Simple Farmhouse Life

Homeschooling six kids while running a thriving food blog is no small feat, but Laura of Joy Food Sunshine shares how she’s made it work without losing sight of her priorities. From the postpartum depression that first pushed her to start blogging, to the viral chocolate chip cookie recipe that still ranks #1 on Google, Laura opens up about building a business alongside motherhood. We talk about sharing responsibilities with her husband, letting go of perfectionism, setting boundaries, and creating content rooted in real life. This conversation is packed with encouragement for moms who want to pursue something they love while keeping family first!
In this episode, we cover:
Connecting with Laura Sandford, homeschooling mom of six and creator of Joy Food Sunshine
How postpartum depression after her third baby lead Laura to start her food blog as a creative outlet
The viral chocolate chip recipe that grew her blog and continues to rank #1 on Google since 2017
Building a business in the early years by tag-teaming childcare and homeschooling with her husband
Learning to let go of control, hire help, and find the right people to support her business
Monthly check-ins with her husband to ensure every business maneuver is still serving their family– not the other way around
Saying no to opportunities like writing a cookbook until the season is right
Structuring work hours during afternoon rest times and keeping the business sustainable in busy family seasons
Letting go of perfectionism in homemaking and setting up simple systems for chores, cleaning, and laundry
Laura’s honest story of postpartum depression during nursing seasons and how she chooses to slow down and savor the baby years
Why both of us believe sustainable content has to come from real life, not just chasing trends
Advice for moms who want to start something online: focus on passion, authenticity, and consistency rather than sensationalism
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
Laura’s chocolate chip cookies recipe
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
Laura of Joy Food Sunshine | Website | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
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.

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

Boyhood today looks very different than it did a generation ago, and many moms are wondering how to raise sons who thrive in a culture that often works against them. In this conversation with Molly, we talk about why so many boys are struggling and how we as moms can ground them in faith, family, and belonging. We dive into practical ways to recognize your son’s unique wiring, reframe weaknesses as strengths, and guide him through big emotions, school struggles, and everyday responsibilities. From the resilience built around the family dinner table to the importance of one-on-one connection and real-life community, you’ll hear encouragement and tools for nurturing boys in the formative years so they can grow into men of strength, character, and purpose!
In this episode, we cover:
Why boys today are struggling and how culture shapes their sense of identity
Biblical principles that guide us as moms raising sons
Recognizing the unique wiring of each boy and learning to reframe weaknesses as strengths
The importance of belonging, worldview, and family connection
Family meals as a simple but powerful practice for building resilience in kids
Eight key areas to nurture in your son during the formative years
Creative ways to weave one-on-one connection into ordinary family life
Guiding boys through anger and big emotions
Encouraging motivation and building focus for schoolwork without constant battles
Teaching boys to notice messes, take initiative, and follow through on responsibilities
Understanding what’s “normal” chaos in a boy-filled home and how to balance it with structure
Why real-life community is vital for moms raising boys, and how it brings encouragement and perspective
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
Mothering Boys: 8 Things Your Son Needs from You before He Turns 10 by Molly DeFrank
Check out Molly DeFrank’s previous episode on the podcast
Listen to RuthAnn Zimmerman’s recent episode on the podcast
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
Molly DeFrank | Website | Facebook | Instagram
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While waiting on baby #9, I’m sharing one last solo chat before stepping into the newborn season! From why I’m hoping for a daytime labor and how mindset shapes birth pain, to what the Christmas season really looks like in a big family, this episode is a mix of my personal reflections and practical advice. I dive into my approach to teething, first foods, picky eaters, sourdough routines, and even how I’ve kept up with full-time content creation without burning out. If you’ve ever wondered how I approach motherhood rhythms with a house full of kids, this one pulls back the curtain a bit!
In this episode, we cover:
At 39 weeks pregnant with baby #9, I’m reflecting on labor patterns and what I’ve noticed over the years
Why I’m really hoping for a daytime labor this time and how mindset can change the pain of contractions
What Christmas morning looks like in our house with so many kids and how I’ve felt both joy and overwhelm around the holidays
The real answer to what number of kids is “easier” or “harder,” and why perspective makes all the difference
My laid-back approach to teething, baby-led weaning, first foods, picky eaters, sunscreen, Tylenol
How I currently handle fermenting sourdough with stretch-and-folds, my everyday breads, and why bagels are my go-to when I’m short on time
Behind the scenes of content creation: how I’ve kept up with weekly videos and avoided burnout through different seasons
Why I keep baby items minimal, how I store what we do use, and my experience with toddlers and breakables
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

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