Simple Farmhouse Life

Dena is perhaps best known on the internet for sharing about how she and her family self-built their home from scratch for only $70,000.  Dena has had extensive DIY, renovation, and design experience on a number of homes, and she is sharing her best tips with us today.  She shares lots of practicals, but we also dive into what it looks like to embrace your own definition of “dream home” and create a beautiful home that your budget can sustain.  For anyone with a DIY spirit, this episode is such a good one! Join us as we discuss: How Dena and her family built their home from scratch for only $70,000 Why it was important to them to build their home debt-free The reality of self-building a house from scratch as a family Where to start when you are designing your home Budget-friendly tips for creating a home you love Behind the scenes of creating content about your life and projects Design specifics: window treatments, outdoor furniture, rugs What you need to know about adding old charm to a new build Top two must-haves when designing your dream home Evaluating your perspective on “dream home” when you are trying to live within your means 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 Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com Blogging Success Masterclass | Visit bit.ly/farmhousebloggingschool RESOURCES How to Make DIY Concrete Countertops CONNECT Dena Breitmeyer of Fletcher Creek Cottage | 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!

The pressure is off!  If your homeschool days have become overrun with stress and pressure to do all things perfectly, this episode is for you.  My friend, Julie, has been homeschooling her large family for over a decade, and she loves helping moms free themselves from the pressures of homeschooling by embracing delight directed learning.  Not only does this approach free moms to thrive in homeschooling, it liberates our children too.  I hope our conversation about the beauty of delight directed learning inspires you as you steward your child’s education. In this episode, we cover: How delight directed learning differs from other educational approaches Recognizing and stewarding each individual child’s gifts Where boundaries come into play with delight directed learning Stepping back to examine our expectations about our child’s education An example of a day in the life of a delight directed homeschool Rejecting rigid schedules to cultivate lifelong learners Examining the cause of burnout and overcoming it The power of keeping lessons short Taking the pressure off by recognizing that each child learns at his own pace Creating an atmosphere in your home that celebrates learning How taking a hands-off approach can inspire your child to continue self-learning Navigating clutter in your schedule and household How do you know if it’s time for a change or time to quit? View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com Mockmill | Save 5% at FarmhouseonBoone.com/Mockmill RESOURCES How to Simplify Your Homeschool eBook by Julie Kreke CONNECT Julie Kreke | Website | Instagram | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Homemaking is truly an art, which means each of us expresses our own personalities and interests and values in unique ways in our homes.  But one thing all homemakers share in common is the value they bring to their families.  In my conversation with RuthAnn, we dive into some of the whys and hows of homemaking.  If you are seeking encouragement and inspiration in your role as a homemaker, you don’t want to miss this chat with RuthAnn! In this episode, we cover: How you can begin to recognize the value in a homemaker’s role Identifying a housekeeping structure that works for you Where to start when you have a lot on your plate Recognizing what your season allows for Prioritizing tasks when everything seems to need your attention Weighing the cost of spending time or money How we can pass down to our children many of the skills that have been lost The importance of articulating why homemaking is important to you Shifting our mindsets around the seasonal availability of food Establishing home rhythms that fit your family and season Learning from others and finding community in social media while avoiding the comparison trap View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Azure Standard | Use code SPRINGHOMESTEAD10 at AzureStandard.com Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com Please see full show notes for more details on these offers. RESOURCES MENTIONED Old Fashioned Approach to Childhood Chores eBook Hear RuthAnn speak at the Homesteaders of America conference CONNECT RuthAnn Zimmerman | Website | Instagram | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

I’m so delighted to bring Sally back on the podcast to share her wisdom and encouragement for mothers in every stage.  We discuss Sally’s latest book, Tea Time Discipleship, all about the beauty of incorporating a tea time ritual into your life and home.  This simple daily routine creates endless opportunities for personal refreshment, family discipleship, and cultivation of friendships.  Join us for this rich, insightful, encouraging conversation with Sally. In this episode, we cover: What is tea time discipleship and why is it important? How moms can build community with other moms through tea time Where to start if you want to create new friendships Making space for friendships in your life even during busy seasons of motherhood Why it is important to restore your soul as a mother How creating this rhythm impacts our children for years to come Overcoming fear of vulnerability to pursue true fellowship Tips for stepping out and starting a group of your own Where to start if you want a mentor How to grow strong friendships with your children Ideas for reaching out when you have no idea who to pursue Why getting uncomfortable and putting ourselves out there really matters View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com 5 Day Blog Challenge | Visit bit.ly/5dayblogchallenge Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com RESOURCES Tea Time Discipleship by Sally Clarkson Episode 154 with Sally Clarkson CONNECT Sally Clarkson | Website | Podcast | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Jill Winger, an advocate for old-fashioned ways, discusses the benefits of living a vintage lifestyle. She weighs the costs and benefits of convenience, emphasizes the unexpected benefits of old-fashioned practices, and shares tips on learning new skills. The conversation explores prioritization, living without modern conveniences, and pursuing goals with children. They also discuss the rise of aesthetically focused homesteading content and the historical perspective on the popularity of homesteading. An interesting conversation starter on the pros and cons of modern ways.

In the homesteading world, we place a lot of emphasis on sourcing food well and producing it at home when possible.  With all of the hard work we put into obtaining high quality food, we have to have a plan for what to do with it!  In today’s conversation, Becky shares about her process of preserving food using various methods: freezing, freeze drying, canning, etc.  She also shares some practical tips about planning for and executing a successful freezer meal preparation day.  We cover plenty of simple and attainable ideas in this episode; you don’t want to miss it! In this episode, we cover: Quick meals you can throw together without much planning or preparing What to consider as you are planning for large batch freezer cooking Finding the right containers for your freezer meals Suggested methods of preserving for various foods Pantry staples every from-scratch cook should keep on hand Figuring out what your family eats most and stocking up accordingly Ideas for sourcing food: what we buy from local stores vs. large bulk orders Deciding what preserving method fits best with your tastes and lifestyle Recognizing what parts of homesteading you want to prioritize View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com Blogging Success Masterclass | Visit bit.ly/farmhousebloggingschool RESOURCES Glass baking dish with lid CONNECT Becky Jones of Acre Homestead | YouTube | Instagram | Website Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Many of us strive to live a more minimal lifestyle in order to simplify our homes and lower our stress, but minimalism can also be good for the world around us!  In this conversation, Stephanie and I discuss what it looks like to become more conscious consumers as we continually minimize our homes.  If you are on a minimalism journey of any kind, this episode will inspire you to contribute to a more sustainable world through minimalist practices. In this episode, we cover: What it means to prioritize sustainable minimalism How our emotions impact our buying behaviors Shifting our mindsets about the cost of what we buy Where to start when sourcing quality clothing Reasons to prioritize natural fibers over synthetic materials The value of repairing items instead of replacing them A sustainable minimalist approach to kids’ clothing Navigating gift giving from friends and family in a positive way Strategies for storing kids’ clothes for future sizes and seasons Pursuing minimalism in your home when your spouse is not on board Avoiding clutter in your holiday decor How to adjust your mindset so you don’t continue bringing clutter into your home View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com Azure Standard | Use code SPRINGHOMESTEAD10 at AzureStandard.com Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com Please see full show notes for more details on these offers. CONNECT Stephanie Seferian of the Sustainable Minimalist | Website | Podcast | Instagram  Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

If you have a desire to begin sewing or improve your skills, you will love this conversation with Linda.  Not only has she been sewing almost her whole life, but she also owns a sewing business and teaches people all over the world to sew via her blog. We dive into the practicals of how to get started sewing, but also chat about why sewing is such a valuable skill to have, even in our modern world.  Linda answers some of the most popular questions from beginning sewists like what projects to start with and what techniques lessen the learning curve. In this episode, we cover: Why sewing is a valuable skill to have in our modern world What kinds of projects to start with if you are just learning to sew Creative ways to save money on an expensive sewing project Getting your child started in sewing when you don’t have any experience yourself Providing your children the tools they need and giving them the freedom to experiment in sewing Choosing the right sewing machine for your needs How to make cutting out patterns more enjoyable Tips for sourcing fabric Home decor sewing projects without a pattern A few tried and true sewing tips for the beginning sewist An intro to starting a sewing business 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 School of Traditional Skills | Use my link bit.ly/farmhouseskills RESOURCES MENTIONED Sewing Machine Fun Linda’s sewing blog posts: curtain alterations, tailor tacks, replacing a zipper, hemming jeans Lisa’s wingback chair slipcover tutorial Check out Linda’s eBooks to help you launch and grow your sewing business! ABOUT LINDA Linda has been sewing since her father taught her to sew at age seven! She made her first dress that year through a Singer sewing class and spent the next few years becoming proficient at hand and machine sewing, quilting, and tailoring. She graduated from Colorado State University in 1983 with a degree in Textiles and Clothing. In 1984, she designed and made her wedding dress. She has owned and operated a bridal sewing and alteration business since 1988. She has been writing a blog since 2009 teaching people all over the world how to sew and alter clothing and home goods for fun or profit. Colorado is home to her and her husband. They have two amazing daughters, a wonderful son-in-law, and three incredible grandchildren. CONNECT Linda Prenzlow of The Sewing Garden | Website | Instagram | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Many people discount themselves from growing a successful garden because they think they don’t have the time, space, money, or skill.  Carrie of The Little Pallet Farmhouse is here to break down all of our preconceived notions about gardening being unattainable due to these barriers.  The truth is that gardening can be simple, inexpensive, and successful, even for a beginner.  As many are gearing up for the upcoming spring/summer season, come chat all things gardening with us! In this episode, we cover: The tragic diagnosis that led Carrie to pursue health through food Starting small when you are overhauling your food sourcing Why you don’t have to be an expert to take responsibility for your own health How to get started with gardening even if you have limited time, space, and budget Deciding what to grow and how to get it started Foolproof seed-starting setup for a new gardener Thinking through the garden infrastructure that works best for you Sourcing and maintaining optimal soil Choosing plants that you can use beyond the kitchen View full show notes and transcript 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED Grab Carrie’s Ready Steady Grow bundle for only $27 | Use code BOONE15 for an additional 15% off (seven days only!) CONNECT Carrie Wilson of The Little Pallet Farmhouse | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

The task of educating our children about real food has never been more important than it is now, but it can feel like swimming upstream in a culture saturated with highly processed and denatured foods.  Thankfully, we have access to more information and resources than ever before to educate ourselves and our children on this foundational topic. My conversation with Liz of Homegrown Education dove into the nutritional philosophies of our homes as well as practical ways to incorporate more real food into our children’s diets.  Whether you have prioritized real food from your child’s first meal or you are just now beginning to make food swaps in your home, this episode will encourage you to keep making strides in this worthwhile journey. In this episode, we cover: Why it is important to teach our kids about real food and nutrition How your home and cultural environment impacts your relationship with food What “real food” actually means Practical strategies for picky kids Helping our kids get enough protein in their diets What if a child doesn’t like the meal you’ve made? A balanced approach to food outside of your home Achieving healing through food Making real food a reality in your home when you are on a tight budget Shifting our mindset around the nutritional vs. monetary value of food View full show notes and transcript 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 CONNECT Liz Haselmayer of Homegrown Education | Website | 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!