Simple Farmhouse Life

From laundry bottlenecks to housing market realities, I’m diving into your current questions in the midst of our busy build season. I’m sharing why we skip chore charts and budgets, how I fix sticky whole grain dough, and what postpartum has typically looked like for me. I also talk through common questions about our debt-free journey of homeownership, why two washers wouldn’t help our laundry system, and how we’re handling homeschool without a dedicated schoolroom. Plus, my go-to sourdough recipes this summer that keep us well-fed without keeping me in the kitchen all day!In this episode, we cover:Living in the fullness of a busy season and what it feels like to build a house while pregnant with baby nineChore charts and budgets? Not in this house— why intuitive, all-hands-on-deck rhythms work better for our familySticky sourdough solved: why flour weight and rest time make all the difference especially with freshly-milled grainsPostpartum struggles that I haven’t walked through myself but hold compassion forDebt-free build questions and why I’m quieter these days about the specificsAn honest look at our journey through the housing market over the years and what younger families are really up againstMany of you suggested this, but here is why two washers/dryers wouldn’t solve our real laundry bottleneckWhy we are not adding a designated homeschool room to our new build as a large homeschooling familySummer sourdough lineup to make our days easier— bagels, half whole grain loaf, and hamburger buns on repeatView full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!RESOURCES MENTIONEDFreshly Milled Grains Course Modern Homesteading Conference ReplaysJoin 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From calorie-counting culture to kitchen confidence, Jillian Hankins shares her journey toward joyful, nourishing meals made with real ingredients. We chat about embracing food freedom, raising kids who eat what’s served, and the rhythms that make homemade meals feel doable—even three times a day. With tips for balancing your plate, using seasonal produce, making simple sauces, and working with your natural energy, this conversation is full of encouragement for simplifying healthy eating and making it work for real family life.In this episode, we cover:Jillian’s journey from junk food to holistic nutritionGrowing up in diet culture and learning to enjoy food againHow real food helped her heal hormonally and digestivelyDiscovering the joy of cooking after growing up on boxed mealsWhy calorie-counting and food guilt are giving way to freedomReframing dessert as a tool for joy—and for picky eatersTeaching kids to eat what’s served with a two-bite rule and protein emphasisHonoring where food comes from and why that shapes how we eatUsing seasonal produce and sales to guide budget-friendly mealsBuilding a simple balanced plate: protein, carb, produce, sauceHow sauces transform meals without adding complexityWeekly rhythms that support homemade meals without burnoutWhy Jillian always plans snacks and treats—not just dinnersDoubling dinner for easy lunches and prepping in pockets of timeUsing rhythms that match your energy instead of fighting itView 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 Jillian’s monthly meal plans through her Simple Seasons subscriptionJoin 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 cookbookCONNECTJillian Hankins of Jillian Margaret Wellness | Website | 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’ve ever dreamed of leaving the suburbs for a slice of quiet country life, this episode will speak right to your heart. Author Melissa Ferguson joins me to share the real-life inspiration behind her new children’s book, Our Friendly Farmhouse—a sweet and whimsical reflection of her family’s journey from cul-de-sac to countryside. We talk about building a home from scratch, traveling with a big family, and slowly creating a homestead that feels peaceful, practical, and full of charm. Melissa offers encouragement and budget-friendly tips for anyone in the thick of building, dreaming, or simply trying to make thoughtful choices in the season they’re in.In this episode, we cover:Melissa Ferguson returns to share the inspiration behind her debut children’s book, Our Friendly Farmhouse, which tells a whimsical version of her family’s move from suburbia to the countryHow a spontaneous land auction and a last-minute bid from her brother-in-law launched their homesteading journeyThe process of building their home from scratch—leveraging her husband’s experience as a builder and funding parts of the project through social media brand dealsReflections on the early stages of their homestead—living in town during the build, missing the land, and making daily visits to the propertyA rich conversation about traveling with a big family—carry-on-only tips, spontaneous trips, dividing and conquering, and how animals (especially dairy cows) impact travel flexibilityMelissa’s best budget-saving build strategies: buying materials on Black Friday, repurposing gym flooring, and skipping high-end finishes in favor of upgrades over timeThoughtful advice on design choices—prioritizing natural light, southern exposure, adaptable floor plans, and creating cozy, lived-in charmHonest reflections on what she might do differently: adding a tornado shelter, skipping carpet, and not letting a gifted vanity dictate an entire bathroom designWhy they chose to build slowly, add animals over time, and prioritize flexibility over going “all in” from the beginningThe value of outdoor gathering spaces—daily porch coffee with her husband, chalk art and pickleball in the driveway, and simple spots that invite rest and connectionView full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!RESOURCESOur Friendly Farmhouse by Melissa FergusonCheck out Melissa’s other booksJoin 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 cookbookCONNECTMelissa Ferguson of Our Friendly Farmhouse | Website | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Bookbub | Pinterest Lisa 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Life is full right now—between preparing for a new baby, building our dream home, and navigating the everyday rhythms of raising a big family. In this Q&A episode, I’m sharing how we’re handling baby sleep, toddler bedtime battles, room sharing, and pool days with non-swimmers—plus a few thoughts on off-grid readiness, Instant Pot meals, and how I’m embracing this once-in-a-lifetime season, even when it feels overwhelming.In this episode, we cover:A real-life update on what it’s like building a house with toddlers (hint: it’s not relaxing)Thinking about generators, drafts, and wood stoves… and what we’re actually prioritizingWhy I love heating with wood—and the cozy setup we’ve included in the new houseMy kefir theory on baby gender (just for fun!) and whether we “tried” for a girlNavigating toddler bedtime battles and deciding when to hold the boundaryMy thoughts on babies and toddlers sharing rooms—and what’s worked for usTaking non-swimmers to the pool: how I manage it and when I’ve felt too outnumberedWhere I land on sleep training, co-sleeping, and why I never feel like an expertWhy having another baby girl doesn’t really change our bedroom plans—for nowOur choice to go with cedar lap siding and lean all the way into that vintage feelWhy I’ll never be without an Instant Pot (especially on a busy, unplanned Monday)Processing the highs and lows of building a dream home while preparing for baby #9View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.RESOURCES MENTIONEDTry my Instant Pot beef carnitas for a quick from-scratch weeknight dinner!Join 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So many of us worry we’re not doing enough when it comes to homeschooling—but what if simply choosing this path is already a powerful step in the right direction? In this encouraging conversation, I talk with Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside about her newest book and the deep confidence that can come from stepping outside the system. We explore how real learning often looks like play, boredom, creativity, and curiosity—how our kids naturally fill in the gaps over time, and how the freedom to pursue their own interests can lead to unexpected and incredible outcomes. If you’ve ever doubted your ability to homeschool well, this episode will remind you that you're doing more right than you think.In this episode, we cover:How Ginny accidentally started a global movement—and why it resonates so deeply with familiesThe heart behind her new book Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just by Doing ItWhat we miss when we follow the standard school model—and the surprising freedom of unlearning itThe one message every anxious or burnt-out homeschool parent needs to hearWhat if the thing you’re worried is a “deficit” is actually your child’s biggest advantage?Why qualities like creativity and empathy will matter more than grades in the world our kids are growing up inWhat boredom, unstructured time, and “doing nothing” are actually teaching your childWhat’s lost when childhood is spent only with same-age peers—and what kids gain from growing up alongside babies and toddlersWhy your kids need to see you building, learning, trying—and even failingEveryone has educational gaps... so what really matters in the long run?When you trust the process, learning shows up in the most beautiful and unexpected waysThe amazing story of how Ginny’s daughter became a certified personal trainer at just 15Why homeschooling doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—and that’s the pointView full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.RESOURCES MENTIONEDUntil the Streetlights Come On by Ginny YurichHomeschooling: You’re Doing It Right By Just Doing It by Ginny YurichLearning All the Time by John Holt UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me-World by Michelle BorbaGenerative Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know by Jerry Kaplan Listen to my two episodes with Julie Kreke about delight directed learning:- Give Your Children the Gift of Lifelong Learning (Episode 270)- Transform Your Homeschool Days with Delight Directed Learning (Episode 184)Join 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 cookbookCONNECTGinny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | Youtube | PodcastLisa 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.