Simple Farmhouse Life

After a health scare in her twenties, Melissa K. Norris returned to her roots with traditional, from-scratch cooking—and never looked back. In this episode, she shares the simple swaps that make a big difference, her favorite freezer and batch-cooking tips, and why it’s easier than you think to build nourishing kitchen rhythms. We also chat about her updated cookbook Home and Handmade, a practical and inspiring guide for anyone wanting to cook with real ingredients and a whole lot of heart. Tune in for encouragement and doable ideas to make old-fashioned cooking work in your modern life! In this episode, we cover: Melissa’s health journey and how it led to a total shift toward from-scratch, whole-food cooking Why starting with the most frequently eaten foods makes the biggest impact on health and budget Common harmful ingredients to avoid and easy one-for-one swaps for better oils, sugars, and salts The myth that homemade food is hard—many convenience foods can be replaced in minutes Encouragement that old-fashioned kitchen skills are doable and worthwhile, no matter your lifestyle Batch cooking strategies for breakfast, dinner, and baked goods that reduce stress and food waste Using freezers effectively: pre-shaped doughs, cookie dough logs, veggie scrap bags, and bulk meats The power of simple routines, momentum, and planning just a day or two ahead– it doesn’t have to be all or nothing Melissa’s updated book Home and Handmade—a practical guide to whole food, herbal remedies, and homemade living View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. RESOURCES MENTIONED Home and Hand Made by Melissa K. Norris Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Melissa K. Norris | Website | Podcast | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest  Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

Building a house from scratch has been such an adventure—full of surprises, lessons, and all the little details that bring a space to life. I’m sharing where we are in the process, how we’re blending old and new to create a home with real character, and answering your questions about pregnancy, motherhood, and home birth. If you’re in the thick of family life or just love chatting all things home and babies, I think you’ll really enjoy this summer life update! In this episode, we cover: Framing progress on the build and why we’re showing up daily to avoid costly mistakes Lessons from past renovations where small contractor assumptions caused big regrets Mixing salvaged doors and painted porch floors to achieve an authentic “new old” house feel Where we’re sourcing vintage windows and antique doors—and what’s worth buying new Deciding to include a range hood for health reasons and adding a wood-fired cookstove for winter My experience getting pregnant while nursing and what our typical age gaps have looked like How I’ve learned to manage the baby stage more smoothly with a larger family and older helpers Encouragement for moms feeling maxed out with littles—why it won’t always feel this hard How we evaluate home birth safety, from ultrasound decisions to midwife experience Why some pregnancies feel harder than others, even when everything seems the same View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Brent Hull 100 Year Window by Brent Hull Thornhill Range Cookers Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

There’s something deeply sacred about pouring your life into your children—even when it’s messy, exhausting, and far from picture-perfect. In this heartfelt conversation with Abbie Halberstadt, we talk about the high calling of motherhood and why it’s worth investing in, even when the fruit takes years to see. From cultural messages that dismiss the value of family life to the myth that good parenting guarantees easy outcomes, Abbie offers gentle wisdom, honest stories, and so much encouragement for moms in every season. If you’ve ever questioned whether the hard work is worth it, this one will remind you just how meaningful it really is. Family trip to Hawaii and what travel looks like with kids of all ages Why Abbie’s new book You Bet Your Stretch Marks speaks to weary moms The cultural narrative that says motherhood is misery—and Abbie’s response Toddler chaos, twin struggles, and the hope that came years later Letting go of formulas and trusting God with the outcome When parenting teens and adults doesn’t look like you imagined Speaking truth with grace—why personal experience isn’t a prerequisite for offering wisdom Balancing littles and bigs—Abbie’s top tips for rhythms that work Thoughts on “me time,” rest, and what really recharges a mom Personality-driven homemaking—permission to do what fits you View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES Listen to Abbie’s previous appearances on Simple Farmhouse Life: - Episode 247: Breaking Down Popular Narratives in Motherhood - Episode 197: Be a Countercultural Mom: Finding Joy, Peace, and Purpose in All Seasons of Motherhood - Episode 112: Getting it all Done, Setting Priorities, Rebelling Against Mediocre Motherhood - Episode 80: Chatting potty training, baby sleep, overwhelm and seasons of life with Abbie Check out Abbie’s books: - Preorder You Bet Your Stretch Marks - Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad - M is for Mama Grab Abbie’s free resources: - A Seven-Time Mama’s Best Tips for Sleep-Training Babies - The Penny Reward System eBook - The Gentleness Challenge eBook Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Abbie Halberstadt of M is for Mama | Website | Instagram | Podcast | Youtube  Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

I always love having Jamerrill Stewart on the podcast because she brings so much encouragement and practicality to the table—especially for those of us feeding a lot of people every day. In this episode, we’re talking all about freezer cooking, bulk shopping, and how to make mealtime a little less overwhelming. Jamerrill shares what meal prep looks like in her current season of life, how she keeps food on the table for her big crew, and simple ways anyone can start building more margin into their kitchen routine. In this episode, we cover: Life updates from Jamerrill and how homemaking looks in her current season of single motherhood The story behind how her freezer cooking system began and why it works for families of all sizes Tips for shopping in bulk, planning monthly grocery trips, and staying on budget with a large family How she preps ingredients—like meats and rice—in advance to simplify daily meal routines Her strategy for always doubling recipes and freezing extras for easy meals later Why having a stocked freezer made all the difference during a family medical crisis Creative ways she handles leftovers with a “choose-your-own-adventure” approach to meals The logistics of storing bulk food with multiple fridges and freezers throughout the house Kitchen tools and systems that help her manage daily meals for ten—like her oversized island and dual dishwashers Encouragement to start small with meal prep—even one extra freezer meal can lighten the load View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! ABOUT JAMERRILL Jamerrill Stewart is a seasoned homeschool mom of 9 (7 boys/2girls) with children ages 2 through 22. She shares about big batch cooking, mega canning, freezer meals and more from her slow and steady developing homestead in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Jamerrill has been making a full-time income online while raising her family for over a decade and she’d like to show you how you can, too. Join the Successful Business Momma Course waitlist largefamilytable.com/business which will help you build your dream online business while raising your family, just like Jamerrill has done! RESOURCES Listen to my first two podcast episodes with Jamerrill here and here Shop Jamerrill’s big batch recipe guides here Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Jamerrill Stewart of Large Family Table | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing a big family update—we’re expecting baby number nine! I’m also chatting about where we’re at with our custom farmhouse build (hint: it’s going slower than I hoped), how we’re navigating delays, and what I’ve learned through the process. I’m answering your questions on everything from large family rhythms to sourdough baking with freshly milled grains, co-sleeping routines, dairy goats vs. cows, and more. Whether you’re in the thick of little years, planning a future homestead, or just love chatting all things motherhood and homemaking, I think you’ll enjoy this one. In this episode, we cover: Big announcement: we’re expecting baby #9 later this summer! Why we won’t be in the new farmhouse before the baby arrives Unexpected delays and decisions in building from raw land Why I’m learning to appreciate the slower pace of this build The vision behind our forever home (inspired by my parents’ setup) Our Sunday family rhythm: large family gathering, casual food, outdoor country life Switching a sourdough starter to freshly milled flour without a complicated transition Our experience with dairy goats (and why we ultimately stuck with cows for milk) My must-have babywearing favorites for every stage—from newborn snuggles to toddler back carries How I navigate my evening routine with a co-sleeping baby (and what changes around 6 months) Late-night snacks I love—nourishing ideas that feel indulgent but skip the junk Thoughts on prenatals vs. whole food nutrition during pregnancy—and how I approach supplements Tips for getting soft, well-risen sourdough bread with freshly milled flour Troubleshooting sandwich bread made with whole grains: rising issues, sour flavor, and more Sourdough baking without an oven? My go-to stovetop recipes for bread-like alternatives How we’re managing indoor pets with a big family and young children Reflections on motherhood through different seasons—how the hardest years eventually feel softer Designing a new farmhouse: blending modern function with vintage character (and why I’m saying yes to closets!) View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out my friend Ashley’s slow and intentional home build I share more details about my current pregnancy in this recent announcement video Take a look at the recent design refresh to my parents’ home Check out the Q&A episode I recorded with my sisters Laura & Andrea Listen to this podcast episode with Anja all about sourdough and freshly-milled grains Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

Christine Ashby, the mind behind Frugal Fit Mom, brings her budget-savvy expertise to the conversation. She shares practical strategies for feeding a family of five on just $200 a month, and her approach to reverse meal planning, making use of pantry staples to keep costs low. Christine explains how she spots true stock-up prices on meat and why she skips many grocery delivery services. Find out how to indulge in fun foods without overspending, and discover her go-to bread recipe, perfect for a busy family!

Join Amy Cross, Founder of The Cross Legacy and author of The Zero Waste Produce Guide, as she shares her expert tips on saving money and reducing food waste. Learn how to store berries and herbs to extend freshness for weeks. Discover the best practices for organizing your fridge and the surprising ways some produce can spoil each other. Amy reveals her grocery budget secrets while emphasizing versatile ingredients and creative meal prep ideas that make feeding your family budget-friendly and waste-free!

In this solo Q&A episode, I’m diving into your most-asked questions about motherhood, homemaking, and our new farmhouse build. From figuring out how to prioritize marriage when you have little ones, to managing clutter and paper piles, to designing a kitchen that actually works for a real family—I’m sharing what’s working (and what’s not) in our home right now. I also cover topics like breastfeeding while pregnant, sourdough fermentation timing, pantry organization, and how we’re thinking through long-term homesteading plans. If you're navigating the beautiful chaos of family life while trying to live intentionally, this episode is for you.In this episode, we cover: Navigating weddings and events while co-sleeping and breastfeeding a baby or toddler Normalizing having a great marriage with less “perfect” marriage moments in busy seasons How to have a relaxing in-home date night and why it might actually be better Kitchen and pantry flow: am I worried it will be inconvenient to keep the fridge inside the pantry? Design uncertainty and the challenge of visualizing space before living in it Listener tip: what two products every mom should have on hand for allergic reactions Fermenting water kefir safely without explosions Plans to plant fruit trees and long-term property development goals How I avoid countertop clutter and what we do with important documents to keep them from piling up Naturally weaning a toddler when I become pregnant with the next child Why I am choosing old-house charm even if it's not always the most practical or convenient Is it better to long ferment sourdough bread with a small amount of starter? Troubleshooting issues with gritty texture in bread made with freshly-milled flour How I handle going out in public with kids who are constantly getting their clothes dirty View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!RESOURCES MENTIONEDListen to my conversation with Katie Voetberg on episode 190 of the podcastCheck out my conversation with Katie & Elisha on their podcast, Now That We’re a FamilyNTWAF episode on their recent home buildJoin my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTubeMaster the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough courseGain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing seriesTurn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success AcademyKeep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbookCONNECTLisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | PinterestDo you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

In this episode, I’m chatting with with America’s #1 Mom Coach, Hannah Keeley, to unpack the truth behind mom brain. We explore why motherhood rewires the brain, how overstimulation and anxiety show up, and what moms can do to reclaim clarity, peace, and joy in their daily lives.Whether you’re a mom of littles, teens, or somewhere in between, this conversation is full of practical encouragement and real-life strategies for thriving—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.In this episode, we cover: What “mom brain” really is (and how it changes your brain physically) Common symptoms: forgetfulness, anxiety, overwhelm, distraction The faith-filled path to releasing control and worry Why productivity doesn't always fix your stress “Bow tying” and other practical hacks for completing tasks How to gently reclaim your focus and your peace View full show notes on the blog + watch full episode on YouTube.RESOURCESGet rid of stress, boost your energy, and 10X your productivity by working WITH your Mom Brain in Hannah’s program Mom Brain MakeoverJoin my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTubeMaster the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough courseGain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing seriesTurn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success AcademyKeep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbookCONNECTHannah Keeley | Website | Mom Mastery | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | TwitterLisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | PinterestDo you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

In this episode, I’m joined by Meg of Hollar Homestead to talk about what it really looks like to raise a large family on a homestead. From cooking from scratch and homeschooling rhythms to livestock management and letting go of perfection, Meg offers a refreshingly honest take on simple, intentional living.We are diving into: Starting a homestead with pigs and raised beds Stepping away from dairy cows (for now) Nourishing meals for large families Letting kids cook and carry the load Emergency prep after Hurricane Helene Encouragement for moms in busy seasons 📝 Full show notes + links to everything mentioned in this episode📺 Watch the full episode on YouTubeDo you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!