Simple Farmhouse Life

From calorie-counting culture to kitchen confidence, Jillian Hankins shares her journey toward joyful, nourishing meals made with real ingredients. We chat about embracing food freedom, raising kids who eat what’s served, and the rhythms that make homemade meals feel doable—even three times a day. With tips for balancing your plate, using seasonal produce, making simple sauces, and working with your natural energy, this conversation is full of encouragement for simplifying healthy eating and making it work for real family life.
In this episode, we cover:
Jillian’s journey from junk food to holistic nutrition
Growing up in diet culture and learning to enjoy food again
How real food helped her heal hormonally and digestively
Discovering the joy of cooking after growing up on boxed meals
Why calorie-counting and food guilt are giving way to freedom
Reframing dessert as a tool for joy—and for picky eaters
Teaching kids to eat what’s served with a two-bite rule and protein emphasis
Honoring where food comes from and why that shapes how we eat
Using seasonal produce and sales to guide budget-friendly meals
Building a simple balanced plate: protein, carb, produce, sauce
How sauces transform meals without adding complexity
Weekly rhythms that support homemade meals without burnout
Why Jillian always plans snacks and treats—not just dinners
Doubling dinner for easy lunches and prepping in pockets of time
Using rhythms that match your energy instead of fighting it
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
Check out Jillian’s monthly meal plans through her Simple Seasons subscription
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
Jillian Hankins of Jillian Margaret Wellness | Website | Instagram
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.

If you’ve ever dreamed of leaving the suburbs for a slice of quiet country life, this episode will speak right to your heart. Author Melissa Ferguson joins me to share the real-life inspiration behind her new children’s book, Our Friendly Farmhouse—a sweet and whimsical reflection of her family’s journey from cul-de-sac to countryside. We talk about building a home from scratch, traveling with a big family, and slowly creating a homestead that feels peaceful, practical, and full of charm. Melissa offers encouragement and budget-friendly tips for anyone in the thick of building, dreaming, or simply trying to make thoughtful choices in the season they’re in.
In this episode, we cover:
Melissa Ferguson returns to share the inspiration behind her debut children’s book, Our Friendly Farmhouse, which tells a whimsical version of her family’s move from suburbia to the country
How a spontaneous land auction and a last-minute bid from her brother-in-law launched their homesteading journey
The process of building their home from scratch—leveraging her husband’s experience as a builder and funding parts of the project through social media brand deals
Reflections on the early stages of their homestead—living in town during the build, missing the land, and making daily visits to the property
A rich conversation about traveling with a big family—carry-on-only tips, spontaneous trips, dividing and conquering, and how animals (especially dairy cows) impact travel flexibility
Melissa’s best budget-saving build strategies: buying materials on Black Friday, repurposing gym flooring, and skipping high-end finishes in favor of upgrades over time
Thoughtful advice on design choices—prioritizing natural light, southern exposure, adaptable floor plans, and creating cozy, lived-in charm
Honest reflections on what she might do differently: adding a tornado shelter, skipping carpet, and not letting a gifted vanity dictate an entire bathroom design
Why they chose to build slowly, add animals over time, and prioritize flexibility over going “all in” from the beginning
The value of outdoor gathering spaces—daily porch coffee with her husband, chalk art and pickleball in the driveway, and simple spots that invite rest and connection
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
RESOURCES
Our Friendly Farmhouse by Melissa Ferguson
Check out Melissa’s other books
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
Melissa Ferguson of Our Friendly Farmhouse | Website | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Bookbub | 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.

Life is full right now—between preparing for a new baby, building our dream home, and navigating the everyday rhythms of raising a big family. In this Q&A episode, I’m sharing how we’re handling baby sleep, toddler bedtime battles, room sharing, and pool days with non-swimmers—plus a few thoughts on off-grid readiness, Instant Pot meals, and how I’m embracing this once-in-a-lifetime season, even when it feels overwhelming.
In this episode, we cover:
A real-life update on what it’s like building a house with toddlers (hint: it’s not relaxing)
Thinking about generators, drafts, and wood stoves… and what we’re actually prioritizing
Why I love heating with wood—and the cozy setup we’ve included in the new house
My kefir theory on baby gender (just for fun!) and whether we “tried” for a girl
Navigating toddler bedtime battles and deciding when to hold the boundary
My thoughts on babies and toddlers sharing rooms—and what’s worked for us
Taking non-swimmers to the pool: how I manage it and when I’ve felt too outnumbered
Where I land on sleep training, co-sleeping, and why I never feel like an expert
Why having another baby girl doesn’t really change our bedroom plans—for now
Our choice to go with cedar lap siding and lean all the way into that vintage feel
Why I’ll never be without an Instant Pot (especially on a busy, unplanned Monday)
Processing the highs and lows of building a dream home while preparing for baby #9
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Try my Instant Pot beef carnitas for a quick from-scratch weeknight dinner!
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.

So many of us worry we’re not doing enough when it comes to homeschooling—but what if simply choosing this path is already a powerful step in the right direction? In this encouraging conversation, I talk with Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside about her newest book and the deep confidence that can come from stepping outside the system. We explore how real learning often looks like play, boredom, creativity, and curiosity—how our kids naturally fill in the gaps over time, and how the freedom to pursue their own interests can lead to unexpected and incredible outcomes. If you’ve ever doubted your ability to homeschool well, this episode will remind you that you're doing more right than you think.
In this episode, we cover:
How Ginny accidentally started a global movement—and why it resonates so deeply with families
The heart behind her new book Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just by Doing It
What we miss when we follow the standard school model—and the surprising freedom of unlearning it
The one message every anxious or burnt-out homeschool parent needs to hear
What if the thing you’re worried is a “deficit” is actually your child’s biggest advantage?
Why qualities like creativity and empathy will matter more than grades in the world our kids are growing up in
What boredom, unstructured time, and “doing nothing” are actually teaching your child
What’s lost when childhood is spent only with same-age peers—and what kids gain from growing up alongside babies and toddlers
Why your kids need to see you building, learning, trying—and even failing
Everyone has educational gaps... so what really matters in the long run?
When you trust the process, learning shows up in the most beautiful and unexpected ways
The amazing story of how Ginny’s daughter became a certified personal trainer at just 15
Why homeschooling doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—and that’s the point
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Until the Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich
Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right By Just Doing It by Ginny Yurich
Learning All the Time by John Holt
UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me-World by Michelle Borba
Generative Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know by Jerry Kaplan
Listen to my two episodes with Julie Kreke about delight directed learning:
- Give Your Children the Gift of Lifelong Learning (Episode 270)
- Transform Your Homeschool Days with Delight Directed Learning (Episode 184)
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
Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | Youtube | 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.

After a health scare in her twenties, Melissa K. Norris returned to her roots with traditional, from-scratch cooking—and never looked back. In this episode, she shares the simple swaps that make a big difference, her favorite freezer and batch-cooking tips, and why it’s easier than you think to build nourishing kitchen rhythms. We also chat about her updated cookbook Home and Handmade, a practical and inspiring guide for anyone wanting to cook with real ingredients and a whole lot of heart. Tune in for encouragement and doable ideas to make old-fashioned cooking work in your modern life!
In this episode, we cover:
Melissa’s health journey and how it led to a total shift toward from-scratch, whole-food cooking
Why starting with the most frequently eaten foods makes the biggest impact on health and budget
Common harmful ingredients to avoid and easy one-for-one swaps for better oils, sugars, and salts
The myth that homemade food is hard—many convenience foods can be replaced in minutes
Encouragement that old-fashioned kitchen skills are doable and worthwhile, no matter your lifestyle
Batch cooking strategies for breakfast, dinner, and baked goods that reduce stress and food waste
Using freezers effectively: pre-shaped doughs, cookie dough logs, veggie scrap bags, and bulk meats
The power of simple routines, momentum, and planning just a day or two ahead– it doesn’t have to be all or nothing
Melissa’s updated book Home and Handmade—a practical guide to whole food, herbal remedies, and homemade living
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Home and Hand Made by Melissa K. Norris
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
Melissa K. Norris | Website | Podcast | 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.