A Beautiful Mess | This Is Our Life in France

Everything feels a bit messy on our little French homestead, a bit muddy, and very real.

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Rain interrupts our plans, but we still push forward on the biggest project of our lives: transforming our 200-year-old barn into cozy apartments. Between repairing things, painting old radiators, fixing the new window opening, and installing the first ventilation shafts, we spend the week juggling one project after another, just like any family trying to build something from the ground up.

Whenever the weather clears, we rush up to the roof to lay as many tiles as we can before the next raincloud arrives. It’s cold, slippery, and exhausting, but also incredibly rewarding to see the barn slowly changing shape. Inside, we warm up, laugh about our plans constantly changing, and enjoy the small victories that make this renovation worth it.

Life here isn’t only about building. We take breaks to walk through the forest with our daughter and dogs, harvest another huge batch of kale from our garden, and check on our cauliflower only to discover an army of caterpillars. Homestead life keeps teaching us patience, hope, and resilience.

We’re two dads raising a little girl in the French countryside, creating a home filled with love, hard work, and many imperfect but beautiful moments. If you love family vlogs, homestead living, DIY renovation, gardening, or the dream of a simple life in France, we’d love to have you with us on this journey.

Keywords: French homestead, gay dads in France, family vlog, barn renovation, farmhouse renovation, French countryside living, self-sufficient family, simple living, vegetable garden harvest, DIY renovation vlog, expat family in France, slow living, sustainable lifestyle, autumn homestead, Tyler and Todd inspired.

What started out as something okayish is becoming more difficult every minute. Renovating isn’t always fun, but at least we try to laugh about it. After 2 years of hard work, it still feels like we’re only at the beginning of this huge adventure. Over the past 2 years, we’ve turned this old farmhouse into a family home. Together with our daughter, we live in the south of France. Now taking on the next challenge, transforming a 200-year-old barn into a set of luxury apartments. It’s a massive project, but step by step, we are getting there. And now it’s time to push forward before it’s too late. We can take this ride wherever it goes. As long as you’re with me. I feel at home. I don’t want mud on my No, you’re risking your life for a bit of mud. It’s okay. Yeah. Last week we were installing uh the roof tiles while it was raining and it was very slippery. Yeah. So that was a little bit dangerous. But today it’s dryish. So we are going to continue with the roofs. And with that, welcome to a new week of our vlog. And don’t forget to like this video and subscribe to our channel and leave a comment below. We like that. We do. Let’s go on the road. time when things look great. A little drop of sunshine is all I need every day. So, two weeks ago, we were afraid that we had a flat tire, a puncher. But what we think now is that um the air is escaping between the rim and the tire. Um so, I’ve ordered a paste. And if we clean the rim and add some paste, hopefully our problem is fixed. Way to make me smile. I know I am love. No matter what I do, I can’t say enough about my love for you. you are. And it started raining. Yeah, we didn’t order this weather. The weather app said it would be dry, but let’s wait for a couple of minutes. Yeah, then the buttons will be okay. But if this continues like this, then we have to do something else. Yeah. my eyes so I can see at the right time when things look great. The sunshine is all I need every day. A little drop of sunshine and I feel fine cuz the rain can’t stop the sunshine. Oh, sunshine. Little drops of sunshine in our sunshine. We are busy with the third row already, so it’s going pretty fast. Um, and it’s still dry, but the bucket is empty, so we have to get new roof tiles. Fortunately, Simon’s parents have been working very hard with cleaning the roof tiles. So, they’ve done so many. Yeah. So, that’s more than enough to fill the bucket again. Yeah. I think three or four times. Yeah. Hopefully, at least. Yeah. I’m in love with you. What are we going to do? So, I’m in love with you. What are we going to do? What is this? We were busy on the roof and suddenly you are here. Well, it started raining, but I have a problem with our pallet burner because last week it started raining and every time I turn on our breaker for the pallet burner, um, it switches off. So I think we have a problem somewhere that water comes in a but we don’t have any leaks do we? No just a few. So you think there’s water coming somewhere and that causes the Well, it has to because it worked all the time and when it started raining it was problems all around. Um so I have to look. Yeah, I’m going back up. I will heal when it’s fixed. Okay, I see green lights. You were smiling, so that must be a good sign. Yeah, luckily it was just a broken temperature sensor, so nothing too serious. I was afraid that, well, this cable’s very long. It goes all the way to our cell. So, I was afraid that maybe a rat had chewed on it or But this sensor was broken. No big deal. I’m very happy. Maybe it should do something about the water that’s leaking over the wall where everything is mounted on. Yeah, maybe that’s something for next time. A story began as cliche as it gets. Not looking for love, just a night out with friends. You walked in the door onto my movie set. Last night and this morning, it rained quite a lot. So, we’re not going up the roof and risk our life and falling off. Dramatic, maybe a bit. Uh, so I’m going to continue with our beautiful window. Yeah, it’s not a lot of work. So hopefully we can finish that this week. What’s that? It rained a bit in the mask. So is the roof leaking? It’s It’s all my sweat from last week. We’ve changed our plans yet again. Um, we really wanted to keep the stones on the outside, but they keep breaking off. So, we don’t think it’s a nice view to see some stones that are in and the other ones are out. Um, so now we’ve decided to remove them all and then we can plaster it and it will be a lot nicer. Yeah, it’s not what we had in mind, but I I think it will be beautiful, too. Yeah, for sure. Can’t stop laughing on the silver screen. Ain’t no silver lighting. Everybody wants that in the magic. Like when you close your eyes, the dream. It’s always such a hassle to assemble these things, but it’s a long time ago that you used it. Yeah. Hopefully it still works. Um, a long time ago, we painted all the radiators in our house. Uh, but we didn’t do the radiators of my parents house. So, now it’s getting really cold. It’s time to paint them so they can go back on and heat the house. Yeah, I think you need this. It looks like it’s working. Yeah, finally. I forgot one tiny piece. crucial part. Yeah, apparently. Let’s try it with paint. This wasn’t paint. Everybody wants like when you close your eyes, the kind you’re dreaming of. Reach out and touch that hand. That’s going to make the noise. Breathe. Are you happy with the result so far? It doesn’t matter if I’m happy, if my parents are happy. Not in our house. But I think they’re becoming beautiful. We are going to wait with this one. Uh because the base color was light blue and you would think it would be very easy to paint it over with white, but apparently it doesn’t because all the blue is coming through. So, we have to do that another time. The other two are perfect. So, yeah, we are going to wait an hour or two and then do it one more time. Yeah, it would be better if we wait a whole day or whatever, but then we have to clean everything and then do it all again. Yeah, we’re just going to wait an hour or two and then do it one more time. It’s as simple as it seems. The way that slows down. The hall is done. Next step is we’re going to fill the gaps with stone and cement. And when that’s dry, we’re going to plaster it with a mix of lime and sand. And then it will dry up nice and whitish. Yeah. Like it always has been there. Yeah. Yeah. Can’t wait. Are you done with the window? Yeah. A bit with all the dust and Yeah. love. It’s not completely dry yet, but it’s sticky. Yeah. So, we’re going to try and apply another layer and hopefully it will It’s just It’s so much work to clean the machine. I’m not going to clean the machine now and wait for tomorrow and do it all over again. No, I’m just going to apply another layer. So, let’s do it. Yeah. Just be there. You don’t ever have to look too far. You don’t have to cover up your scars. You’re perfect, darling, just the way you are. So before you think to rip yourself aart, open up my heart and you’ll find you don’t have to look too. You don’t have to cover up your scars. You’re perfect, darling, just the way you are. So before you think to rip yourself apart, open up my heart and you’ll find love, love, love, love, love, love, love. Open up my heart and you’ll find. It’s almost unbelievable how one day can be the complete opposite of the previous ones. Yeah. We’ve had rain for like a week and now it’s blue sky and sunny again. Yeah. And we were It’s so beautiful how all the birds are heading south. Yeah. We’ve got this. Maybe you can record it. It’s so beautiful to see all those birds. I think they are geese by the way. Maybe. Yeah. But back to the roof because it’s nice and sunny and we were very happy this morning when we saw the sun. So, we’re going to lay down the entire roof. Let’s go. Let’s get to the point. The point is we are back on the roof and we’re going to finish it today now. But my parents did so many roofs out so we can I I think I think what I don’t think I do. Um, I think we can get to the skylight. Yeah, that will be lovely. Yeah, I can learn some good ideas. I’m going to let it take me to people. I’ve been stuck inside my house too long. Can’t stand being all alone. Wasting hours on my phone. I’m ready to go now. On my way. I won’t let fear. Hold me back. Is here to stay. All of my dreams. And now I feel rain. Well, it’s not going to rain. It’s just It is raining already. No, it’s just a few drops. It’s going away. Um, maybe it looks like we didn’t do anything, but the I’ve got sweat on my back. Yeah, you you’ve placed all the roof tiles on the roof. But in the meanwhile, I’ve placed the first roof tiles from the next eight rows because that’s a lot of work. We have to cut them, measure them, glue them, and drill them. But that’s done now. So, we can lay eight rows. Yeah. And that’s going to go very far. Yeah. Hopefully. But first, we’re going to feed Nox because she’s awake. And maybe when we come back, it stopped raining. Yeah. And it’s sunny again. Yeah. you and I, we did eight rows already and that is more than we did before all the other days combined. Um, so we want to use this somewhat beautiful day to the raining. So no, not anymore. Um, so we’re going to continue and maybe we can do another eight rows. Hopefully now. Oh, it’s like dead flames floating through night skies. We are alive, you and I. When daylight comes in a rush, don’t forget about us. We’re like champagne over the sky. Like we are alive, you and I. When daylight comes in a rush, don’t forget about us. Where I It has been a long day. Uh, it’s getting dark, but I’m very happy with the results. And it’s getting cold. It was cold the whole day. But we’re going inside. We’re going to eat and then we’re going to continue tomorrow. Oh, well, with the roof. No, maybe not tomorrow. Maybe we can do something else tomorrow. It will be lovely. Yeah, we will see. Take it all in. We got a life to live. Got a life to live. Got a life to live. Here and there and everywhere. We’ll take it all in. We got a life to live. Got a life to live. Together. Oh. Oh. Before we’re going to continue on the roof with all the roof tiles, um, we have to make an ventilation outlet for our ventilation. Um, and we’re going to determine where it’s going to be, and we’re going to do that now because otherwise we’re going to continue with the roof tiles. We’re going to forget it and then we have to go back up and make a hole and it will be a hassle. Um, so we’re going to determine where the hole is going to be, cut a hole, install this ventilation outlet, and then next time we can continue with the roof tiles without forgetting it. But you’re talking about one ventilation, but there will be five up there. Yeah. Why? Why were you doubting me? No, I have I had to think how many it were, but I think five. Yeah. But this is the first one. I know my things. I don’t do things, but I know my things. I know. I know. Um, we have to install five, but this is the first one we are encountering. So, this is the first one we’re going to do. Okay. But let’s do all today. All? Yeah. Oh, okay. Here and there and everywhere. We’ll take it all in. We got a life to live. We got a life to live. Oh, here and there and everywhere. We’ll take it all in. We got a life to live. Got a life to live. Together. Together. Together. Today is another rainy day. Um, luckily we’re inside and we’re going to prepare everything from the inside. So, cutting the holes, placing these planks. So, we only have to go on the roof one time today and that’s to place the ventilation shaft itself. And it has to be dry sometime today. So, that’s the moment when we go on the roof. Hopefully. Hopefully. Yeah. You know I’m growing on I don’t like to be alone if you just let go. So change of plans. We’ve had a long talk and now suddenly we want the ventilation shafts to be beautiful too. Yeah. So in pairs of two. So now there will be six suddenly and they will be nicely even leaves spread and with two together and so what started out as something okayish is becoming more difficult every minute. So we have to start over again make new uh planks and well yeah hopefully we won’t change again. No no this will be it. This I’m not going to change anything anymore. Okay. Maybe maybe we should make little windows. Yeah. First one’s done. Yeah. We are very ambitious today because uh while we are busy with the ventilation shafts, we asked my father to abandon the cleaning roof tiles project and uh start preparing the window because we also want to uh finish the window today. So, he’s now uh brick laying or well, he’s trying to repair the window. Repair the damage you did. Well, yeah. And then we can plaster it and that would be the end. Bless you. And that would be the end of the window thing. Then we have to wait till the window comes in, but we haven’t even ordered it. So, that will take a long time. So, let’s continue. Have you heard about summer snow? When it falls on you, your blood runs cold. But don’t sweat your skin cuz it melts away. Like always, we were a little bit too optimistic. Maybe a bit. My father is done with the concrete, but it’s the end of the date already and so we’re not going to finish the window today. But all the holes are in and we’re now going up the roof and install the uh ventilation shafts. At least five of them because we only have five because the plan was five. Um so let’s see if they fit. Yeah. No, I do everything myself. Oh, okay. And it’s real to think that I could fly a broken bridge in the fading ahead of my two feet. It fits perfectly. Only thing we have to do is cut some holes in the roof tiles and then make it beautiful. But we’re going to do that when we are going to lay this side of the roof. Um because that’s more easy. Yeah. And we don’t want to do it now. Yeah. We want to go inside. We are going to do the next and that’s going to be a lot easier because there are no roof tiles there. I hear them sing. The more you love, the more you live. They are on finally. And you almost don’t see them. No. But maybe that’s because it’s almost dark. We don’t see anything at all. No, it’s almost the same color, but Yeah. Yeah. Looks really nice. Yeah. Now I’m done for. It was way too dangerous. It was so It was a little bit dangerous because it has rained today and the buttons are a little bit slippery. But it’s on. It’s done. It’s looking very nice. Yeah. Seven new names on the wheel loader. I have to do only one. Um, and we are very grateful for every single one of them. We post an update at least once a day and it’s amazing to see all the positive energy we are getting from it. If you want to be on the wheel loader too or just want to see uh more content or you just want to support us or you want to see our still want to see our Halloween special, go to our Patreon patreon.com/fanggaz and become a member. We are very grateful. We are. Thanks. Yesterday we didn’t have time to continue with the window because someone was a bit optimistic about planning. We are going to do that today. And first thing we have to do is make some formwork. So we’re going to do that now. No more just I love you again and again. I say I do. I do. Here we are. I don’t think it’s high enough. No, maybe we need an extension. We don’t We don’t want to cut it because this is a beam of 4 m. Yeah. And we want to use it somewhere else. Yeah. So, it is what it is. I do. I do. Our job is done. Now we can hand this over to my father. Yeah, we can sit back and relax. He’s going to plaster it. Yeah. Wait a little longer. Breathe for me. All I want is you in front of me. I could have another, but you’re always going to be my home. All I want is you, my everything. I don’t need another cuz you’re always going to be my own. I think it has become very beautiful. Yeah, it’s Well, I’m surprised about how it looks. It’s so cool. Yeah, but it’s better. Even better than I thought. Even better than I thought. No, it’s looking really good. Yeah, I’m very happy. Yeah, me too. And I just got confirmation that we have another name on the wheel loader. I think someone saw the explanation I did this morning and thought I want to be on the wheel. Now, when you become a member, I always ask what name you want on the wheel loader because some people want their own name and their husband or their wife or their cat or their dog or whatever. So, everything is possible. Let’s write another name on the wheeler. Okay. patreon.com/fangs. All I want is you in front of me. We are in our vegetable garden um for our second harvest of kale, but we were looking at our cauliflowers and they are full of caterpillars. We thought we were lucky this year, but no, apparently not. Last year we had even more I guess. Yeah, there was nothing left of the Well, the cauliflower and the kale, but now it’s only the cauliflower. Yeah. So, I’m not sure what we are supposed to do, but I don’t know if we can save our harvest this year, but for next year, we have to do something with nets and prevent the butterflies of uh laying eggs on them. Because apparently it’s because of butterflies. Maybe it’s logic, but I didn’t think of that. Yeah, it is. So, yeah, maybe next year nets keep the butterflies away. It will be okay. But for now, we are going to harvest a kill. Yeah, again. And maybe even a third time. That would be great. The water is warm. Let’s ride. It’s a lot more than last time, I think. Maybe even double. And last time we had effectively, I think, 3 and 1/2 kilos. Yeah. 3 and a2 kilos. So, this will be 5 kilos. Yeah. Hopefully, it would be nice. And then maybe even a third time. Well, if the caterpillars don’t eat at all. Yeah. But then it’s money well spent. Yeah. And we are already thinking about how we are going to prevent this next year. Next year and everything will be better. It’s so cold. Oh yeah, that was another great harvest. Yeah, we can’t do anything about the caterpillars now. So that’s for next week. Yeah, hopefully our cauliflowers will survive. Survive. Yeah, that’s it for now. Don’t forget to like this video and subscribe to our channel and leave a comment below. We like that. We do. Thanks for watching and we hope to see you next week. Bye-bye.