mistletoe 🤣

[@annettewalter2273]

Your chocolatier is absolutely gorgeous. A fun day for all of you.

[@sandrakicklighter2735]

I have been trying to create the hot chocolate of my dreams because mostly what passes for cocoa in the US is a dismal little packet that water gets added to for a very anemic impersonation of chocolate. So shaved dark chocolate, mixed with a bit of hot milk and cream then whisked looks like the magical secret. I will be trying that out very soon. Thank you from Los Angeles where yes we do get a few days of cold and need our cocoa too!

[@marshawargo7238]

I think that handle would only work for Right Handed people🐧💦

[@dreamchaseruk]

Love the red cape Stephanie, very festive 💖

[@amyschneidhorst1384]

Gorgeous!

[@darcyhedley2446]

We absolutely have Christmas crackers in North American, my family has had them at the Christmas table since I was a child. I have even made some myself!

[@kimhaughton3771]

No apologies necessary for the lateness ! I'm happy to see that all is well! LOVED the Mistletoe adventure! The mist was so romantic!!! I was looking for Mr. Darcey to come riding up on his steed! 🤭😆😉

[@sderby4297]

Nothing says Christmas like wearing paper crowns on your head, reading silly jokes and getting cheap little trinkets. I'm Canadian and we do not do Christmas without them. :) I'm going to attempt making my own this year with a little bottle of clementine gin in them.

[@joannedavidman6773]

so much fun rewatching last years

[@mercurialpierrot7073]

If you want to spike that hot chocolate, put some Grand Marnier in there for a chocolate orange effect 🖤

[@twobluestripes]

Thank you for this!

[@debramarie6715]

Oooh, I’m going to try that! 👍🏻

[@shirleykneece7637]

Genius idea Julia Kneece Gregg Columbia SC USA

[@VisionaryGardener]

Or Irish Cream!

[@kimmartin160]

Be careful Phillip with age jokes or Stephanie may have no need for the mistletoe😂

[@lynnpetti3817]

Love the teasing. she a Brit , she can more than handle it.

[@jennymay4720]

@@lynnpetti3817 Bit unkind though. Unnecessary.

[@beefrench3554]

Is there a doghouse at the chateau?😉

[@Yokipepolewhosuck]

@@jennymay4720 yup not funny at all

[@vickiewatson6583]

Yes, please stop with the age "jokes" and that weird snorting sound into the microphone.

[@loveykukahiko4815]

Thank you for explaining the Christmas crackers. I knew how they looked in a game I use to play, but never knew about the treats and popping. I never trusted the fruit cakes as I grew up....Now as an adult and watching your Christmas vlogs....I want to try them.

[@georgiaandrews4962]

I live in western Canada and we have ALWAYS had Christmas crackers - they're available in stores all over. Can't imagine Christmas without them!

[@VisionaryGardener]

I was just going to say this! It's such a strong family tradition that my mother updated me the other day "I've got the Christmas crackers! They're very pretty this year!" We have many, many Christmas family pictures of us all wearing our paper crowns - even my wonderful 95-year old, grandfather and 93- year old grandmother. I wonder where the paper crown tradition came from? It would be interesting to know the history behind the crackers.

[@brianne9]

Yes, I was surprised to hear that it's not common in the US, because it's common, not just for Christmas, but for any celebration in Ontario.

[@kellygroce40]

I love that you chose to wear that cloak, it was stunnung! (And slightly humorous with the yellow welleys lol). Wonderful episode!

[@roselee4445]

Little red riding hood

[@lisakilmer2667]

This was great fun. Amaury and Nati are becoming a little more obvious, which is sweet. I have a "chocolate set" from my great-grandmother from about 100 years ago (it's Art Nouveau) - the pot and creamer are fairly small but the sugar bowl is enormous, which gives a clue as to how people drank their chocolate at that time. Mexican-style chocolate comes in cakes and usually includes cinnamon (and vanilla and chili spice). About mistletoe - those trees you mention for "next year" might fall soon, as that much mistletoe really shortens their lives.

[@brendagraw3729]

When did I miss that Amaury and National are a couple?????,, good for them, they deserve love.😚

[@brendagraw3729]

Oops, auto correct at it again. Sweet Nati

[@deedeerichardson443]

I thought that might be the case as they seem together a lot!❤️❤️❤️

[@darlenevm]

@LisaKilmer - Yes! If you look back through the videos, you’ll see they are always sitting together at meals, and Amaury giving Nati the sweetest looks. Especially at Dana’s birthday party. This is wonderful ❤️❤️❤️

[@lindasnelson7036]

I’ve noticed that. I hope so they look perfect together.😀

[@vivienneziegel9859]

Just perfectly magical.Stephanie looks like she belongs in a fairytale , just so beautiful ❤️🦘❤️🦘❤️🧚🥰🎄✨

[@christinedhotman4399]

😄”le petit chaperon rouge”in the woods!😍,😘👋🎄💕💕💕

[@terriyoung2389]

LOL! Christmas crackers were very much a part of my childhood as my grandmother's family is from Wales. I have seen them in local stores including Target. They tend to be smaller here in the states but I did make them with my grandma as a child. Thank you for the tutorial on rum. This explains so much about why they taste different.

[@DonniTom]

I adore your love of celebrating life. Planning christmas in the summer. Beautiful.

[@kathrynknowles7397]

I’m a volunteer beekeeper in Ontario, Canada. It would be so great to hear more about your bees and Amaury’s beekeeping experience :)

[@twobluestripes]

I know that someone else (a local farmer?) owns and manages the bees, and in exchange, he provide Lalande with some of the honey made every year! But it would be nice if he would agree to be in a video when it’s honey harvesting time! Perhaps Amaury would meet him and film/interview him.

[@Swede-m7q]

Love the distillery tour and mistletoe hunt. You never disappoint your viewers! (BTW, we do have Christmas crackers here in the US, but they’re not widely used.) Happy holidays! 🌺

[@junematthews8612]

Using “puns” in your second language is very impressive Philip.😉

[@muhlaynee]

5 francs says Amaury & Nati don't need mistletoe ;-)

[@lrlasvegas6427]

I was waiting for someone else to say it!

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

Wellies and cape on a misty mistletoe hunt is a WHOLE MOOD!

[@robinmorgan1757]

Christmas crackers are a thing in Canada. I was supposed by the comments as well! Ours have a paper crown that everyone wears during dinner 😊

[@markobalazic7726]

About the brown sugar. You can make it yourself, by adding molasses to regular granulated sugar and then mixing it with a food processor.

[@Komal09985]

Thanks for that worldwide adventure Steph. Also Nati, Amaury & mistletoe in one shot…=very cute vlog ☺️

[@Komal09985]

Oh well I must have missed that update before :)

[@marionchanson5479]

I knew it!!!! What a perfect match. Amaury is never going to leave Lalande again!

[@salmarttx724]

As a Texan =, I only knew about Christmas Crackers since I watched British shows on PBS growing up.

[@georgiehopkins9303]

Hi All, I’m loving the advent vlogs. It’s must be so nice to be able to go out on your property and forage for mistletoe and any greenery you want , it’s just beautiful there. I’m also happy to see the relationship growing between your cousin and Natti they make a beautiful couple. Take care and stay safe, loads of love and hugs from Canada. 🤫💗🥂👍

[@Basia57]

So glad you have spotted it too! xx

[@pw4075]

Stephanie, you look absolutely festive (and cozy) in the red cape. The cake looks delicious; the hot chocolate ---- oh, my! The mistletoe brigade was very successful in their quest; a treasure of riches. There seems to be lots of romance in the air along with the scent of Christmas cake.

[@jodeneantonson985]

Yaay, I love honey bees! They contribute so much to our food sources through pollination! Take good care of them.

[@thejudypoolhoman]

Stephanie, your cape is absolutely stunning!

[@chriscraver4070]

I crush up candy canes and place it in a glass jar and then put some in my hot chocolate each morning. So good. Enjoying the Christmas season with all of you. Much love🌲❤️

[@lisaakinlabi]

I am a Canadian in Ontario and always had Christmas Crackers - I too made my own when my children were small and even sold them to others. It's huge fun at Christmas. I am now wanting a chocolatier! The hot chocolate looked yummy. 😊

[@VisionaryGardener]

The fact that all the Canadians commenting here about our family traditions if having Christmas crackers with paper crowns as opposed to it being less common in the US must have something to do with our British colonial past?

[@anna-clairecoore9840]

Your advent vlogs have filled me with such joy. The positive spirit of those who live within the beautiful walls of the Chateau have been felt from sunny Sydney. Love to all

[@TheBTG88]

We shoot mistletoe out of the trees. A 22 caliber rifle with a scope is very efficient.

[@ellenawhitaker2046]

Does it come out in wholes balls? That’s intriguing

[@lauraallmond7434]

When I was a child I lived in Normandy ( My Father was in the US Army stationed in Evreux) and the farmers would shoot the mistletoe out of the trees to sell in the markets. It was quite exciting to watch!

[@janetplanet09]

I’ve seen videos of people using shotguns to retrieve mistletoe from treetops. I like the digger idea.

[@sharolfowler2859]

Yes I believe that is how many gather it here .

[@roselee4445]

Arkansas friends shoot it downn

[@marilynloucks1121]

I live in Northern Ontario Canada and we always had crackers on our plates at Christmas dinner but now I suspect that is because my grandmother's mother came to Canada from England and my grandfather came here as a little boy from Ireland. Having said that...I see a lot of them for sale here in the stores every year but we are part of the commonwealth! Lovely video today as always!

[@beefrench3554]

Yes we always had them in 🇨🇦

[@karensotiriou4759]

Me, too. Uk roots and always Xmas crackers. Sold everywhere here in S Ontario

[@eileenlane787]

Ye are so lucky to have all the greenery around ye . The mistletoe is stunning . Stephanie is really giving Mrs Claus a run for her money 🎀🎄

[@rebekahlow8375]

Amaury is a man of mystery and many talents! I liked learning a bit about bees. The chocolate pot is stunning.I love your Christmas Cracker demo!!!!! Sadly most American have know idea about Christmas Pudding,Christmas Crackers or Boxing Day. Love from Vermont

[@maryamoros]

Oh my God! I'm completely in love with you beatiful Chritsmas cloak! In fact I think I need one desperately! In Spain we haven't that lovely tradition of crackers but I would like it, It seems really funny! Thanks for your videos I love it and I waiting for them every day 😊😘

[@annettesharrock1236]

Loved watching the cake looks yummy. Loved watching x

[@claudiawoodman9431]

Thank you for teaching us to use the good stuff, Stephanie ❤️

[@bradwalsh2522]

A bit of a blood witch vibe. 😜

[@nataliegonzalez9944]

Stephanie's face glowing like a child in a candy store, when explaining how she'll be in the next few days putting a little more rum into her fruit cake is priceless.

[@karleinegraham446]

Advent trip around the world with Stephanie. Day 14, in Italy: Day 15 in sunny Barbados for rum and a nod for Demarara sugar which was first made in 🇬🇾 Guyana, South America (former British colony on Caribbean coast). The young lady who received the beautiful gift of the Chocalatier from the fascinating lady is now living her own glamorous life. Stephanie, God be praised! I drink my chocolate like Phillip.

[@chrislarsen2684]

Wow - the Chateau looks so lovely in the mist...

[@pattiearehart118]

My mother made this “fruitcake” in June each year. She would feed it once a month till December! It was delicious!

[@michellemurdock6937]

Wow! We start ours on thanksgiving and I thought that was early. June! It must be a supremely delicious cake!

[@patriciaodoherty5202]

Lovely thank you!Your cape is beautiful as you are!

[@annawinkel6509]

We do have Christmas crackers in the US - but it’s probably not a widely held tradition. I buy them every year at HomeGoods.

[@debshaw680]

You can buy them in Walmart most of the time. But you see them in movies all the time but Americans aren’t very observant as a species, are we?

[@Motherhubbard170]

I have noticed in my travels through the States that traditions vary a great deal from State to State, the older States retain many traditions on the East Coast whereas the Southern States don't seem to have any of these traditions

[@marshawargo7238]

@@Motherhubbard170 They like to start their own traditions. Also when marrying each bring their own & soon u have too many so some things have to go or become forgotten🐒💕

[@sandrarainier6625]

I live in Central Ohio and never heard of crackers until Stephanie. In my area we place chicken and noodles on our mashed potatoes. The Christmas cake reminds me of our fruitcake mixture wise.

[@laurel7570]

Such a wonderful hostess for advent. Thank you.

[@cls5001]

I love how you planned your advent videos in advance and are showing the thought that goes in to making them. Merry Christmas from Kentucky!

[@dinahreyes4947]

Love the red cape!!!

[@viv2089]

Merry Christmas to you all ..not sure if you read all the comments so just in case…I want to send a hearty thank you for all the work and joy that has gone into these Advent vlogs. They have bought happy escapism for a few minutes from these dim days of daily news and doom and reminded us of love and being together ❤️ Happy days

[@lprochonROPE]

Mistletoe is what the Druid in Asterix would collect with his 'serpe d'or' to make the magic potion.

[@marybethwynn1654]

You make such great vlogs!!! Love the Advent series but everything you do is fantastic. Thank you!!!

[@louettahuddleson7194]

Loving the advent adventures! 🎄💞💝💞🎄 Thank you so much for the energy and thoughtfulness you put into each of the advent vlogs. They are all wonderful.

[@lovereikiASMR222]

This was my favorite Advent video so far! Absolutely LOVED it! So festive and fun! Thank you! xx

[@beautyallaroundme724]

How delightful! Loved your Christmas cape, and your chocolate pot. Your kitchen table is almost the same as the one I grew up with in my mother's 300 year old house.

[@mayfleur36]

Your Christmas cape is exquisite, Stephanie 😍

[@borge2014]

Marvelous cake making, and all the love put into it! Wow the red cape fantastic, so cute on Stephanie in the enchanted forest. Great to see all no matter when the vlog is out. Will have to look for that Rum...☺

[@melindaduncan3073]

I love the idea of Christmas crackers! I think this year I’ll do that! It looks like great fun.

[@TheSassy1962]

Hey Amaury, pass the salt please!

[@jenniferkessener1111]

What a fun and Christmassy day. The chocolate in your beautiful pot looked scrumptious.

[@janeharris6925]

Sooooo enjoyable. You are making the Christmas season for me! Thanks 🙏 I learned of Christmas crackers from Harry Potter. What a nice way to be reminded!

[@deniseblackman5229]

LOVE LOVE LOVE A group of great friends enjoying Christmas fun. I felt like I was gathering mistletoe and hanging in the kitchen with you all! Almost, but not quite.

[@pennyhoward3438]

Oh my I was getting worried! Thank you all . See you all tomorrow. Merry Advent🎄👍🍬

[@lenoracooper7729]

Others have probably mentioned this already, adding cornstarch is what adds a velvety mouth feel.

[@chuckt7636]

So nice to hear that Amaury is a fellow beekeeper. I've always been interested to hear more about the bees at LaLande, perhaps it will happen. Watch those Varroa destructor mites!

[@27Spiritgirl]

LOVE that stunning red cape! What more could we ask for - lovely friends at Lalande, chocolate, mistletoe and adventure - another happy, happy day ! xoxo

[@ChristieinFlorida]

Every single thing about this video is delightful. I did learn that mistletoe grows on trees and not bushes. Never knew that. So thank you for doing a segment on that. I use spiced brandy for my Christmas cake although the rum looks delish also. Mistletoe hunting, hot chocolate, the caribbean and crackers, what's not to love about this video. Steph, you looked adorable in your cape.

[@susanknox5402]

Another fascinating Christmas Diaries episode. Thank you!. Re the Christmas cracker tradition. I think it must be a little spotty in North America. I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was a well-known and widespread tradition there, probably because of the many families with British roots who settled there. We also pulled the crackers all at once with our arms crossed pulling the crackers with whomever was sitting next to us at the Christmas table. I now live in Winnipeg and the tradition is live and well here as well. In California the tradition is not so well known, but it is growing, maybe because the upscale kitchen store chain, William-Sonoma sells them. They sell them at Easter too. The paper on the Easter crackers is decorated with bunnies, chickens, eggs and flowers in pastel colours. 🇨🇦

[@marierisdon8894]

Oh, I've never seen Easter crackers. Sounds like a great idea though. French-Canadian background so we didn't have these, even though my maternal grandparents were British immigrants. But my kids have experienced crackers to reflect the dual heritage. That's what makes Canada special.

[@lisaa8437]

I live in Minnesota and grew up in Wisconsin, never heard of crackers.

[@twobluestripes]

They weren’t as easy to find in small town Northern California when I was a kid, if I remember, but my parents always liked them and would find them. Once I was a teenager in early 2000s, we didn’t have a problem finding at least one pack somewhere, and as an adult now with lots of shopping in SoCal, they seem to be everywhere. But I think that many families aren’t aware of them or don’t have them as a tradition?

[@jomeyer13]

maybe othr places it became tafffy pulling

[@marierisdon8894]

@@jomeyer13 St. Catherine's Taffy is a candy made by girls in French-Canadian families to honour St. Catherine, the patron saint of unmarried women on her feast day, November 25. St. Catherine's day is sometimes known in Franco Canadian families as "taffy day," a day when marriage-age girls would make taffy for eligible boys. Marguerite Bourgeoys, a founder of the Notre-Dame de Montréal and an early teacher at Ville-Marie, the colonial settlement that would later become Montreal, is credited with starting the tradition as a way of keeping the attention of her young students.

[@judithschatunowski6273]

Loved the red cape, Steph, very Christmassy! But the chocolatiers was soooo beautiful! Glad you have finally used it after all those years! I could smell the deliciousness of both the hot chocolate and the cake! Yum, yum!

[@Simonsglasses_]

A rise for the overal ingenious and meticulously put together videos!! Also the fact that the video in Barbados was planned to be an Advent one, goodness!! Well well well well done!!👏🏻✨

[@Randy8923]

Great video! I enjoyed. So much fun from the Misty walk to the delicious hot chocolate and cake! Love to all ❤

[@iamglitchy]

Binge watching the advent videos and oh my, It made me so happy that You wore our traditional, Latvian patterned cape! You look beautiful! 💖

[@lyndablack3438]

Such fabulous memories of delicious rum punches in the Carribean.. 🍹

[@markn8313]

Amoury is a beekeeper! I am a hobbyist beekeeper as well - with 2 hives and the whole outfit too.

[@tarjavulto1809]

What a delightful vlog! Loved it so much! You are such a great entertainer Stephanie!! Well done again! ❤️❤️

[@CarolChillsCasually]

Oh Christmas crackers are like thanksgiving wishbone!! Okay yeah super awesome, love them!!

[@lisalynch8269]

I absolutely love your vlogs. They make me so happy. Thank you ❤️

[@leahbealand3553]

I love your advent videos! I watched them for the last two years and it’s become a total tradition. Thank you for inspiring so much joy!

[@ccoeurjoli]

J’aime beaucoup comment Amaury aide Natty à ne plus glisser sur cet arbre … et aussi comme il est charmant d’aider à porter les courses ! Encore une vidéo délicieuse, chaleureuse, pleine de beaux souvenirs d’été … bravo ! Sacrée organisation !! Par contre, le gui au dessus de la table ne me parait pas une si bonne idée… il ne faudrait pas que les boules de gui tombent dans la nourriture !!!! C’est du poison !!! Il vaut mieux l’accrocher dans une entrée, à un chandelier 🤩 … pour s’embrasser dessous 😉 À bientôt ! 🌸🌸🌸 PS : attention au surmenage !! Les vidéos sont nombreuses mais on peut attendre… 😄

[@isabellejarvis7805]

C’est exactement ce que je pense! Dangereux au dessus de la tablée!

[@blakehahn-atlantaga8510]

Oh wow! I want a chocolatier! That’s was beautiful! Loving the advent vlogs so much!

[@jenniferrayhill2000]

Thank you!

[@judydee7644]

Steph is such a romantic...and comedienne.

[@marthathomas1660]

What fun walking in your beautiful “garden” woods😁 Oh my a new bee keeper Cousin😁 Truly enjoyed your video your Advent Team is delightful 🎄❤️ Remember to rest glad to see your elves helping out❤️🎄Philip is too cute so much fun😁

[@trishradloff8817]

Phillip! All the Bee references. You’re killing me here! LOL!

[@estherquezada9054]

That hot chocolate looks amazing!!!!♥️♥️ Also thank you for taking us to Barbados! What a fun and informative vlog!

[@compassbow]

Thank you guys for making such beautiful, lovely videos ❄️⛄❤️🎄🎁

[@gaiagirlie]

'i've got a hive back home, got a cloak and everything'...did I just fall in love?

[@lindalagarce8996]

It scant what we usually use in the US (the poppers) but I have used them with my kids when they were younger and they have used the, while involved in some organizations while growing up. I love the,m’ we need to do them more.I also loved the tour and information in Barbados about the bourbon making. Love learning more about the history of other 0laces. Hugs and love from Texas!

[@aleciaj8098]

I just started watching your channel again and I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed it! I was too busy this past year to watch much of anything but now I have some time and I’m really enjoying all the catching up on your videos💛✨

[@ericasunshine8169]

Hot chocolate is heavenly! And, as I am sure you are aware, so are you and your household! You all have truly inspired your viewers and myself to be our true selves; organized, friendly, artistic, and to live our lives to the fullest!

[@Justafonso]

Very happy to see dogs at Lalande 🥰🥰

[@DianaGonzalez-qd8tc]

Such a lovely content💜💗🤍

[@marygough6554]

Christmas crackers are found in the US in stores such as TJMaxx or Tuesday Morning. Here in Virtginia mistletoe is shot from the tree.

[@chantallennox1201]

Imagine Stephanie or Mummy aiming at mistletoe with a shotgun. That would be hilarious😜

[@KrisanthiaMum]

World Market carrier them as well 😘 Purchased mine today 👍

[@KrisanthiaMum]

We shoot it out of the trees here in the country “Alabama” for sure 😉 Mistletoe can cause damage to a tree in certain situations and removal may be to the trees advantage. For years I thought it was a type of lichen but tis not. May we all get some kissin under the mistletoe this year 💋

[@jillychandler]

Love the mistletoe, but please remember that it is poisonous for dogs! That lovely golden lab was enjoying the walk. Blessings and Happy Christmas from Devon, England.xxx

[@MetaMM]

This might disappoint you to know but the condistency of hot chocolate in Italy is using a little of corn flour. (Lived in Milan as home base 32 years).