The Vernacular Life Podcast

EPISODE 59: Canning FAQs: An Introduction to Home Canning Dec 08, 2022

Are you thinking about getting into home canning? If you hang around the homesteading community a while, eventually you’ll hear about canning. And maybe you’ll want to start dabbling in what is, truly, my all-time favorite hobby! Putting up stores of shelf stable food is seriously one of the most peaceful and satisfying things I do for my family. And I’d love to answer some of your most commonly asked questions about canning!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The difference between water bath and pressure canning (and why you shouldn’t be scared of the pressure canner!)

A primer on jars and rings and lids and pints and quarts (and all jars big and small!)

What kinds of foods are great for canning, especially if you’re just starting out

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/59.

EPISODE 58: For the Love of Freestanding Kitchens Nov 01, 2022

Are unfitted kitchens making a comeback? We’re certainly seeing more freestanding elements than we have in the last few years! My kitchen is mostly unfitted, and I am never not loving the freedom and flexibility that it offers. Thinking about a kitchen redesign? Maybe this episode will help you plan!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What a freestanding kitchen is and how they differ from fitted kitchens

The pros and cons of having an unfitted kitchen design

How to think about designing a functional kitchen around its key functions (whether it’s freestanding or not!)

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/58.

EPISODE 57: Old Appliances: Yay or Nay? Oct 18, 2022

Should you get a vintage appliance? You’ll be hard pressed to find a vintage dishwasher, but everything else, from stoves to fridges, you can most likely find secondhand. I like my old appliances, but they are certainly not for the faint of heart! Grab your tools and bring your best troubleshooting, because finding a good vintage appliance is always an adventure!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

A brief history of my vintage stove collection

Why finding old appliances may mean compromising on aesthetics or functionality (but hopefully not both!)

Why Brandon is putting his foot down about our fridge

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/57.

EPISODE 56: Tiny Kitchens: A Love Story Oct 05, 2022

If you are like Paige and Sierra, you’re a lover of small kitchens. But not everyone is so convinced that tiny kitchens are where it’s at! So we’re talking about all the efficiency-related reasons why we are absolutely obsessed with modest-sized kitchens.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Paige’s countertop analysis literally changed Sierra’s life (and it will change yours too!)

All the principles of efficiency that make small kitchens more productive

Why having less space makes you smarter about what you have, so you’re not drowning in inventory

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/56.

EPISODE 55: How to Mistake-Proof Your House (Poka Yoke for Non-Engineers) Sep 20, 2022

Paige is always talking about engineering terms that she has brought into her own home. But if jargon makes your skin crawl, Sierra is here to be your normal-person interpreter! Today, we’re demystifying the phrase “poka yoke,” or the practice of eliminating mistakes so they are virtually impossible to make. How do you do it? Let’s dive in!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How looking to eliminate mistakes makes your household habits more intuitive for the family

Why solutions don’t have to be expensive or fancy (or even normal!), as long as they work

How Sierra implemented visual systems around her house to poka yoke her chores

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/55.

EPISODE 54: Why You Should At Least Try Making Long Lists Sep 06, 2022

Does the idea of a super long to-do list give you the creeps? If having a 4-foot-long list of things to do makes you feel stressed and anxious, this podcast is for you. Sierra, our guest host, shares a true (and very embarrassing!) story about what happens when you don’t make your to-do list long enough. Will this episode convince you to make a long list? Maybe not. But hopefully you can laugh along anyway!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why you shouldn’t let things sit on your to-do list for half a decade

The breakthrough that finally got the dreaded task accomplished

How you can rework your to-do list to make it less dreadful and more doable

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/54.

EPISODE 53: How Homesteading Makes You Think Differently About Time Aug 23, 2022

For those of us who are full-time homesteaders, planning for the future is probably second nature. But for many of us who are just getting started, realizing the longer time horizon that comes with homesteading can seem overwhelming! Sierra, our temporary guest host, is here to demystify how homesteading changes the way you think and plan for the future (by thinking smaller).

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why you don’t have to have chickens to call yourself a homesteader

Which children’s picture book epitomizes the spirit of a homesteading mindset

How to think both bigger (and smaller) about the passage of time

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/53.

EPISODE 52: Why Systems? A Non-Engineer Talks Efficiency Aug 09, 2022

A non-engineer talks efficiency? Yes! Sierra (AKA the unofficial Paige superfan) is here to pontificate on why systems are so important. We all love Paige and her systems engineering brain. But sometimes it helps to hear a different perspective to help understand why having processes is so important to making your life run more smoothly.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why it’s so important to get off the bike you’re pedaling so hard (and get in the car to get there faster!)

How smart systems allow you to scale up the difficulty of life without having to carry more mental burden

How a systematic approach to daily tasks can improve your mental health, too

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/52.

EPISODE 51: 5 Pillars of a Hardworking Home Jul 26, 2022

I bristle a little at the idea that I’m a homemaker. Certainly, I aim to make this home as cozy and full of life and fun as possible. But “homemaker” doesn’t have the umph I think of when I imagine the house I want to live in. For me, houses should work hard to support the people that live in them. So let’s talk about how to make your house work hard for you!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How efficiency means matching the energy of the day to the effort of the task

The 5 pillars that hold up a hardworking home that will help your house do what you need it to do, day in and day out

Why a beautiful home is definitely part of making your house feel like a home

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/51.

EPISODE 50: Homesteading in the City Jul 12, 2022

What have we here, a guest host? Why yes! It’s my lovely business manager, Sierra, a veritable suburban homesteader, here to talk about how it is possible to start building homestead skills (even if you live in town!). She’s a bonafide townie and she’s got neighbors, but that didn’t stop this woman from getting goats, chickens, and even a pet sourdough starter. If your farming dreams are dying on the vine because of your urban location, fear not: let Sierra be your guide to city-friendly homesteading!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why homesteading is a smart practice, even if you’re not in the country (and all the ways that city life can actually be great for homesteading!)

How to get started homesteading if space is a consideration

Why getting goats and canning jam are surefire ways to make friends with your neighbors, if that’s what you’re into

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/50.

EPISODE 49: Meet Team Farmhouse Vernacular! Jul 05, 2022

By no means do I do everything around the Farmhouse Vernacular business by myself. In fact, I have two incredible team members who keep all the wheels turning around here. And in this episode, I get to introduce you to these two wonderful women.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Sierra and Ashley each joined the team and what they do for the business

All the homesteading activities that our team do around their own farmhouses (including livestock in the suburbs!)

Our favorite Farmhouse Vernacular content, our dreams outside of work, and what we irrationally love about our homes (plus, what super powers we wish we had!)

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/49.

EPISODE 48: Eras of Antiques: Learning to Identify Old Things Jun 28, 2022

At least once or twice a week, I get an email from a follower with a picture of an antique piece asking me for help in dating the piece. Now, I’m no antique expert, but let me tell you, I’ve definitely developed an eye for eras and styles! If you like antiques and want to find similar pieces from the same era, I’m excited to share some of my resources to help you train your eye, too.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why dating styles can be tough when styles change gradually (but somehow also quickly!)

How Empire is one of my favorite eras for antiques, but I have next to no pieces in this style

About my oldest antique that I own – it’s over 200 years old!

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/48.

EPISODE 47: Things I’d Rather Buy New Jun 21, 2022

You know me. I LOVE old stuff, and I especially love second-hand things! I love saving money and it’s great to salvage and restore pieces that might have otherwise to a yard sale (or worse, the landfill!). But there are actually a few things that I’d rather buy new.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Which things I’ll always try to buy used (and how to make modern things fit in with older pieces)

Why salvaged tile is too hard to come by (and replica tile is too darn expensive)

My love/hate relationship with old plumbing. (Old sinks are gorgeous but the fittings are not!)

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/47.

EPISODE 46: What I’ve Learned After 10 Years on the Internet Jun 14, 2022

You see, it all started when I was about 13… If you know what fan fiction is, you probably already know where this story is headed. So let’s retreat into the deep memories of the internet to see where we started and how we got to the Farmhouse Vernacular you know and love today.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

The disappointingly unfinished Draco-Hermione fan fic of yesteryear that started everything

My first ever YouTube video (it’s NOT related to home renovation. Like at all!)

Why what you see on social media may not be the whole story. In fact, it isn’t. Guaranteed.

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/46.

EPISODE 45: Cooking in the Country Jun 07, 2022

How do you get along without Door Dash and food delivery? When you live out of town, popping out to a restaurant, swinging by the grocery store on the way home, or calling for a pizza is not really an option. But it’s not all slaving away over a hot stove to feed yourself and your family, even here in the country!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

My pizza-based metric for determining how “in the country” you are

How we simply food creation to make eating easier

Why a trip into town is such a delicious treat!

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/45.

EPISODE 44: Chickens 101 May 31, 2022

I used to think that people who had chickens were REAL farmers. Like whoa, you must have made it as a homesteader if you can keep your own chickens! Now that I’ve had a hen house of my own, I’ve realized how much easier it was to raise a brood than I thought. If you’ve ever dreamed of collecting a little clutch of farm fresh eggs every morning, then this episode will help you demystify the ins-and-outs of keeping chickens!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The difference between a straight run and pullets (ooh, technical bird words!)

What food and equipment you really need to protect and raise healthy birds

The sometimes hard truth about loss in your flock

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/44.

EPISODE 43: Basic Color Theory May 24, 2022

There are so many colors in the world, but how to make them play nicely together? Oh, just a little color theory to tame those tints, tones, and hues to create a stunning display in any space in your home!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why monochromatic doesn’t have to mean all white

How to walk your way through the color wheel so you can spin that baby and mix up some gorgeous color combos

All the wonderful ways you can combine colors for a stunning final effect

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/43.

EPISODE 42: My Beloved Wood Floors May 17, 2022

I love my floors. Like love love them. They are original to the house, and though Douglas Fir is by no means considered a high-quality material, I would never DREAM of getting rid of them. We put a lot of labor into saving and restoring them and I am over the moon with the results. So let’s talk about my floors!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why I’ll never have an orange room in this house

How we painstakingly remove nails from this floor thanks to our Beastly Nail Puller

The solution we found for protecting this soft wood against scratches and dings

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/42.

EPISODE 41: Antique Lighting: A Love Story May 10, 2022

I love vintage lighting. I’m willing to rehab them, and oh lawdy me, I do love hunting to find them. There’s just something about an old fashioned fixture that casts the perfect glow over a room. You know what I mean? There are a few things to look for when you’re searching for antique lighting to bring into your home. This episode will help you find, restore, and enjoy beautiful lamps, chandeliers, and sconces in your home!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Where I have a few (just a few!) modern light fixtures

The amazing story of how I found my matching chandeliers

The best places to look for gorgeous antique lighting fixtures to bring the drama and some shine to your home

Plus, learn more about the Productive Problem Solvers and sign up for the workshop! Go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/PPSLIVE

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/41.

EPISODE 40: Why Unfitted Kitchens are Better Every Day, and Especially on Sundays May 05, 2022

We are combining two of my absolute favorite things in this episode. Let’s talk about kitchen efficiency in an unfitted kitchen! I chose to install very little cabinetry and counter space in my kitchen, and you might think that would make it harder to use. Au contraire! My kitchen is efficient for every kind of activity I perform, from a regular meal to a huge holiday meal.

This episode is brought to you by Ana Luisa. Go to shop.analuisa.com/vernacular to buy one, get one 40% off!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What an unfitted kitchen actually is and why I chose to put one in my house

How you can use efficiency principles to make using your kitchen tremendously easier

What Kaizen is and how you can bring a kaizen mindset into your kitchen (and your whole life!)

Plus, learn more about the Productive Problem Solvers and sign up for the workshop! Go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/PPSLIVE

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/40.

EPISODE 39: A Crash Course in Baking Apr 26, 2022

I think I say “tasty treats” about twelve thousand times in this podcast, but you’ll just have to cut me some slack because I was talking about baking and I just couldn’t help myself! The best part of baking is eating what you made. So even if you don’t think of yourself as a baker, I hope to perhaps inspire you to get out the mixing bowls and trying whipping something up. In this episode, you’ll hear:

A brief history of Paige’s love affair with baked goods

Why getting started can be super easy with just a few tools and ingredients

How to get my favorite starter recipes

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/39.

EPISODE 38: Getting Started with Sewing Apr 19, 2022

If you tuned in when I was focused on thrifting, renovating, canning, or any of my other homestead hobbies, you might not realize that my first foray into the world of do-it-yourself started at the sewing machine. Like so many others, I sat down and put the pedal to the metal and pumped out everything from brasieres to duffle bags, even my own wedding dress! So let’s talk about sewing, shall we?

This episode is brought to you by Ana Luisa. Go to shop.analuisa.com/vernacular to buy one, get one 40% off!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why your first project does not have to be a “beginner” project

How to find the perfect vintage workhorse sewing machine that I promise you’ll love forever (and I MEAN forever!)

How to read your pattern, pick your fabrics, and find your notions for a successful sewing project

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/38.

EPISODE 37: Efficiency 101 Apr 12, 2022

Efficiency is not just the subject of my engineering degrees and early career. It’s truly a passion for me! And I love it because the more efficient I become, the lazier I can be… Because who said that your reward for doing all your tasks for the day should be MORE tasks?!? Let’s take a little crash course in efficiency so you can change your life, too!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why you should focus on the process, not the person, when problem solving
Why a clear externalized expectation will save you hours of arguing with yourself, your spouse, your kids, or anyone else who is trying to help you
How the 5 Whys will help you analyze what you’re REALLY struggling with in your day-to-day processes

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/37.

EPISODE 36: Q&A Time! Apr 05, 2022

Today, I’m answering a dozen postcards worth of questions about my house, my homestead, and whether I plan to milk my cows. I know you want to know!

This episode is brought to you by Ana Luisa. Go to shop.analuisa.com/vernacular to buy one, get one 40% off!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Which homesteading skill I am still struggling to learn
Whether the house gets the final say on how he’s decorated (and how I know he’s a he!)
Why chasing trendy design isn’t a bad thing if it’s what makes your heart and home sing!

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/36.

EPISODE 35: Would we Do It Again? A Look Back at our Renovation Mar 29, 2022

If you asked me if I felt like spending every evening and most weekends removing spray foam insulation, repairing water damage, and basically tearing a house down to the studs and building it back up for 4 straight years… I’m not sure I would have said yes! But for my soulmate house? As Meatloaf says, I would do anything for love.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How we’ve made it through 4 continuous years of renovation
What it’s really like to finally put the time and love into a house that has missed it so badly for so long
Why answering the question “would you do it all again?” is complicated!

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/35.

EPISODE 34: Living in the Country: How Much Work is it Really? Mar 22, 2022

Since we moved onto our 40 acres, people have asked me many times, “How much work does it actually take to maintain that amount of property?” Now, I’m a country mouse through and through, so I’ll be taking my wild open spaces under most conditions, please. But that doesn’t mean we’re working ourselves to the bone to keep up our land!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why the property you want and the time you have to maintain it may NOT match up in reality
The cold, hard, self-sufficient truth about being in the backwoods
How much time it REALLY does take for us to maintain our property (and all the people, plants, and animals on it)

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/34.

EPISODE 33: 7 Differences Between Old Houses and Modern Homes Mar 15, 2022

I love old houses, as you know. And living in an old house is very different from living in a newer one. It’s more than just the layout and architecture that separate the historic from the modern. Old houses are different right down to the studs. So what makes and old house feel so special? I’ll tell you! In this episode, you’ll hear:

The 7 things that distinguish an old home from a new build

All the things about windows, because I do love me some old windows!

How to tell when a new house is TRYING to be old

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/33.

EPISODE 32: Renovating With Your Spouse: How to Make It Work Mar 01, 2022

Over the last 4 years, my husband and I have continuously renovated our house. All by ourselves. Usually after work. And pretty much Every. Single. Day. So how have we both survived this long? Well… It’s been a challenge, but we’ve managed it!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How we learned our distribution of tasks to minimize fights and maximize matrimonial harmony

Why we choose our battles VERY CAREFULLY (but we definitely have battles)

Which tasks we each HATE HATE HATE and how we help each other make it suck a little less

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/32.

EPISODE 31: Three Simple Design Principles for Dramatic Rooms Feb 22, 2022

I’ll assume that you probably like a decent amount of drama in your home (if not, you at least appreciate the drama in MY house!). There are three simple secrets to designing dramatic rooms that don’t just make your head spin. It’s an art, but you can learn it!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How visual weight impacts the dynamic of your interior decorating

Why a solid print fabric is not busy ENOUGH in my house (but it might be PERFECT for your house)

What it means to have balance (and how it’s not the same thing as symmetry)

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/31.

EPISODE 30: What to Do When Your Style Changes Feb 15, 2022

If you can believe it, there once was a time when I thought I was into mid century modern. Yes, me. Miss Drama. Miss Densely Packed Fancy. (Though even when I was in my MOD phase, I still loved color and Gothic details…) So you won’t be surprised when I say that I’ve tried on many style hats over the years!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why a change in your style doesn’t require a complete overhaul immediately

How thrifting has helped me experiment with styles without breaking the bank

My favorite way to identify your “style” if you aren’t sure what yours is

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/30.

EPISODE 29: Wall Coverings in Old Houses Feb 08, 2022

What’s in a wall? Well, in my old house, I’m far more interested in what goes ON the wall. We took our house down to the studs, and removed mountains of old lath and plaster. We opted for drywall, but there are plenty of other materials that could make up the walls in an older house. So let’s talk about walls!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The many things besides drywall that can make a finished wall

Why I was wrong about where shiplap is allowed to be (even in an old historic house!)

About all the wallpapers I can’t afford but love to look at wistfully

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/29.

EPISODE 28: Perks of Living in an Old House Feb 01, 2022

I’ve talked about the challenges of old house living. But there are some serious perks to having an older home! You’re certainly never bored. There’s always something to fix, build, refinish, refurbish, reupholster or decorate. And with defined rooms, you can also live in a crayon box (if that’s what you’re into!).

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why closed concept creates quieter spaces (and the party flow is fine, if you’re also an introvert like me)

How lots of corners make moments for CHAIRS

Why light and lamps are better in an old room in an old house

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/28.

EPISODE 27: What the Heck is Engineering? Jan 25, 2022

Once upon a time, I went to school for engineering. I even worked as a manufacturing engineer after college and for a time while I was starting Farmhouse Vernacular! So, what, exactly, is an engineer? What do they do, and why does engineering matter? I’m answering that (and more!) in this episode!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How I chose engineering as a major, despite my other interests

Why I was always the odd woman out when it came to the engineering crowd

The lasting impact that thinking like an engineer has had on me, my business, and my household

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/27.

EPISODE 26: Our Room Renovation Process Jan 18, 2022

After nearly 4 straight years of renovation, we’ve got our system down pretty well. In fact, these days, when we walk into yet another room to tear down and build back up it’s almost a bit, boring? Well, at the very least, there are very few surprises left at this stage in the reno! But if you’ve ever wondered how we actually get all the work done, this episode is for you!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The order of events that we follow to make sure things are done right and done in the right order

Why we didn’t tear it all down at one time (and I’m SO glad we didn’t)

How we prioritized the different rooms within the house to make living in a demo zone actually liveable

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/26.

EPISODE 25: More Renovation Mistakes! Jan 11, 2022

Once you start thinking about mistakes, you start seeing them everywhere. Now, I love this house and we have never made any catastrophic mistakes in our renovation… But there are definitely more things I could add to the list of “don’t do it like THAT again!”

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why I would shriek like a vampire in the daylight whenever we flipped the wrong light switch (which was every freaking time til we fixed it)

How we almost lost our minds trying to put up trim in one piece (and why we will NEVER try to do that again!)

The thankless attempt to keep the floors warmer and how much it sadly failed

And so much more!

For show notes and more info, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/25.

EPISODE 24: What Can We Learn from Historic Architecture? Jay Osborne Interview Part 2 Dec 21, 2021

This week, we’re welcoming back Jay Osborne from FreeFarmhouse.com to share even more of his wealth of knowledge about historic architecture! One episode could not contain the old house love, and I hope you’ll enjoy this convo part two as much as I did.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How a “modern farmhouse” can simultaneously fail to be either modern OR a proper farmhouse

What traditional architecture can teach us about a slower pace of life

Why designing small spaces makes every design decision work overtime

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/24.

EPISODE 23: Free Farmhouse Plans: Interview with Jay Osborne Dec 14, 2021

I am honored to introduce our first guest to the podcast! Please join me in welcoming Jay Osborne -- an artist who designs buildings and a fellow old house lover -- to the show. Jay is the creator of Free Farmhouse, free architectural plans and open-source CAD files to help modern people build new homes like they used to do way back when.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Jay’s career in California and world travels (plus an abandoned old house in Virginia) inspired his design

Why Brandon and I POURED over the incredible plans he sent me

What makes an American farmhouse so unbelievably special

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/23.

EPISODE 22: Renovation Time Management: How to Get the Projects Done Dec 07, 2021

We’ve been working on our turn-of-the-century farmhouse for the better part of 4 years and done all the work ourselves. Even when we were both working outside the house 9-to-5, we were still doing demo and renovation projects at night and on weekends. Neither of us had ever done something on this scale before! But we got it done. Here’s how!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How we invented 30 Minutes of House for days when we just couldn’t

Why long and specific lists shouldn’t intimidate you

Why planning day and execution day are never on the SAME day

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/22.

EPISODE 21: On Being a Jack-Of-All-Trades: How to Learn New Hobbies Nov 30, 2021

I have this compulsion to share what I learn almost as soon as I learn it. Which leaves a lot of people with the impression that I can do everything! Alas, I cannot. But I have one very important ability: I am willing to try new things. It’s a painful, tricky, and ultimately very rewarding process! And I hope to encourage and inspire you to take up a new hobby, too.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why I rarely begin with a “beginner” project

How I break down a new hobby into component parts (to make it actually do-able!)

The truth about what happens when you research TOO much

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/21.

EPISODE 20: Antique Dishes and Setting Fabulous Tables Nov 23, 2021

There is an art to setting a beautiful table. And while you may own gorgeous dishes, you also may feel nervous about “breaking them out,” even for a holiday meal! Not my family. We find a way to make an occasion out of every day, and I’m here to help you build a glittering and fabulous table out of the things you love most. Just in time for the holidays!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What kinds of antique dishes are available (and where to go to complete your beloved set!)

How to arrange a table featuring your favorite pieces

Why “I felt like it” is all the reason you need to set a to-die-for table!

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/20.

EPISODE 19: Identifying Antiques: Know Your Time Periods Nov 16, 2021

How old is that dresser? Or that old chair? Or that to-die-for-table? Well, with a bit of research and a lot of experience, you can know for sure! Some antiques are a dime a dozen, while others are nearly impossible to find. I’ll help you sort out the valuables from the chaff so you can find the perfect additions to your home!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why dating your favorite pieces might be harder than you’d hoped (but finding the style might be easier!)

How to sort the originals from the revivals from the dreaded reproductions

Why that heart-stopping chair you just found may not be as vintage (or as rare) as it felt when you found it

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/19 to learn more.

EPISODE 18: How to Listen to the House Nov 09, 2021

I have spoken many times about the relationship I have with my house. My house talks to me, and I listen. If you have ever felt like your house “preferred” the chair to be here or there, or if your house “wanted” the walls to be blue, you know exactly what I’m talking about! But if your house hasn’t expressed an opinion, I’m here to help you tune into the vibes your house is sending you.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How the history of the house and architecture influence my research

What happens when a historical house meets modern needs, like electricity and indoor plumbing

Why there’s no replacement for your gut instinct

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/18 to learn more.

EPISODE 17: Getting Started with Food Preservation Nov 02, 2021

There’s nothing quite like a pantry full of bright and colorful foods in glistening glass jars to make an old-fashioned heart swoon! I fell in love with canning in 2020 for very personal reasons, but the habit has stuck because it’s such a valuable life skill. Never preserved food before? Then this episode is for you!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

A quick run-down of all the kinds of food preservation that you can do, from dehydration to canning

Why food security is so much more than just prepping for the end of times

How I got started canning in the dead of winter, and you can too!

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/17 to learn more.

EPISODE 16: Halloween Episode: Spooky Things in the House Oct 26, 2021

Attention: this episode is not for the faint of heart! If you aren’t into spooky specters, ghost sightings, or spirited old homes, go ahead and hit skip. ‘Cause it’s Halloween and it’s about to get creepy up in here!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The often sad (but true!) history of my house across the last 30 owners

Why I’m so confident that this house has a spirit (and that I’m in direct communication with it)

The pearly specters and poltergeist-like occurrences that have happened around our old home

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/16 to learn more.

EPISODE 15: Form or Function? Making Beautiful but Practical Spaces Oct 19, 2021

How do you make a space both beautiful and practical? There are plenty of efficient spaces that are, ahem, ugly. And I shall not be living in such a space. And yet, my highly aesthetic, veeeery pretty, dramatic, and Densely Packed Fancy house is also jam packed with efficiencies and practicalities.

So, how do you make a room wonderful and workable? That’s what I’ll share with you today!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How to find your style aesthetic using the Favorite Things Challenge

Why you should solve functional problems around your house with simple fixes first (before dropping tons of money on “solutions!”)

When to upgrade the aesthetics without having to sacrifice the functionality

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/15 to learn more.

EPISODE 14: First Time Chickens: How to Get Started Oct 12, 2021

There’s just something about living on a farm that makes you say to yourself, “Should I have chickens?” And, if you’re me, you say to yourself, “yes.” Yes, I should have chickens. And once you’ve got one, you might as well have a dozen! What I learned is that it’s not as hard to keep chickens as you might think. So if you’re considering getting a brood of your own, you’ll find this episode very helpful!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The difference between meat chickens and laying hens

What color eggs you’ll get when you start raising your own chickens

How to protect and feed your flock for happy layers

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/14 to learn more.

EPISODE 13: Winter in an Old House: How to Stay Warm Oct 05, 2021

As the seasons begin to change here at the farmhouse, I am finally donning sweaters again. Which means that winter, too, is on its way. If you’ve lived your whole life in newer-built houses, you may not be familiar with the positively Victorian lengths we old house owners will go to in order to stay warm in our own homes. Fingerless gloves anyone?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

My top 10 tips for keeping warm in an older house

Why insulation is something I will always splurge on

The tragic (and frigid) tale of Paige, who hastily removed nasty carpet to let in the actual ice goblins all winter

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/13 to learn more.

EPISODE 12: Farmhouse Q&A: Answering Your Questions Sep 28, 2021

My wifi is down, so to my Instagram messages I go for a little Q&A! You asked and I’m answering your burning questions about our home renovation, me as a kid, paint colors, and family planning. Oh yes, I’m going there!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Which renovation projects I’m most looking forward to doing next

How we have avoided divorce while rebuilding a house together for the last 3 years

Why I can’t remember which room I loved finishing the most (spoiler, because I love them all equally!)

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/12 to learn more.

EPISODE 11: Moving to the Country: How Life is Different Sep 21, 2021

Life in the country is… different. It’s wonderful, it’s amazing, I would never trade it for anything in the world. But if you’re used to living in the city or the suburbs? IT’S AN ADJUSTMENT. If you’ve never seen a car disintegrating into the ground in front of every house on your rural lane, you might start to question what’s happening out here with us country folk! But for those of us who love it, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The different kinds of “country” life, from the sub-rural to the remote

Why it does cost more to live the country (but not in the way you might expect)

How a rural life can be more alone but not lonely

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/11 to learn more.

EPISODE 10: Things I Would Do Differently in Renovation Sep 14, 2021

Brandon and I have renovated every bit of this house ourselves, which means we got to do it all the way WE wanted to. So you would think that everything is done exactly the way we wanted it. Right? Well, not exactly. There are still some, let’s say, mistakes that I wish we had done differently in this house.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

My soapbox advocacy for saving old windows if you have them

Why half an inch is all it takes to have tedious door-related drama

How the third time’s the charm with trim materials in this house

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/10 to learn more.

EPISODE 9: Top 10 Thrifting Tips Sep 07, 2021

It’s no secret that I LOVE thrifting. The thrill of the hunt… The delight of finding the perfect piece… And of course, adding to the Densely Packed Fancy! Some people buy a coffee every day, I go thrifting. It is my vice of choice. If you are addicted to the thrift store, the antique mall, or your local online marketplace, then you’re in the right place!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

My ten best tips for finding fantastic treasures (even if you don’t have a lot of thrift options near you)

Why thrifting karma is real and you should never anger the thrifting gods

How to listen to the stuff that makes your heart sing so you can find MORE of that stuff

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/9 to learn more.

EPISODE 8: Renovation Budgeting: How to Pay for Renovations Aug 31, 2021

Yes, but how do you afford to keep renovating? Ah, friend, excellent question. The answer is SUPER sexy and SUPER unexpected, so brace yourself. The answer is budgeting. If you are a DIY renovator (or even if you use a contractor), you’ll need a plan to pay for your projects. So today I’m sharing how we have cash flowed our entire renovation of our 1906 farmhouse!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How we make room in our monthly budget for renovations

Why we don’t actually spend every dollar in the monthly budget on projects

How to effectively estimate costs so you’re not surprised along the way

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/8 to learn more.

EPISODE 7: Efficiency in the Home: An Engineering Perspective Aug 24, 2021

Today, we’re talking about one of my favorite topics: efficiency. As a former process engineer, it’s not just that I like thinking about efficiency; after nearly a decade looking for ways to build more efficiency into systems, I literally can’t see the world through any other lens. And my home is no different! So now I’m helping you put on your engineering goggles so you can think a bit more efficiently about how to live and work (and clean!) in your home.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How to build more efficient systems in your home, even if you’re a one-man band

Why efficient systems are like Rome: they weren’t built in a day!

5 important principles of efficiency that will change the way you look at the tasks you do everyday

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/7 to learn more.

EPISODE 6: All the Colors in our Farmhouse! Aug 17, 2021

I live in a crayon box AND I LOVE IT! If you’re a lover of highly dramatic colors and a cavalier disrespect for the traditional rules of house paint, you have come to the right place. I’m sharing the story of every color in my home and how it got there all around the first floor of our house.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why I love white trim so dang much

How I can bring the drama in every room without making you feel queasy

Who is REALLY choosing the final colors for each room (it’s not me!)

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/6 to learn more.

EPISODE 5: Why don't they make things like they used to? Aug 10, 2021

Take a crash course in manufacturing with me as we discover why they don’t make things the way that they used to. I love my turn-of-the-century furniture -- not just because it fits with my turn-of-the-century house! -- but also because it was definitely a GOLDEN age. The peak of high quality production with mass manufacture. But alas, the golden age was bound to end...

In this episode, you’ll hear:

My quick and dirty rendition of the history of manufacturing

Why planned obsolescence is harder to achieve than you think

How you can help stop the madness of crappy manufacturing

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/5!

EPISODE 4: How to Buy a Farmhouse Aug 03, 2021

Finding a house that speaks to your soul with all its might is NOT as easy as it sounds!

This week on the podcast, I’m sharing the long and sordid tale of how my husband and I came to be the keepers of our Vernacular Farmhouse. When I say that my house and I are soulmates, I mean it. And I also mean that finding Mr. Right House was not at all straightforward.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why finding our forever house seemed to take FOREVER, so don’t lose hope if you’re hunting

How a basic builder-grade house felt like 3 steps backward (but was actually our path to perfection!)

Why you should ALWAYS have a final walkthrough before you close on your house

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/4 to learn more.

EPISODE 3: How Old is Your House? Jul 27, 2021

So you bought an old house. A REALLY old house. But you’re not totally sure how old it actually is.

I’ve been there! When we bought our house, we were told it was built in 1912. But my heart said, uh-uh, this is a Folk Victorian and I think it was built in 1905 or ‘06. How do I know? In this episode, I’ll tell you!

You’ll learn:

How NOT to barter canned goods for old house information

Why your local records office is a possible treasure trove of information (and dusty cards)

What I’ve learned about my house’s builder and his family

And so much more!

For all my tips on tracking down your old house history, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/3 to learn more.

EPISODE 2: The Vernacular Menagerie Jul 20, 2021

The theme of this episode is: “Paige is a sucker.” I’m a sucker for animals. I never meant to be this way, but here I am. Surrounded by 27 chickens, 2 pigs, 2 cows, 3 dogs, 3 cats, and loving every minute of it. Welcome to the farm!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The origin story of each precious creature in our herd (from our first pets to our latest homestead additions!)

Why chicken math means 3 chickens = 30 chickens AND IT’S FINE

How I (successfully?) wrangled two 70-pound pigs by myself on an impulse buy while Brandon was out of town

And so much more!

For all the cute animal pics, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/2 for a peek at the menagerie!

EPISODE 1: Historic Kitchen Counters Jul 12, 2021

Are you renovating a historic kitchen? Whether you’re restoring a space to its original state, updating an existing kitchen, or tearing it down to the studs and starting from scratch, keeping that historic feel can be tricky! One area that we found makes a huge difference in maintaining the spirit of an old kitchen is the countertops.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why historic kitchens have a lot less counter space than a modern kitchen
How the thickness and material of your countertop can make or break the vibe of your kitchen
What we did for our kitchen and pantry countertops (and why they feel so much more authentic than the mudroom!)

And so much more!

Find the show notes at https://farmhousevernacular.com/1/.

For more on creating historic countertops in your historic home, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/Podcast to learn more.

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