Simple Farmhouse Life

Latest Episodes:

188. You Can Become a Stay-at-Home Homesteading Mama | Katie of Lost Oak Sheep Farm Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

I hear from countless women who have a dream of starting a homestead and making it their full-time lifestyle. Katie of Lost Oak Sheep Farm had the same dream, and she put her nose to the grindstone to make it a reality. In our conversation, we talk through what it looked like for Katie to leave her full-time career as a teacher and begin her life as a stay-at-home homesteading mama raising sheep with a baby strapped to her back. Whether the homesteading lifestyle seems like a far-off dream or it is your current reality, I know this chat with Katie will inspire you with what is possible!

In this episode, we cover:

Why Katie decided to go full-time in raising sheep on her farm
How Katie’s efforts to save her household money turned into homesteading
The reality of what it looks like to go from two full-time incomes down to one
How to make money raising sheep
Navigating work on a homestead with young kids in tow
Adjusting to a new definition of productivity as a stay-at-home mom
How to start a homesteading journey if you don’t have a lot of land
Embracing the learning curve of homesteading skills
Using the skills from your education or career to serve you in your role at home
Addressing the financial concerns around transitioning from a career to home
Adapting to each new season and challenge life brings
How many acres do you need to raise sheep?

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Azure Standard | Use code SIMPLESUMMER10 at AzureStandard.com

Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com

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

Please see full show notes for more details on these offers.

ABOUT KATIE

Katie is a homesteading wife, mama, and shepherdess who spends her days raising lambs, growing cut flowers, working on farm projects, preserving garden food, and trying to glorify the Lord through it all. Tapping into those skills of self sufficiency allowed her to step away from her career and into the role of a stay-at-home farm mom. As a former teacher, she now hopes to teach and encourage others to pursue the simple life.

CONNECT

Katie Carrico of Lost Oak Sheep Farm | Website | Instagram | Facebook

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187. Keep Your Produce Fresh for Weeks! And Other Money-Saving Grocery Hacks | Amy of The Cross Legacy Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

If you have seen the viral strawberries in a jar hack, then you know who Amy is! A couple of years ago, Amy shared her best tip for keeping berries fresh in the fridge for three weeks, and she took the world by storm. She has built her business on teaching families how to effectively store and use the groceries they bring into their homes, thus saving money and cutting down on food waste. If you find yourself constantly throwing away wilted greens or soft berries, join us for this discussion on all things groceries!

In this episode, we cover:

Amy’s viral hack for keeping strawberries fresh for three weeks
The reality of food waste in the majority of American households
How to keep greens fresh in the fridge for weeks
How you can only go to the grocery story every three weeks
A balanced approach to meal planning that allows for flexibility and seasonality
Keeping track of what is in your freezer and making sure you use it all in time
A detailed look at budgeting for your groceries throughout the entire year
How to make whole food snacks a staple in your home
Is grocery delivery worth it?
Sourcing and budgeting for high quality meat

Making protein go a long way in nourishing your family

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

Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com

Redmond Real Salt | Use code FARMHOUSE at bit.ly/farmhouseredmond

RESOURCES

I Bought It, Now What? eBook

The Grocery Solution Course

Easy Vegan Dinner Mexican Quinoa Recipe

Classic Lemon Bars - Allergy & Diabetic Friendly

CONNECT

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186. Create Your Own Home Grocery Store | Jamerrill Stewart of Large Family Table May 25, 2023

Show notes

Wouldn’t you love to have access to all of your grocery staples within a few steps of your kitchen? This is what Jamerrill has spent the last several years working towards in her home, and she’s here to talk to us about her systems! She shares what it looks like to start small when you are building up your long-term food storage. We also discuss how this type of bulk buying and storage can benefit you on a short-term basis. Even if you have a small home or a small budget, Jamerrill’s systems for stocking your pantry and freezer are possible for you!

In this episode, we cover:

What led Jamerrill to start her long-term storage supply
How to use a food storage bucket system
The ins and outs of using mylar bags
How bulk buying and storing can be used for both short-term and long-term purposes
Ideas for stocking up on pantry staples even if you don’t have a lot of space
Can you build up a home pantry on a small budget?
Top ten items to stock up on if you are just getting started
Utilizing freezers as part of your food storage plan
Starting small with stocking up on freezer meals
Is it worth all the work it takes to start a home-based business as a mom?

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com

School of Traditional Skills | Use my link bit.ly/farmhouseskills

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED

A Year Without the Grocery Store by Karen Morris

Prepper’s Pantry by Daisy Luther

Successful Business Momma Course

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185. You Can DIY Your Dream Home on a Budget | Dena of Fletcher Creek Cottage May 18, 2023

Show notes

Dena is perhaps best known on the internet for sharing about how she and her family self-built their home from scratch for only $70,000. Dena has had extensive DIY, renovation, and design experience on a number of homes, and she is sharing her best tips with us today. She shares lots of practicals, but we also dive into what it looks like to embrace your own definition of “dream home” and create a beautiful home that your budget can sustain. For anyone with a DIY spirit, this episode is such a good one!

Join us as we discuss:

How Dena and her family built their home from scratch for only $70,000
Why it was important to them to build their home debt-free
The reality of self-building a house from scratch as a family
Where to start when you are designing your home
Budget-friendly tips for creating a home you love
Behind the scenes of creating content about your life and projects
Design specifics: window treatments, outdoor furniture, rugs
What you need to know about adding old charm to a new build
Top two must-haves when designing your dream home
Evaluating your perspective on “dream home” when you are trying to live within your means

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

Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com

Blogging Success Masterclass | Visit bit.ly/farmhousebloggingschool

RESOURCES

How to Make DIY Concrete Countertops

CONNECT

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184. Transform Your Homeschool Days with Delight Directed Learning | Julie Kreke May 11, 2023

Show notes

The pressure is off! If your homeschool days have become overrun with stress and pressure to do all things perfectly, this episode is for you. My friend, Julie, has been homeschooling her large family for over a decade, and she loves helping moms free themselves from the pressures of homeschooling by embracing delight directed learning. Not only does this approach free moms to thrive in homeschooling, it liberates our children too. I hope our conversation about the beauty of delight directed learning inspires you as you steward your child’s education.

In this episode, we cover:

How delight directed learning differs from other educational approaches
Recognizing and stewarding each individual child’s gifts
Where boundaries come into play with delight directed learning
Stepping back to examine our expectations about our child’s education
An example of a day in the life of a delight directed homeschool
Rejecting rigid schedules to cultivate lifelong learners
Examining the cause of burnout and overcoming it
The power of keeping lessons short
Taking the pressure off by recognizing that each child learns at his own pace
Creating an atmosphere in your home that celebrates learning
How taking a hands-off approach can inspire your child to continue self-learning
Navigating clutter in your schedule and household
How do you know if it’s time for a change or time to quit?

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com

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

Mockmill | Save 5% at FarmhouseonBoone.com/Mockmill

RESOURCES

How to Simplify Your Homeschool eBook by Julie Kreke

CONNECT

Julie Kreke | Website | Instagram | YouTube

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183. The Value of a Homemaker | RuthAnn Zimmerman May 04, 2023

Show notes

Homemaking is truly an art, which means each of us expresses our own personalities and interests and values in unique ways in our homes. But one thing all homemakers share in common is the value they bring to their families. In my conversation with RuthAnn, we dive into some of the whys and hows of homemaking. If you are seeking encouragement and inspiration in your role as a homemaker, you don’t want to miss this chat with RuthAnn!

In this episode, we cover:

How you can begin to recognize the value in a homemaker’s role
Identifying a housekeeping structure that works for you
Where to start when you have a lot on your plate
Recognizing what your season allows for
Prioritizing tasks when everything seems to need your attention
Weighing the cost of spending time or money
How we can pass down to our children many of the skills that have been lost
The importance of articulating why homemaking is important to you
Shifting our mindsets around the seasonal availability of food
Establishing home rhythms that fit your family and season
Learning from others and finding community in social media while avoiding the comparison trap

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Azure Standard | Use code SPRINGHOMESTEAD10 at AzureStandard.com

Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com

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

Please see full show notes for more details on these offers.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Old Fashioned Approach to Childhood Chores eBook

Hear RuthAnn speak at the Homesteaders of America conference

CONNECT

RuthAnn Zimmerman | Website | Instagram | YouTube

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

182. Creating Rhythms of Rest and Connection in Your Family and Community | Sally Clarkson Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

I’m so delighted to bring Sally back on the podcast to share her wisdom and encouragement for mothers in every stage. We discuss Sally’s latest book, Tea Time Discipleship, all about the beauty of incorporating a tea time ritual into your life and home. This simple daily routine creates endless opportunities for personal refreshment, family discipleship, and cultivation of friendships. Join us for this rich, insightful, encouraging conversation with Sally.

In this episode, we cover:

What is tea time discipleship and why is it important?
How moms can build community with other moms through tea time
Where to start if you want to create new friendships
Making space for friendships in your life even during busy seasons of motherhood
Why it is important to restore your soul as a mother
How creating this rhythm impacts our children for years to come
Overcoming fear of vulnerability to pursue true fellowship
Tips for stepping out and starting a group of your own
Where to start if you want a mentor
How to grow strong friendships with your children
Ideas for reaching out when you have no idea who to pursue
Why getting uncomfortable and putting ourselves out there really matters

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com

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

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

RESOURCES

Tea Time Discipleship by Sally Clarkson

Episode 154 with Sally Clarkson

CONNECT

Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

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181. When Old-Fashioned Makes More Sense (How Vintage Ideas Can Make Modern Life Healthier & Happier) | Jill Winger of The Prairie Homestead Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

In our modern world, it is easy to accept all of the latest conveniences and innovations that are offered to us. At face value, they may seem to make our lives easier or better, but at what cost? Jill Winger has been asking these kinds of critical questions for many years, and this questioning is the basis for her upcoming book on how many of the old-fashioned ways may actually be superior. Our discussion is nuanced (we don’t throw out all modernity!) and serves as an interesting conversation starter as you weigh the costs and benefits of modern ways in your own life.

In this episode, we cover:

A historical perspective on the recent popularity of homesteading
Weighing the long-term costs and benefits of convenience
Factoring in the unexpected benefits of doing things the old-fashioned way
Deciding which conveniences to embrace and which old-fashioned ways to preserve
How to begin learning new skills when you feel overwhelmed
Looking with hindsight at the history of modernization and its impact
What modern conveniences we choose to live without
Learning new skills and pursuing goals with children at home
How to prioritize when your plate is full
Our perspectives on the rise of aesthetically focused homesteading content

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

Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com

Redmond Real Salt | Use code FARMHOUSE at bit.ly/farmhouseredmond

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Episodes of Jill’s podcast: My Long Road Back to Whole Wheat Flours, Down and Dirty Meal Planning with Lisa Bass, The Rise of the Farmfluencer

Cheesemaking resources: Venison for Dinner & Cheese from Scratch

Pre-order Old Fashioned on Purpose by Jill Winger

CONNECT

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180. Getting Started with Food Preservation: Freezer Meals, Grocery Sourcing, Stocking the Pantry | Becky Jones of Acre Homestead Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

In the homesteading world, we place a lot of emphasis on sourcing food well and producing it at home when possible. With all of the hard work we put into obtaining high quality food, we have to have a plan for what to do with it! In today’s conversation, Becky shares about her process of preserving food using various methods: freezing, freeze drying, canning, etc. She also shares some practical tips about planning for and executing a successful freezer meal preparation day. We cover plenty of simple and attainable ideas in this episode; you don’t want to miss it!

In this episode, we cover:

Quick meals you can throw together without much planning or preparing
What to consider as you are planning for large batch freezer cooking
Finding the right containers for your freezer meals
Suggested methods of preserving for various foods
Pantry staples every from-scratch cook should keep on hand
Figuring out what your family eats most and stocking up accordingly
Ideas for sourcing food: what we buy from local stores vs. large bulk orders
Deciding what preserving method fits best with your tastes and lifestyle
Recognizing what parts of homesteading you want to prioritize

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Carly Jean Los Angeles | Use code FARMHOUSE20 at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com

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

Blogging Success Masterclass | Visit bit.ly/farmhousebloggingschool

RESOURCES

Glass baking dish with lid

CONNECT

Becky Jones of Acre Homestead | YouTube | Instagram | Website

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.

179. Pursuing Minimalism and Conscious Consumerism in a Materialistic World | Stephanie Seferian of The Sustainable Minimalists Podcast Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

Many of us strive to live a more minimal lifestyle in order to simplify our homes and lower our stress, but minimalism can also be good for the world around us! In this conversation, Stephanie and I discuss what it looks like to become more conscious consumers as we continually minimize our homes. If you are on a minimalism journey of any kind, this episode will inspire you to contribute to a more sustainable world through minimalist practices.

In this episode, we cover:

What it means to prioritize sustainable minimalism
How our emotions impact our buying behaviors
Shifting our mindsets about the cost of what we buy
Where to start when sourcing quality clothing
Reasons to prioritize natural fibers over synthetic materials
The value of repairing items instead of replacing them
A sustainable minimalist approach to kids’ clothing
Navigating gift giving from friends and family in a positive way
Strategies for storing kids’ clothes for future sizes and seasons
Pursuing minimalism in your home when your spouse is not on board
Avoiding clutter in your holiday decor
How to adjust your mindset so you don’t continue bringing clutter into your home