Simple Farmhouse Life

Homesteading isn’t just about raising your own food— it’s about building a life where relationships, rhythms, and real community come first. In this conversation with RuthAnn, we dig into everything from screen-free parenting to the myth of “not enough time,” the health wake-up call that reshaped her family’s lifestyle, and the true meaning of the village for moms today. If you’ve ever wondered how to slow down and find joy in the ordinary while strengthening your home, join us for this conversation!
In this episode, we cover:
Why homesteading is about more than food on the table— prioritizing relationships make it matter
Lessons carried from an Old Order Mennonite childhood into today’s homemaking rhythms
The childhood health scare that flipped everything and sent RuthAnn’s family back to homemade, nourishing food
How food choices connect to kids’ behavior, focus, and overall peace in the home
The real thief of time in modern motherhood and how to reclaim creativity from screen addiction
Why RuthAnn keeps her kids off screens and trusts they’ll thrive in the skills they need when the time comes
Retraining our brains to find joy in “ordinary” tasks like bread baking, gardening, and family meals
The myths of “the village” and what young moms are missing when social media becomes their community
Why younger moms often don’t trust older moms these days and how smaller families have broken the natural overlap of generations in parenting
A better way for older moms to support the next generation and be “the village”: listening first, then guiding with wisdom and understanding
The true heart of homesteading: slower rhythms, stronger families, and intentional time together
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Pre-order RuthAnn’s book, The Heart of the Homestead
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
RuthAnn of Homesteading with the Zimmermans | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Creating a sense of history and place on raw land takes vision and patience, and garden designer Tessa Pinner shares how to make it both practical and beautiful. We chat about designing outdoor “rooms,” why smaller spaces can sometimes be easier than wide-open acreage, and how trees, fences, and timeless materials add history and charm. Tessa offers simple, long-term strategies to beat overwhelm and cultivate outdoor spaces that truly feel like home, whether you’re on acreage or working with a small backyard.
In this episode, we cover:
Creating a sense of place on raw land through thoughtful landscape design
Why outdoor spaces deserve as much attention as interiors for function and enjoyment
Designing “garden rooms” that encourage gathering, eating, and everyday living outside
How wide open acreage can feel overwhelming and why smaller yards are sometimes easier to design
Using permaculture “zones” to plan spaces from most-used near the house to more relaxed areas farther out
The importance of making outdoor spaces safe and hospitable for children and guests
Choosing materials that feel timeless and appropriate to the style of the house
Balancing beauty, practicality, and budget when designing for features like pools, patios, and fencing
Planting trees early to establish maturity and history on a new property
The hidden benefit of casting a long-term vision and phasing projects in gradually over many years
How to avoid analysis paralysis when planning: books, drawings, and vision over Pinterest overwhelm
Hardscaping as the backbone of outdoor spaces— surfaces, boundaries, and seating areas
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
RESOURCES MENTIONED
GIVEAWAY! Leave a 5-star review on my beginner sourdough recipe to be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card ⭐️
How to Design a Garden by Pollyanna Wilkinson
Food Forward Garden by Christian Douglas
Check out Monty Don’s current publications and youtube channel, Gardening with Monty Don
Check out the Garden Gab podcast hosted by Tessa
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
Tessa Pinner | Website | Youtube | Instagram | Podcast
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Life in this season feels full of change– new babies, teenagers gaining independence, and the daily rhythms that keep our large family moving forward. In this episode, I share my real experiences with co-sleeping, freshly milled wheat, toys and clutter, pregnancy challenges, car seats, and the everyday questions you’ve asked about homemaking and homesteading. I also talk about the farmhouse build alongside my sister, our different approaches to decision-making, and the long-term dreams I have for life on the farm. Join me for this Q&A style conversation where your questions guide the discussion and I share the simple, intentional rhythms that shape our home and family!
In this episode, we cover:
My experience with co-sleeping through many babies, how my approach has shifted, and the safe sleep setups that work best for us
Why I use freshly milled wheat in my baking and whether I’ve noticed any health differences in our family
How we approach toys and gifts in our home— letting the kids enjoy them fully and then decluttering when the interest fades
Pregnancy challenges I’ve faced, including varicose veins, and the simple things that help like magnesium and extra rest
Our current car seat setup with a new baby on the way, plus the big milestone of having a teenager with a driver’s license and how quickly family dynamics shift
Everyday homemaking and homestead questions— from spiders and ticks to kids’ haircuts, dishwashers, and the routines that keep our large family moving
My thoughts on building our farmhouse at the same time as my sister, the differences between how we approach home decisions, and the long-term dreams I have for animals on our farm
Listener questions on sourdough starters, selling our house plans, and other homemaking challenges, all bringing me back to simple, intentional rhythms
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Homeschooling isn’t just about academics. It’s about shaping character, habits, and family culture in the everyday moments. In this conversation with Erin from Gentle + Classical Press, we talk about what the early years can look like without the pressure of early academics, how to raise children who know how to use their free time well, and why consistency matters more than perfection. You’ll hear encouragement for the overwhelmed mom, perspective on kids’ different personalities, and practical ways to build a gentle and classical foundation in your home. If you’re looking for fresh vision and tangible ideas for your homeschool days, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
In this episode, we cover:
Erin’s family life with four children, 15 years of homeschooling, and a business run alongside homesteading
A shift from academic goals to discipleship, character development, and strong family habits
The meaning of a “gentle and classical” approach, blending Charlotte Mason influence with classical education in a soft, approachable way
Preschool years centered on scripture memory, virtues through song, habit training, and life skills, with limited academics before age six
Encouragement for overwhelmed moms: God equips you for the children He gave you, one hard day won’t undo everything, and comparison online is misleading
The role of children’s personalities in shaping both family dynamics and parental growth
Homeschooling with a deeper purpose of individualized learning, supporting specific needs, and cultivating family culture
Lessons learned from the early years, including the importance of consistency in habits and the danger of overemphasizing grades or peer influence
Recognizing readiness for formal learning by watching attention spans, keeping lessons short, and letting children progress in their own time
Homeschooled kids often learn to use free time creatively, developing projects and play rather than becoming bored or dependent on screens
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Listen to Erin’s recent podcast episode about why homeschooling is a foundational choice for her family
Check out Erin’s preschool homeschool offerings
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
Erin Cox of The Gentle + Classical Press | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship comes with unique challenges and unique rewards. In this episode with Lily of The Flour Barn, we talk about running a thriving micro bakery while managing a blog, YouTube channel, and teaching schedule. From setting boundaries and avoiding burnout to slowing down and auditing systems for smarter growth, Lily shares the rhythms that keep her business sustainable and her home life prioritized. We cover her weekly workflow, stress-reducing systems, lessons from five years of menu refinement, and when to choose freshly milled whole grains vs. white flour. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a business or simply looking for inspiration to work smarter at home, you’ll love this conversation!
In this episode, we cover:
Managing a full plate as an entrepreneurial mother: running a micro bakery with a blog, YouTube, storefront, and teaching classes
Finding rhythms that allow space for being present in your real life without turning every moment into content
The importance of establishing realistic boundaries that make business sustainable over the long haul
Balancing business growth with your true priorities and how opportunity can sometimes become a burden
The payoff of slowing down to do the deep work– audit systems, strategize well, and make your work easier instead of getting stuck in old ways
Weekly rhythm breakdown for a weekend microbakery: grocery runs, baking classes, dough prep, lamination and proofing days– getting it all done as a mom of littles
Small business systems that reduce stress: online pre-orders, projecting sales, and intentionally slow growth
Lessons learned from five years of refining the menu and workflow for maximum profit (without burning out)
Diving into our philosophies on when to use choose the nutrient density of freshly-milled whole grains vs. when to opt for the effectiveness of white flour
Adjusting all-purpose recipes for whole grains without sacrificing texture or flavor
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
RESOURCES
Listen to Lily’s previous appearances on Simple Farmhouse Life
HomeBaked by Kate
Sarah Kieffer's lamination method
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
Lily of Flour Barn Bakery | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.