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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@mychristmasemporium5927

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@linedallaire9631

2 жыл бұрын

No worries from Canada ❤🌲❤☃️😘

@dotell8925

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

@helenbrough43

2 жыл бұрын

I was just thinking that! Very professional!!

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

2 жыл бұрын

Genius

@isabellejarvis7805

2 жыл бұрын

I also thought the chocolatière would fly!

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

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

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

@sandrakicklighter2735

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

@lynnpetti3817

2 жыл бұрын

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

@jennymay4720

2 жыл бұрын

@@lynnpetti3817 Bit unkind though. Unnecessary.

@beefrench3554

2 жыл бұрын

Is there a doghouse at the chateau?😉

@Yokipepolewhosuck

2 жыл бұрын

@@jennymay4720 yup not funny at all

@vickiewatson6583

2 жыл бұрын

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

Love the red cape Stephanie, very festive 💖

@amyschneidhorst1384

2 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous!

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

@twobluestripes

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this!

@debramarie6715

2 жыл бұрын

Oooh, I’m going to try that! 👍🏻

@shirleykneece7637

2 жыл бұрын

Genius idea Julia Kneece Gregg Columbia SC USA

@nannieg7622

2 жыл бұрын

Or Tia Maria or Amaretto 😋

@VisionaryGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Or Irish Cream!

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! 🤭😆😉

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!

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

@lrlasvegas6427

2 жыл бұрын

I was waiting for someone else to say it!

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@brendagraw3729

2 жыл бұрын

Oops, auto correct at it again. Sweet Nati

@deedeerichardson443

2 жыл бұрын

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

@darlenevm

2 жыл бұрын

@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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

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

@ellenawhitaker2046

2 жыл бұрын

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

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.

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@sharolfowler2859

2 жыл бұрын

Yes I believe that is how many gather it here .

@roselee4445

2 жыл бұрын

Arkansas friends shoot it downn

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 😊

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

Yes we always had them in 🇨🇦

@karensotiriou4759

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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.

Amaury went under the mistletoe and looked at Natalie😍

@katehobbs2008

2 жыл бұрын

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

@deirdreclarke7765

2 жыл бұрын

❤️

@herekittykittykitty475

2 жыл бұрын

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

@debshaw680

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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

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

@roselee4445

2 жыл бұрын

Little red riding hood

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

So glad you have spotted it too! xx

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

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! 🌺

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

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

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.

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.

so much fun rewatching last years

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

@michellemurdock6937

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

Hey Amaury, pass the salt please!

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

@Komal09985

2 жыл бұрын

Oh well I must have missed that update before :)

@marionchanson5479

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

@@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

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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.

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

2 жыл бұрын

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?

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

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

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@KrisanthiaMum

2 жыл бұрын

World Market carrier them as well 😘 Purchased mine today 👍

@KrisanthiaMum

2 жыл бұрын

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 💋

Canada has Christmas crackers. We are NOT the US. We are a separate country. 🌲🎅🇨🇦

@yureituesday

2 жыл бұрын

Very….very different Country.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Stephanie you are as pretty as a Victorian Christmas card. And squeal with glee when you find mistletoe. Age is only a number ,to keep the child within alive ,is to be forever young.

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

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🌲❤️

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!

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!

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

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.

Loved watching the cake looks yummy. Loved watching x

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@twobluestripes

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

maybe othr places it became tafffy pulling

@marierisdon8894

2 жыл бұрын

@@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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Little Red Ridinghood shopping for mistletoe ;-))

I am an American who did not know what Christmas crackers were until I lived in Europe and worked with a bunch of Brits in 1998. I mailed some to my family that year, and they loved them, especially the kids. I spent Christmas on Jersey (the Channel Island) with a workmate's family. It was so fun wearing our paper crowns at the dinner table. Though, I think British Christmas cake is an acquired taste. I really am not much into dried fruit and rum in my cake. I will stick to a dessert pie for my Christmas 'pudding'. You can find Christmas crackers in the U.S. noe, but not in the 70's when I was growing up. I would say plenty of folks from the States have never heard of them.

You didn't hear it from me, BUT, I think something lovely is happening between Emri and Nati...🥰🥰😅

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

Such a wonderful hostess for advent. Thank you.

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

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 🎀🎄

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).

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 😊😘

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

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

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...☺

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

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.

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.

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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💛✨

Those French hot Chocolate cups look exactly like Scandinavian Glögg glasses, so if you have a hankering for Glögg, you have the glasses!

@Jtoedt

2 жыл бұрын

Where do you buy cups like these?

@theadultpantry7219

2 жыл бұрын

@@Jtoedt Iittala Tsaikka is a classic

Your Christmas cape is exquisite, Stephanie 😍

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.

Thank you!

I grew up in New England and my mother always had Christmas crackers for us🎄

I spy another blossoming romance? Wow you scored on mistletoe for sure, girl. I think the Italians use a thickener like corn starch to thicken theirs. I think the best is Mexican, look that recipe up. It's insane.

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!

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

Canadians have Christmas crackers too

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

Steph is such a romantic...and comedienne.

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

Love all of your bundled and walking!