Simple Farmhouse Life

• 306. Screens vs. the Village: Why Moms Don’t Really Lack Time | RuthAnn of Homesteading with the Zimmermans

  Homesteading isn’t just about raising your own food— it’s about building a life where relationships, rhythms, and real community come first.  In this conversation with RuthAnn, we dig into everything from screen-free parenting to the myth of “not enough time,” the health wake-up call that reshaped her family’s lifestyle, and the true meaning of the village for moms today.  If you’ve ever wondered how to slow down and find joy in the ordinary while strengthening your home, join us for this conversation! In this episode, we cover: Why homesteading is about more than food on the table— prioritizing relationships make it matter Lessons carried from an Old Order Mennonite childhood into today’s homemaking rhythms The childhood health scare that flipped everything and sent RuthAnn’s family back to homemade, nourishing food How food choices connect to kids’ behavior, focus, and overall peace in the home The real thief of time in modern motherhood and how to reclaim creativity from screen addiction Why RuthAnn keeps her kids off screens and trusts they’ll thrive in the skills they need when the time comes Retraining our brains to find joy in “ordinary” tasks like bread baking, gardening, and family meals The myths of “the village” and what young moms are missing when social media becomes their community Why younger moms often don’t trust older moms these days and how smaller families have broken the natural overlap of generations in parenting A better way for older moms to support the next generation and be “the village”: listening first, then guiding with wisdom and understanding The true heart of homesteading: slower rhythms, stronger families, and intentional time together 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 Pre-order RuthAnn’s book, The Heart of the Homestead 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 RuthAnn of Homesteading with the Zimmermans | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook 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.

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• 305. Turn Land Into Home: Design Outdoor Spaces You Actually Want to Be In | Tessa Pinner

  Creating a sense of history and place on raw land takes vision and patience, and garden designer Tessa Pinner shares how to make it both practical and beautiful.  We chat about designing outdoor “rooms,” why smaller spaces can sometimes be easier than wide-open acreage, and how trees, fences, and timeless materials add history and charm.  Tessa offers simple, long-term strategies to beat overwhelm and cultivate outdoor spaces that truly feel like home, whether you’re on acreage or working with a small backyard. In this episode, we cover: Creating a sense of place on raw land through thoughtful landscape design Why outdoor spaces deserve as much attention as interiors for function and enjoyment Designing “garden rooms” that encourage gathering, eating, and everyday living outside How wide open acreage can feel overwhelming and why smaller yards are sometimes easier to design Using permaculture “zones” to plan spaces from most-used near the house to more relaxed areas farther out The importance of making outdoor spaces safe and hospitable for children and guests Choosing materials that feel timeless and appropriate to the style of the house Balancing beauty, practicality, and budget when designing for features like pools, patios, and fencing Planting trees early to establish maturity and history on a new property The hidden benefit of casting a long-term vision and phasing projects in gradually over many years How to avoid analysis paralysis when planning: books, drawings, and vision over Pinterest overwhelm Hardscaping as the backbone of outdoor spaces— surfaces, boundaries, and seating areas 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 GIVEAWAY! Leave a 5-star review on my beginner sourdough recipe to be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card ⭐️ How to Design a Garden by Pollyanna Wilkinson Food Forward Garden by Christian Douglas Check out Monty Don’s current publications and youtube channel, Gardening with Monty Don Check out the Garden Gab podcast hosted by Tessa 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 Tessa Pinner | Website | Youtube | Instagram | 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.

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• 304. Toy Clutter, Baby Sleep, and Teen Drivers: Life in a Fast-Moving Season + More Q&A

  Life in this season feels full of change– new babies, teenagers gaining independence, and the daily rhythms that keep our large family moving forward.  In this episode, I share my real experiences with co-sleeping, freshly milled wheat, toys and clutter, pregnancy challenges, car seats, and the everyday questions you’ve asked about homemaking and homesteading.  I also talk about the farmhouse build alongside my sister, our different approaches to decision-making, and the long-term dreams I have for life on the farm.  Join me for this Q&A style conversation where your questions guide the discussion and I share the simple, intentional rhythms that shape our home and family! In this episode, we cover: My experience with co-sleeping through many babies, how my approach has shifted, and the safe sleep setups that work best for us Why I use freshly milled wheat in my baking and whether I’ve noticed any health differences in our family How we approach toys and gifts in our home— letting the kids enjoy them fully and then decluttering when the interest fades Pregnancy challenges I’ve faced, including varicose veins, and the simple things that help like magnesium and extra rest Our current car seat setup with a new baby on the way, plus the big milestone of having a teenager with a driver’s license and how quickly family dynamics shift Everyday homemaking and homestead questions— from spiders and ticks to kids’ haircuts, dishwashers, and the routines that keep our large family moving My thoughts on building our farmhouse at the same time as my sister, the differences between how we approach home decisions, and the long-term dreams I have for animals on our farm Listener questions on sourdough starters, selling our house plans, and other homemaking challenges, all bringing me back to simple, intentional rhythms 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.

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• 303. Raising Kids Who Thrive: Habits and Foundations for the Early Years | Erin Cox of The Gentle + Classical Press

  Homeschooling isn’t just about academics.  It’s about shaping character, habits, and family culture in the everyday moments.  In this conversation with Erin from Gentle + Classical Press, we talk about what the early years can look like without the pressure of early academics, how to raise children who know how to use their free time well, and why consistency matters more than perfection.  You’ll hear encouragement for the overwhelmed mom, perspective on kids’ different personalities, and practical ways to build a gentle and classical foundation in your home. If you’re looking for fresh vision and tangible ideas for your homeschool days, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! In this episode, we cover: Erin’s family life with four children, 15 years of homeschooling, and a business run alongside homesteading A shift from academic goals to discipleship, character development, and strong family habits The meaning of a “gentle and classical” approach, blending Charlotte Mason influence with classical education in a soft, approachable way Preschool years centered on scripture memory, virtues through song, habit training, and life skills, with limited academics before age six Encouragement for overwhelmed moms: God equips you for the children He gave you, one hard day won’t undo everything, and comparison online is misleading The role of children’s personalities in shaping both family dynamics and parental growth Homeschooling with a deeper purpose of individualized learning, supporting specific needs, and cultivating family culture Lessons learned from the early years, including the importance of consistency in habits and the danger of overemphasizing grades or peer influence Recognizing readiness for formal learning by watching attention spans, keeping lessons short, and letting children progress in their own time Homeschooled kids often learn to use free time creatively, developing projects and play rather than becoming bored or dependent on screens 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 Listen to Erin’s recent podcast episode about why homeschooling is a foundational choice for her family Check out Erin’s preschool homeschool offerings  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 Erin Cox of The Gentle + Classical Press | Website | Facebook | Instagram | 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.

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• 302. Building a Profitable Business from Home as a Mom: Lessons from a Micro Bakery | Lily of Flour Barn Bakery

  Juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship comes with unique challenges and unique rewards. In this episode with Lily of The Flour Barn, we talk about running a thriving micro bakery while managing a blog, YouTube channel, and teaching schedule. From setting boundaries and avoiding burnout to slowing down and auditing systems for smarter growth, Lily shares the rhythms that keep her business sustainable and her home life prioritized. We cover her weekly workflow, stress-reducing systems, lessons from five years of menu refinement, and when to choose freshly milled whole grains vs. white flour. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a business or simply looking for inspiration to work smarter at home, you’ll love this conversation! In this episode, we cover: Managing a full plate as an entrepreneurial mother: running a micro bakery with a blog, YouTube, storefront, and teaching classes Finding rhythms that allow space for being present in your real life without turning every moment into content The importance of establishing realistic boundaries that make business sustainable over the long haul Balancing business growth with your true priorities and how opportunity can sometimes become a burden The payoff of slowing down to do the deep work– audit systems, strategize well, and make your work easier instead of getting stuck in old ways Weekly rhythm breakdown for a weekend microbakery: grocery runs, baking classes, dough prep, lamination and proofing days– getting it all done as a mom of littles Small business systems that reduce stress: online pre-orders, projecting sales, and intentionally slow growth Lessons learned from five years of refining the menu and workflow for maximum profit (without burning out) Diving into our philosophies on when to use choose the nutrient density of freshly-milled whole grains vs. when to opt for the effectiveness of white flour Adjusting all-purpose recipes for whole grains without sacrificing texture or flavor View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES Listen to Lily’s previous appearances on Simple Farmhouse Life HomeBaked by Kate Sarah Kieffer's lamination method 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 Lily of Flour Barn Bakery | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest 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.

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