Simple Farmhouse Life

If you have ever thought of making cheese at home but have been overwhelmed at the idea, this episode is for you!  Robyn of Cheese From Scratch joins me to talk all things cheesemaking.  Robyn’s desire is to make this skill accessible to everyone.  We talk about how cheesemaking can become a normal part of your everyday routine, just like any other skill on the homestead.  A common misconception is that cheesemaking is just for those who own a dairy animal, but this isn’t true!  Anyone can learn to make cheese from scratch. In this episode, we cover: The distinction between homestead and professional cheesemaking How to decide what type of cheese to make Addressing some common fears about the safety of making cheese at home The easiest cheeses to start with How cheesemaking mimics what happens naturally in a calf’s stomach Which supplies you need to buy and which supplies you can DIY Surprising ways to repurpose all of the leftover whey The secret to incorporating cheesemaking into your everyday life Thank you to our sponsor!  Redmond Real Salt brings you salt exactly as nature created it – unrefined, ancient sea salt with a complete blend of minerals and a subtle, sweet flavor unlike any salt on earth.  Redmond Real Salt is offering my listeners 15% off your first purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit bit.ly/redmondfarmhouse to order today. Check out my most recent purchase from Redmond: real salt fine bulk (10lb bucket) RESOURCES Cheesemaking.com The Art of Natural Cheesemaking by David Asher Homestead Cheesemaking 101 Course | Use code SimpleFarmhouseLife10 for 10% off your purchase of any of Robyn’s course plans CONNECT Robyn Jackson of Cheese From Scratch | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Podcast Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

Looking for an older home can be scary and exciting all at the same time.  What are the most important characteristics to look for?  How do you know which flaws are deal breakers?  Cathy and Garrett have been renovating and restoring homes for over a decade, so they have seen the good, bad, and ugly of old houses.  In our conversation, they answer some of the most common questions I get about shopping for an old farmhouse.  This topic can be intimidating to someone unfamiliar with this realm, but Cathy and Garrett break it down in such an approachable way.  Maybe you have no intention of purchasing an old farmhouse, but you want to add that vintage charm to your existing home– Cathy and Garrett have some great tips for that, too! In this episode, we cover: - The top qualities to look for in an old house - Where to begin the process of renovating a house - Awkward layouts in old houses and when it’s a deal breaker - How to add character to a newly-built home - What you need to know about a home’s foundation - Tips for evaluating the natural light in a home - The biggest red flags to look for in an old home - DIY decor projects to complement an old home RESOURCES An Easy (And Inexpensive) Kid's Nature Gallery Wall Planning A Vintage Art Gallery Wall In The Pantry DIY Pinch Pleat Curtains // How To Make Budget IKEA Curtains Look Like A Million Bucks How To Replace A Skeleton Key For An Old Door We Sampled 8 Popular White Paint Colors, Here Are Our Favorites... Posts about marble on The Grit and Polish blog Farmhouse Pantry // A Solid Marble Backsplash With Curved Corners (I Really, Really Love It!) CONNECT Cathy & Garrett Poshusta of The Grit and Polish | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | TikTok Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

A change in season is the perfect time to make a change in your family’s habits.  If you have been feeling the pull to get outside more with your kids, you don’t want to miss this conversation with Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside.  Not only does Ginny share a whole host of reasons why outdoor time is beneficial to our children, she also shares practical strategies for making outdoor time an achievable and celebrated part of your family’s life.  I make it a priority in my own family to get plenty of time outside in nature, and the benefits are undeniable. In this episode, we cover: - How spending time outdoors can ease difficult seasons of motherhood - The impact of outdoor time on children’s academic well-being - A surprising factor in healthy eyesight - Overcoming the challenges of getting outside with young kids - Making outdoor time a priority no matter where you live - Enjoying outdoor time during cold winters - The number one way to maximize outdoor time - When to allow risk-taking and when to step in - What you can put in your yard to encourage free play - Finding community in the shared goal of spending time outdoors RESOURCES 1000 Hours Outside App on iOS and Android Smart Moves by Dr. Carla Hannaford How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. Sampson Glow Kids by Nicholas Kardaras Hike it Baby Wild and Free 1000 Hours Outside Facebook Group CONNECT Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside | Website | Podcast | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

I have been wanting to talk to today’s podcast guest for over a year!  Natalie Kovarik is a Nebraska ranch wife and mom who uses her voice to educate about the realities of agriculture.  Unfortunately, the public dialogue is full of misconceptions about the role and impact of agriculture on our environment and health.  Natalie is a wealth of knowledge about this complex topic, and she does a beautiful job of sharing all of the ways in which agriculture adds tremendous value to our lives.  I hope you learn as much from this conversation as I did. In this episode, we cover: - Why it is important to be educated about where your food comes from - How agriculture is more diverse than you might think - The truth behind the “grass-fed” label - Why it’s actually a good thing that a large percentage of U.S. land is used for grazing animals RESOURCES Sacred Cow by Diana Rodgers of Sustainable Dish Natalie's interview with Frank Mitloehner on cattle and greenhouse gases Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research at UC Davis The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz Interested in crafting, sharing, and monetizing your own Ag story?  Check out Natalie’s online course and podcast. CONNECT Natalie Kovarik of Kovarik Cattle Co. | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Podcast | Pinterest | Spotify Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

When diving into the world of homesteading, it can quickly become overwhelming when you realize just how many skills there are to learn.  Where should you start?  I’m so glad Carolyn of Homesteading Family joined me for this conversation.  As a long-time homesteader and mother of 10, Carolyn shares how she got started building her skillset to support the homesteading lifestyle she desired for herself and her family.  Carolyn is a wealth of information, and she is passionate about teaching others how to live this beautiful way of life, too. In this episode, we cover: - The most important old-fashioned skills in 2022 - Why learning new skills is actually easier than you think - How to fit in learning new skills when you are already maxed out - The benefits of saying no to convenience - What our children gain from growing up in a homesteading lifestyle - A few areas where we choose the convenient route - The one thing to get in order before you start learning old-fashioned skills RESOURCES The Abundant Pantry: Canning | 25% off your purchase of this canning course using code FARMHOUSE Also check out The Abundant Pantry: Preserving Eggs View all Homesteading Family classes Find full list of resources mentioned CONNECT Carolyn Thomas of Homesteading Family | Website | YouTube | Podcast | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

Curating a home decor style that feels collected takes time and intention.  Amanda of Sincerely Marie Designs has done a beautiful job achieving this look and feel in her home, and she is joining me to talk about one of my favorite topics: decorating your home with vintage and antique pieces.  Many of our current home inspiration sources — HGTV, Pinterest, Instagram — can give us the unrealistic expectation that our home decor should be perfectly put together all at once.  Amanda and I discuss how there is actually so much beauty in slowly piecing together your decor over time.  We are sharing some practical tips for how you can source and incorporate antique, handmade, and repurposed pieces into your own home. In this episode, we cover: Where to find decor inspiration that aligns with your style Favorite DIY projects: ottoman, stair detail, lampshade How to transform a lampshade with fabric and a hot glue gun Where to start when transforming a room with antique decor The trick to finding what you’re looking for on Facebook Marketplace Tips for avoiding secondhand purchases you’ll regret A secret weapon decor item for both form and function What to hang on your wall when you aren’t sure what you want there Things to consider when searching for a rug How to bring your home decor together so it feels collected instead of cluttered RESOURCES Tessa Foley of Nine and Sixteen Jean Stoffer Heather Strommen of Sweet Shady Lane Pleated Ottoman Slipcover How-To Adding Charm to a Staircase DIY Pleated Lampshade How-To Block Print Quilts on Etsy Revival Rugs CONNECT Amanda Marie of Sincerely Marie Designs | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

Many people think that beginning a farm or homestead requires you to have previous farming experience, but this isn’t necessarily true.  Even if you have never set foot on a farm yourself, it is possible to begin living the homesteading lifestyle.  In this episode, Jess shares how her lifelong dream of owning a farm became a reality, one step at a time.  We also delve into the topic of making money on a homestead.  Whether you have a goal of replacing your full-time income or of simply allowing your homestead to pay for itself, Jess has some really interesting entrepreneurial ideas! In this episode, we cover: Starting to live a homesteading lifestyle even without acreage Nurturing a healthy food culture in your home The connection between food and homesteading Exciting upcoming developments for Roots & Refuge Farm How a homestead can pay for itself Thank you to our sponsor!  Toups and Co Organics uses nourishing, organic ingredients to create simple and safe skincare products.  Toups and Co is offering my listeners 10% off any one purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit ToupsandCo.com to order today. Check out some of my current favorite products: seabuckthorn cleansing oil, frankincense face balm, activated charcoal face bar RESOURCES Making Money on a Homestead | How a Hobby Farm Can Help Pay for Itself CONNECT Jess Sowards of Roots and Refuge Farm | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

If you don’t believe it’s possible to have a stunning home on a shoestring budget, this episode is for you!  My friend, Andrea, of Pine and Prospect Home is joining me for this conversation on giving your home a refresh for spring without spending a ton of money.  Andrea is the queen of thrifty decor, and everything she creates looks high-dollar.  We’re sharing some of our best tips for curating a beautiful home that reflects your taste and style all while staying within your budget.  Whether you are simply looking for a few affordable ideas to welcome spring into your home or you are taking on a large renovation project, you’ll come away from this conversation with fresh DIY inspiration! In this episode, we cover: Incorporating faux florals into your decor How to approach home decor with a DIY mindset What items are worth splurging on Our favorite sources for finding thrifty decor Trying new ideas in your home without spending money What we are always keeping our eyes out for when shopping Why even your kitchen tools should be beautiful How to curate your look and avoid bringing home junk Creating a lovely home even if design doesn’t come naturally to you Our favorite sources of design inspiration Thank you to our sponsor!  Toups and Co Organics uses nourishing, organic ingredients to create simple and safe skincare products.  Toups and Co is offering my listeners 10% off any one purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit ToupsandCo.com to order today. Check out some of my current favorite products: activated charcoal face bar, seabuckthorn cleansing oil CONNECT Andrea Francavilla of Pine and Prospect Home | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

When you look around the homesteading world and see other people doing all the things, it can be overwhelming to know how to get started.  In this episode, Melissa K. Norris, a homesteader for over 20 years, joins me to talk about where to start when you want to learn new homesteading skills.  She reminds us not to be afraid of starting small and learning as you go.  She also provides many tangible tips for getting started.  Whether you have been homesteading your whole life or are still contemplating jumping into this lifestyle, there will always be more to learn, so these tips on self-education are for you! In this episode, we cover: One prerequisite for becoming a homesteader Deciding what to start with on your homestead How to start researching a new skill or endeavor What made Melissa decide to get a dairy cow Questions to consider when adding livestock to your homestead What Melissa’s 20-year homesteading journey has looked like The mindset shift that makes homesteading accessible to anyone Thank you to our sponsor!  Toups and Co Organics uses nourishing, organic ingredients to create simple and safe skincare products.  Toups and Co is offering my listeners 10% off any one purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit https://toupsandco.com/ to order today. Check out some of my current favorite products: frankincense face balm, seabuckthorn cleansing oil, reparative serum, activated charcoal face bar. CONNECT Melissa K. Norris | Website | YouTube | Podcast | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes, transcript, and links to resources on the blog.

Especially when it comes to home design, I find so much inspiration in holding beautiful printed books in my hands.  That’s why I am so glad there are people like Kali Ramey Martin putting lovely resources out into the world. Her book, Potager, and her seasonal magazine, Notebook Quarterly, curate recipes and gardening tips and home inspiration in such a masterful way.  Our conversation spanned a variety of topics related to welcoming spring into our homes through what we are cooking to how we decorate our homes.  We talked not only about seasonal decor but also about more permanent home design choices like paint, wallpaper, furniture, and more.  I hope this conversation leaves you inspired to embrace in your own home all the beauty that springtime has to offer. In this episode, we cover: - The secret to baking with einkorn flour - New ingredients we are using this spring - Favorite springtime recipes we are making - Getting started with a spring garden - How Kali is restoring her 1920s cottage on a modest budget - Honoring the style of a home in your decor choices - Choosing paint colors and wallpaper - The secret to decorating with natural elements all year round GUEST BIOGRAPHY Kali Ramey Martin is a farmer’s wife, mom of two sweet boys and amateur at just about everything. She is the author of Potager: From the Garden to the Kitchen and publishes a magazine called Notebook Quarterly. She happily dabbles in gardening, floristry, homesteading, photography, interior design and cookery, and is passionate about making the world a softer, simpler, more beautiful place. GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Visit the blog for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned, and a transcript. Watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsor! Click here to save 5% on your purchase of a countertop grain mill by Mockmill 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!