Simple Farmhouse Life

Sarah Therése and I are a decade apart in our motherhood journeys, and our different perspectives and experiences made this conversation so interesting.  We tackled a variety of topics based on questions we received from you on Instagram, everything from minimalism to pregnancy to homeschooling to business. Throughout our many topics of conversation, one overarching theme kept resurfacing: as women and mothers, we have the power to make changes in our homes and families when something is not going well.  While we cannot control everything, we have the ability to improve things way more than we think!  May this conversation be an encouragement to you as you assess your own challenges and endeavor to move forward in boldness! In this episode, we cover: How the pace changes from early motherhood into the middle years Managing the day-to-day responsibilities of motherhood and homemaking by planning ahead Why owning less stuff is a gift to your children Pursuing your dream life in your current circumstances What homeschooling looks like with children of all ages at home Turning down the noise and finding what rhythms are right for your unique family Preparing your body and mind for beautiful pregnancies and births Identifying problems and pursuing solutions in every area of motherhood The ups and downs of sharing your life and family on a public platform Deciding when to turn down opportunities in order to prioritize family How do you know when it is time to quit something? View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Modern Homesteading Conference | Visit ModernHomesteading.com Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com School of Traditional Skills | Use my link bit.ly/farmhouseskills CONNECT Sarah Therése | Website | Instagram | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Lyndsey Mimnagh of Treehouse Schoolhouse discusses homeschooling with the seasons, determining the right age to start homeschooling, priorities for learning in the early years, homeschooling older siblings with toddlers at home, prioritizing the parent/child relationship, socialization for homeschool families, involving your husband in homeschooling, retaining what your child is learning, and making homeschooling possible on a low budget.

There is no such thing as a perfect home.  Even when we finally get all the projects checked off of our list, new things are constantly popping up!  In my conversation with Kali, we chat about fighting for contentment in our homes no matter what they look like.  Kali also shares some practical tips for making small changes in your home decor even when you don’t have the time or money for a big renovation.  And we also touch finding a style you truly love even amidst the noise of decor trends.  This episode was such a fun one for me, and I hope it encourages you in your homemaking! In this episode, we cover: Taking a break from creative work Living in the tension between envisioning what your home could become and being patient in the process What people don’t realize about finally getting their dream home Are you following trends or is your taste truly changing? Identifying the three factors that determine your personal style Are you missing the perfect solution for your home decor? Making the most of your home when you can’t overhaul it Taking pride in caring for your home even when it is imperfect How to approach decluttering and organizing when you are not naturally organized Keeping seasonal decor practical and minimal Changing your mindset about the repetitive tasks of homemaking Narrowing down what decor style you truly love Different home decor personalities Simple ways to spruce up your home without spending much time or money The impact of choosing contentment in your home no matter what it looks like View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! MODERN HOMESTEADING CONFERENCE | Visit ModernHomesteading.com TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com AZURE STANDARD | Use code SIMPLEFARMHOUSE10 at AzureStandard.com See full show notes for details on these offers. RESOURCES Check out Kali’s book and magazines CONNECT Kali Ramey Martin | Website | Instagram | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Our current culture has come to think of homemaking as boring or unimportant.  The role of women in the home is largely undervalued.  Bekah Merkle is on a mission to change that by helping women to own the beauty, creativity, and innovation within their role as homemakers. In our conversation, Bekah takes us through the history of how feminism has impacted the woman’s role and how we can begin to reclaim the importance of this high calling.  Whether you are a new homemaker or have been making a home for decades, may this conversation remind you of your significance in your family and in the world. In this episode, we cover: How culture has been wrong about the significance of homemakers Differing perspectives on education for women What classical education offers to families Imagining what it looks like to embrace homemaking in our modern world How the internet influences our homemaking pursuits The underappreciated value of an excellent homemaker Looking at the ups and downs of feminism throughout history Finding your vision for creativity and joy in homemaking View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! MODERN HOMESTEADING CONFERENCE | Visit ModernHomesteading.com AZURE STANDARD | Use code SIMPLEFARMHOUSE10 at AzureStandard.com TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com Please see full show notes for more details on these offers. RESOURCES Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle Eve in Exile Documentary What Have You Podcast CONNECT Rebekah Merkle | Website | Instagram Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

In the middle of winter when the Christmas greenery has been taken down but it’s not yet time for spring planting, I find myself craving the color and life found in houseplants.  This is a perfect time of year to dive into what it takes to create a home full of thriving houseplants, and there’s no one better to discuss this with than Maria of Growing Joy Podcast, a self-proclaimed Plant Lady.  If you consider yourself a plant killer, you are in good company because both Maria and I have had our fair share of plant fails.  May this episode inspire you to try a new plant variety or tending method as you grow your houseplant collection. In this episode, we cover: The top two mistakes people make when it comes to houseplants What your personality + lighting in your home say about what kind of plants you need Breaking down some popular houseplant varieties and why they are not as easy to grow as you might think Options for creating more light in your home if you don’t get enough natural light Everything you need to know about growing plants in your window sill Why you might want to propagate a plant and how to do it How you can grow beautiful blooms in your home when it’s too cold to grow outside Making sure your houseplants are getting adequate nutrition Should you transition your plants between indoors and outdoors as the seasons change? How you can grow herbs and vegetables indoors all year long Creating the right outdoor garden for you and your family View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com 5 DAY BLOG CHALLENGE | Visit bit.ly/5DayBlogChallenge CONNECT Maria Failla of Growing Joy | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

I frequently hear from listeners who want to start homesteading, but it can be overwhelming to know where to start.  Especially if you are building a homestead from scratch on raw land, and there are a variety of tools and skills you will need to acquire along the way.  Christina of Thermaland Oaks is very familiar with this whole process as she and her husband have built their entire home and homestead with their own hands.  Join us for this conversation as we dive into what tools are essential to build and maintain a homestead.  We also chat about the reality of sharing our lives on the internet as we pursue our homestead dreams.  For any hopeful homesteader, this episode is a must listen! In this episode, we cover: The reality of building a homestead from scratch on raw land What to do when you can’t buy up front all the tools you need Ups and downs of sharing your building journey online Being content when you are prioritizing one project at a time Planning ahead and budgeting for projects as you go How social media doesn’t tell the whole story of the homestead Essential tools for starting a homestead and what to avoid What’s coming at Thermaland Oaks in 2023 View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com MOCKMILL | Visit FarmhouseonBoone.com/Mockmill to save 5% on your purchase CONNECT Christina Heinritz of Thermaland Oaks | Website | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

If you are a gardener (or hopeful gardener) who is eagerly browsing seed catalogs and mapping out garden plots in anticipation of the upcoming growing season, this episode is for you!  Bailey is a wealth of knowledge on backyard gardening, and our conversation was full of practical tips, especially for the suburban gardener.  Bailey tends ten raised beds on her California neighborhood lot, and she helps gardeners in every zone plan, start, and cultivate their gardens no matter their level of experience.  If you are looking for some garden inspiration as we look ahead to spring and summer, join us for this chat! In this episode, we cover: Growing a garden on a small suburban lot Gardening year round in a warmer climate Raised beds vs. in ground gardening Finding quality soil and keeping it healthy Options for composting with animal manure Considering what grows well in your climate Favorite plants to grow that are often overlooked Why you should grow flowers and herbs Five things gardeners can do in winter to prepare for the growing season Top recommendations for ordering seeds Starting seeds indoors vs direct sowing Best advice for new gardeners Making the garden part of your daily rhythm Deciding what to let go when your plate is full View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com REDMOND REAL SALT | Use code FARMHOUSE at bit.ly/FarmhouseRedmond RESOURCES Join Bailey’s FREE garden planning masterclass in January Join Bailey’s monthly gardening membership, The Kitchen Garden Society: a subscription for all US hardiness zones, helping gardeners to stay on track, sharpen their skills, learn from experts, and live a garden-inspired life CONNECT Bailey Van Tassel | Website | Instagram | Pinterest | Podcast Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

If you have been around this community for long, sourdough is not a new topic to you; however, I would be willing to bet that you will hear some ideas and methods in this episode that you have never heard before! Anja grew up in Germany and learned everything she knows about sourdough from watching her mother bake as a constant part of their family’s routine.  In my chat with Anja, we walked through some of the most common questions we receive from sourdough bakers, everything from starter maintenance to baking timelines to discard. Whether you are new to sourdough or have been baking for years, I am confident this discussion will give you new ideas to shake up your sourdough experimentation. In this episode, we cover: Tips for creating your first sourdough starter How many people are overcomplicating sourdough and how to get back to basics Navigating the many variables of sourdough and what to do with imperfect bread A surprising heritage method of creating and maintaining starter (passed down through Anja’s family!) Are hundreds-year-old sourdough starters really ideal? Practical examples of sourdough timelines A discussion of good bacteria and bad bacteria in foods Answering the most frequently asked sourdough questions View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL SKILLS | Use my link bit.ly/FarmhouseSkills RESOURCES MENTIONED Anja's course: Super Simple Sourdough Anja's sourdough coaching CONNECT Anja Eckert of Our Gabled Home | Blog | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

If you are currently homeschooling or have ever considered homeschooling, this episode will be such an encouragement to you!  As a homeschool mom who has graduated two children, Leigh lends her homeschool coaching voice to this fascinating conversation about homeschooling as a lifestyle. Make sure you stick around until the end of the episode to hear us address some of the most common fears we hear about homeschooling.  While it’s not always the easiest choice, homeschooling offers so many beautiful benefits to the entire family.  Join us for this discussion! In this episode, we cover: How homeschooling as a lifestyle differs from other school approaches What it takes to adjust your mindset to a new way of schooling The practicals of what deschooling looks like How homeschooling strengthens family relationships Recognizing and embracing your family culture within your homeschool How homeschooling supports the unique personality of each child The importance of free time and boredom for children How homeschooling as a lifestyle makes space for children to access self-motivation What your kids can gain from living a natural, simple lifestyle even in the suburbs Some surprising ways homeschooling impacts the parent/child relationship Why you are qualified to homeschool and other common fears about homeschooling Letting our kids’ natural curiosity drive their education View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com BLOGGING SUCCESS MASTERCLASS | Visit bit.ly/FarmhouseBloggingSchool CONNECT Leigh Nguyen of Little By Little Homeschool | Website | Instagram | Podcast | Facebook Group Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Do you have a dream of starting your own business?  Or are you currently running a business?  Are you looking for ways to involve your kids so they can learn valuable life skills and be part of the team?  This episode is for you! Natasha has always been an entrepreneur at heart, but she has spent the last decade building a wildly successful farm business with her family.  1818 Farms provides handmade bath and body products, fresh flowers, events, workshops, and more. In our conversation, we dive into all things small business: marketing, starting small, scaling, outsourcing, beautiful packaging, involving your kids, and more. If you have that entrepreneurial itch or you are in the thick of running your own home business, this episode is full of brilliant ideas and important mindset shifts.  Join us! In this episode, we cover: Natasha’s journey to starting and growing her multifaceted farm business The importance of pivoting and evolving your business over time How to know when something is no longer working in your business Online marketing and growth strategies that give you the most control Starting and growing a business when you have young children at home Getting your children involved in age-appropriate parts of the business Marketing and exposure ideas for a brand new farm business The importance of first impressions via branding and packaging Making wise investments as your company grows Why you should nurture existing customer relationships over always seeking new customers Natasha shares how her older teen and adult children have been impacted by growing up helping with the family business Discerning what to outsource in your business and what to keep on your own plate The importance of starting small scale and perfecting your product The first things you should consider if you want to start a business from your home or farm View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com AZURE STANDARD | Use code SIMPLEFARMHOUSE10 at AzureStandard.com Please see full show notes for more details on these offers. CONNECT Natasha McCrary of 1818 Farms | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!