
Simple Farmhouse Life
With over ten years experience making a home, author and mom of eight, Lisa Bass, shares her love for from scratch cooking, natural living and all things handmade. As a full-time blogger and homeschooler, Lisa also mixes in a little mom life and business tips.
Latest episodes

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h
262. Homestead Q&A: Make an Income, Find Land, Build Community | Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms
If you know anything about homesteading, you know who Joel Salatin is. Joel has been farming and teaching about farming for decades, and he brings his wealth of experience to this conversation for the new homesteader. What is the bigger picture of homesteading? How can you make money on a homestead? What should you avoid when purchasing land? If you are hoping to start a homestead or have already started your homesteading journey, this episode is full of the encouragement and practical knowledge you need!In this episode, we cover:
How starting a homestead in 2024 is different than previous generations
You don’t need as much land as you think to start a homestead
If you can only have one stream of income from your homestead, do this!
Can you actually save money raising your own meat?
The top small farm mistakes to avoid
What to look for when shopping for homestead property
How to expand your farm offerings if you want to make a living on your homestead
An explanation for the rise in agrotourism and the opportunity it presents to homesteaders
The importance of building a strong community among farmers and homesteaders
What is the point of homesteading anyways?
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!ABOUT JOELJoel Salatin calls himself a Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer. Others who like him call him the most famous farmer in the world, the high priest of the pasture, and the most eclectic thinker from Virginia since Thomas Jefferson. Those who don’t like him call him a bio-terrorist, Typhoid Mary, charlatan, and starvation advocate.With 12 published books and a thriving multi-generational family farm, he draws on a lifetime of food, farming, and fantasy to entertain and inspire audiences around the world. He’s as comfortable moving cows in a pasture as addressing CEOs at a Wall Street business conference.He co-owns, with his family, Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia. Featured in the New York Times bestseller Omnivore’s Dilemma and award-winning documentary Food Inc., the farm services more than 5,000 families, 50 restaurants, 10 retail outlets, and a farmers’ market with salad bar beef, pigaerator pork, pastured poultry, and forestry products. When he’s not on the road speaking, he’s at home on the farm, keeping the callouses on his hands and dirt under his fingernails, mentoring young people, inspiring visitors, and promoting local, regenerative food and farming systems.Salatin is the editor of The Stockman Grass Farmer, granddaddy catalyst for the grass farming movement. He writes the Pitchfork Pulpit column for Mother Earth News, as well as numerous guest articles for ACRES USA and other publications. A frequent guest on radio programs and podcasts targeting preppers, homesteaders, and foodies, Salatin’s practical, can-do solutions tied to passionate soliloquies for sustainability offer everyone food for thought and plans for action.RESOURCESThe Lean Farm books by Ben HartmanSelling the Invisible by Harry BeckwithThe Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Lunatic Farmer by Joel SalatinPolyface Micro by Joel SalatinLooking to earn an income from your YouTube channel? Join my YouTube Success Masterclass today!Explore all of my course offerings including sourdough, sewing, blogging, and YouTubeCONNECTJoel Salatin of Polyface Farms | Website | Instagram | FacebookLisa 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.

Oct 29, 2024 • 54min
261. Freeze Drying: The Food Preservation Method Every Homestead Kitchen Needs | Carolyn of Homesteading Family
When you put significant effort into sourcing and growing high quality food for your family, you quickly learn that you need a reliable way to preserve it for future use. Many homemakers are familiar with the tried and true methods of canning, fermenting, and dehydrating, but there is a newer method on the scene that is revolutionizing the way we preserve food. Carolyn started out very skeptical of freeze drying but has since become an expert. She’s joining me to share how freeze drying has transformed her homestead kitchen and how it can improve the way you preserve food!In this episode, we cover:
How a freeze-drying skeptic became a believer
What is the difference between dehydrating and freeze drying?
A brief scientific explanation of why freeze dried food maintains its nutritional value and flavor
What to be aware of when you first start freeze drying
How to know if your freeze dried food is safe to eat
Talking through various short-term and long-term storage options
How freeze drying lends itself to from-scratch meals on-the-go
A behind-the-scenes look at writing a book about freeze drying
What you need to set up a freeze drying station in your own home
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!ABOUT CAROLYNCarolyn Thomas and her husband, Josh, live on a 40 acre homestead in Idaho surrounded by gardens, livestock and children. She spends her days rocking babies, homeschooling her children and preserving food for the coming winter. As part of her passion she also teaches homesteading skills to encourage other families to live simply and focus on the things that really matter... faith, family and really good food!RESOURCESTake my class on fermenting vegetables through School of Traditional SkillsCheck out Carolyn’s new book: Freeze-Drying the HarvestListen to my recent conversation all about sourdough myths with Carolyn on her podcast Join my Simple Sewing course and my Simple Sourdough course today!Explore all of my course offerings including sourdough, sewing, blogging, and YouTubeCONNECTCarolyn Thomas of Homesteading Family | Website | Podcast | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestLisa 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.

Oct 22, 2024 • 46min
260. How I get my babies to sleep through the night, why my home stays (mostly) tidy, my favorite stream of passive income, and more Q&A!
We are back with another Q&A episode! You all asked how I get my babies to sleep through the night, if I’m still following a pro-metabolic lifestyle, and how I avoid the chaos of a messy home. If you’d like to submit a question for a future episode, visit bit.ly/SFLquestions. I’m so glad you are joining me for this coffee chat!In this episode, we cover:
My main strategy for avoiding overwhelming mess in my home
An update on how I feel about pro-metabolic eating now
My method for helping my babies sleep through the night
Why I don’t use a water filter anymore
How I approach naps on the go with my older babies
Why I don’t drink red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy anymore
An explanation of how bloggers make passive income
Why I’m not worried about my kids being exposed to farm germs
My strategy for getting probiotics into my family’s diet every day
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!MENTIONSEpisode on minimalism with Dawn of the Minimal MomEpisode on decluttering with Robyn of Minimalist HomeEpisode about the pro-metabolic approach to health with Kori Meloy & Fallon LeeLEARN MORE FROM MESimple Sewing Series CourseSimple Sourdough CourseYouTube Success AcademyCreate Your Blog Dream CourseDaily 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.

Oct 15, 2024 • 57min
259. More Style, Less Mess: Declutter and Decorate Your Way to a Home You Love | Shannon Acheson of Home Made Lovely
We all know that it is important to declutter our homes to maximize our decorating efforts, but decluttering is work we often avoid. After all, decorating is the fun part. In this episode, Shannon shares her process of transforming your home into a place you love to be by taking the right steps in the right order. We chat about where to start when you are overwhelmed by clutter, how to maintain order in a home full of people, finding your decorating style, and more. If the change of seasons has you itching to bring some order and beauty to your home, don’t miss this conversation!In this episode, we cover:
The importance of taking the foundational steps before decorating your home
How to figure out what you should declutter first
The mindset shift to begin turning your current home into your dream home
A simple, cozy approach to Christmas decor that doesn’t break the bank
Strategies for maintaining a tidy home when you have lots of people home all day
Establishing routines that work for the whole family in your current season
Ideas for arranging your living room without having the TV as the focal point
How to prioritize statement pieces in your decorating while on a budget
Identify what your decorating style is
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!ABOUT SHANNONShannon Acheson is an author, entrepreneur, content creator, home organizing and interior decorating expert, and the creative force behind HomeMadeLovely.com - a celebrated blog helping moms declutter, organize and add style to their homes since 2010.RESOURCES MENTIONEDCheck out Shannon’s previous interview on my podcast!More Style, Less Mess Course by ShannonCheck out both of Shannon’s books on decluttering and decoratingShannon’s list of 50 things you should throw away todayDIY frame TV tutorial by Sarah from She Holds DearlyCONNECTShannon Acheson of Home Made Lovely | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | PinterestLisa 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.

Oct 8, 2024 • 51min
258. Establish Systems in Your Home, Business, and Life to Gain Peace and Productivity | Chelsi Jo Moore of Systemize Your Life
Chelsi Jo Moore, a wife, mom, and CEO, specializes in helping mothers balance home life and consistent income. In this lively discussion, she shares practical systems to transform overwhelm into peace. Chelsi emphasizes prioritizing family needs and the power of routine stacking for productivity. She unveils strategies to combat social media distractions and discusses maintaining order during chaotic times. With relatable insights, she proves that even in crisis, it's possible to uphold productive systems that enhance daily life.

Oct 4, 2024 • 37min
257. Answering sourdough questions: discard recipes, baking schedule, favorite tools, and more!
Dive into the fascinating world of sourdough baking! Learn how to modify any recipe to embrace sourdough with essential adjustments. Discover the best time of day to start your baking and what to look for during bulk fermentation. Get the lowdown on sourdough discard recipes and why they’re worth exploring. Find out why mixing by hand might be better than using a stand mixer and gather tips for crafting the perfect crusty loaf. Plus, unlock the health benefits of fermentation and navigate some common sourdough challenges!

Sep 24, 2024 • 47min
256. Create Passive Income Online: Reach Your Blogging Dreams | Katie of Heart’s Content Farmhouse
The world of online business is exploding with opportunities. There seems to be something for everyone. In this conversation, Katie and I chat about our favorite stream of revenue in online business: blogging. The blogging landscape has changed drastically over the years, and it is ripe with opportunity for those willing to learn the strategy and devote the time. If you love chatting business strategy as much as I do, join us for this peek behind the curtain in the lives of two career bloggers!In this episode, we cover:
Advice from two seasoned bloggers to those who are just getting started
Are successful blogs built by luck or hard work?
Putting in the work early in your business before hiring help
Viewing blogging through a business lens rather than a personal lens
Finding what motivates you to push through hard seasons of business
Why it is important to keep producing even if you don’t do it perfectly
Discerning which online platform is best for you: blogging, YouTube, social media, etc.
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!ABOUT KATIEKatie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.RESOURCES MENTIONEDCreate Your Blog DreamCreate Your Blog Dream Free TrialYouTube Success AcademyCONNECTKatie of Heart’s Content Farmhouse | Website | YouTube | Pinterest | InstagramLisa 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.

7 snips
Sep 17, 2024 • 1h 6min
255. Healing Through Food: Herbs, Ferments, Probiotics | CeAnne of Farmhouse Teas
Herbal teas and fermented beverages are a great way to improve your health while enjoying a tasty drink. In this episode, we dive into a few of the more enjoyable ways to include impactful nutrients in your diet with CeAnne of Farmhouse Teas. On a quest to heal her own chronic illness, CeAnne discovered the power of herbal medicine and began creating salves, teas, and ferments for her own family. Whether you are on your own journey of healing from illness or are simply looking to level up your health, join in for this educational conversation!In this episode, we cover:
How CeAnne started her family business 10 years ago and what it looks like today
Impacting chronic disease through herbal remedies and ferments
CeAnne’s story of replacing coffee with tea in her pursuit of healing
Why herbal tea lends itself well to making kombucha
Is it safe for pregnant women and children to drink kombucha?
What happens to the sugar content in the process of making kombucha
Troubleshooting carbonation issues in fermented drinks
The heart behind building a successful family business based on your passions
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!ABOUT CEANNECeAnne is wife to The Farmer and Mama to four adopted kiddos. She helps farm lov'n families turn common herbs into powerful medicines in order to create health and wellness for their families, without the fuss. In 2014 they left their small city lot for a two acre farm outside of town. With dreams of growing the bulk of their own food they also started hand crafting their own herbal medicines and teas. It all started with a single packet of seeds and the lovely calendula flower.RESOURCES MENTIONEDUse code FARMHOUSE20 at FarmhouseTeas.comCoffee Drinker’s Guide to Loose Leaf TeaCONNECTCeAnne Kosel of Farmhouse Teas | Website | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestLisa 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.

Sep 10, 2024 • 43min
254. Sourdough Q&A with a 13-year sourdough veteran!
I have been baking sourdough for over 13 years, so I have learned a thing or two along the way. You will find lots of sourdough educators out there who will equip you with technical and scientific knowledge about the process of sourdough, and while that certainly serves a purpose, I prefer to make sourdough simple and accessible for the everyday home cook. My goal is to remove the overwhelm and show you how homemade sourdough bread can easily fit into your life, even if you don’t think you have time. Join me for the first part in this sourdough Q&A series!In this episode, we cover:
How to make your bread taste more or less sour
Can flour type change the taste of your final product?
Storage options for homemade bread
Why does my sourdough bread have a gooey texture?
My thoughts on when to store baked goods in the fridge
When and how to prepare a sourdough recipe ahead of time
Does it matter if I stir my starter down before measuring for a recipe?
Why variations in your starter are normal
Tips for storing your starter for long periods of time
How much time do I need to devote to making sourdough?
How the seasons impact sourdough baking
Does it make sense to bake sourdough for a small family?
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!RESOURCES MENTIONEDCheck out my sourdough course: http://bit.ly/farmhousesourdoughcoursePre-order my sourdough cookbook: https://click.convertkit-mail.com/e5u4wp2xdru7hp3xz0rc8h74eww22hl/z2hghnh364gm3nbp/aHR0cHM6Ly9ob21lc3RlYWRsaXZpbmcuY29tL2Zhcm1ob3VzZS1vbi1ib29uZQ==Make a week’s worth of sourdough bread in one daySame-day sourdough breadGluten-free sourdough bread & gluten-free sourdough starterTwo weeks in the life of my sourdough starterDon’t meal planSmall batch sourdoughCONNECTLisa 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.

Sep 3, 2024 • 59min
253. Buy What You Love Without Going Broke | Jill of Frugal Friends Podcast
Living responsibly with our finances does not mean total deprivation. While there are many voices telling us how to achieve our financial goals, Jill of Frugal Friends Podcast teaches that choices about money are not black and white, but will vary from person to person based on our values. The notion of values-based spending gives you freedom to use your money on the things that matter most to you. Join us to hear Jill’s refreshing perspective on all things spending and saving!In this episode, we cover:
Looking beyond budgeting and embracing values-based spending
Practical tips for evaluating your own personal values
The top five reasons for impulse spending and how to interrupt the pattern
How you can challenge yourself to put an end to impulse purchases
Why having unlimited resources is not actually ideal
How the content you consume impacts your spending habits
Landing in the “radical middle” between extreme finance messaging
Mindset shifts and practical strategies for saving money on groceries amidst ever-increasing costs
Ideas for navigating Christmas gifts while trying to save money
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!ABOUT JILLJill Sirianni is a licensed clinical social worker and co-host of the Frugal Friends podcast. She’s experienced in doing a lot with a little—from starting small businesses to full-time RVing—all of it was leveraged to pay off $60,000 of debt and cash flow her masters degree. Helping others is her highest value and integrating her mental health perspective with personal finance is how she supports others to identify, and live out of, what they value most. When she’s not meeting with clients or podcasting, you can find her in the garden or hosting friends in her home. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband Eric.RESOURCES MENTIONEDListen to Jill & Jen’s previous appearance on Simple Farmhouse LifePre-order the book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke by Jill Sirianni & Jen SmithCONNECTJill Sirianni of Frugal Friends Podcast | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeLisa 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.