The PERFECT Winter's Day at the Chateau ❄️

[@terricollins8450]

I rarely comment but the restorer is so handsome and has a smile like sunshine and of course so very talented.

[@kindlydude]

I think Stephanie mentioned a while back that these restorers had worked on the restoration of Notre Dame too. They must be very talented! ❣

[@kathysykora1195]

Yes please… The beautiful sounds of nature, leaves crunching under foot, babbling brook❤️ Beautiful ❤️

[@judymossip7446]

Great idea ! The frogs in the spring as well!

[@GenaF]

I'd love it too

[@raynonabohrer5624]

Yes please would love a recording.

[@elainewolf1537]

Yes please!!! 😊🐦🐔🐓🦚😊

[@barbdalrymple2451]

Yes please! The sounds of nature!

[@cathyblakeman8129]

Amaury gets his point across without being unkind. It does look warm.

[@annabelbunyard1365]

Amaury's facial expression re Philip's hoodie just made me laugh out loud! Absolutely glorious birdsong! 😊

[@angeladawn8]

I have to agree with Amaury, that sweatshirt that Phillip is wearing is not a good look. Phillip usually has such good fashion sense. Lose the hoodie Phillip. 🙏❤️

[@L._S._DE]

I love Kirsty. She is a wonderful person 😊

[@bonniefrench9884]

YES, a real trooper !

[@donnaschmink1801]

Just love her smile and kind, generous manner.

[@darlenegreen5171]

Loved Amury’s reaction to that “adorable” hoodie of Philip’s!!

[@MarieA787]

Jajajajaja yup 😂

[@patsouthcombe994]

Phillip you are a mystery? That Hoodie is for a young child!

[@mariettedallo7541]

Philipp the unicorn

[@lindaanderson7507]

I am delighted by how much Stephanie loves Lancelot!

[@cristineramos6051]

The walk today was so dreamy. No cars honking or sirens blaring or people yelling ,dogs barking- which usually greets me on my morning walk in the city. Thank you for taking us along on your heavenly stroll.

[@rsmith1820]

It was sublime

[@sindysimms4001]

That walk is one of the biggest reasons I would love to visit. Magical.

[@theresagosling1530]

We need more french cooking videos with Stephanie and Philip.

[@kindlydude]

I was thinking the same... shades of Julia Child who introduced French cuisine to American housewives on PBS in America. Stephanie is a NATURAL for this, as she speaks French so fluently and perfectly from her maternal French side of her family... I love learning the French cooking terms! 👩‍🍳💓

[@wendymorrison5803]

The stillness of frost. The muting of fog. The gentleness of mist. The lulling of rain. The silence of snow. Seasons play with sound.

[@colorjourneywithkelly1361]

What a beautiful picture you have painted with words. They immediately created an image in my mind. Thank you for sharing your creativity. -Kelly

[@Elwene2fr]

Philip being disgusted by the pig's trotter and the goose's neck is so funny. Bienvenue en France ! La vraie France, pas celle des macarons et des restaurants gastronomiques. Btw, j'aime beaucoup le respect que tu as envers les travailleurs de la chapelle Stéphanie. Tu leur demandes toujours si tu peux monter (même s'il y a un côté "sécurité" aussi je ne pense pas que tout le monde aurait cette considération de ne pas juste arriver à côté d'eux sans leur accord), tu leur demandes s'ils vont bien, etc.

[@AvaKinsey2015]

I love how respectful you are to the restorers, always asking permission to go up. You are a sweet lady.

[@alejandrosotomio835]

The love you have for your chateau, the land and your friends, is so evident and it makes me smile.

[@viviateller]

Philip's hoodie needs his own channel 😍😄☺I love your chemistry, Stephanie and Philip! You guys are so sweet and funny!

[@sonnykat462]

Speaking of French cuisine... my French grandmother once had a whole pig's head on a platter on the table. She was so proud of her cooking, but there was no way I could even look at it, with an apple in its mouth no less. I had cheese and baguette instead.

[@kellypeacockwright6576]

I love your walks SO much and couldn’t agree more that a frosty day is magical! Love the bird sounds and crunch of leaves as you walk. Such a beaitiful property!

[@robertpina99]

What a glorious morning walk. The landscape is absolute portraiture.

[@bridgetcooper6331]

Gotta agree with Amaury on Phillips look😂

[@RinaValentina]

💯

[@coribird5177]

Phillip is a man confident in his manhood to rock a fuzzy pink hoodie... *snickering

[@stefaniestark2641]

I love hearing the crunching sounds of your footsteps as you walk through the woods. Yes, more nature videos with natural sounds please. It's almost like we are there with you.

[@MYJ61]

I do love Amaury’s wit!

[@elainewright9750]

How is little Ruby doing. I hope she is warm.

[@oksanaklein4867]

That pot of flowers on kitchen table is adorable.

[@penihavir1777]

My grandmother (born in the 1890’s) taught me her traditional recipes from Slovakia, but she often complained about the things she could get “when we lived on the farm,” and which she knew from her mother were easily available in Slovakia (in the 1870’s and before), but she couldn’t find since she moved to the city. I must admit that I wasn’t sorry that I didn’t “get” to learn to make pigs trotters, pigs tails, and calves brains, to list the ones I remember. 😉 She told me that they were very poor peasants, and could only eat what the lord of the manner didn’t want. But she said that was OK, “because they were so delicious - he was throwing away the best parts.” I’d like to say that I regret that I’ll never know whether she was right, but… 😉

[@ehpeachylove]

My mother who is 97 now and still icing in her own home and cooking for herself, used to make steak and Kidney pie, steam puddings, beef tongue, and born in London. Learned from her mum who was Italian descent. As a young girl I remember it was all good. Still makes her stock pots and I do too. Good memories

[@JenilynGilbert]

It makes me happy that much of the animal is being used for food and not discarded. I’ve been making a lot of bone broth to heal some gut issues and your stock looks a bit like my broth.

[@peterwhite9261]

I just can't bring myself to eat or cook, animal feet, brains, and organs. I am told they are delicious, just the same. That was a brisk lovely walk. It was great to see Kirsty. Stay warm, lovelies.

[@susanknox5402]

The music you chose for your misty, morning walk was hauntingly magical! 🇨🇦

[@benedictegaspard5867]

So nice to see Kirsty on a tractor. Kirsty is passionate about nature.

[@benedictegaspard5867]

Birds song have a such a stand still effect on our hearts and water flowing is exalting the vigour of life. I love it.

[@mariannewinkelman7255]

Yes please , sounds of nature, no voice over, what an amazing way to relax, meditate and fall asleep

[@christopherhowison5873]

That cassoulet is going to be EPIC! And yes, that was a pork “ham” hock. Typically, in the US they are smoked and we use them in soups/ “ham” and beans etc. delicious!!!

[@donnaschmink1801]

LOL! That is exactly what Stephanie is making Ham and beans with a French flair! She needs cornbread. Seriously, Cajun and Creole cooking share similar ingredients in Louisiana/USA. It was very interesting to see.

[@rosemariedeschenes7013]

A CD 💿 with LaLande sounds would be lovely 😍😘

[@therealtartuffe]

I would certainly purchase one. I could listen to that all day. ❤🐦❤🐦❤🐦❤

[@floraskott]

Your walk in the forest was like a short ASMR video. I‘ve long thought that Lalande would be perfect for ASMR videos: nature sounds, handling of fabrics, porcelain, cooking, the library, admin work. Oh, the possibilities! 😅

[@michellezevenaar]

For the sound idea you could simply leave a camera on for an hour with a great view. Just publish then here as an extra video. Its like the video fire place people watch at Christmas but then for every day.

[@yvesgonin1958]

Cassoulet is one of my favorite so please... wait for me. Ferrandi was my school. This is where I learned the service. This was the very best school in the world with Lausanne. I learned so much there at Ferrandi, and this is probably why I had such a great carrier. XXX Yves

[@memmar1]

His little jumper says I am enough. Just adorable. Yes Philip you are enough for everyone around you. I just adore you and Stephanie. It's cute watching y'all work together

[@dianac52176]

Try to remember that folks, back in the day, used every part of an animal, no waste. Feet, as you mentioned, provide the gelatin which will give the cassoulet texture, and flavor. Yes, the snout would do the same thing. ❤

[@larissap6586]

Sounds of Lalande would make a wonderful fundraiser for all the endless projects at the chateau ❤️🇨🇦

[@noemie1253]

Quelle bonne idée un CD avec les bruits de la nature ❤

[@mariab1429]

Love when you walk in the forest! Cooking sounds would be great too! 🥰 I always thought that the chapel restoration would be the longest project and it's turning out to be the best! Daily updates with visible progress every single day! Amazing!!!

[@rankinstudios5342]

My Grandmother cooked pigs feet, pigs ears, ham hock, and souse meat (pigs brains). They were share croppers and Grandma was raised in the Great Depression. They didn't waste any part of the animal. I only eat ham hock with White or Pinto Beans.

[@h3022]

Just rewatching this amazing vlog. Your idea of a cd is so good!! I hope you have started. This would be a perfect fundraiser for the lake restoration. I would BUY the Nature Walk through the Seasons of La Lande. Best, Andrea

[@elisa7881]

Cassoulet is delicious!

[@stephaniedent4833]

You are definitely blessed to live in such a magical paradise

[@MidnightMelodie]

I love your morning walks and I would love a nature soundtrack of La Lande. Whenever I’m by the sea or pass a little stream or an interesting bird singing, I record it for my Instagram because it just makes me happy.

[@CrystalM87]

I chuckle every time any of you says “it’s cold out”. It’s currently -38 with the windchill here in Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@pdq5465]

I agree. I’m in Ontario too. It’s all totally relative 😄

[@izzy1563]

The calves or pig feet are a great source of Amino Acids. Gelatin is full of Amino protein. The parts of meat that we toss are the healthiest.

[@kindlydude]

Yes, my husband loves organ meats, while I can't stomach them... including liver though I forced myself to eat it when I was pregnant in order to get my iron-count up. We make bone-broth from organic chicken and turkey bones and then make soup and other dishes from that. A great source of collagen which is so important for bone health as well as healthy supple hair and skin (especially as we age). ~Tara (kindlydude's wife)

[@bridgetevans4978]

Thank you for taking everyone on such a magical walk - winter is the best season

You saying "Bonjour !" to the Chapel Restorers from your window was such a Beauty and the Beast opening moment haha

[@kindlydude]

😉☺🤣

[@lawood-to-os]

Love that idea. Perhaps a fundraiser for Nick’s work + the gardens?

[@jonquiltonge5704]

I love the sound of the birds actually saying tweet tweet tweeet❤

[@carolelee9238]

I loved the look on Stephanie’s face whilst listening to the birdsong, such joy ☺️ I think you were very wise not to take Lancelot out, after all could you imagine how your feet would feel walking outside in the freezing conditions and that goes for any creature. 🐾🐾

[@marygoodson4920]

I need to be adopted by Stephanie and her family! I feel as if I am supposed to be there at LaLande...they are my kind of people! I made authentic cassoulet once, 30 years ago. It was a 2-day affair. Had to confit the duck for 24 hours. Make the cracklings. It was pretty great once it was all done! Enjoy.❤❤❤

[@kindlydude]

Having never tried cassoulet I shouldn't dismiss it out of hand... but taking one look at that calve's foot almost turned me into a vegetarian again. I'm with Philip.... I'd become a 'Fruitarian' too having seen what went into that pot!!

[@avivat3010]

I feel the love in your home, Stephanie! No time or energy for negativity. Simply beautiful, if one can make it.

[@ronaldmcyr156]

Growing up in French Canada, we used to have "ragoût de pattes de cochon" -- a pigs' feet stew with ground pork meatballs, flavored with salt, pepper, allspice, thickened with a very dark roux. The pigs' feet contain a lot of gelatin which really helps the texture; after slow cooking for hours, the meat falls off the bones, which are removed before serving. Unlike cassoulet, the beans were separately-cooked "fèves au lard", with bacon or ham bone and molasses or maple syrup. During leaner times, all parts of the animal were used as food: organs, brain, blood... My dad who grew up during the depression was quite fond of heart, kidney, and "head cheese"; many entrées in high-end restaurants are organ meats.

[@denyseleonard240]

The ragoût de pattes et boulettes along with tourtière are still my favourite New Years dinner dishes. When I was little, I was the one who’s job was to roll what seemed like millions of boulettes for the ragoût. Yummm 😋

[@suellenmcgillick8177]

For someone whose hearing is getting less and less. The best thing I’m told to listen to is birds singing. Isn’t that so true? I love it and enjoy it more and more every day. Beautiful scenery. I wish I had walked more when I was there. Next time for sure.

[@4hubby971]

I was always told to ask the butcher to split the trotter (calf's foot, in your case) lengthwise. Apparently, this allows for more gelatin to be released. I have made cassoulet once or twice a year for over 30 years, to great success; Likely my most successful kitchen endeavor. Pork and beans (plus duck!) It is easier if you give yourself three days to make it.

[@dianeknight4839]

That bird had a proper tweet. I love to see the beauty of a frosty morning too. Phillip looks so cute in his fluffy hoodie although it is a little girlie.

[@claregoudie254]

🤣🤣🤣 Love the wine & sorbet ❤

[@maryannaarnold3817]

Dessert and Wine...enjoy Philip...much more easy on the eyes than the stock, which Stephanie was preparing. Kirstie is looking great and she has a beautiful smile!

[@Hufflepuffsue]

I think the CD is a great idea. What a beautiful soundtrack to go to sleep to! So relaxing. I’m always in awe, Stephanie, of how you find such joy in the smallest things. I truly appreciate your gentle reminders to me to pause, each day , and truly listen and observe the beauty around us. I’m writing this after a particularly hard week, but after your vlog last night, I stopped to admire the beautiful sunrise today, before work. ❤❤❤❤

[@daisyglade1283]

Congratulations Stephanie, it was so interesting to watch the preparation of Grandmother's cassoulet. Philip deserves a gold star for picking up the meat ingredients from the butcher and a medal for bravery for wearing that pink hooded fleece!

[@tracybercegeay4264]

I love the sounds of the creatures! And I completely love the way you want to do the traditional cooking! Philip doesn’t have a clue how good some of these things are because he’s not able to eat anything good! Keep doing you, Steph!! That’s why I watch every. Single. Episode. ❤

[@AvaKinsey2015]

I sometimes feel bad for Phillip to be allergic to all kinds of goodies.

[@embartrum8036]

I could just keep on walking forever in your neck of the woods. Thank you for taking us on your morning walk. Simply stunning.

[@rosedespoina]

This weeks videos are really the content I've missed for a while! So many things are said to happen, but not always shown, so it's difficult to sometimes grasp what is talked about.

[@blakehahn-atlantaga8510]

The walk was incredible! I would love the nature sounds of La Lande! I’m with Phillip and Nati. You lost me at calf calf ( lol) - I really love Phillip’s sense of humor! He cracks me up!

[@gingermele3111]

If Lancelot went out in cold temperatures, he would be a Pupsicle😁⛄️

[@kindlydude]

🥶 ...he he! They do make snowsuits for dogs... and booties.

[@atomicrancher3745]

FYI-Only North Americans would understand the play on words there. “Popsicle” means nothing to Europeans.

[@thesecretwindowspot1298]

Nothing better than frozty days. Soup and a hot cup of something. Stunning nature aorund LaLande

[@messiejessie]

Good morning 25c in Auckland this morning!

[@Lovemy60to70era]

I am wondering once the chapel is fully completed do you plan on heating it in the winter to preserve it from future damage? It will be magnificent when finished. I am so impressed with the man who has the patience of a saint to do such labor intensive work. Hello from Florida ❤

[@TheBTG88]

The temperature gradient created by heating in the colder months will actually be detrimental to the paint as it will cause the walls to ‘sweat’. The moderating insulation of the thick stone walls will be the best preservative.

[@bryanspindle4455]

I wondered the same thing. It would seem that controlling temperature and humidity would help preserve the restored plaster and paint.

[@susanakurdi3563]

Leafs

[@johncarolrenner6788]

Your pork dinner reminds me of my great Aunt who used every bit of her animals for meals and her favorite was pickled pigs feet with pickled eggs, she had a working farm with tons of sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and a milk cow and horses she bought and sold and she owned her own store, feed & tack which I enjoyed working in and I have to say we all enjoyed her meals especially my Dad. You see back in those days you never wasted anything, and all my great Aunts & Uncles and Great Grandparents lived off their land and cooked everything pork (ham hocks/beans/rice/cornbread/apple-blackberry pie) which is an easier meat to maintain and cook and I have no doubt your pork meal will be just as good as theirs was. I'm looking forward to seeing how your pork meal turned out 🥰

[@hedgewood7152]

The music you chose for the walk was delightful, including the birdsong! The cassoulet preparation took me back to my childhood in my mother’s kitchen, and my mouth waters for tomorrow’s dinner! Bon appétit! ✨🌞✨

[@coribird5177]

It's funny how what would have been considered 'peasant' food is now so highly thought of as to be included in a rather 'pinkies-up'/gourmet cookbook. The most exciting spice my grandmother & mother ever used was salt&pepper and sparingly at that. I'll be very interested in this dinner episode.

[@philipbrown4602]

I ADORE Cassoulet, though I do cheat by buying it tinned, La Belle Chauriene is the best. I see you are making the Toulousenne, try the Carcassonneaise or Castelenaudry varieties, they are a little simpler.

[@buffalotinchen]

I‘d love to hear the sounds of LaLande nature 😊

[@hannayoung9657]

I do the same with pigs trotter and ham hock for Scottish lentil soup, it takes 1 day to make the broth.

[@GRANDIPRTradeMarkAcceleartor]

Those birds remind me of my mother. She LOVED birds. She had recordings of them and was able to recognise them just by listening to their song.

[@verlenelewis9866]

Oh my! I so enjoyed this video I watched it twice. Can you please pass on thanks to the restorers for being willing to be filmed, and the wonderful information as they explain what they do during the chapel restoration. 😊

[@carinadudley1760]

How beautiful it is to be alive. I love icy weather and your walks.

[@janineregan]

You live in the most beautiful place in the world ❤

[@TessaLeigh]

Having just discovered your vlog a few months ago...I have already remarked multiple times about the birdsong you hear every time anybody steps out of the chateau or even stands next to an open door or window!! How magical! 🏰💖🐦

[@leoabdruck4817]

I can hardly believe that Philipp and I come from the same area. Cassoulet or as they say in the Maastricht area "stoofpot met witte bonen" is prepared here with the same ingredients. I don't know a single person who doesn't like it. I love it! And by the way, the young, modern chefs de cuisine preach "you should eat an animal from nose to tail". Bon appétit Stephanie 😊 ❤

[@pamelaknits]

Absolutely laughed at Amaury’s reaction to Philip’s pink hooded rainbow. I’m on Team Amaury - it needs to go. Yes to the nature sounds ❤. Look up Calves Foot Jelly Stephanie.

[@marysmithson8890]

I agree with Amaury’s reaction. I can’t see anything cute about Philip’s pink hoodie, on him!

[@Puckerization]

The 4K scenic footage is stunning...thanks Stephanie!

[@AnnaM-zy5sy]

Every morning when I sit down to eat breakfast the first thing I watch is 'The Chateau Diaries' latest video and I have to say - I don't imagine starting my day any other way - it does not get better than this! Thank you!

[@coribird5177]

I do the opposite, I save the latest episode to watch just after getting into bed. It's always such a happy moment to end my day.

[@Rosarium2007]

An album of the nature sounds of the Château environs sounds like an excellent idea.

[@bbrowne8155]

Restorer would be a perfect match for Stephanie....

[@idreamofparis7233]

Something really relaxing about leaves crunching, birds singing and a babbling brook.

[@lenoxlenox9447]

Very British

[@carollee4356]

Love the sounds of birds ❤

[@vickiranyard6552]

Yes please to the nature sounds. If you've ever seen winter/spring watch, they show a 'mindfulness moment'. A minute and a half film of just pure magical nature, which is what your winter walk was like for me today. Beautiful! Xx❤

[@sarahlouise8261]

I love watching the walks along with hearing the sounds of

[@monroejames4131]

That water sound is divine in the woods

[@peggyfield2203]

How is your hip doing now Stephanie. Feeling better I hope❤ x

[@christine2023]

Does Ruby get a nice warm place to sleep too during these cold days and nights of winter.

[@mariaelenaloveslove]

Yes people really need to listen to nature. This helps shut in people very much ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@talesfromtuscany]

My favourite part of living in France, was walking through the chestnut forests with my little "Guang" (my Sharpei) crunching over the leaves or throught the snow, in my gumboots and listening to the wonderful music of nature! I'm totally with you Stephanie! Just love Cassoulet too, so I hope i's a success! What preparations!!! Level 1? Wow 😍🥰☺

[@DawnJarvis-fy3gv]

Thankyou Stephanie for that lovely exhilarating walk and the bird song. It looks enchanting from hot, humid Brisbane,Australia. I'm interested in how the cassoulet tastes and if Philip enjoys it. The chapel is such a project and I think the restorers are so patient and perfectionists. It will be so exciting when it is finished.

[@Army2Fire]

This recording of the chapel restoration is priceless for your mother to be able to watch!

[@lastock01]

Such a beautiful walk 🥰 Thank you for sharing!

[@yeseniafroml.a.8020]

Love your walks, I would get emotional too. Lalande has it own lovely creatures. ❤

[@angieludlam6419]

Beautiful & enchanting views and sounds!!! Thank you for the tranquility of the woods & nature!

[@rebeccalarason306]

Loved the music and the nature sounds!