I think, when the busy season has passed, you should think about doing a book of château recipes and include some of your beautiful photos. I love seeing and hearing about the things you make and quite often look through your website for particular recipes that I remember you making. Not some massive thing but almost like a notebook - spiral bound - I know I’d buy it and I bet a lot of other people would too!😊. Totally agree that your Sunday diary is the calm before the normal stuff begins - I genuinely make sure my iPad is charged on Saturday night so I can wake up to your life in France in the morning.
Agree with others, my Sunday read of your stories with a cuppa, is my time to immerse myself in French life - albeit yours! 😊 Love the mix of garden and cookery/recipe notes, as well as the renovation work, family stuff and just anything really. Weirdly, it's stuff you may think of as mundane that is often the most interesting to read! x
I enjoy the mix of garden and cookery news interspersed with the renovation work you are doing and tidbits about family life in your Chateau. I think you have a perfect balance. Like many of your readers, I love to sit with a brew and just immerse myself in your stories. I'm always glad when your folks come to stay and you get some help. ☺️
Dear Rebecca, your last post saddened me as I could hear the tiredness you feel from 7 years of incredibly hard work, worry and uncertainty. I know you are intending to wait and save but have you thought about asking your followers if they might contribute a little financially so you can achieve the next phase a little sooner? You have over 70,000 followers- if we all give a bit, what we felt we can afford, it just might help. I will gladly start you off with a donation of £100- let me know where to send it. We all derive so much pleasure from your writing and the filming through chateau diy; it would be great if we could help you along.
Oh Jane this is so kind and such a thoughtful suggestion. We’ve talked about donations in the past and can never quite get our heads around asking folks to help fund the renovation work of what is essentially our home (albeit it a big historic one 😉) without offering something in return to say thank you. Coming to stay is one way to help, then we get to look after you by way of thanks. Or if you can’t travel to us, taking out a paid subscription to this journal is another way, and I share our stories of our life here in return. I hope that makes sense 🥰. Plus saving will help us build up the energy and enthusiasm for the next bit 😊. Thank you again for such a kind suggesting though, it means a lot x
I love reading your diary every Sunday morning. Your practicality is tremendous, is there anything you can't turn your hand to?!!
The gardening and nature notes are so evocative of France. I appreciate all the money worries and very hard work aren't easy, but to one living in a city and working in a mundane office your life still seems almost idyllic.. keep writing, your style rings so true and thoughtful. It's my calm moment before another day/week begins.
I agree with the others on just keep on doing what you are doing. We love anticipating the Sunday morning read of your exciting life in journal form. To be swept away to a French chateau is an adventure to a different life than the life most of us live. I do have a few suggestions, though.
1. Perhaps fill us in on what Tim is doing during the day. What is he working on?
2. Do the boys have daily chores that help with the running of the chateau? In the summer months, do they help Tim with the work, as they are now getting older and able to help.
3. How do you decide the menu? Do you try new recipes all the time or do you repeat the menus weekly to keep routines easier?
4. Tell us what you suggest to guests to keep them busy during the day. Where should they tour? Perhaps a list that guests could investigate before arrival. What are your favorite places to go see? Tours, restaurants, churches, markets, tourist attractions. A list is not a bad thing, honest!
Everything you write about is golden, and so beautifully written. It is a written calmness or adventure that readers can relate to. I’ve been telling you for a long time that you need to really think about writing your book. I do picture a coffee table book with a beige linen cover that includes your journal from the beginning that tells your story, photos of the chateau, your beautiful garden and flowers, your woods nearby, and also to include your favorite recipes that keep the guests happy and coming back year after year. I know it takes time to gather this all, but I challenge you to get moving on this. It will definitely sell, and people will love it. In all your previous work writing in magazines, etc…there has to be someone that can help you get this underway.
You are so gifted in ways that everyone should be able to read about. Think about this. There definitely is a need for the world to see, hear, and know about CHATEAU DE LA RUCHE.
I look forward to reading your diaries every week and am never disappointed. I feel that I am back staying in your beautiful chateau. We hope to retire next year and spend more time travelling
In France and in our own little house in the Corbières. Looking forward to revisiting you.
Would love to hear more about visits to your local market, seasonal produce and what you are inspired to cook. Love reading your cooking tales and you create the most delicious recipes. I plan to make your roast vegetable and goats cheese tart tomorrow.
I often see you guys and others with chateau and wonder how tired you must all be 😅 I've worked in hospitality and I know how hard and relentless it can be, especially when seasonal, and my husband is a builder, so combining the two must be exhausting! I hope you find some little pockets of time to make for yourselves.
Hello Rebecca, I love my mid morning coffee on a Sunday with your updates. Do you grow or plan to grow vegetables along with your gorgeous flowers?
Do you have any plans to publish a cookery book full of your simple but delicious recipes, it could perhaps boost income. Recently rewatched the Gite episodes, how did you two accomplish the impossible? Congratulations, keep on going xx
We grow tomatoes and courgettes in the summer months, plus lots of fruit. These are the things we use most in our kitchen so it makes sense to grow them - you can’t beat a homegrown tomato. Other veggies are easy to get hold of locally so we save the space for flowers, because buying in flowers is just prohibitively expensive here. X
Sorry to laugh at the nightingale Bec… I feel your pain! Last night we had possums racing each other up and down our roof. Having a flat tin roof is ideal for a possum raceway … but the noise!!! Also wakes the cat 🐈. Total pandemonium.
Bet the smell from your jam and the elderflower syrup was divine. I’m sure your guests will love it . I know we did.
Nothing like home made preserves and syrups. Especially when they are your own or local produce.
Perhaps in your future writing you could tell us about the villages around you, places where you have visited in France and any local folklore. So many times we have backtracked before moving on with our driving holidays in France because we have bypassed something of great interest. Stuff that would make a trip to yourselves and beautiful France just a bit more special.
But….. as I said your daily writing brings such joy to me because I’m lucky enough to have stayed with you and I can picture everything in my mind. It gives me a real sense of peace to read of your walks.
It’s like everything could be right in the world if we just experienced the tranquility around where you live .
I hope monsieur nightingale finds his love and your sleep this week is restful.♥️x
I love hearing about your recipes and your garden as well! What about more about your neighbors, the people who help you? I love hearing about your parents and what you learned from your grandmother!
I love your blog as it is. As I read it every Sunday i dream i’m there in France in my own little Chateau. Of course it is but a dream. However, I appreciate others might won’t to hear more.
Have a wonderful day all of you from a very sunny Sunday in Kent. Xx
I would love to read about the food you serve your guests. Being a chef, it’s always an interest. I love your writing so essentially I love your blog no matter what.
Rebecca, anything you write about is music to my ears. Your eloquence when writing about the most mundane of jobs is beautiful. I love the way you tell us about all the flowers and foliage you use (I belong to a flower club here in UK) and how you use them to advantage. the way you and Tim have the ability to turn a pigs ear into something special. Everything about your life in France is interesting and I find myself there with you all. Thank you !
Hmm, I can’t decide whether I want the weather to be warm enough to sit outside or cool enough to warrant the rice pudding! Either way, only a couple of weeks until we find out!
I think, when the busy season has passed, you should think about doing a book of château recipes and include some of your beautiful photos. I love seeing and hearing about the things you make and quite often look through your website for particular recipes that I remember you making. Not some massive thing but almost like a notebook - spiral bound - I know I’d buy it and I bet a lot of other people would too!😊. Totally agree that your Sunday diary is the calm before the normal stuff begins - I genuinely make sure my iPad is charged on Saturday night so I can wake up to your life in France in the morning.
Agree with others, my Sunday read of your stories with a cuppa, is my time to immerse myself in French life - albeit yours! 😊 Love the mix of garden and cookery/recipe notes, as well as the renovation work, family stuff and just anything really. Weirdly, it's stuff you may think of as mundane that is often the most interesting to read! x
Ditto to this!
Hello Rebecca
I enjoy the mix of garden and cookery news interspersed with the renovation work you are doing and tidbits about family life in your Chateau. I think you have a perfect balance. Like many of your readers, I love to sit with a brew and just immerse myself in your stories. I'm always glad when your folks come to stay and you get some help. ☺️
Dear Rebecca, your last post saddened me as I could hear the tiredness you feel from 7 years of incredibly hard work, worry and uncertainty. I know you are intending to wait and save but have you thought about asking your followers if they might contribute a little financially so you can achieve the next phase a little sooner? You have over 70,000 followers- if we all give a bit, what we felt we can afford, it just might help. I will gladly start you off with a donation of £100- let me know where to send it. We all derive so much pleasure from your writing and the filming through chateau diy; it would be great if we could help you along.
Best wishes, Jane
Oh Jane this is so kind and such a thoughtful suggestion. We’ve talked about donations in the past and can never quite get our heads around asking folks to help fund the renovation work of what is essentially our home (albeit it a big historic one 😉) without offering something in return to say thank you. Coming to stay is one way to help, then we get to look after you by way of thanks. Or if you can’t travel to us, taking out a paid subscription to this journal is another way, and I share our stories of our life here in return. I hope that makes sense 🥰. Plus saving will help us build up the energy and enthusiasm for the next bit 😊. Thank you again for such a kind suggesting though, it means a lot x
I love reading your diary every Sunday morning. Your practicality is tremendous, is there anything you can't turn your hand to?!!
The gardening and nature notes are so evocative of France. I appreciate all the money worries and very hard work aren't easy, but to one living in a city and working in a mundane office your life still seems almost idyllic.. keep writing, your style rings so true and thoughtful. It's my calm moment before another day/week begins.
Rebecca:
I agree with the others on just keep on doing what you are doing. We love anticipating the Sunday morning read of your exciting life in journal form. To be swept away to a French chateau is an adventure to a different life than the life most of us live. I do have a few suggestions, though.
1. Perhaps fill us in on what Tim is doing during the day. What is he working on?
2. Do the boys have daily chores that help with the running of the chateau? In the summer months, do they help Tim with the work, as they are now getting older and able to help.
3. How do you decide the menu? Do you try new recipes all the time or do you repeat the menus weekly to keep routines easier?
4. Tell us what you suggest to guests to keep them busy during the day. Where should they tour? Perhaps a list that guests could investigate before arrival. What are your favorite places to go see? Tours, restaurants, churches, markets, tourist attractions. A list is not a bad thing, honest!
Everything you write about is golden, and so beautifully written. It is a written calmness or adventure that readers can relate to. I’ve been telling you for a long time that you need to really think about writing your book. I do picture a coffee table book with a beige linen cover that includes your journal from the beginning that tells your story, photos of the chateau, your beautiful garden and flowers, your woods nearby, and also to include your favorite recipes that keep the guests happy and coming back year after year. I know it takes time to gather this all, but I challenge you to get moving on this. It will definitely sell, and people will love it. In all your previous work writing in magazines, etc…there has to be someone that can help you get this underway.
You are so gifted in ways that everyone should be able to read about. Think about this. There definitely is a need for the world to see, hear, and know about CHATEAU DE LA RUCHE.
Thank you for letting us into your life.
I look forward to reading your diaries every week and am never disappointed. I feel that I am back staying in your beautiful chateau. We hope to retire next year and spend more time travelling
In France and in our own little house in the Corbières. Looking forward to revisiting you.
Would love to hear more about visits to your local market, seasonal produce and what you are inspired to cook. Love reading your cooking tales and you create the most delicious recipes. I plan to make your roast vegetable and goats cheese tart tomorrow.
I often see you guys and others with chateau and wonder how tired you must all be 😅 I've worked in hospitality and I know how hard and relentless it can be, especially when seasonal, and my husband is a builder, so combining the two must be exhausting! I hope you find some little pockets of time to make for yourselves.
Hello Rebecca, I love my mid morning coffee on a Sunday with your updates. Do you grow or plan to grow vegetables along with your gorgeous flowers?
Do you have any plans to publish a cookery book full of your simple but delicious recipes, it could perhaps boost income. Recently rewatched the Gite episodes, how did you two accomplish the impossible? Congratulations, keep on going xx
We grow tomatoes and courgettes in the summer months, plus lots of fruit. These are the things we use most in our kitchen so it makes sense to grow them - you can’t beat a homegrown tomato. Other veggies are easy to get hold of locally so we save the space for flowers, because buying in flowers is just prohibitively expensive here. X
Sorry to laugh at the nightingale Bec… I feel your pain! Last night we had possums racing each other up and down our roof. Having a flat tin roof is ideal for a possum raceway … but the noise!!! Also wakes the cat 🐈. Total pandemonium.
Bet the smell from your jam and the elderflower syrup was divine. I’m sure your guests will love it . I know we did.
Nothing like home made preserves and syrups. Especially when they are your own or local produce.
Perhaps in your future writing you could tell us about the villages around you, places where you have visited in France and any local folklore. So many times we have backtracked before moving on with our driving holidays in France because we have bypassed something of great interest. Stuff that would make a trip to yourselves and beautiful France just a bit more special.
But….. as I said your daily writing brings such joy to me because I’m lucky enough to have stayed with you and I can picture everything in my mind. It gives me a real sense of peace to read of your walks.
It’s like everything could be right in the world if we just experienced the tranquility around where you live .
I hope monsieur nightingale finds his love and your sleep this week is restful.♥️x
I love hearing about your recipes and your garden as well! What about more about your neighbors, the people who help you? I love hearing about your parents and what you learned from your grandmother!
I love your blog as it is. As I read it every Sunday i dream i’m there in France in my own little Chateau. Of course it is but a dream. However, I appreciate others might won’t to hear more.
Have a wonderful day all of you from a very sunny Sunday in Kent. Xx
I would love to read about the food you serve your guests. Being a chef, it’s always an interest. I love your writing so essentially I love your blog no matter what.
Rebecca, anything you write about is music to my ears. Your eloquence when writing about the most mundane of jobs is beautiful. I love the way you tell us about all the flowers and foliage you use (I belong to a flower club here in UK) and how you use them to advantage. the way you and Tim have the ability to turn a pigs ear into something special. Everything about your life in France is interesting and I find myself there with you all. Thank you !
Hmm, I can’t decide whether I want the weather to be warm enough to sit outside or cool enough to warrant the rice pudding! Either way, only a couple of weeks until we find out!