Simple Farmhouse Life

• 296. From Suburbs to Homestead: Building a Family Farmhouse Life | Melissa Ferguson of Our Friendly Farmhouse

  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 country How a spontaneous land auction and a last-minute bid from her brother-in-law launched their homesteading journey The 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 deals Reflections on the early stages of their homestead—living in town during the build, missing the land, and making daily visits to the property A 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 flexibility Melissa’s best budget-saving build strategies: buying materials on Black Friday, repurposing gym flooring, and skipping high-end finishes in favor of upgrades over time Thoughtful advice on design choices—prioritizing natural light, southern exposure, adaptable floor plans, and creating cozy, lived-in charm Honest reflections on what she might do differently: adding a tornado shelter, skipping carpet, and not letting a gifted vanity dictate an entire bathroom design Why they chose to build slowly, add animals over time, and prioritize flexibility over going “all in” from the beginning The 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 connection View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES Our Friendly Farmhouse by Melissa Ferguson Check out Melissa’s other books 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 Melissa Ferguson of Our Friendly Farmhouse | Website | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Bookbub | 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.

  --------  

  1:16:12

  --------

  1:16:12
• 295. How we’re managing sleep, room sharing, house progress, and large family life in this busy season + more Q&A!

  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 prioritizing Why I love heating with wood—and the cozy setup we’ve included in the new house My kefir theory on baby gender (just for fun!) and whether we “tried” for a girl Navigating toddler bedtime battles and deciding when to hold the boundary My thoughts on babies and toddlers sharing rooms—and what’s worked for us Taking non-swimmers to the pool: how I manage it and when I’ve felt too outnumbered Where I land on sleep training, co-sleeping, and why I never feel like an expert Why having another baby girl doesn’t really change our bedroom plans—for now Our choice to go with cedar lap siding and lean all the way into that vintage feel Why 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 #9 View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. RESOURCES MENTIONED Try 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 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.

  --------  

  48:08

  --------

  48:08
• 294. You Won’t Mess Them Up: Real Encouragement for Homeschool Moms | Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside

  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 families The heart behind her new book Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just by Doing It What we miss when we follow the standard school model—and the surprising freedom of unlearning it The one message every anxious or burnt-out homeschool parent needs to hear What 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 in What boredom, unstructured time, and “doing nothing” are actually teaching your child What’s lost when childhood is spent only with same-age peers—and what kids gain from growing up alongside babies and toddlers Why your kids need to see you building, learning, trying—and even failing Everyone 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 ways The amazing story of how Ginny’s daughter became a certified personal trainer at just 15 Why homeschooling doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—and that’s the point View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. RESOURCES MENTIONED Until the Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right By Just Doing It by Ginny Yurich Learning All the Time by John Holt  UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me-World by Michelle Borba Generative 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 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 Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | Youtube | 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.

  --------  

  58:21

  --------

  58:21
• 293. Cooking from Scratch for Modern Life: Kitchen Rhythms, Real Ingredients & Homestead Tips | Melissa K. Norris

  After a health scare in her twenties, Melissa K. Norris returned to her roots with traditional, from-scratch cooking—and never looked back. In this episode, she shares the simple swaps that make a big difference, her favorite freezer and batch-cooking tips, and why it’s easier than you think to build nourishing kitchen rhythms. We also chat about her updated cookbook Home and Handmade, a practical and inspiring guide for anyone wanting to cook with real ingredients and a whole lot of heart. Tune in for encouragement and doable ideas to make old-fashioned cooking work in your modern life! In this episode, we cover: Melissa’s health journey and how it led to a total shift toward from-scratch, whole-food cooking Why starting with the most frequently eaten foods makes the biggest impact on health and budget Common harmful ingredients to avoid and easy one-for-one swaps for better oils, sugars, and salts The myth that homemade food is hard—many convenience foods can be replaced in minutes Encouragement that old-fashioned kitchen skills are doable and worthwhile, no matter your lifestyle Batch cooking strategies for breakfast, dinner, and baked goods that reduce stress and food waste Using freezers effectively: pre-shaped doughs, cookie dough logs, veggie scrap bags, and bulk meats The power of simple routines, momentum, and planning just a day or two ahead– it doesn’t have to be all or nothing Melissa’s updated book Home and Handmade—a practical guide to whole food, herbal remedies, and homemade living View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. RESOURCES MENTIONED Home and Hand Made by Melissa K. Norris 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 Melissa K. Norris | Website | Podcast | 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.

  --------  

  1:00:49

  --------

  1:00:49
• 292. Pregnancy, Motherhood & Homebuilding: A Summer Life Update

  Building a house from scratch has been such an adventure—full of surprises, lessons, and all the little details that bring a space to life. I’m sharing where we are in the process, how we’re blending old and new to create a home with real character, and answering your questions about pregnancy, motherhood, and home birth. If you’re in the thick of family life or just love chatting all things home and babies, I think you’ll really enjoy this summer life update! In this episode, we cover: Framing progress on the build and why we’re showing up daily to avoid costly mistakes Lessons from past renovations where small contractor assumptions caused big regrets Mixing salvaged doors and painted porch floors to achieve an authentic “new old” house feel Where we’re sourcing vintage windows and antique doors—and what’s worth buying new Deciding to include a range hood for health reasons and adding a wood-fired cookstove for winter My experience getting pregnant while nursing and what our typical age gaps have looked like How I’ve learned to manage the baby stage more smoothly with a larger family and older helpers Encouragement for moms feeling maxed out with littles—why it won’t always feel this hard How we evaluate home birth safety, from ultrasound decisions to midwife experience Why some pregnancies feel harder than others, even when everything seems the same 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 Brent Hull 100 Year Window by Brent Hull Thornhill Range Cookers 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.

  --------  

  59:02

  --------

  59:02

More Leisure podcasts

Trending Leisure podcasts

About Simple Farmhouse Life