Simple Farmhouse Life

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!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Distractions are nothing new, but the sheer amount of distractions available to us in our modern world is overwhelming.  It is impossible to talk about distraction without acknowledging the impact of technology on our lives, but Katie pulls back the curtain on technology to explore what is really behind our attraction to it.  What is the root cause of distraction and how can we overcome it?  If you desire to live a purposeful life without succumbing to the onslaught of distractions coming your way, join us for this powerful conversation.

In this episode, we cover:

Uncovering the root cause of distraction

Choosing intentionality in how we rest

How our interactions with technology impact our children

The importance of knowing and remembering what you believe

The power of creating meaningful moments for our kids to remember

A mindset shift for when we fall short of our goals with technology

Embracing the current season instead of always waiting for the next one

Identifying what to prioritize and what to let go from season to season

Setting yourself up for success to avoid the allure of screen time

Finding the balance of learning new things online without spending too much time behind a screen

Allowing family and friends to help us with our technology boundaries

Prioritizing time with God amidst an endless list of responsibilities

Being realistic with ourselves about how much time we have

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

ABOUT KATIE

Katie Westenberg is first a follower of Christ, a wife, and a mom growing faithfully alongside her four homeschooled children. She believes boldly in the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. As an author and speaker, she teaches women to grow a robust theology of who God is, become students of Scripture, and learn to live that truth out with courage. She serves a thriving community of women at katiewestenberg.com and makes her home in the lovely Pacific Northwest.

RESOURCES

But Then She Remembered by Katie Westenberg

CONNECT

Katie Westenberg | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today’s guest is passionate about equipping moms to be prepared for whatever life throws at them.  In our conversation, we dove into the subjects of two of Karen’s books: preparing your home with long-term food storage and preparing your vehicle with everything you need on the go.  Karen breaks down how anyone can get started building their long-term food storage supply without blowing the budget.  She also goes through some items to keep stocked in your vehicle so you are prepared for any situation that may arise on the go.  There are some brilliant things on her list that you may not have thought of!  If you want to feel more prepared to take care of your family whether at home or on the run, lend an ear to Karen’s sage advice!

In this episode, we cover:

How couponing got Karen started on her preparedness endeavor

The preparedness grocery shopping strategy that will save you time and money

Practical resources to help you map out your food preparedness plan

Thinking through which staples to stock up on for long-term food storage

What you might not think about when preparing your vehicle for everyday emergencies

Organizing your on-the-go items in your vehicle

Snack options to keep in your car ranging from pre-packaged to from-scratch

How to stock your diaper bag to be prepared for anything

Making sure you are rotating through your stocked pantry before items expire

Planning your shopping trips so that you are always replenishing your stockpile

Where to start with long-term food storage if you don’t have anything stored yet

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

RESOURCES

A Year Without the Grocery Store by Karen Morris

A Year Without the Grocery Store Companion Workbook by Karen Morris

Mom on the Run by Karen Morris

Spiral-bound 2024 Prepper Planner

Paperback 2024 Prepper Planner

Video tutorial: Properly Storing Food in 5 Gallon Buckets

CONNECT

Karen Morris | Website | YouTube | Instagram |  AYPM Instagram | Facebook | Twitter 

Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was so fun to sit down and chat with Francesca about many of the things we share in common.  We dive into what it looks like to balance the many responsibilities of a working, homeschooling, homesteading mother of many. Francesca shares the story of her music career and how it has changed throughout different seasons of life.  We discuss how cultivating a simple life at home away from the hustle can be such a gift to ourselves and our families.  Join me for this encouraging conversation about all things motherhood with Francesca Battistelli!

In this episode, we cover:

What led Francesca and her family to leave the suburbs and start their homestead

How Francesca’s career as a touring artist has changed as her family has grown

Finding balance in learning new skills on the homestead while homeschooling a large family

Communicating with your spouse about responsibilities in the home and on the homestead

How creating a home-centered life allows you to accomplish your goals in homeschooling, homesteading, homemaking

The beauty in giving our families a slower paced life

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

Mockmill | Visit bit.ly/farmhousemockmill to save 5% on your purchase

CONNECT

Francesca Battistelli | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Pandora

Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I hear from many of you that you want to live this homesteading lifestyle but you are wondering how to afford it.  Can a homestead pay for itself?  Can you actually earn an income from it?  With a background in business and marketing, Grace set out to start a profitable farm business, and she ended up growing her sheep farming business to $100k by the third year.  If you have a desire to draw a profit from your farm or homestead but you are unsure of the business mechanics, this episode is for you!  Grace is a wealth of wisdom on both business strategy and sheep farming.  Join us to be encouraged by her incredible story!

In this episode, we cover:

What led Grace to start a farm business with no prior experience

The value of mapping out your business plan in the beginning and committing to it

Why building a newsletter should be a priority in your business

Strategizing what to provide to your newsletter subscribers

Is there a minimum amount of acreage you need to build a profitable farm business?

Why finding your market is so important and how to do it

Maintaining motivation when profits are coming in slowly in the beginning

A day in the life of a farm business owner

Having the confidence to start something even if you don’t feel like an expert

Answering your questions about the specifics of raising sheep

A realistic look at the financial side of diving into a business endeavor

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

ABOUT GRACE

Grace is an entrepreneur, shepherdess, and rotational grazing enthusiast. This eclectic mix converges as she shares her small scale sheep farming operation.  Through YouTube Grace shares about regenerative farming for profit, raising Dorper sheep, and daily life as a small-scale, regenerative farmer!

RESOURCES

How Grace built her $100k farm business in 3 years

CONNECT

Grace the Shepherdess | Website | YouTube | Podcast | Instagram 

Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.