Simple Farmhouse Life

I hear from many of you who are dreaming of life on a homestead, but you are currently living in the suburbs.  While it can be discouraging to search and wait for that dream property, there is so much you can do in the backyard of your neighborhood lot.  Join me in listening to Katie’s story about making the most of where you are.  Katie now helps other homestead dreamers begin their homesteading endeavors no matter how small their property. In this episode, we cover: How Katie began homesteading using only her balcony Why beekeeping should be the gateway venture for homesteaders Getting started raising meat rabbits in your backyard A cost breakdown for raising meat rabbits An argument for being involved in the raising and processing of the meat you consume What benefit is there to keeping bees on your homestead? Issues to watch out for in your bee hives Navigating hive swarming and splitting How much honey do beehives produce? Is beekeeping safe?  How often do you get stung? How to get plugged in to your local beekeeping community and find a mentor All about the helpful resource Katie has created to help you get started with beekeeping View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com Free 5 Day Blog Challenge | Visit bit.ly/5dayblogchallenge RESOURCES MENTIONED The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Beekeeping CONNECT Katie Brandt of Sweetgum Spot | Website | Instagram | TikTok Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

One of my favorite topics to dive into is sourdough, and Ash is the perfect person to join me for today’s conversation!  Ash creates the most beautiful sourdough baked goods, and she teaches others to do the same.  We are chatting about the recipes we love baking around the holidays, our best tips for gifting baked goods, the ins and outs of working with different types of dough, recovering sourdough fails, and more.  Join us for this conversation as you get ready to jump into holiday baking this season! In this episode, we cover: All about Ash’s farm and sourdough journey A few favorite sourdough recipes for the holidays How the fermentation process keeps food from spoiling Reviving a sourdough starter that has been neglected Ideas for gifting baked goods Tips for mastering brioche dough and how to use it The versatility and technique of making pastry dough Navigating the challenges of fermented cookies Strategies for long-fermenting without overproofing Bringing back dough that has been overproofed View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Azure Standard | Use code SIMPLEFARMHOUSEWINTER10 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 MENTIONED Listen to episode 146 with Ash Turner Ash’s chocolate sourdough recipe Ash’s cinnamon wreath recipe CONNECT Ash Turner of Turner Farm | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

As online business owners and mothers of large homeschooling families, Leslie and I discovered that we have so much in common!  You all submitted so many great questions for this episode, and we felt like we could have continued chatting forever.  We dive into some practicals of how we run our online businesses while working together with our husbands.  We talk about both the challenging and beautiful realities of having a large age span of children in the home.  Ultimately, we hope this conversation encourages you to pursue peace in your motherhood. In this episode, we cover: How Leslie helps women along their entrepreneurial journeys toward financial sovereignty All about Leslie’s unique vintage oven that stays on 24/7 How Leslie and her husband share the load as a full-time work-from-home family Navigating a large age span as families with many children Choosing peace as a mom Family discipleship and spending quality time together Newborn sleep approaches Managing stress and quality time in a large family Choosing your priorities as a mother and moving forward in confidence Navigating smart phones in your family View full show notes 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED Peace on Purpose Podcast with Leslie Burris CONNECT Leslie Burris | Website | Podcast |  Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

If the thought of transforming your home into a cozy, magical Christmas wonderland seems overwhelming, this episode is for you!  Sarah is a professional interior designer, but she is sharing tons of tips and inspiration for average homemakers to create a classic, festive, elegant atmosphere in their homes this season.  Whether you are just getting started building up your Christmas decor stash or you are feeling the need to pare it down, my conversation with Sarah will help you feel inspired to create a beautiful, comfortable, cozy space that is perfect for your family this year. In this episode, we cover: When we start decorating our homes for Christmas and why Creative ways to dress up an inexpensive garland Tips for taking your tree lighting and decor to the next level How the average person can achieve a designer look in their Christmas decor Some of the most common mistakes home decorators make Where to start if you feel overwhelmed by Christmas decorating Tricks for storing and organizing Christmas decorations Choosing where to focus your decorating energy when you can’t do everything Enjoying Christmas decor with small children in the home How to create a cozy Christmas feeling without bringing in clutter Finding a balance of work and rest over the holidays View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Simple Sourdough | Visit bit.ly/farmhousesourdoughcourse to enroll today! Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com RESOURCES Check out Sarah’s previous episode on my podcast! Sarah’s 2023 Christmas porch reveal Linen stockings from my friend Cami’s shop Attend Sarah’s Bespoke Design Retreat Join Sarah’s Behind the Scenes design group  CONNECT Sarah Phillipps of She Holds Dearly | Website | 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!

With the rising costs of food over the last few years, people are looking for ways to save now more than ever.  Christine helps moms wisely use their household budgets through her YouTube channel and podcast, and she is with us today to share some of her top tips for maximizing your savings when it comes to sourcing groceries.  She tells us what money pitfalls to avoid and her biggest tip for keeping food costs low.  This is an episode that everyone can gain some practical tips from, so join us!  In this episode, we cover: How your upbringing can impact your money mindset and habits Navigating grocery budgets with rising food prices everywhere What foods to avoid purchasing if you are trying to cut your grocery budget Evaluating food costs based on the nutrients provided What is one of your non-frugal splurges? Allowing your priorities to dictate your spending habits Considering how your location impacts the cost of food The power of cooking from scratch when trying to save on groceries Comparing the cost of sourcing groceries from online ordering, delivery services, in-store shopping, etc. View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. CONNECT Christine Ashby of Frugal Fit Mom | Website | YouTube | Podcast | Instagram | Facebook  Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! Thank you to our sponsors! Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com Free 5 Day Blog Challenge | Visit bit.ly/5dayblogchallenge

As the days get shorter and cooler, I think we all begin to crave a greater sense of coziness in our homes.  Liz Marie Galvan, the “Queen of Cozy”, is chatting with me today about the concepts behind her newest book Create Your Own Cozy.  We talk about how cozy looks different for everyone according to their unique preferences and the features of their home.  Liz tackles the million dollar question: how can I achieve a cozy feeling in my home without making it feel cluttered?  If you are longing for more of that cozy feeling in your home, you don’t want to miss this conversation.  In this episode, we cover: The tool Liz has created to help you define and create cozy in your own home Defining what cozy means to you and celebrating your unique home priorities How Liz is going against convention and making her home her own Tips for enjoying the slow process of collecting the right pieces for your home Moving forward after decor mistakes and embracing your style as it changes Making your home feel cozy without making it feel cluttered Avoiding comparison of our homes in an internet world View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Azure Standard | Use code SIMPLEAUTUMN10 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 Create Your Own Cozy by Liz Marie Galvan CONNECT Liz Marie Galvan | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

I talk often on this podcast about the beauty of homemaking, but there are certainly times when we can fall into a slump as homemakers.  I’m joined by two Mennonite homemakers in this episode, Megan and Jayna, to discuss what we love about homemaking, what is challenging, and how we navigate the difficult seasons of this worthy calling.  If you could use fresh ideas and inspiration to continue creating beauty and comfort in your home, join us for this conversation! In this episode, we cover: How being raised Mennonite has given Megan and Jayna a unique perspective on homemaking Making it through the mundane and challenging parts of homemaking and motherhood Troubleshooting pain points in your routine and implementing systems to solve these issues Strategies to get yourself out of a homemaking funk Ideas for structuring and scheduling your days as a mother Adding variety to your day without derailing your routine Knowing when it’s time to stop getting advice from others and get started in a way that works for you View full show notes 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED Honey I’m Homemaker YouTube channel First 24 episodes of Honey I’m Homemaker on Megan’s YouTube channel Honey I’m Homemaker on Instagram CONNECT Megan Fox | Website | Instagram Jayna Burkholder | Website | Instagram Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Many of us have heard that freshly milled flour is healthier for us, but we have questions about incorporating it into our kitchens and diets.  Kristin has been baking with freshly milled whole grains for over a decade, and she now shares techniques and recipes with other bakers who want to make the switch to freshly milled flour.  We talk about the history of grain milling and how all-purpose flour came to be so popular.  Kristin shares why freshly milled whole grains are so much more nutrient dense than white flours, and she demystifies the process of incorporating them into your everyday baking.  Join us as we answer your questions about why and how to switch to freshly milled flour. In this episode, we cover: A historical overview of the process of milling grains and how we got to where we are today Is it possible to get light, fluffy bread while using freshly milled whole grains? Answering your questions about grain mills and all-purpose to whole wheat conversions How different types of flours perform in various recipes Sourcing and storing whole grains Creating all-purpose flour from whole grains Are whole grains healthy and easily digested? Where to get started if you want to bake with freshly milled wheat View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Simple Sourdough | Visit bit.ly/farmhousesourdoughcourse to enroll today! Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com RESOURCES Kristin's free resource list for milling grains and baking bread at home Enroll in Kristin’s Freshly Milled Bread course using the code FARMHOUSE CONNECT Kristin Nobles of Generation Acres Farm | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Katie Westenberg, author of But Then She Remembered, explores the root cause of distraction and offers strategies to live undistracted. She discusses the impact of technology on our lives, prioritizing tasks, finding balance, and setting boundaries with screens. Katie also emphasizes the power of creating meaningful moments and embracing the current season. Tune in for practical tips on avoiding distractions and living a purposeful life.

With the colder months quickly approaching, many parents want to start preparing their families to fight off illness.  Today’s guests are sharing with us all about how elderberry has transformed their family and how you can benefit from it too.  Starla and Brad answer some of the most frequently asked questions about elderberry: how it impacts the body, when to take it, growing it yourself.  If you want to get a head start on boosting your family’s immune system this year, join us for this episode and check out what Starla and Brad have to offer! In this episode, we cover: How elderberry has impacted Starla & Brad’s family Discussing the history of elderberry and where to find it Growing and harvesting your own elderberry What makes Abby’s Elderberry a trusted, high-quality product When and how often should you take elderberry? How does elderberry boost the immune system? Tips for incorporating elderberry into your family’s routine A variety of ways to consume elderberry View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Blogging Success Masterclass | Visit bit.ly/farmhousebloggingschool Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com ABOUT STARLA & BRAD Brad & Starla Walker have 8 kids and live on their 15 acre homestead in Southern Indiana, just outside of Louisville, KY. There they garden, raise livestock, homeschool their children, and operate their family business, Abby’s Elderberry. They have personally experienced the benefits of elderberry for years and jumped at the opportunity to take ownership of Abby’s in late 2022. Since that time, they have shipped their products to 42 states and have about 20 retail locations to date.  RESOURCES MENTIONED The Elderberry Book by John Moody Fruitful Family Podcast by Starla & Brad Walker: YouTube, Apple Podcasts ​Enjoy a sitewide discount of 15% with promo code FARMHOUSE at AbbysElderberry.com (elderberry syrups, teas, tinctures, organic berries, DIY syrup kits). CONNECT Starla & Brad Walker of Abby’s Elderberry | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Podcast | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!