Simple Farmhouse Life

6d ago

The family table has always been about more than food, yet it’s common to let this rhythm of family connection fall to the wayside in the midst of busy family life. In this conversation, we explore why shared meals have slowly faded from many homes, the real obstacles that make dinnertime feel difficult, and how simple, nourishing food can still anchor our families in busy seasons. We talk about flexible from-scratch recipes, rethinking productivity as mothers, and why the table becomes even more important as children grow. This episode offers practical encouragement for cultivating belonging around the family table without the pressure of perfect or elaborate meals. In this episode, we cover: - How family dinner slowly faded from American life and why reclaiming the table matters more now than ever - The biggest obstacles modern families face when it comes to eating together and which ones are worth pushing back against - Why gathering around the table becomes more important as children get older, not less - A realistic look at simple, nourishing dinners that can come together in 20 minutes without elaborate planning - What it really looks like to keep a “flow” going throughout the day without being tied to the kitchen - How meal prep, sourdough, broth, and slow cooking create flexibility instead of pressure in busy seasons - Setting boundaries around activities and schedules while still allowing teens to grow in their independence - Practical ways to cultivate connection at the table with young children, even when meals feel chaotic - Using stories, shared rituals, and simple questions to turn mealtime into a natural place for conversation and safety - Reframing productivity in motherhood by embracing choppy, interrupted work rhythms and learning how small pockets of effort still add up to progress - Rethinking kids’ snacking habits, how constant grazing impacts appetite and mealtime connection, and why “hunger” can actually work in your favor - Why hosting doesn’t require special menus or extra effort and how shared meals foster community 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 Spark conversation around the table with Cultivating the Restorative Table by Dr. Ashley Turner Listen in on my conversation with Dr. Ashley Turner on SFL Browse the Folk School classes over at Well Folk Revival Check out Sarah’s Greenhouse Group online membership Get your copy of Sarah’s DIY book, Homemade Gifts from the Heart and Home 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 Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Sarah of Well Folk Revival | Website | Instagram | Facebook | 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 .

Dec 9

So much of motherhood and homemaking lies in learning to hold both the big-picture vision and the everyday realities with open hands. In this episode, I’m sharing our current farmhouse building update, the excitement of turning my attention to interior design choices, and reflections on raising babies in two very different eras of motherhood. I’m chatting through toxin anxiety, health decisions, and why I lean heavily on practicality and the 80/20 mindset. I also dive into the tools and rhythms that make newborn life peaceful in our home— woven wraps, intuitive nursing, co-sleeping, and eventually transitioning little ones to independent sleep. If you need reassurance, perspective, or just an honest chat about real-life motherhood from a mom of nine, join me for this Q&A! In this episode, we cover: - Starting with a current house update— a pause in building, window delays, linseed-oil–paint prep, and the excitement of finally moving into insulation and interior choices - It is time to re-orient my creative brain toward selecting paint colors, finishes, and a more collected, relaxed country decor style with the help of a designer friend - Reflections on becoming a mom across two very different eras—before smartphones, before constant internet advice—and how perspective shapes confidence - A listener question on toxin anxiety, lead concerns, EMFs, PUFAs, tick bites, and how I keep worry in check by leaning on experience and practicality - The balance between caring about health and letting go of what can’t be controlled—embracing the 80/20 mindset in food, lifestyle, and motherhood - Why woven wraps remain my most-used newborn tool, plus a simple overview my favorite carry, how wovens differ from stretch wraps, and the real-life practicality of babywearing in a busy home - An look at our experience with baby tongue ties— four kids with ties, five without, what releases have looked like, and why each experience was different - A deep dive into my newborn approach: no wake windows, no schedules, responsive nursing, intuitive rhythms, and embracing babywearing and co-sleeping to make the early months peaceful - What co-sleeping safely looks like for our family and how I transition babies to independent sleep around age one - Thoughts on organic vs. non-organic foods in real life, and why I don’t stress about every single grocery purchase - A peek into bedtime routines with multiple young kids— reading together, keeping the process simple, and why teaching little ones to fall asleep on their own is key for us - Handling night wakings, self-soothing, and why I don’t feel guilty about sleep training when the time comes 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 Follow my friend Anne at @Storied_Interiors for interior home design inspiration Check out the Farmhouse on Boone YouTube channel to catch up on our farmhouse building project A few of my recent home building updates : collecting architectural salvage pieces for our home, a recent walk-through of our build 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 .

Dec 2

A medical crisis eight years ago pushed Kody’s family into a complete lifestyle overhaul that ultimately transformed her husband’s health, reshaped their home life, and sparked the creation of Homestead Science. In this conversation, we chat about moving from overwhelm and trial-and-error to raising capable kids, building a hands-on homeschool, and developing a curriculum that serves families whether on acreage or in a subdivision. Kody shares what she learned about practical skills, real-food living, large family dynamics, and the surprising joy of watching teens step into responsibility while still getting to be teenagers. Her story is a reminder that you don’t have to do everything at once, and that meaningful learning can happen right alongside real life! In this episode, we cover: - Kody reflects on her husband's sudden end-stage liver disease diagnosis and how it reshaped their entire family direction - The early overwhelm of shifting from a typical American lifestyle to true whole-food, toxin-free living - Rethinking low-fat diets, salts, and dairy, and discovering how traditional foods supported healing - Finding a holistic doctor who affirmed the very changes they felt drawn to make - Watching her husband's labs steadily improve until he finally received a clean bill of health - Navigating blended family dynamics, homeschooling, homesteading, and medical crises all at once - Realizing there was no curriculum that taught kids homesteading, agriculture, or practical home skills in a real-life way - Beginning to write Homestead Science by creating hands-on lessons for her own kids, from milking routines to budgeting and food safety - How the curriculum grows with children— early ages learning concepts playfully, older students tackling tools, measurements, planning, and economics - Why the program works even for families without land, using store-bought ingredients and small-scale projects - The role of strewing, entrepreneurship, and true responsibility in helping kids discover skills and confidence - Kody’s encouragement to new homeschoolers: drop the pressure, honor what feels realistic in your season, and prioritize relationship over rigid expectations - The surprising dynamic of teens in large families—how they can be incredibly helpful and still fully enjoy being teenagers, despite common misconceptions 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 Kody’s parenting book, Raising Self-Sufficient Kids: An Honest Mom's Guide to Intentional Parenting Explore her homeschool curriculum and resources: Homestead Science 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 Kody Hanner of Homestead Education | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | 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 .

Nov 25

Getting your kids involved in preparing dinner doesn’t have to feel chaotic or complicated. Madison shares how simple, flexible meals transformed her family’s evenings and helped her kids become more adventurous eaters. We talk about handling toddler pickiness, the family rule that ends short-order cooking, and what kitchen help looks like at every age. Madison also walks us through her weekly meal-planning rhythm, her must-have tools, and the everyday ways children can join you in the kitchen. If you’ve been wanting to bring more connection and joy to family mealtime, Madison has strategies for you! In this episode, we cover: Madison’s shift from diet-specific recipes to flexible family-friendly meals and why simplicity matters for busy home cooks How she builds variety into her meal rotation without overwhelming herself or her kids A peek into raising adventurous eaters—plus how she handles the one child with strong preferences The family rule that has eliminated short-order cooking and empowered her kids around food choices Why “safe foods” and low-pressure exposure can be game changers for picky toddlers A fresh perspective on toddler pickiness and the biology behind why ages 18 months–3 years are notoriously tricky Practical ways to keep toddlers busy in the kitchen while giving older kids meaningful cooking responsibilities What real kitchen help looks like at different ages— from stirring and slicing to reading recipes and starting the rice Madison’s weekly meal-planning rhythm and the favorite meals she relies on during busy seasons Her must-have kitchen tools (and why she uses the Instant Pot as a crock pot) to keep dinner fast, flavorful, and low-stress Everyday ways kids can join in beyond cooking: setting the table, putting away groceries, learning about food sourcing, and more 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 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 Madison Wetherill of Cook at Home Mom | Website | Instagram | Facebook | 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 .

Nov 18

How do you know if you’re ready to have kids? Is buying a grain mill really worth it? Do you need a mixer to experiment with sourdough? These are just a few of the questions we’re tackling in this week’s 40th birthday Q&A. I’m sharing a quick update on our farmhouse build, what newborn life looks like right now, and how my older kids have naturally discovered their interests. We also chat about practical rhythms like afternoon time, laundry stains, raw milk basics, freshly-milled flour, and making sourdough without a mixer. Join me for this conversation about the everyday homemaking routines shaping our home in this season! In this episode, we cover: - A quick birthday trip to NYC for my 40th, traveling light with a newborn, and why short city visits work best for us - Where we’re at with the house build, waiting on casement windows, and what happens once they arrive - Whether my older daughters were at Miriam’s birth and how natural birth has become part of our home culture - How my older kids found their hobbies and when I step in to help brainstorm interests - My thoughts on letting kids choose reading or projects in their free time - How I make all my sourdough recipes with stretch-and-folds, even low-hydration dough like bagels - Raw milk basics: how long it lasts, why making butter can be challenging, and easy yogurt ideas - My take on grain mills, budget-friendly options, and why freshly-milled flour is worth learning - Keeping laundry simple with mostly dark clothing and what I do about stains - Encouragement for first-time moms overwhelmed by baby advice and why on-the-job learning is best - How I’d think through cutting dairy or gluten based on symptom severity - Why I stick to blending whole grain and all-purpose flour instead of using vital wheat gluten 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 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 .

Nov 11

Homemaking doesn’t pause when major life changes take place; it simply looks different. In this conversation, K shares how her family is learning to build stability and peace in the midst of transition, moving off-grid to a 1,300-square-foot cabin in Alaska. We dive into the practical side of daily life without modern conveniences: hauling water, using solar power, and finding new rhythms for cooking, laundry, and homeschooling, while reflecting on the mindset shifts that make it possible to find joy in the challenges. This episode is for you if you need a reminder that even in stressful seasons, simplicity, gratitude, and steady forward motion can create a sense of home anywhere! In this episode, we cover: - How K and her family went from homesteading on the east coast to making a permanent move to Alaska after an off-grid summer experiment in 2023 - The surprising challenges of finding affordable, livable land in Alaska and how a podcast connection led them to the small cabin they now call home - What life looks like for their family of nine in a 1,300-square-foot off-grid cabin— setting up solar power, ordering water, and using a composting toilet system - How they manage the daily needs of a large family like refrigeration, cooking, laundry, and dishes without modern conveniences - Why K actually feels less busy now than she did on their 100-acre Pennsylvania farm, and how this slower season is giving her space to refocus on homeschooling and homemaking - Their long-term homestead goals, from installing a wood cookstove to possibly adding pigs, chickens, or even a small dairy animal down the road - The mindset shift that helped her adapt when the move first felt overwhelming— acknowledging the chaos, starting small, and putting one foot in front of the other - How living simply has transformed her relationship with possessions and space, from ruthless decluttering to letting go of “someday” storage bins - Adapting to Alaska’s unique realities: high costs, long drives, and dramatic shifts between endless summer light and dark winter days - K’s practical advice for beginner homesteaders: start with chickens, understand the true workload of dairy animals, and grow slowly - Honest reflections on staying grounded through uncertainty, choosing gratitude, and trusting that every hard transition builds resilience 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 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 K of Homesteady | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Podcast 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 .

Nov 4

What if the best way to raise capable kids is to let them work and create beside you? Casey and Jason Cashell share how restoring their 1859 Virginia estate has shaped their family through hands-on learning, hard work, and entrepreneurship. They talk about giving kids real responsibility, letting them learn through mistakes, and helping them turn their skills into small businesses. Their story offers practical encouragement for parents who want to raise hardworking kids and homes full of purpose and partnership. In this episode, we cover: - How Jason and Casey found and restored an 1859 Victorian home and 37-acre estate to serve as a hub for family, business, ministry, homeschool, and hospitality all under one historic roof - How their kids have been hands-on in every home renovation since toddlerhood and what they’ve learned from real responsibility - Why kids often rise to higher expectations when given meaningful work and trust - Practical ways to raise capable, competent kids even if you don’t have a homestead by simply inviting them into what you are already doing - The heart behind raising “humble leaders” instead of entitled adults in an over-psychologized culture - Why letting children experience struggle and failure leads to humility and long-term success - The difference between confidence built on praise versus confidence built on true competence - Restoring old-fashioned trades and hands-on creativity as an antidote to modern tech dependency - Encouragement for parents who feel unequipped to teach skills– how learning with your kids is often the best approach - Practical examples of entrepreneurship in childhood and how the Cashell kids have turned their skills into online classes - What restoring this historic Virginia estate has meant to their family: living among the birthplaces of America’s founders and making history come alive 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 the Cashells’ Mayhurst Estate B&B here Explore the Cashells' hands-on workshops offered at the Artisan Kids Hub 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 Casey & Jason Cashell | Website | Instagram | Facebook | 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 .

Oct 28

Building a new home that feels like it’s been here for a hundred years has been a labor of love (and a learning curve!). In this solo episode, I’m sharing the latest updates from our farmhouse build, what’s been harder (and more rewarding) than expected, and the details that are truly making our home look historic. From kitchen plans and farm goals to my favorite baby wrap, birth method, and thoughts on balancing homemaking and entrepreneurship, this conversation is a mix of practical tips and real-life reflection from my current season of life. In this episode, we cover: - An update on where we are in the farmhouse build and what has surprised us throughout this unique building process - How priming and painting every board, trim piece, and bit of crown molding has slowed the process but is worth it for the truly historic look - What I’ve learned about creating a historic-looking new build and why proportions matter more than you may think - Is it possible to build a “new old home” on a tighter timeline or with a smaller budget? - Some of my kitchen plans, including the Lacanche range and wood cookstove I’ve been dreaming of for cozy winter baking - What we plan to use our land for and how we are learning from my sister’s full-time farm - Why I’m such a staunch believer in babywearing and which wrap I’d choose if I could only have one - The reason I won’t have a water birth and the method I swear by that’s made my labors nearly pain-free - Thoughts on whether it’s possible for moms to truly balance homeschooling, cooking, and homekeeping all at once - How Luke and I divide our work, homeschool, and business responsibilities in this season as a full-time entrepreneurial 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 MENTIONED Check out this video where I share our original “new old home” building plans Follow along with my sisters on their YouTube Channels: - Ashley at New Hartford Farm Co. - Andrea at Our Sweet Sunny Days - Laura at Our Oily House Watch my step-by-step Babywearing Wrap Tutorial video on Farmhouse on Boone Find my favorite wrap here: Didymos Prima Natural Woven Wrap Some of my go-to sources for country home decor inspiration: Country House Living by Nora Murphy and a few books by Gil Schafer 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 .