We've Been Waiting For This Call! HOMESTEAD RENO PORTUGAL

[@marykaren7542]

The egg hunt was such a cute idea for the pups!

[@LifebyLiving]

We thought so too & they LOVED it!

[@arjanvogel6444]

And they're very smart 😂

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

Awww, Ricky, the test of any job is it’s functionality! Your shade works beautifully! It’s not in your way while watering or caring for your plants and will keep them thriving! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! ❤️

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Marsha. It has grown on me since we built it & the plants seem much happier as a result so leaving it as is & moving onto the next project!

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

@@LifebyLiving Absolutely! You two have much to keep you busy!! PS The fencing looks great!!

[@BecomingPortuguese]

Agree, nothing to be embarrassed about…we were just laying down doing NOTHING watching you do all that work!! 😅

[@deirdrecerasa3932]

Loved the egg hunt for the pups! The shade seems to be doing its job. ❤

[@noemip.rojas-arrambide9145]

The.best.egg hunt.EVER! ❤

[@monalingan9523]

The egg hunt for your fur babies was such a cute idea. I just love the way you to work so well together.

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Mona 😊 Definitely going to do the hunt again next year!

[@carolwoodward6141]

💕 the doggie egg hunt. What fun!

[@carolwoodward6141]

2nd version of shade cloth is almost elegant! Bravo.

[@ChristineWichard-o3f]

Love you two❣️I especially appreciate the way you work together and how organized and neat your homestead is.

[@peggyday236]

That egg hunt was so adorable and clever.

[@DaveFurley]

WOAH!

[@y.lelivelt2619]

I love the new Easter tradition.

[@silviagomide1592]

I'm very impressed with the good portuguese Rick has spoken. I'm brazilian, so I can congratulate you for that 👏

[@LifebyLiving]

Obrigado! Tentamos!😊

[@cdh2328]

Necessity is the mother of invention. 👍

[@sherryc2443]

I enjoyed hearing you speak Portuguese today

[@trinawms3749]

How cute for the doggies😊

[@LifebyLiving]

We thought so too!

[@stevewilson6390]

How delightful on those opening shots .

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Steve!

[@esmekaffen4961]

Yes! They were beautiful 🥰

[@DonAntoniodetucum]

Looks like Easter has gone to the dogs.

[@anneliesjoss]

Aaaaawwwwwww, cutest egg hunt!

[@karipreston1204]

The doggie Easter egg hunt……priceless!

[@inekeroos9264]

Woah!

[@Andbygrace7024]

Your love and respect for each other shines, so lovely.

[@evelynkelly4790]

What a lovely egg hunt….

[@robine916]

If you can find some branches that you can bend into a curve, you can tuck them into the inside corners of the garden bed, and perhaps one in the middle, to create a framework for a mini poly tunnel (of course for shade cloth, not plastic). Your strawberries may have had too much sun. My hubby is a perfectionist, too, and I'm constantly reminding him many things do not have to be perfect, just solid/usable. 💕💕

[@LifebyLiving]

I like that idea for the rectangular bed 👍🏼 Any ideas for the circular bed with the tipi in?

[@robine916]

@@LifebyLiving Perhaps 3 vertical posts going around the west side, straight up or maybe tied like the teepee trellis, with shade cloth going around the side, just to block the afternoon sun? May have to add posts on the east side, too, to tie off the west posts to prevent them blowing away, though!! Haha! It's a tough spot to shade, that is for sure!💕

[@monikacarless_wordwitch]

That's a great idea!

[@vickimccourt]

The fence design was perfect!

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Vicki!

[@aplace2grow]

I loved hearing Ricky speak Portuguese!

[@sandmanpm]

Perfect Portuguese. Congrats!!

[@pilotrserra]

Our family owned a large farm in Lousa, Portugal, so I understand the hard work. You both are probably the only Brit’s that we enjoy in Portugal because Ricky builds everything with quality. Yes, the shade should have aesthetic appeal too, but quick functionality was important too…so improve with time. You both are correct…just don’t keep it like that. It is a slow process. In the last 10 years, we are tired of all the ex-pats and digital nomads coming to Portugal. They have raised the prices where Portuguese folks cannot purchase land or houses anymore. It is not a good situation. However, you both are the type of people we want to stay and continue improving the homesteads. You act like true Portuguese people - hardworking, honest, and reasonable. Dogs are good but it is time for a child…get to work Ricky lol.

[@tonylorentzen]

Hey Ricky - next time use a ratchet strap around those posts to keep them in their position when you hammer in the nails! 😀

[@robinsouth8555]

1. Dog Easter egg hunt adorable. 2. A ratchet strap would have pulled posts together 3. Post hole digger, JUST HANG ON TIGHT. Took my husband and I both to hold ours, digging in clay.

[@LifebyLiving]

They’re so violent aren’t they! Victoria wanted a go before we started using it but we decided it probably wasn’t the wisest idea after seeing it in action!

[@ilenesatchell5445]

If you planted multiple climbing bean plants close to each other all the way around your tipi, they would climb up and provide shade for lettuce planted under the tipi.

[@LifebyLiving]

Hi Ilene! 👋 we were thinking that originally but in the end there just wasn’t much space in the middle of the tipi so we wouldn’t have been able to grow enough lettuce. It’s all a learning experience for us & I’m confident that next year we’ll get it right from the get go & have some beautiful lettuces…maybe not this year though! 😁

[@ilenesatchell5445]

@@LifebyLiving That makes sense. The joyful mantra shared by all gardeners is, "Next year!"

[@patrickwiklund2039]

👍

[@categrimes9480]

Love the Easter egg hunt! 🐾

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Cate! So did we!

[@elizabethfleck6536]

💜❤️🧡🩷💚💙💛🩵💜 Loved the doggie Easter egg hunt. . .great idea! The entire world is so fixated on aesthetic appeal. . . Your shade is F.I.N.E. Do they have an equipment rental store in town? That could help save you some $$$. I have been in my home for 23 years. Time, rain, heat, snow, wind, hail, humidity. . . They all s l o w l y wear away at your hard work. It is not sad. . .just incredible to watch and see!! Two of the fruitless crab apple trees we planted in 2002 are huge! And have slowly been dying of apple rott. They will come down this fall. YES, I will be planting new trees!! New shade is awesome!

[@JohnDavis-mv6fm]

The knots were fantastic but you have been told protect the top

[@Andbygrace7024]

Great shade sail!

[@micheleparadis2808]

Hmm, Ricky, what you call a "botched job", I call a creative job... Have a wonderful week !

[@LifebyLiving]

Haha thanks Michele 😊 That’s a good perspective you have there!😁

[@davidallen7745]

You could put a plastic plant pop on top of the branches where they meet. No more sharp branches to rip your plastic cover. Great job you guys are doing 👌

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks David 👍🏼 We covered the top branch with a yoghurt pot but it wasn’t heavy enough so flew off as soon as some wind got underneath the shade cloth! 😁

[@judyherman1249]

@Life by Living You could try a small terracotta pot that should be heavy enough to not blow away.

[@christinaparduhn1150]

How fun and creative, and so cute,the doggies going on the Easter hunt, ,🥚🪷.You are bothered amazing people 💌strong hardworking dedicated and so passionate for your home🏡 your project, that so many 🙏🏻 ,your Ranch is looking coming together 🤲really great. It's so sweet the dynamic you both,have,it's very positive to so you also have fun together. ❤ Bless you both and your doggies🐕‍🦺🦮 your 🏕home 🏡❤ and all your protects.

[@VasculhoPT]

Impressed with your portuguese 😮👍

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Tiago 🙏🏼 It’s pretty basic still but we’re trying!

[@miephoex]

Plant lettuce and cold weather plants in shade in spring. They don’t need direct sun. The warmth will carry them on. Underneath trees is a very good idea. Homework is very important. Don’t give up.

[@LifebyLiving]

It’s a learning curve for sure!

[@tammyinpei]

WOW, what is that knot. Thats the knot we need in our lives here!!!. :). You are also making it more more that I want another dog. Your dogs are so adorable.

[@shaunsworld430]

It’s all slowly coming together!!! As for shade on the vegetables, you truly need something more permanent….. I would put a 4 or 6 wooding posted gazebo structure over the top, then place the shading material over the top. You need to go a good three feet out from the planters and place wires over the top of the shading material to hold it down and stop the wind from blowing it away. This might seem overkill, but your going to need shade every year and doing quick fixes is going to cost more in time and money in the long run… You could place the shading material on to the sides that catch to much sun, but again make a wire sandwich…. Wire- material-wire to stop wind blow out!!!!

[@LifebyLiving]

Definitely going to do something more permanent next year Shaun. We plan on expanding the veg garden over the winter so once we’ve got the full set up then we’ll make a more robust & permanent shade cover frame 👍🏼

[@juanitakauffman6336]

I used to do doggie treats hidden for Easter for our dog. She loved it. She checked those spots for days afterwards.

[@margomoore4527]

So funny-I’m eating the first strawberries from our farm coop, and here you two are-eating the first strawberries from your garden! They say there are no coincidences….🥰

[@joanbroadway759]

Ricky, your Portuguese sounds great!

[@notajoke4587]

Glad to hear that you are lerning portugees.. They will apreciate your efforts.

[@LifebyLiving]

I really want to improve much quicker than I am but it’s been hard to find the time recently

[@genehutchings1133]

Put up 4 post and put a cable between 2 on each side like a curtain rod. And attach it on each side. And then you slide it back for sun, slide it up for shade.

[@vivienneturner2028]

Nothing wrong with your shade netting solution! You can also put tennis balls cut in half over sharp protruding high sticks/poles. They stop the sticks from breaking the netting 😊😊😊

[@lizpinto7079]

Wow your portugues is excellent!!! Great video as usual best wishes🇨🇦🇵🇹

[@LifebyLiving]

Obrigado Liz! 😊

[@toegrovesgrandmamouse4269]

You both make me chuckle. Love your projects.

[@davidwhite6617]

When your nailing the post, if you hold a weight or 2lbs hammer on the opposite end. Don't press it up against the post just hold it there. It will act as a counter force when you hit the other side. 😅

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks for the tip David 👍🏼

[@jaroslawgrodek2705]

The tensioning wires are hardly visible and dogs may run into them chasing some animal, which can do them some harm, so it might be a good idea to attach some kind of ribbons to the wires to make them more visible.

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks for the concern but they’re pretty visible in real life. Much harder to see on the camera. As soon as the fence is on they’ll be concealed behind it 👍🏼

[@bobpenner4260]

@12:20, Hold a heavy sledge hammer on the far side of the H brace and that will act as an anvil for you to drive the nail.

[@Alfablue227]

Such hard workers you are both, bless you ! Great Portuguese Ricky, keep up with it, as it helps greatly. The Easter Doggie🥚 Hunt was fabulous and the babies loved it! 😅

[@joewalsh733]

The fencing looks great! You both are doing wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Joe 👍🏼

[@klazyy641]

The Doggie Egg Hunt, various iterations of shade cloth, and watching the two of you hammer/auger posts in the ground was soul soaring! The four of you make a wonderful family and the two-leggers work well as a team. Well, married couples should, eh? Thanks for this cheer boost for a Sunday morning.

[@LifebyLiving]

LOVE that we made your soul soar!! ❤️

[@Mrscorreia74]

Excelente português! Parabéns!

[@LifebyLiving]

Obrigado Silvia 😊

[@mag1071]

Saw a man go into the desert with a container. He cut vents in the side of the container, shape of heat vents in houses. He dug down unto the sand about two feet, then fashioned a vent for the hole and viola, air condition!

[@Feeoryne]

Ricky, relax!!! It is alright!!!

[@soniahofmann4969]

The two of you were a match made in heaven it is so obvious that you truly love each other and you work so well together God bless❤

[@Avaloniac]

when i have to attach a tarp, i put a small pebble inside and then a simple paracord loop on the outside over that pepple.

[@Gillian2123]

Those are two lucky doggies to have found you

[@dougmaz1]

When you hammer a nail into timber hold a brick against the other side of the timber it makes it solid and the nail pulls up tight even hold the brick onto the other post you will find a big difference. Doug

[@christinaparduhn1150]

I would of like to seen you both do an Easter hunt, with eggs 🥚 having little notes saying little sweet rewards you do for each other❤ and Yes I do Celebrate Easter, 🪷🥚and go through lent Fasting🙏🏻, Easter is a beautiful Holiday, and bless your Easter 🪷Holiday, 🐣 you both so much deserved it.

[@sallydeslandes7990]

I do understand how shade cloth takes away the beauty of a vegetable garden. It is a necessary evil however with hot summers and so lovely when autumn comes around and it can be taken down...

[@arjanvogel6444]

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

[@elsestelema6273]

If it’s not perfect it’s rustic❤️

[@kitchenworker446]

Ricky you are a perfectionist...your lip was proper out even at the end when you were still unhappy with the results of your efforts re the shade...I think it looked great!!

[@LifebyLiving]

I know…I need to work on it! 😁

[@andymccabe6712]

​@@LifebyLiving in a long and mostly chillaxed life, I learned a LONG time ago to choose pragmatism over perfection! It results in much less stress.... AND you get more stuff done.....!!! ... You also, probably, live longer.......!

[@JoneGun70]

Hi guys, I would move the veg beds under those trees for natural shade. Great work guys.❤

[@factanonverba6169]

To remove loose material from a hole, an old tin/can. A pair of Willis Fencing Pliers would help.

[@leticiavenancio8148]

such a beautiful video! it’s good to see your projects getting progress. I know the shade is not what you expected but it will protect your garden from the scorching sun. well done!

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Leticia! 😊 The plants are looking much healthier now so I think the shade has done it’s job 👍🏼

[@portugal1969]

👍

[@gaynor3976]

Hello my favourite Portugal couple. Your shade is not a botch job, I think it looks great. I know you are a perfectionist Ricky but it's serving its purpose. Fencing looks good too, you're both doing a stirling job. Love the doggies easter egg hunt, we will have to try that with ours. Have a good week ahead. I never want your videos to end lol, missed you last week. Love to you both xxx

[@spicynomad]

there are tons of portugal couple farmstead. how do you choose?

[@esmekaffen4961]

Gaynor, agree 💯…with everything ❤️☮️

[@gaynor3976]

I only watch three couples that is all

[@spicynomad]

@@gaynor3976 i subscribe to all of them. i dont have a favorite but they all havehave a degree of difficulty. thats just portugal. france, italy and the usa have it a little better.

[@LifebyLiving]

Ahhh that’s so kind Gaynor! ❤️ Yes definitely try the egg hunt! They LOVED it! Have a wonderful week 😊

[@evabloecher]

You are very hard on yourselves! I think you are very creative and now there is shade😊. Thank you for a super video. All the best to you both.

[@LifebyLiving]

Thank you Eva. You’re too kind 😊

[@debrallewis]

Doggy egg hunt, brilliant! You two inspire me and I appreciate your calm teamwork. It shows a real caring.

[@the_mum]

The end result of your canopy looks great to me.....as does your fencing.

[@suzielou7631]

put some glitter on the shanty shade, glitter makes everything look better

[@Petrelles22]

Well done on being able to hold a telephone converation over the phone ! It is much more difficult that talking to someone in person. I am shocked by the amount of expats expecting the locals to speak english to them.

[@LifebyLiving]

I find having a phone conversation extremely difficult to be honest. It’s ok in situations like that where I can pick up key words along the way (entregar etc) but if I have no context then it’s much tougher

[@Petrelles22]

@@LifebyLiving As an expact myself, i can only advise you not to worry about making a fool of yourself, accept that people will sometimes laugh and laugh with them.

[@lorimecikalski3079]

Animal enrichment; doggy style! Great idea and so much fun

[@tinahorta6711]

Welcome back guys, missed you last week ❤

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Tina! It’s nice to be missed! 😊

[@monabale8263]

12:29; a ratchet tie down trap would help snug the posts together...auto parts stores, farm & home stores & big box stores carry them.

[@anamagalhaes7571]

Já falam muito bem português 🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏👏👍💪💪💪

[@LifebyLiving]

Obrigado 😊

[@sassyh154]

Loved the diversity of this video... lots happening... and Ricky, the shade is fine for now.... My hubby is KING of the bodgie brothers, so you are doing well... lol... Cheers for sharing...

[@ArtistMartinaP]

Here's my thought. It would be a pity to have the mezzanine too low - a crawl space. Plan: build up the gables by 500mm or whatever, and install glassed wooden frames on the long walls. Some windows might open for ventilation. It would light up the downstairs and the upstairs amazingly.

[@oliviabishop5451]

Love your Channel, you 2 are do cute together!

[@terrilewis172]

Put a small rock in the corners of shade cloth before tying.

[@HeidiPriest]

what a great idea about the egg hunt, the sun is fierce even in April, job well done, ❤

[@talullahlabelle]

Create a big shade sail like you do on the patio maybe 🤔🤔

[@LifebyLiving]

Definitely the plan for the future but we’re going to expand the veg garden in the winter so will build a more permanent shade once that’s completed 😎

[@tonivalenzuela8274]

I thought you did a fine job on the fence. The second attempt at the shade cloth was much better and it looks fine most importantly, as Victoria said, it does the job. Thanks for sharing.

[@terryallen6688]

So, in building, level is a horizontal plane and plumb is a vertical plane😎👍

[@paulinelogan1400]

What a brilliant idea for the dogs....the shading isn't too bad you did ok x

[@raymonde4272]

Great progress being made on the perimeter fence. Although the shade for raised beds isn't going to win a design award it will save the plants so it's ultimately fit for purpose.

[@LifebyLiving]

But I want the design award! 😁

[@SuzannahChirgwin-Wade]

Happy Easter! It’s Good Friday today, which is now 2024. I live in the UK, Sussex. I live in West Sussex, so happy Easter to you both and. Your beautiful and funny dogs when they play together

[@Marie-yx5ie]

Kyle great to see you, thank you for all that information 👍😉🇮🇪☘️Eire

[@michaeldowdle6123]

Doggie Egg Hunt🐶😊. Was that "Bad to the Bone" ringtone I heard? Shanty Town Garden looks great. Cheers Michael🇨🇦

[@soniaayachealmeida7111]

Hello, I loved seeing the dogs hunting the eggs🥚🥚lol 🤭 great ideas 🥰🥰. Ricky is speaking Portuguese well 👏👏👏

[@patriciapoyanestebanez408]

Ricky , que bien hablas portugués!!!!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼...y encima con un acento muy bueno 👍🏼. El trabajo de la cerca es magnífico, enhorabuena. Como hacéis para que no se coman los caracoles y babosas , las plantas de la huerta ???

[@LifebyLiving]

Muito obrigado Patrícia ❤️ I’ve always wondered how my accent sounds when speaking Portuguese. I actually find it really embarrassing hearing myself on the video because the whole tone of my voice changes when speaking Portuguese! 😂 Very strange! We haven’t done anything to stop slugs & so far, so good!

[@patriciapoyanestebanez408]

@@LifebyLiving mi tono también cambia cuando hablo inglés en vez de español , mi lengua nativa . Un abrazo para los dos desde Madrid 😍😍

[@dianaevans5178]

plant some quick growing veg in the middle of the sweet peas, e.g. radish, they will get a good start when the peas are small and then shade the plants later to finish them off.

[@andrewroland]

Really enjoyed it, thanks both.

[@colleenkopp56]

Something is better than nothing!! I am like you, fuss buget!! If it isn't perfect it drives me crazy!! I have gotten better as I aged only because I don't have any choice due to health restrictions.

[@fromSpringfield]

Prep for fire. Thanks for another video. Love your animals.