The Vernacular Life Podcast

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.