Simple Farmhouse Life

Latest Episodes:

228. Q&A with my sisters, Laura & Andrea: our family of entrepreneurs, self-care as busy moms, navigating overwhelm in homemaking, and more! Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

I asked who you all wanted to hear from on the podcast, and you answered with a resounding vote for my sisters! I am excited to sit down with Laura and Andrea and dive into the questions my community sent in. We chat about the similarities and differences between how we each approach things like homemaking, self-care, business, birth, and more. We answer common questions including why we have large families, how we make it through tough stages of pregnancy, and how we were raised. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!

In this episode, we cover:

How our upbringing set us all on an entrepreneurial path
What makes our family relationships strong into adulthood
Why do we have large families?
Our working theory on why we have so many sons in a row
Thoughts on raising girls and fostering sister relationships
Our favorite things about motherhood
Different ways we each approach self-care
Andrea’s birth story as a first-time mom
Why all three of us love the Bradley method for birth
How we make it through the difficult stages of pregnancy
In what ways do we run our households similarly or differently?
Do we compare ourselves to one another?
How we navigate overwhelm in homemaking

View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Toups and Co Organics | Use code FOB15 at ToupsandCo.com

Simple Sourdough | Visit bit.ly/farmhousesourdoughcourse to enroll today!

CONNECT

Laura of Our Oily House | YouTube | Website | Instagram

Andrea of Our Sweet Sunny Days | YouTube | Website | Instagram

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227. Raising Boys to Men | Durenda Wilson Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

As a mom of six sons, I have seen firsthand just how uniquely and wonderfully boys are wired. Moms of boys often struggle to understand their sons because they don’t think like we do. I am joined in this episode by Durenda, mother of five sons (eight children total), to discuss her new book all about raising strong and virtuous boys in today’s culture. We dive into some of the differences between raising and homeschooling sons vs. daughters. We reflect on the unique nature of boys and discuss specific strategies for shepherding their strengths and weaknesses as they grow. Moms of boys, we hope you will be blessed by this rich conversation!

In this episode, we cover:

What is so different about raising boys?
Why you shouldn’t worry if your son seems “behind” academically
The importance of letting boys take risks
Some benefits of schooling outside of the status quo
Why you can stop worrying about what others think of your kids
Expanding our thinking beyond the traditional school model
Ideas for setting up an optimal learning environment for our boys
Helping our kids develop their creative muscles
How to handle boys who are not self-motivated
Directing boys’ natural tendencies in a healthy direction
Thinking forward about the adults our children will become

View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Azure Standard | Use code SIMPLEFARMHOUSE10 at AzureStandard.com

Blogging Success Masterclass| Visit bit.ly/farmhousebloggingschool

ABOUT DURENDA

Durenda Wilson has been married to Darryl for thirty-four years. They have eight kids and ten grandkids and have been homeschooling for thirty years. She is a trusted voice and resource at homeschool conventions and on The Durenda Wilson Podcast.

RESOURCES

If you purchase Raising Boys to Men on March 5th or 6th, you will receive FREE access to The Unhurried Homeschooler Audiobook! Use this link and enter your order number from your receipt: https://www.durendawilson.com/redeem.

CONNECT

Durenda Wilson | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Podcast

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226. Can Anyone Be a Homesteader? Making Room for Homesteading in Your Busy Life | Beth Declercq of Intentional Homesteading Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

You want to start homesteading, but you can’t imagine how you will fit it into your full life. Do homesteaders do farm chores from sunup to sundown? Do you have to stay home full-time to start homesteading? The feelings of overwhelm can be paralyzing in the beginning, but Beth helps homesteaders from all walks of life create realistic goals for their homesteads so that they can start putting one foot in front of the other. In this conversation, we dive into the what, the why, and the how of Beth’s homesteading life in hopes that it will inspire you to get started wherever you are!

In this episode, we cover:

How do you “do it all” on the homestead with a large family?
Navigating a family rhythm that changes with the seasons
Thoughts on keeping dairy animals– processing milk, calf sharing, pros and cons
Best advice for getting started on a homestead when you have no background or skills in homesteading
How a desire for improved health led to a homesteading life
What motivates you to put in the hard work that a homesteading life requires?
Discerning when a homestead endeavor is not working and when it is time to move on
Adopting the appropriate mindset around the reality of farm animals vs. pets
Can you start a homestead if you can’t afford to buy heavy equipment and farm vehicles?
Prioritizing your commitments if you want to make room for homesteading in your 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

Free 5 Day Blog Challenge | Visit bit.ly/5dayblogchallenge

RESOURCES

Download Beth’s FREE Garden Success Formula: www.intentionalhomesteading.com/farmhouse

CONNECT

Beth Declercq of Intentional Homesteading | Website | Instagram | YouTube

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225. My daily routine, quality time in a large family, how I organize my business, and more Q&A! Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

I am excited to be answering more of your questions this year on the podcast! To start off this Q&A series, I’m tackling a random set of questions on everything from my daily routine to our future plans for the homestead to baby proofing my house to my thoughts on self-care. Join me as I dive into your most pressing questions about our homemaking, homesteading, homeschooling, entrepreneurial life.

In this episode, we cover:

Our approach to celebrating kids’ birthdays in a large family
Do I have a daily routine?
Why I am a content creator who does not prioritize Instagram
How I keep track of all my business ideas and stay organized
Meeting the needs of the littlest kids in a large family
My thoughts on my early years of motherhood vs. my current season
Why it is important for us to get out of the house to spend quality time as a family
Our future plans for the homestead– will we be at this property forever?
My most difficult transition in motherhood
My thoughts on baby proofing my home
How and why we use lard for frying in our kitchen

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!

Blogging Success Masterclass| Visit bit.ly/farmhousebloggingschool

CONNECT

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.

224. Are You Overwhelmed and Angry in Motherhood? | Natalie Hixson, Angry Mama Coach Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

Every mother knows that there are moments in motherhood that bring out the worst in us. We can feel overwhelmed and triggered, and these feelings may result in angry outbursts toward those we love most. If any of this resonates with you, this episode with Natalie (the Angry Mama Coach) is a must-listen. Natalie shares her history with anger in motherhood and coaches us on recognizing triggers, dealing with anger in a healthy way, shifting your mindset, and more. May this conversation be an encouragement to you no matter where you are in your motherhood journey.

In this episode, we cover:

Natalie’s story of overcoming destructive anger in her early years of motherhood
A simple acronym to help you pause when you feel anger rising
How do you know if your anger is destructive or normal?
Healthy ways to express anger
Recognizing your triggers and taking proactive steps to avoid overwhelm
How hormones play a role in our feelings of anger and overwhelm
Where to begin shifting your mindset if you find yourself not enjoying motherhood
Avoiding the comparison trap in your parenting
Not allowing even good things in life to steal your peace

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!

Free 5 Day Blog Challenge | Visit bit.ly/5dayblogchallenge

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Natalie is offering the Simple Farmhouse Life audience access to her Trigger Tracker as a first step to overcome destructive anger in order to be the fun, present and joyful wife and mom you want to be. The Trigger Tracker will help you identify your triggers, create awareness around them, and support you in changing your mindset around these triggers: www.nataliehixson.com/SimpleFarmhouseLife.

CONNECT

Natalie Hixson the Angry Mama Coach | Website | Instagram | Pinterest

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223. Decoding Food Labels and Making Informed Decisions | Tara Vander Dussen, the New Mexico Milkmaid Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

There are so many buzzwords and labels and opinions floating around when it comes to sourcing healthy food. If you want to have confidence in the food you are feeding your family, it is important to understand what terms like “grass-fed” and “free range” and “all natural” really mean. Join me for this fascinating conversation with Tara as she shares what she has learned from her years of experience in the dairy farming industry and how she navigates the complexities of our current food system.

In this episode, we cover:

Diving into the information overload available to us on the internet
An examination of the “organic” label and what it does and does not mean
Why the rBST labels on dairy products are misleading
How to know what terms are actually beneficial on food labels
A discussion on GMOs and hybrid crops
Why it is important to understand the truth behind the buzzwords
The simplicity of building your plate around animal protein
Decoding the dairy aisle
Finding the middle ground in the raw milk debate
The importance of making your own informed decision

View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Azure Standard | Use code SIMPLEFARMHOUSEWINTER10 at AzureStandard.com

Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com

ABOUT TARA

As a fifth-generation dairy farmer hailing from the beautiful state of New Mexico, Tara has built a successful career out of a love for the land and her roots in agriculture. As an environmental scientist, Tara has worked on agricultural projects throughout the southwest, and as a professional speaker, her influence extends far beyond the borders of her home state. She has been invited to speak at prestigious national and global conferences, showcasing her knowledge and insights on agriculture sustainability.

Tara is also the co-host of the popular podcast and tv series Discover Ag where she melds food and pop culture to create captivating conversations that dive into the intricacies of our food system in a fun, light-hearted way. A fast talker with a quick wit, Tara engages audiences with her vibrant energy and captivating storytelling.

RESOURCES

Discover Ag Podcast

CONNECT

Tara Vander Dussen | Website | Instagram | Facebook

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222. Failure, Success, and Lessons I’ve Learned on My Entrepreneurial Journey Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I am sitting down to respond to a listener’s question about my entrepreneurial journey. If you are familiar with my blog and YouTube channel Farmhouse on Boone, you may not know that it took me years of trying various business ideas before I was successful in my blogging business. Today, I am taking you through that journey with me. Whether you are toying with the idea of starting a business or ready to pivot your existing business, may this episode inspire you to try new things and learn as much as you can along the way!

In this episode, we cover:

How my entrepreneurial journey led us to the life we have now
Recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit throughout my family members
The skills I learned in my early years of motherhood that laid a foundation for my future endeavors
My venture into selling handmade and wholesale products and the lessons I learned
How I created Farmhouse on Boone and started to see growth
How we were able to replace my husband’s income with our blogging business
The business lessons I’ve learned that have helped us get to where we are now

View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

In my free Blogging Success Masterclass, I will teach you my 4-step framework for going full-time with blogging, how to avoid the most common mistakes new bloggers make that I learned the hard way, and how to make it all work with just a few hours a day. Visit bit.ly/farmhousebloggingschool to find out how you can earn a full-time income by sharing what you love!

In my free 5 Day Blog Challenge, I will share with you the framework I used to build my blogging business so that you can create one too. I teach you how to narrow down your niche, craft your brand, and come up with a content plan while also providing you with the checklists and planning sheets you need to make it all happen. Visit bit.ly/5dayblogchallenge to find out how you can earn a full-time income by sharing what you love!

CONNECT

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221. Answering Top Chicken Keeping Questions | Dalia of Welcome to Chickenlandia Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we are diving into the logistics of chicken keeping! We start by exploring the benefits of chicken keeping for kids– what it teaches them and the skills they will gain. Then we are diving into some of the most common chicken keeping questions: feed, egg production, flock management, and more. If you are just getting started in chicken keeping or need a refresher, join us for this discussion!

In this episode, we cover:

Dalia’s unexpected journey to becoming a chicken keeper
How your kids can benefit from learning to care for chickens
Thoughts on supplementing with artificial light in the winter
You can feed your chickens well without spending a lot of money
How fermentation can make your chicken feed stretch further
The best breeds to build your laying flock and where to source them
Keeping track of your growing flock year to year
How the deep litter method can benefit your flock and your garden

View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Submit your questions or guest/topic ideas for the podcast here: bit.ly/SFLquestions

Thank you to our sponsors!

Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com

Blogging Success Masterclass| Visit bit.ly/farmhousebloggingschool

ABOUT DALIA

You know her as The President of Chickenlandia, but her non-feathered friends call her Dalia. Some years ago, Dalia decided to bring home ten little chicks and start a hobby. That hobby quickly grew into a full-feathered passion that she couldn’t stop talking about. Before long, she was part-owner of a farm store, teaching beginner chicken-keeping classes, and delivering seminars across Northwest Washington. While the store has since closed, Dalia continues to help others start their chicken-keeping adventure while sharing peace, laughter, and inspiration.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

My Pet Chicken

Murray McMurray Hatchery

Flockstar App

Let’s All Keep Chickens! by Dalia Monterroso

Chickenlandia’s Backyard Chickens 101 Course

CONNECT

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220. Inspiration for the Homemaker: Creativity, Contentment, and Growth | Andrea of Pine and Prospect Home Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

I love sharing about what I am doing in my home as a homemaker – the meals I’m cooking, the decor I’m bringing in, the systems I’m maintaining – but this episode goes even deeper into homemaking. I am chatting with my friend and fellow blogger Andrea about the heart behind our homemaking pursuits. As wives and mothers who have been learning and loving homemaking for well over a decade, we want to encourage you to see the beauty and creativity and opportunities that are available to you as a homemaker. May this episode empower you to reject negative depictions of homemaking and to fully embrace the powerful calling of caring for your home and family.

In this episode, we cover:

Andrea’s journey into creating a home decor blog and where she is headed now
All about the incredible resource Andrea has created to mentor homemakers
Exploring the creativity available to us as homemakers
Keeping inspiration and beauty in your home during bleak winter months
The challenge of comparison and discontentment in our connected world
Acknowledging the uncomfortable truth about time management
Breaking out of overwhelm and growing your homemaking skills little by little

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 ANDREA

Andrea Francavilla married her high school sweetheart and moved back to her hometown where she purchased the home that she used to clean as a high school senior. Ten years and four boys later, Andrea and her husband Mike have worked hard to restore their 1930’s cottage on a very small budget. Andrea started her blog in 2017 to inspire and encourage others with the idea that any house can be a beautiful home, no matter the size or budget.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Andrea’s The Heart of Homemaking course

CONNECT

Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

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219. Prioritize Peace in Your Home: Build Your Decluttering Skills in the New Year | Robyn of Minimalist Home Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

We have talked quite a bit on this podcast about minimalism and living clutter-free. Even as someone who has been practicing the principles of minimalism for many years, I find that I have to constantly be aware of what is coming into our home so that it does not become overwhelming. Robyn and I chat in this episode about developing a decluttering habit in the new year. Rather than viewing decluttering as a giant one-time task we have to tackle, we should aim to make it part of our everyday mindset. We live in a time and place when it is easier than ever to acquire items, so we have to be intentional about minimizing in order to experience peace in our homes.

In this episode, we cover:

The surprising role your age may play in your relationship to clutter
Addressing the emotional component of decluttering sentimental items
What minimalism can look like in a kids’ room
Moving past the feeling of overwhelm to get started decluttering
Tips for making decluttering a part of your everyday habits
How storage spaces contribute to the problem of overwhelm
Dealing with guilt when decluttering
Addressing some of the common psychological obstacles around decluttering
Choosing to make our homes reflect our current season of life
Finding the right balance of minimalism for your personality and your needs
The one thing you can do today to start a decluttering habit

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 ROBYN

Robyn Buchanan is a mom, wife, nurse and youtube creator. She started her minimalism journey because she was overwhelmed coming home to a cluttered house after working in a chaotic emergency department.

Since decluttering, she not only uncovered her floors and surfaces, but also the deeper meanings behind our clutter, how clutter impacts our focus, why it’s so hard to declutter, and how life is freer without our stuff weighing us down.

Robyn lives on Vancouver Island in BC with her 3 teen boys and husband, 4 out of 5 of them have ADHD, including Robyn & her husband. She loves hiking, gardening and cooking along with Jane Austen, Monty Python and Harry Potter movies.

CONNECT

Robyn Buchanan of Minimalist Home | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Podcast

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