Simple Farmhouse Life

Latest Episodes:

178. Getting Started with Sewing | Linda Prenzlow of The Sewing Garden Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

If you have a desire to begin sewing or improve your skills, you will love this conversation with Linda. Not only has she been sewing almost her whole life, but she also owns a sewing business and teaches people all over the world to sew via her blog.

We dive into the practicals of how to get started sewing, but also chat about why sewing is such a valuable skill to have, even in our modern world. Linda answers some of the most popular questions from beginning sewists like what projects to start with and what techniques lessen the learning curve.

In this episode, we cover:

Why sewing is a valuable skill to have in our modern world
What kinds of projects to start with if you are just learning to sew
Creative ways to save money on an expensive sewing project
Getting your child started in sewing when you don’t have any experience yourself
Providing your children the tools they need and giving them the freedom to experiment in sewing
Choosing the right sewing machine for your needs
How to make cutting out patterns more enjoyable
Tips for sourcing fabric
Home decor sewing projects without a pattern
A few tried and true sewing tips for the beginning sewist
An intro to starting a sewing business

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

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Sewing Machine Fun

Linda’s sewing blog posts: curtain alterations, tailor tacks, replacing a zipper, hemming jeans

Lisa’s wingback chair slipcover tutorial

Check out Linda’s eBooks to help you launch and grow your sewing business!

ABOUT LINDA

Linda has been sewing since her father taught her to sew at age seven! She made her first dress that year through a Singer sewing class and spent the next few years becoming proficient at hand and machine sewing, quilting, and tailoring. She graduated from Colorado State University in 1983 with a degree in Textiles and Clothing. In 1984, she designed and made her wedding dress. She has owned and operated a bridal sewing and alteration business since 1988. She has been writing a blog since 2009 teaching people all over the world how to sew and alter clothing and home goods for fun or profit. Colorado is home to her and her husband. They have two amazing daughters, a wonderful son-in-law, and three incredible grandchildren.

CONNECT

Linda Prenzlow of The Sewing Garden | Website | Instagram | Pinterest

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.

177. Growing a Bountiful Garden on a Budget | Carrie Wilson of The Little Pallet Farmhouse Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Many people discount themselves from growing a successful garden because they think they don’t have the time, space, money, or skill. Carrie of The Little Pallet Farmhouse is here to break down all of our preconceived notions about gardening being unattainable due to these barriers. The truth is that gardening can be simple, inexpensive, and successful, even for a beginner. As many are gearing up for the upcoming spring/summer season, come chat all things gardening with us!

In this episode, we cover:

The tragic diagnosis that led Carrie to pursue health through food
Starting small when you are overhauling your food sourcing
Why you don’t have to be an expert to take responsibility for your own health
How to get started with gardening even if you have limited time, space, and budget
Deciding what to grow and how to get it started
Foolproof seed-starting setup for a new gardener
Thinking through the garden infrastructure that works best for you
Sourcing and maintaining optimal soil
Choosing plants that you can use beyond the kitchen

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Blogging Success Masterclass | Visit bit.ly/FarmhouseBloggingSchool

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Grab Carrie’s Ready Steady Grow bundle for only $27 | Use code BOONE15 for an additional 15% off (seven days only!)

CONNECT

Carrie Wilson of The Little Pallet Farmhouse | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

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.

176. Educating Our Kids About Real Food | Liz Haselmayer of Homegrown Education Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

The task of educating our children about real food has never been more important than it is now, but it can feel like swimming upstream in a culture saturated with highly processed and denatured foods. Thankfully, we have access to more information and resources than ever before to educate ourselves and our children on this foundational topic.

My conversation with Liz of Homegrown Education dove into the nutritional philosophies of our homes as well as practical ways to incorporate more real food into our children’s diets. Whether you have prioritized real food from your child’s first meal or you are just now beginning to make food swaps in your home, this episode will encourage you to keep making strides in this worthwhile journey.

In this episode, we cover:

Why it is important to teach our kids about real food and nutrition
How your home and cultural environment impacts your relationship with food
What “real food” actually means
Practical strategies for picky kids
Helping our kids get enough protein in their diets
What if a child doesn’t like the meal you’ve made?
A balanced approach to food outside of your home
Achieving healing through food
Making real food a reality in your home when you are on a tight budget
Shifting our mindset around the nutritional vs. monetary value of food

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

BLOGGING SUCCESS MASTERCLASS | Visit bit.ly/FarmhouseBloggingSchool

TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com

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.

175. Answering Your Homebirth Questions | Katelyn Fusco of Happy Homebirth Podcast Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

Based on the questions I received on Instagram, you all are just as excited about this homebirth episode with Katelyn as I am! No matter where you are on the spectrum of homebirth—curious about it, preparing for your first or second homebirth, or a veteran homebirth mama—this episode addresses all of it.

We speak to the mom who is wondering if homebirth is possible for her, the mom preparing her body and mind for an upcoming birth, the mom trying to find the right care provider, the mom dealing with unsupportive family.

As a mother of seven, homebirth is near and dear to my heart, and Katelyn is a wealth of wisdom on this topic. Join us for this rich discussion!

In this episode, we cover:

Why having your first baby at home is especially beneficial
The important role your care provider plays in your birthing experience
How preparing for birth is so much more than planning for pain management
Do you need a large house to have a homebirth?
The importance of resting in early labor to avoid maternal exhaustion
Why focusing on your mindset is the most crucial preparation for birth
Finding the relaxation strategy that is right for you
Embracing the transformational process of birth
Recognizing your unique needs during birth and finding the right midwife for you
What questions should you ask when interviewing a midwife?
Responding to family and friends who don’t understand your birth decisions
The importance of doing your own research and making decisions that are right for your unique situation

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com

AZURE STANDARD | Use code SPRINGHOMESTEAD10 at AzureStandard.com

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

CONNECT

Katelyn Fusco of Happy Homebirth Podcast | Website | Instagram | Podcast | Facebook Group

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.

174. A Homeschool Mom’s Mindset | Angela Braniff of This Gathered Nest Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

Homeschooling goes far beyond choosing curriculum and planning field trips. It is equally as important to establish a firm grasp on why we are homeschooling and what our homeschool philosophy is.

I so enjoyed this conversation with Angela where we had a chance to get honest about the ups and downs of our homeschooling journeys. We chatted about important mindset shifts we have had to embrace along the way and old paradigms we are moving away from.

Are you considering homeschooling but you are fearful? Are you in the thick of it and need some encouragement to keep going? Join us for this inspiring conversation!

In this episode, we cover:

Making schooling decisions based on each individual child’s needs
Finding the balance between giving yourself grace and pushing yourself
Tips for keeping little ones occupied while homeschooling older siblings
Freeing yourself from expectations and embracing the flexible schedule of homeschooling
Encouraging learning to extend beyond textbooks and worksheets into valuable life skills
Recognizing perfectionism in our kids and helping them learn through failure
Reframing our perspective about what is most important for our children to learn
Math curriculum reviews for kids that struggle with math
Protecting our kids’ mindsets around their ability to learn
What if you are nervous to homeschool?
How will homeschooled kids turn out?

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Redmond Real Salt | Use code FARMHOUSE at bit.ly/FarmhouseRedmond for a 15% discount

Toups and Co Organics | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com for a 10% discount

Mockmill | Visit bit.ly/FarmhouseMockmill for a 5% discount

RESOURCES

Angela’s Homeschooling Course: Master the Art of Home Education

Math curricula mentioned: Learn Math Fast, Shormann Math, Denison Algebra

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.

173. Chatting Motherhood, Homeschool, Minimalism, Pregnancy, Business (and More!) with Sarah Therése Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

Sarah Therése and I are a decade apart in our motherhood journeys, and our different perspectives and experiences made this conversation so interesting. We tackled a variety of topics based on questions we received from you on Instagram, everything from minimalism to pregnancy to homeschooling to business.

Throughout our many topics of conversation, one overarching theme kept resurfacing: as women and mothers, we have the power to make changes in our homes and families when something is not going well. While we cannot control everything, we have the ability to improve things way more than we think! May this conversation be an encouragement to you as you assess your own challenges and endeavor to move forward in boldness!

In this episode, we cover:

How the pace changes from early motherhood into the middle years
Managing the day-to-day responsibilities of motherhood and homemaking by planning ahead
Why owning less stuff is a gift to your children
Pursuing your dream life in your current circumstances
What homeschooling looks like with children of all ages at home
Turning down the noise and finding what rhythms are right for your unique family
Preparing your body and mind for beautiful pregnancies and births
Identifying problems and pursuing solutions in every area of motherhood
The ups and downs of sharing your life and family on a public platform
Deciding when to turn down opportunities in order to prioritize family
How do you know when it is time to quit something?

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Modern Homesteading Conference | Visit ModernHomesteading.com

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

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

CONNECT

Sarah Therése | Website | Instagram | YouTube

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.

172. Homeschooling with the Seasons, Finding Your People, and More FAQs with Lyndsey Mimnagh of Treehouse Schoolhouse Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

I have begun talking more about homeschooling on the podcast lately, and it is a topic that you all seem to really enjoy and ask a lot of questions about. In this podcast, I am chatting with Lyndsey of Treehouse Schoolhouse about homeschool methods and philosophy, and we are also answering your questions! If you’ve ever wondered about schooling with the seasons, socializing your kids, and managing it all with multiple children, this discussion is for you!

In this episode, we cover:

What it means to homeschool with the seasons
Determining the right age to start homeschooling
Priorities for learning in the early years
How homeschooling requires an entirely different mindset than other types of schooling
Top tips for homeschooling older siblings with toddlers in the home
Encouragement for tough seasons of homeschooling
The powerful impact of prioritizing the parent/child relationship in education
What shifts we make in homeschooling as the seasons change
How homeschool families excel in socialization
What to do if you don’t have a homeschool community
Involving your husband in your homeschooling rhythm
How do you know if your child is actually retaining what they are learning?
Making homeschooling possible on a low budget

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com

MODERN HOMESTEADING CONFERENCE | Visit ModernHomesteading.com

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.

171. Finding Contentment in Your Home Decor & Homemaking | Kali Ramey Martin Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

There is no such thing as a perfect home. Even when we finally get all the projects checked off of our list, new things are constantly popping up! In my conversation with Kali, we chat about fighting for contentment in our homes no matter what they look like. Kali also shares some practical tips for making small changes in your home decor even when you don’t have the time or money for a big renovation. And we also touch finding a style you truly love even amidst the noise of decor trends. This episode was such a fun one for me, and I hope it encourages you in your homemaking!

In this episode, we cover:

Taking a break from creative work
Living in the tension between envisioning what your home could become and being patient in the process
What people don’t realize about finally getting their dream home
Are you following trends or is your taste truly changing?
Identifying the three factors that determine your personal style
Are you missing the perfect solution for your home decor?
Making the most of your home when you can’t overhaul it
Taking pride in caring for your home even when it is imperfect
How to approach decluttering and organizing when you are not naturally organized
Keeping seasonal decor practical and minimal
Changing your mindset about the repetitive tasks of homemaking
Narrowing down what decor style you truly love
Different home decor personalities
Simple ways to spruce up your home without spending much time or money
The impact of choosing contentment in your home no matter what it looks like

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

MODERN HOMESTEADING CONFERENCE | Visit ModernHomesteading.com

TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com

AZURE STANDARD | Use code SIMPLEFARMHOUSE10 at AzureStandard.com

See full show notes for details on these offers.

RESOURCES

Check out Kali’s book and magazines

CONNECT

Kali Ramey Martin | Website | Instagram | Pinterest

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.

170. The Meaning of Homemaking: A Beautiful & Creative Pursuit | Rebekah Merkle Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

Our current culture has come to think of homemaking as boring or unimportant. The role of women in the home is largely undervalued. Bekah Merkle is on a mission to change that by helping women to own the beauty, creativity, and innovation within their role as homemakers.

In our conversation, Bekah takes us through the history of how feminism has impacted the woman’s role and how we can begin to reclaim the importance of this high calling. Whether you are a new homemaker or have been making a home for decades, may this conversation remind you of your significance in your family and in the world.

In this episode, we cover:

How culture has been wrong about the significance of homemakers
Differing perspectives on education for women
What classical education offers to families
Imagining what it looks like to embrace homemaking in our modern world
How the internet influences our homemaking pursuits
The underappreciated value of an excellent homemaker
Looking at the ups and downs of feminism throughout history
Finding your vision for creativity and joy in homemaking

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

MODERN HOMESTEADING CONFERENCE | Visit ModernHomesteading.com

AZURE STANDARD | Use code SIMPLEFARMHOUSE10 at AzureStandard.com

TOUPS AND CO ORGANICS | Use code FARMHOUSE at ToupsandCo.com

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

RESOURCES

Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle

Eve in Exile Documentary

What Have You Podcast

CONNECT

Rebekah Merkle | Website | Instagram

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.

169. You Can Grow Thriving Houseplants! | Maria Failla of Growing Joy Podcast Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

In the middle of winter when the Christmas greenery has been taken down but it’s not yet time for spring planting, I find myself craving the color and life found in houseplants. This is a perfect time of year to dive into what it takes to create a home full of thriving houseplants, and there’s no one better to discuss this with than Maria of Growing Joy Podcast, a self-proclaimed Plant Lady. If you consider yourself a plant killer, you are in good company because both Maria and I have had our fair share of plant fails. May this episode inspire you to try a new plant variety or tending method as you grow your houseplant collection.

In this episode, we cover:

The top two mistakes people make when it comes to houseplants
What your personality + lighting in your home say about what kind of plants you need
Breaking down some popular houseplant varieties and why they are not as easy to grow as you might think
Options for creating more light in your home if you don’t get enough natural light
Everything you need to know about growing plants in your window sill
Why you might want to propagate a plant and how to do it
How you can grow beautiful blooms in your home when it’s too cold to grow outside
Making sure your houseplants are getting adequate nutrition
Should you transition your plants between indoors and outdoors as the seasons change?
How you can grow herbs and vegetables indoors all year long
Creating the right outdoor garden for you and your family