Sam and Bud were ordinary first-time home buyers in their early thirties. Their intention, in moving to France, was to create a simple life in a place where they could spend time with their children. The home they actually bought was a 17th century chateau in the Loire valley with more than 30 rooms. Chateau Du Bonchamps had been the seat of noble families as far back as 1507. With only modest savings, Sam and Bud launched the exciting project of restoring this extraordinary building to its former glory. Over several years they renovated 10,000 square feet of house, installed countless bathrooms, painted 156 windows, put the 40-acre park and gardens into some semblance of order, and started a bed and breakfast against resistance from the locals. Their hard work prevailed; their chateau quadrupled in value. The things we dream do not always fit nicely with the realities of everyday life. This is an insightful glimpse of what it truly means to leave everything behind to pursue a dream.

萨姆和巴德是30岁出头的普通首次购房者。他们搬到法国的目的是在一个可以和孩子们在一起的地方创造一种简单的生活。他们实际买下的房子是卢瓦尔河谷中的一座17世纪的城堡，有30多个房间。杜邦尚城堡早在1507年就已经是贵族家庭的所在地。萨姆和巴德用仅有的一点积蓄，启动了令人振奋的项目，将这座非凡的建筑恢复到以前的辉煌状态。几年来，他们翻新了一万平方英尺的房子，安装了无数个卫生间，粉刷了156扇窗户，将40英亩的公园和花园整理得井井有条，并顶着当地人的阻力开办了一家床位和早餐。他们的努力工作取得了胜利；他们的城堡价值翻了两番。我们所梦想的东西并不总是与日常生活的现实相吻合。这是对抛开一切去追求梦想的真正含义的深刻一瞥。