Pouring Pillars and Building Stairs- Stone House Renovation

We continue with the renovation and build steps to the stone house, pour pillars and move closer to building the roof. While the building work is going on, we carry on with jobs in the garden.
We make a starter of fresh artichoke with lemon butter.
Thank you for joining us.
Meraid and Dan

[@ludovinaluciano5068]

Hi I am a Portuguese living in Canada over 64 years and I am amazed how new comers come to Portugal and work so hard at what the Portuguese left behind to make a living in another country ,the new generation go out to work in the big cities because there is no future in these small villages.hope that you get to enjoy all your hard work best of luck in a beautiful and still peaceful part of Portugal

[@maryhauser6523]

I agree !!! at least lets be grateful for foreigners such as Dan and Meraid , for their appreciation and love for these Old Beauties, such as this old ugly house that has been in my family for may years .

[@Maddie2u]

I grew up among Portuguese immigrants, in fact, our Catholic church comprised of primarily the Dutch immigrants of which I was part, and the Portuguese. For some reason that memory sticks with me. I often wonder, as I watch some of these KZbin's, could this have been one of their homes. Now things are reversing for many who find the shackles of big city life and the changes in demographics just too much. Back to nature, back to simpler, not easier, but simpler and back to their souls....the best part. These old stone homes took much effort at one point, you could never get anyone to rebuild those stone walls nowadays and the wise realize this. This home will be a showpiece when complete, it will comprise the best of both worlds. It is a tough ask and a major challenge but that will be far from an ugly house when complete and, all the gardens will have been done surrounding it. They will have a retirement paradise. At 68, I would love nothing better than to get out of the city and just putter in a garden but, yeah, Portugal is too hot and too far for me. ♥️🇨🇦

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@Maddie2u]

@@NearbyVeggies ♥️

[@zuzanatauvinkl5195]

Very appropriate music for the step construction 🤣

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you.

[@tgoulter1]

I agree with your bean picking pal, a bit of choral music would make an apt background score to your great restoration work as well as the veggies. Bach as we all know was one of the great composters. By the way, I like how you make eye contact when you say cheers giving it proper sincerity. It could catch on and like a butterfly in the Brazilian rain forest, set world change in motion. Let’s all be part of it.

[@NearbyVeggies]

‘‘Twas my bean picking pal that taught me about the eye contact. 😊

[@FatimaGoulter-wl7fd]

I agree with the comment left by the Portuguese living in Canada. There are so many treasures going to waste in Portugal, while ugly concrete boxes are being allowed to be built around them. Thank goodness for the “estrangeiros”

[@kathleenpitt1981]

Those stairs are going to be fabulous! I hope you can persuade the owners of the three, to sell them.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Fingers crossed 🤞

[@lindasoaft9303]

Unbelievable hardworking men! Your home will be beautiful and will last your lifetime and many more! Thanks for the artichoke prepping and eating! A lot of work but a nice tasting reward in the end❤️ cheers!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks so much

[@AntonioLourencoAntunes]

Excelent choice of music🥰

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks! 😊

[@j.n.sloane]

I appreciate the tutorial on eating artichokes. I've only ever eaten the hearts and never a fresh artichoke. Thank you! Saludos desde Asturias.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you ☺️

[@paulettebarber7219]

Amazing progress. It’s fun watching speeded up footage, think how nice if some projects could really be done in that swift time! 😂 I love artichokes though I haven’t eaten them like that in years! Fond memories.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@Susan.I]

My husband and I make artichokes the same way they are made in Italy and as I am a 4th generation Italian American! Which is similar to the way Dan makes them!! I absolutely love fresh artichokes!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Awesome

[@marianharris441]

I remember learning how to prepare artichokes at an early age watching Graham Kerr the Galloping Gourmet. I have made them that way my whole life.

[@NearbyVeggies]

That is awesome!

[@Pooky-Cat]

I always thought an artichoke was the reaction you give when asked to comment on an abstract painting 🤔😲

[@NearbyVeggies]

🤣

[@larhumba4233]

You can also stuff artichokes (having removed the inedible bits) when making Dolma. My Mother used to always include a couple of artichokes with the stuffed vine leaves, all cooked in one big pot. We'd eat it with Turkish bread and yoghurt. Delicious! 🥰

[@NearbyVeggies]

Sounds delish

[@maggiemorgan8422]

I feel like a bit of a Luddite for it knowing what the music was for the step building but it was very fitting! The veranda is after all going to be like an altar at which we worship

[@NearbyVeggies]

We can’t stop laughing at the worshipping of the veranda. It is quite the spot. 👍

[@Coyotehello]

Haha, your friend got his Bach organ piece, quite dramatic! I never realized that some people might never had fresh artichokes. That is funny. The house... the farm is coming along quite nicely.

[@NearbyVeggies]

He did indeed. Perhaps a little over the top although it feels quite impressive to us 😂

[@daniellebeckers1912]

Good morning Meraid and Dan, have a nice day

[@brigittelacour5055]

French here, in my family we cook the artichokes the same way, eat the eatable part of the leaves with vinaigrette ( Dijon mustard, 1/3 vinegar ou lemon juice, 2/3 oil, salt pepper shallots or garlic). For the airy part, we only took it out by the end part, no knife needed.and we usually cut the heart in small pieces and add the reste of the vinaigrette or some on it.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Excellent 👍

[@sjoukjevanleeuwen]

Now comes the stairs again! And all that beautiful walls. And behind that, it's a very strong building now. I love to see it growing, with your nice choices of music. And now we knew how to cook a fresh artichoke, thank you Dan, bless you both.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@pedroleal7118]

Hello. Very happy to see that you took the time to settle and the land seems to be rewarding you (after much work!), it is fertile land. My mother used to live near Coimbra, and she could grow almost anything. As long as you have a piece of land, that was there , before Eucalyptos erupted everywhere, the land will be generous in return for all the care, you put in . Happy to see you're doing great !

[@pedroleal7118]

Oh , that looks like a happy cat!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

😊

[@willaharlatt4862]

nom nom i love artichoke!

[@NearbyVeggies]

👍

[@marydykes3644]

Love strimming to Bach!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Dan wishes he could hear it as he goes. There’s a lot of strimming going on as fire season approaches.

[@avivat3010]

The house is coming along! It's going to be gorgeous when it's finished. You'll have your food in your garden, a roof over your head and enjoy every day working in the soil and relaxing at night. What a dream!! The artichokes look delicious! Thank you for sharing as best you can!!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@elsafischer3247]

Artichokes are delicious eve though you have to work. Thank you

[@NearbyVeggies]

Very true!

[@Путешествуй-к2ь]

I’m so happy to see how much progress is being done on the house!! ❤ and what a stunning garden! The landscape is so so beautiful! Your little paradise🤗P.S. I didn’t know you had a cat!!😍

[@NearbyVeggies]

It’s great to see and the cat, well he doesn’t go to the house so you don’t see him unless we’re filming in the rental house 😊

[@yvonnebailey9973]

Very dramatic music !!! Although I do like it. Coming along nicely. Artichokes looked good enough to eat , I personally have never had them like that only had the hearts, when used in recipes. ATB to you both.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks 👍

[@sybilreneemcgowan1472]

I didn’t know some artichoke stems weren’t edible. I cut mine off at the base of the choke, peel the stem, cut it in quarters length wise and cook with the artichokes. The cooked stems resemble the heart a bit. Eat with whatever you are eating with the leaves

[@NearbyVeggies]

Some stems are tougher than others

[@joketendam5806]

I ll9ve artichokes this way

[@NearbyVeggies]

Yay 😊

[@iniabellepaz445]

I never seen a fresh artichoke eaten… but we do enjoy vinegar artichoke. Thank you for sharing. This has been a very cool spring, still wearing sweaters! But the garden looks beautiful! Enjoy.

[@nancyspence2965]

Fresh artichokes 😋! Progress is looking great on the garden & house! ❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Yes! Thank you!

[@Pauline-m9m]

Great video. Not too convinced about the artichoke’s but each to their own, and I’m sure that me not enjoying them won’t affect the world one iota! Great progress on your home. Pauline

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@christienagema7855]

Thank you for showing us how to prepare artichokes. I had never eaten them before. My mother grew them in her garden as a flower but never thought that they were artichokes!

[@NearbyVeggies]

It’s possible your mother grew cardoons as well.

[@christienagema7855]

@@NearbyVeggies Maybe. It was on the farm here in South Africa. She loved her garden and had a lot, I say, a lot of flowers, veggies and fruit trees. We had all year-round veggies and fruit from our own garden. I was the first to find out what fruit was ready to eat, but I never told her... The first ones are always the biggest and tastiest... I think it is the remembrance of all the things on the farm, including veggies, fruit, and flowers, that I enjoy your videos so much.

[@carolinevanwinkle3755]

I grew up in California eating artichokes. Have been investigating growing some in zone 7. Bon appetit

[@NearbyVeggies]

Good luck and let us know how you get on. 😊

[@AnnemarieWillcox]

It is so exciting seeing the progress of your build. They are amazing workers

[@NearbyVeggies]

They are amazing men 👍

[@mm.6991]

Now, I know how to eat artichokes, thank you very much. Another important milestone in the house, the construction of the stairs. 👍

[@NearbyVeggies]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you

[@moirasimmerson929]

We have artichokes often, in the season. Mmm, luxurious

[@NearbyVeggies]

We agree 👍

[@leapingkitties]

Yesterday I must have watched 7 or 8 methods of cooking artichokes, mostly variations on stuffed, for no particular reason, so it was nice to see something not stuffed. One day I might even give it try. Thanks for sharing.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Our pleasure 😊

[@lorrainecostanzo9092]

Hi, I'm very impressed with your workers, they seem good, hard working people, who are not afraid to renew an older place, I Love it, here in Australia it is very difficult to get people who will do this, they always want to tear things down, not me

[@NearbyVeggies]

We’re delighted with progress and you’re right, not everyone is willing to take on a project like this one. 👍

[@asgeirandersen]

Meraid and Dan I like fresh artichokes too good fillm

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@elisabethraastad2070]

Love to follow the progress in the house and garden❤Regards from Elisabeth in Norway

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@LilianaNordström]

Always so pleasent to see your videos....the house will be gorgeous!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much!

[@teresamason5155]

Thanks for sharing. Everything is looking just amazing, house and garden projects!!! I love seeing the progress! Thanks for showing the artichokes, I loved the story of trying them on your first date! I had a similar story and experience only with Lobsters with my husband as I had never eaten a lobster until a very messy date with him and I loved them. The same with artichokes, once I tried them they are now my favorite! Enjoy! Till soon!!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Great story. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@kassy6373]

Maybe it is a good test. If you like someone they might easily look even cuter covered in butter. Interesting to see how little of the leaves you actually eat.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Of course 🤣

[@bergannon6585]

Fantastic episode as always. I can see the finish line looming and I have no doubt there will be one big Irish Hooley to celebrate. I look forward to seeing all those handsome young men dressed up ready to party. Lots of love from Ireland. ❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Fingers crossed!

[@Maddie2u]

I feel as though Pedro needs to take alot of credit for taking on this project which is, infinitely more difficult than starting new. He's likely under alot of pressure to keep it cost effective while dealing with any one of a number of moving pieces. It is taking shape though, it's bones are beautiful. Man, once that roof is on, YOWZA! ♥️🇨🇦

[@NearbyVeggies]

We totally appreciate Pedro and his team for undertaking this huge challenging project. A joy to be around

[@offgridwanabe]

Never having eaten artichokes it is not the meal I expected lol

[@NearbyVeggies]

More of an appetiser than a meal. We had arancini afterwards and then a chocolate pudding. 😊

[@miriammuskal5402]

Beautiful things going on so exciting

[@NearbyVeggies]

Very

[@waynejones750]

So looking forward to next time 😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@lindamoore7207]

Thanks for artichoke lesson always wondered how you eat these 😅

[@NearbyVeggies]

Great 👍

[@mesutozsen903]

Eline emeğine sağlık bu güzel vlog ve video için kolay gelsin hayirli işler bol bereketli kazançların olsun 👍👍👍👍

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@kdclothes]

The artichokes look so tasty.

[@NearbyVeggies]

They are delicious and especially so as we only get them for a short season.

[@padraigmaccana7727]

Fair play to you.I see that the swallow s have returned!

[@NearbyVeggies]

They bring us a lot of joy when they return even though their stay can be short.

[@Skattie]

HELLO YOU GUYS❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Hi 👋

[@ninemoonplanet]

A bit of faff but if it's home grown, the right variety, it's worth it. The architecture of the house will be different with those stairs and the changes to the veranda, but it will be a much nicer home once it's done. Such a lot of work. Worth it.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@josjewosje]

Ohhhh, artichokes yummy, we eat them with mustard mayonaise, but I will try with your lemony butter. I have never managed to grow them, but they have them at the farmers market in summer. Those steps will be amazing

[@NearbyVeggies]

Hopefully we can get the owner to sell them at a sensible price 🤣

[@Mej_Javiky]

Real home cooking. It doesn't get any better than that!!

[@NearbyVeggies]

It’s something we really appreciate 😊

[@ilenesatchell5445]

You are skilled storytellers. I'm not a fan of speeded up footage, but when you edit in a lengthy series of actions and feature a mix of scenes where everyone is at work with close-up shots and narration, I feel like I understand the story.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@christinefrancoeur325]

You two are so cute 💖

[@janmccann8081]

Lovely to watch your progress. Great choice of music, too! Greetings from beside the sea in Devon.

[@brd893]

Is that music by Wagner? Please let me know. Thanks.

[@janmccann8081]

@@brd893 Bach Cantata and Fugue

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you very much!

[@arjanvogel6444]

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love and bless you guys, good work team 💪👌👍😊🐓🐔

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks 👍

[@Aotruba]

So exciting to see the stairs and renovation progress!💗👍😊 Thank you for the artichoke tutorial! ❤ Kitty is adorable and living the best life! 😻❣️🐈❣️ Great filming skills!

[@NearbyVeggies]

You are so welcome!

[@farmerconnie8172]

I have Spanish recipes for cooking artichokes. Let me know if you’re interested. They are a winter staple, which I really miss, now living in Canada

[@NearbyVeggies]

Yes please!

[@farmerconnie8172]

@@NearbyVeggies 1 : the artichokes need to be a bit tenderer, younger. Peel the outer leaves, as desired and chop off the top of the artichoke. Submerge them in lemon water, as you get them ready to avoid oxidation. Boil. Serve with just olive oil and lemon, nice and hot. Or… sauté with Serrano ham cubes and garlic (sorry, Dan). 2: steam the whole artichoke discarding the tougher leaves. Then grill it in a pan, pressing down, until it looks “smashed. Delish

[@jeanrichardson2044]

Loved all the little birds frolicking in your garden. Are they swallows?

[@NearbyVeggies]

Yes they are

[@Miranda-k2u4s]

Bach's staircase :) Waiting for Liszt's La Campanella and in the end for Les Preludes!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Good call, though I don’t have those pieces in my permitted collection at the moment. 😊

[@catarinatorres6378]

Bom apetite!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Obrigada

[@suziqt8389]

Fabulous as always

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@patriciathorp4911]

Great work by the builders , yet again. Thanks for the 'eating an artichoke' tutorial. I've never had one and definitely not something I'm going to try when I'm starving 😂 .....too much effort for so little food IMO. Have a good week 💚

[@NearbyVeggies]

It’s worth the effort 😊

[@bobkeller8899]

What was the opening music? I'd like to hear more

[@tarynkriebel319]

Kitty is so sweet

[@NearbyVeggies]

Most of the time. :-)

[@Greta-v2e]

I also LOVE artichokes boiled but with no dip, absolutely pure and I chew on each leaf as they ae very good for yr liver, the 'hearts' could then be sauted in a pan with a little bit of butter YUM I could eat a whole Kilo 😄

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks for the tips!

[@lidijafichtner7080]

Thank You for sharing ❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks for watching!

[@susangranger3089]

Great Video. ❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you!

[@Gabriela_73]

❤❤❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

☺️

[@DreamofaHive]

How did I get to 62 without knowing how to eat an artichoke? Thank-you :) Building is certainly coming along nicely !! Looks like you might be getting bumper harvests with all the extra water?

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@isabelinhagomes9076]

😘😘😘🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@randifurtado]

I would like to see more construction because you show us a lot of garden and cooking videos. Once your house is built we lost the experience of seeing how the reconstruction was done. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@LittleChena]

In the last episodes they are showing mostly construction. Very happy to see the garden today. I guess you have to share the channel with us gardeners and foodies. Hope that’s okay.

[@NearbyVeggies]

We’ll show construction as it happens.

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

Great episode. Remodel coming along nicely - when do you expect to be ready to move in? This year? Quality rebar work - they know their stuff. But my back aches seeing them mix all that concrete by hand and hand place it in the forms. Labor must be dirt cheap in Portugal for it to make economic sense (I'm curious what those men earn an hour/day?) Garden doing very nicely considering all the rain. Haven't had an artichoke for years - they are more faff than they're worth.

[@DanielPinto-oh4yb]

Local countryside masons- good, experienced- usualy are paid 10 euros an hour ( or aroud that) in the cities prices are others and yes these guys work very tradicional way...

[@NearbyVeggies]

Hopefully by the end of the year 😊

[@andie1769]

Ooh, love artichokes! What was the variety that was the better one? Such great progress, when you’ve got stairs 🎉. Do you think you will be moved in, (though not necessarily completely finished). By the end of the year? Cheers from Oz 😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

We have 3 varieties 1 purple violeta de Provence but bought only 2 varieties so not sure which green one is which. I bought vert de Provence but one looks like green globe. Sometimes that happens with packets of seeds.

[@maryhauser6523]

Wow, you need instructions on how to eat artichokes , I guess they will not be on my grocery list , too complicated , but I am glad you enjoyed , you both need your strength to carry on with the construction, Success so far.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you

[@paulacunha6792]

❤❤😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

😊

[@michaelmasse4880]

What is this beautiful organ piece?

[@NearbyVeggies]

Toccata in D Minor (Bach)

[@nikicopy]

🥰

[@NearbyVeggies]

😊

[@AlanHough-p1w]

Hope the person will sell you the old steps

[@NearbyVeggies]

Still waiting for a reply

[@deborahbasel184]

You don't get to eat much with the Artichoke

[@NearbyVeggies]

Not a lot but really tasty 😋

[@Jakannsein]

First