HUNTING FOR MISTLETOE IN THE MIST!

THE CHRISTMAS DIARIES: 15th day of ADVENT!!!
It's a Christmassy Day at the chateau, as we hunt for mistletoe in the mist, enjoy 18th century style hot chocolate, and bake this year's Christmas Cake!
If you'd like to purchase any of Andie's beautiful 'Lalande Christmas Toile' artwork (starting at €5 per download) go to our shop at:
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It's the Vlogmas time of year again - CHRISTMAS AT THE CHATEAU has begun! Happy Advent!
Follow all of us as we get the chateau ready for a spectacular French Christmas.
Each day will be filled with decorating, cooking, gift buying, carol singing and discovering ancient Christmas traditions from around the world.

[@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.

[@notyourtoystupidboy]

The level of preproduction and thought that’s gone into these vlogs over the year running up to vlogmas is astounding 👏 👏👏

[@helenbrough43]

I was just thinking that! Very professional!!

[@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 🤣

[@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!

[@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.

[@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! 🤭😆😉

[@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!

[@muhlaynee]

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

[@lrlasvegas6427]

I was waiting for someone else to say it!

[@salmarttx724]

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

[@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 😊

[@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.

[@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.

[@vivienneziegel9859]

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

[@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

[@junematthews8612]

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

[@kimmartin160]

Amaury went under the mistletoe and looked at Natalie😍

[@katehobbs2008]

They were both absent from Lalande for a week, at the same time, I think. Ooooh gossip!

[@deirdreclarke7765]

❤️

[@herekittykittykitty475]

I would be thrilled if two such nice people found each other!

[@debshaw680]

Did you expect him to lean in and kiss his cousin? He was talking to her so of course he was looking at her. Just leave them alone. Steph wasn’t ever intending to talk about her romantic life until she got outed by a tv series. I’m sure the rest of them want their private lives to be private too.

[@flibbertygibbette]

Seems likely they're together now, what with them both going on vacation at exactly the same time, running errands together, always showing up together, etc.

[@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

[@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.😀

[@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

[@lprochonROPE]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@hsimpson6581]

I had this strange fear that a wolf was going to eat her in the woods !

[@christinedhotman4399]

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

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

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

[@trishradloff8817]

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

[@tinetkkr6041]

Stephanie, you make me so happy with the Advent episodes!

[@lisalynch8269]

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

[@marybethwynn1654]

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

[@SetCCC]

Your videos are my first advent calendar! I've never had one, at least that I can remember. I love it! You brighten each day.

[@lovereikiASMR222]

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

[@compassbow]

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

[@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.

[@maurawhelan3530]

Love all of your bundled and walking!

[@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.

[@joannedavidman6773]

so much fun rewatching last years

[@alisongurley996]

I’m loving the banter between Stephanie and Phillip😀😂 lovely video xx Merry Christmas La Landers🎄🎄🎄 x

[@estherquezada9054]

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

[@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!

[@tarjavulto1809]

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

[@caroleharden3055]

Beautiful chocolate pot! I so look forward to these vlogs! Just take care ❤️

[@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💛✨

[@maretyawan]

That's a lot of thought and planning sooooo ahead of time... I really appreciate the smart work! Enjoying it a lot!

[@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!

[@chrislarsen2684]

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

[@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.

[@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...☺

[@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!

[@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😁

[@mayfleur36]

Your Christmas cape is exquisite, Stephanie 😍

[@blakehahn-atlantaga8510]

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

[@claudiawoodman9431]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!!👏🏻✨

[@gaiagirlie]

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

[@evmcelroy]

Yum. Looks delicious!

[@annettesharrock1236]

Loved watching the cake looks yummy. Loved watching x

[@patriciaodoherty5202]

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

[@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

[@laurel7570]

Such a wonderful hostess for advent. Thank you.

[@krystinawest7772]

Thank you for sharing such joy.

[@Randy8923]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@sharongruener6078]

Fun walk to get mistletoe. Cake looks yummy. BLessings.

[@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?

[@louisedole7179]

I just love all this old world charm and personality. Love you all. Charleen from Arizona.

[@pennyhoward3438]

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

[@Cenepk101]

Thank you so much for demonstrating the cracker !!!! I had no idea !!!!!

[@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

[@jenniferkessener1111]

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

[@patdowney4984]

Love your Christmas x

[@lyndablack3438]

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

[@paulapautler9188]

I laughed when you referenced feeling like being in a fairytale, whilst making the hot chocolate. Because at the beginning of the vlog you reminded me of little red riding hood with your beautiful cape walking through the forest. You all look like you have so much fun there. Thank you again for making these vlogs. I especially love your advent ones. You have helped me get into the Christmas spirit. And Philip, I loved the candy cane straws, an excellent idea. I'm going to go shop for them. Happy Advent!

[@CarolChillsCasually]

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

[@thejudypoolhoman]

Stephanie, your cape is absolutely stunning!

[@bethhopkins4277]

I love these Advent posts

[@angelavorhees5946]

Seeing all the mist and you in your cape I instantly thought of Heathcliff and Cathe heading out to the moors. Philips little age barb could also be turned the other way around on him. 😉👶lol.

[@dinahreyes4947]

Love the red cape!!!

[@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.

[@MamaVee50]

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! 🌺

[@jezabel1960]

Little red riding hood!! You always look nice. I sure your new Christmas intro! Nice job Dan.

[@healinggardens-terribowlby3129]

Loving all your Advent vlogs! All your months of planning are slowly being revealed-well done! By the way, here in Nova Scotia Canada, we have always had Christmas Crackers at our Christmas dinner table. Enjoy the Mistletoe! 🥰

[@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

[@murielwilson3148]

The hot chocolate looked yummy must try some myself fantastic vlog as usual Stephanie

[@ABUTARI70]

Ahhh. The love is so palpable!!❤️

[@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!

[@margarethouston8998]

Take care of yourself. Anything is appreciated. From San Antonio, texas. It’s hot here and doesn’t feel like Christmas. So the vlogs are inspirational 🎄

[@hahna77]

I know! I thought to myself today, here it is the middle of December in Texas and I could literally be running around in a swimsuit and still be too hot. It's ridiculous. I'm so ready to wear my cozy comforts.

[@laurencunningham8281]

Thoroughly enjoyed this episode!

[@denisefazio6708]

Loved it!

[@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

[@cliffhorman6846]

This one was really warm and fuzzy I think. I love the chocolate making.. And the cake looked lovely. I have just made mine as well.

[@suehall3298]

Love your wonderful Christmas cape cake making & chocolatiar🤗🎁🎆❤🎄 Love ❤ Sue🎄🎄🎄🇬🇧🎄🎄🎄

[@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!