Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View: Recent Episodes
Julie @ The Farm Wife
Grab a glass of lemonade and settle in for a visit! Listen to stories designed to encourage, uplift, and help you Live a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. Find out what that means, and how to shift your own lifestyle. Then relax and enjoy while learning the different aspects of a Simple Life - from following your dreams and passions to handcrafting, cooking, tending to the home and garden, and more. And from time to time, there will even be a recipe and freebie or two!
Sometimes the most meaningful ways to serve others appear in the simplest moments of everyday life.
Sharing vegetables from the garden, lending a hand with a small project, checking on a neighbor, or offering a few minutes of conversation on the porch can all become quiet acts of kindness that strengthen the connections
A simple act of kindness may seem small in the moment, but repeated over time, those acts help create homes and communities where people truly care for one another.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Sometimes the tasks that fill our days feel repetitive—washing dishes, folding laundry, pulling weeds in the garden, or fixing something that’s broken. Yet many of these ordinary chores are actually quiet acts of service that make life easier and more comfortable for the people around us.
In this episode, we explore how everyday responsibilities can take on new meaning when we recognize them as opportunities to care for our homes, families, and communities. When we shift our perspective, even the most routine tasks can become meaningful ways to serve others.
If you'd like to go deeper into this month’s topic, you can also find the companion workbook in my shop.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Sometimes the most powerful lessons in life aren’t taught with words at all.
They’re taught through everyday actions—helping a neighbor, showing kindness during a difficult moment, or quietly stepping in when someone needs a hand.
Serving others doesn’t just make life better in the moment. It also shows others what compassion, responsibility, and community look like in practice.
If you'd like to go deeper into this month’s topic, you can also find the companion workbook in my shop.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Sometimes the most meaningful acts of service happen quietly, without recognition or applause.
Serving quietly may not bring attention, but it builds character, strengthens relationships, and reminds us that the true value of service isn’t found in recognition—it’s found in the difference it makes.
If you'd like to go deeper into this month’s topic, you can also find the companion workbook in my shop.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Sometimes the most meaningful work we do doesn’t look important at all. It’s holding a door, carrying a heavy box, cooking a meal for someone who’s had a long day, or simply stepping in where help is needed without being asked.
When helping becomes a natural part of everyday life, it strengthens families, builds communities, and reminds us that even the smallest acts of service can have a lasting impact.
If you'd like to go deeper into this month’s topic, you can also find the companion workbook in my shop.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Ever notice how easy it is to keep the peace… and how much harder it is to actually make it?
Peacekeeping often avoids tension so everything stays calm on the surface. Peacemaking, on the other hand, chooses honesty, clarity, and care so real peace can grow underneath.
Because sometimes the most heroic thing you can do… is address what others would rather avoid.
If you'd like to go deeper into this month’s topic, you can also find the companion workbook in my shop.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Ever have someone pop into your mind the moment you hear the phrase “hard to love”?
Loving difficult people doesn’t mean pretending they aren’t difficult. It means choosing character, wisdom, and steady boundaries—even when patience is in short supply.
Because sometimes the most heroic thing you can do… is respond with grace instead of reaction.
If you'd like to go deeper into this month’s topic, you can also find the companion workbook in my shop.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Ever walk into a room and feel the tension before anyone even says a word?
Being the calm in the room isn’t about personality—it’s about steadiness. In a world where people react quickly and emotions run high, choosing restraint and presence can quietly change the entire atmosphere.
Because sometimes the most heroic thing you can do… is bring calm where everyone else expects chaos.
If you'd like to go deeper into this month’s topic, you can also find the companion workbook in my shop.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Ever feel like the whole world is rushing—and you’re expected to keep up?
Living unhurried in a hectic world can feel almost impossible sometimes. But choosing a slower, steadier pace may be one of the most quietly powerful things you can do.
Because sometimes the most heroic thing you can do… is simply refuse to hurry.
If you'd like to go deeper into this month’s topic, you can also find the companion workbook in my shop!
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Listening well often leads us to the edge of someone else’s weight. In this episode, we talk about what it really means to bear another’s burden — not by fixing or carrying everything for them, but by choosing presence over distance. We explore how listening creates space for shared strength, why steadiness matters more than solutions, and how quiet, compassionate presence can be one of the most heroic acts we offer. This conversation gently ties together April’s focus on listening, reminding us that showing up — consistently and with care — can change everything.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Some people have a way of making others feel at ease — unhurried, unjudged, and free to be honest. In this episode, we talk about what it really means to be a safe place for someone else. We explore how trust is built quietly over time, why presence matters more than perfect words, and how steadiness, discretion, and gentle curiosity create space for real connection. Being a safe place isn’t about fixing or carrying everything — it’s about showing up with care, consistency, and a soft place to land.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Our instinct to help often shows up as advice, solutions, or quick fixes — even when that’s not what’s needed. In this episode, we talk about why listening without fixing can feel so uncomfortable, and why it’s also one of the most caring things we can do. This is a gentle conversation about slowing down, resisting the urge to tidy up someone else’s experience, and learning to trust that presence can be more powerful than answers. Sometimes the bravest thing we offer is simply staying — without trying to make it better too soon.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In a world that rushes us to respond, fix, and explain, true listening has quietly become rare. In this episode, we slow things down and talk about what it really means to listen — not with an agenda, not with advice ready, but with presence and care. We explore why being fully available can feel uncomfortable, why silence isn’t a failure, and how simply staying can be one of the most heroic gifts we offer another person. This is a gentle conversation about patience, attention, and the quiet strength found in showing up — one unhurried moment at a time.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
We tend to think of “heroes” as people who make headlines. But the truth is, the real heroes are often our neighbors. The ones who don’t talk about what they do. The ones who just notice needs and quietly meet them. The ones who move through life with kindness, steadiness, and a heart that sees beyond themselves.
Do you need a little help in becoming The Hero Next Door? Be sure to get the March eWorkbook – it may help you ‘fly higher’ in your efforts to become someone’s hero. Find the link in the show notes!
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Every small town, every cul-de-sac, every neighborhood has its own heartbeat. You can feel it when you take an early morning walk and see someone waving from their porch. But sometimes, when life gets busy or people start keeping to themselves, that heartbeat starts to fade a little. Listen in and find out how you can build that rhythm back up and be the one to steady the heartbeat of your little corner of the world, one friendly wave or one invitation at a time.
Do you need a little help becoming The Hero Next Door? Be sure to get your eWorkbook – it may help you ‘fly higher’ in your efforts to become someone’s hero. Find the link in the show notes!
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Sometimes, the people who need us most are the ones we barely notice anymore. They’re tucked into the corners of our neighborhoods and communities — the quiet ones. They’re not forgotten because we don’t care. More often, it’s because life just moves so fast that we forget to slow down long enough to see them. Maybe it’s time to become aware enough to pause, look around, and see who might be missing from the everyday rhythm of your world.
Do you need a little help becoming The Hero Next Door? Be sure to get your eWorkbook – it may help you ‘fly higher’ in your efforts to become someone’s hero. Find the link in the show notes!
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
It’s funny how often we overcomplicate kindness. Somewhere along the line, we started to think it had to come wrapped in ribbons, require a committee, or have a hashtag attached to it. But really, most of the time, kindness doesn’t need a grand plan. Sometimes, it just needs a pie plate, an extra chair, or a smile that reaches your eyes. Learn more on how to be The Hero Next Door in this week’s episode, ‘The Ministry of a Meal, a Visit, or a Smile’.
Do you need a little encouragement in becoming The Hero Next Door? Be sure to get the March eWorkbook – it may help you ‘fly higher’ in your efforts to become someone’s hero. Find the link in the show notes!
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Sometimes, being a hero doesn’t mean grand gestures or bold headlines. It’s about slowing down long enough to notice the quiet needs around us — the neighbor who could use a hand, the friend who needs a kind word, or the stranger who simply needs to be seen. It’s the small acts of awareness that make a big difference — the gentle art of paying attention, caring deeply, and letting kindness grow right where we are.
Do you need a little help becoming The Hero Next Door? Be sure to get your eWorkbook – it may help you ‘fly higher’ in your efforts to become someone’s hero. Find the link in the show notes!
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this episode, we’re talking about what it truly means to create a home with heart — not a perfect home, but a warm, welcoming one where the people you love feel seen, safe, and cared for. We’ll chat about the small, everyday moments that make the biggest impact, the beauty of simple comfort rituals, and why heroism at home often shows up in tiny ways.
And be sure you’ve gotten this month’s eWorkbook. It includes the Back Porch Love Loaf recipe — a cozy cinnamon-apple buttermilk bread perfect for sharing.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Love doesn’t have to be loud to be lasting. In this week’s episode, we’re talking about the quiet, steady ways you can show love to your children — whether they’re still at home or have families of their own. Discover how simple gestures — a kind word, a listening ear, a shared laugh, or a favorite meal — can become the threads that hold your family together.
NEW! - Companion Resource:
This month’s episode pairs with February’s eWorkbook, The Hero at Home, filled with worksheets, tips, and simple tools to help you live out small deeds with purpose.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
One of the greatest gifts you can give your spouse or loved one is your presence. In a world full of noise, distractions, and never-ending to-do lists, being truly there is a quiet act of love that speaks volumes. Join me as we laugh, learn, and explore simple ways to reconnect with the one who shares your home and heart.
NEW! - Companion Resource:
This month’s episode pairs with February’s eWorkbook, The Hero at Home, filled with worksheets, tips, and simple tools to help you live out small deeds with purpose.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Rediscover the beauty, purpose, and strength found in caring for your home and family. You’ll be reminded that the simple acts of daily life — cooking, cleaning, loving, and tending — are acts of quiet heroism that shape hearts and create a sanctuary of peace.
NEW! - Companion Resource:
This month’s episode pairs with February’s eWorkbook, The Hero at Home, filled with worksheets, tips, and simple tools to help you live out small deeds with purpose.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this week’s episode, we reflect on how Your Story Matters — how the everyday moments, lessons learned, and quiet choices of your life can become a light for others. We’ll explore the power of simply showing up, sharing your experiences, and living with intention so that your life quietly encourages and inspires those around you.
Pull up a chair, take a deep breath, and let’s talk about how your story — exactly as it is — can shine in ways you may never realize.
NEW! - Companion Resource:
This month’s episode pairs with January’s eWorkbook, The Hero Within, filled with worksheets, tips, and simple tools to help you live out small deeds with purpose.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this week’s episode, we’re talking about what it means to Find Your Anchor — how faith, simple routines, and quiet reflection help us stay grounded when life gets busy or uncertain. We’ll look at how the smallest daily choices — a prayer, a pause, a moment of gratitude — become steady rhythms that keep our hearts rooted in peace.
NEW! - Companion Resource:
This month’s episode pairs with January’s eWorkbook, The Hero Within, filled with worksheets, tips, and simple tools to help you live out small deeds with purpose.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this week’s episode, we reflect on how Your Story Matters — how the everyday moments, lessons learned, and quiet choices of your life can become a light for others. We’ll explore the power of simply showing up, sharing your experiences, and living with intention so that your life quietly encourages and inspires those around you.
Pull up a chair, take a deep breath, and let’s talk about how your story — exactly as it is — can shine in ways you may never realize.
NEW! - Companion Resource:
This month’s episode pairs with January’s eWorkbook, The Hero Within, filled with worksheets, tips, and simple tools to help you live out small deeds with purpose.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this episode, we’re opening the door to our 2026 theme, Be Someone’s Hero, and talking about how a simple life naturally shapes everyday heroes. When we slow down and live with intention, we begin to notice the quiet needs around us — and that’s where small deeds and steady kindness make the biggest difference.
Join me on the back porch as we explore how faith, presence, and the rhythms of simple living help us become a gentle force for good right where we are.
NEW! - Companion Resource:
This month’s episode pairs with January’s eWorkbook, The Hero Within, filled with worksheets, tips, and simple tools to help you live out small deeds with purpose.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, breathe, and take a gentle look back. In this episode, we’re reflecting on the past year — the blessings, the lessons, and even the challenges — and discovering how each one can help guide us into the new year with peace, gratitude, and purpose.
Join me for a simple, heartfelt conversation about slowing down, finding meaning in the moments you’ve lived, and carrying faith and wisdom forward. Because sometimes, the best way to prepare for what’s ahead is by honoring what’s already been.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
It’s Christmas — a time to pause, reflect, and remember what matters most. In this special holiday episode, I’m sharing a heartfelt message from my back porch to yours — one that celebrates the beauty of simplicity, the warmth of home, and the peace that comes from faith.
Amid the bustle of the season, let’s take a few moments to breathe, give thanks, and focus on the quiet joy that Christmas brings. Because the best parts of this season aren’t found in perfection — they’re found in presence, gratitude, and love.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Are you looking for a way to turn a predictable Christmas meal into something fun and unique? Listen in for some creative ideas to add a fun touch to your Christmas meal — ways that invite laughter, creativity, and connection around your table. And no, you don’t have to be a professional party planner or an artist to pull these off. The beauty of these ideas is that they’re easy, inexpensive, and bring out the childlike wonder that lives inside all of us.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Feeling a little lost in the holiday hustle? You’re not alone! In this light-hearted episode of Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View, we head straight into the Christmas aisle — glitter, chaos, and all — with a tongue-in-cheek survival guide to help you laugh your way through the season.
You’ll learn how to dodge the glitter traps, outwit the frenzy, and rediscover the joy tucked between the tinsel and tape. So grab a cup of cocoa, take a deep breath, and join me for a few smiles, a few reminders, and a gentle nudge back toward peace, presence, and porch-light simplicity.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
The Holiday Hustle starts earlier every year. Before the last of the Halloween candy has been eaten, stores are piping in Christmas music and flashing “limited time only” sales. The commercials tell us that the magic of Christmas comes in a gift bag or a decorated box. We scroll through picture-perfect tablescapes on social media, and somewhere deep down we start to feel like maybe we’re not doing enough. Or maybe we’re doing it wrong. If you’ve had all you can take of the Holiday Hustle, listen in and learn a few tips on how to slow down, breathe easier, and actually enjoy your holidays.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Be Someone's Hero
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Podcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this Thanksgiving episode, it’s time to slow down, breathe deeply, and reflect on the true meaning of gratitude. Through faith-filled encouragement and gentle reminders, you’ll rediscover how a thankful heart can transform your home, your table, and your daily life. Pour a warm cup of tea, pull up a chair, and let’s celebrate the beauty of a faith-filled, grateful, and simple life.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
One of the hardest things we can be asked to do is to believe in ourselves. For a lot of us, it’s easy to believe that God is good. We can believe He’s powerful, loving, and able to work miracles. We can believe that He answers prayer and that He guides people’s lives. But when it comes to believing that He can do something through us — well, that’s where we start to hesitate.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Finding time for devotion is one of those things that sounds easy in theory. We imagine ourselves sitting at a sunny table with our Bible open and a gentle breeze floating through the window. But in reality, we might be snatching a few minutes in the middle of the grocery store parking lot before running inside or reading a verse on our phone while waiting in line at the bank. If you struggle to find time in your day for devotions, then listen in. I’ll help you find a few of those precious moments, no matter how busy your day gets.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Sometimes, the more complicated life gets, the easier it is for faith to be tucked into the corners instead of standing front and center. It’s not that we ever mean for that to happen. It just seems like the busyness of schedules, chores, unexpected events, and the little emergencies that pop up, all have a way of crowding in. Before we realize it, our days are running us instead of us running our days. If you are struggling to find a way to incorporate a little more faith in your simple life, then listen in and learn how to take the first step.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
As the year winds down, it’s time to reflect on what the New Year will bring. Discover how to start your preparations with small, manageable steps that bring peace and intention—not pressure. Learn how to cultivate gratitude, set gentle goals, and embrace kindness toward yourself as you prepare for a simpler, more meaningful year ahead.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In a world that pushes us to do more, Julie reminds us of the beauty and power in going deeper where we are. This episode encourages embracing the quiet, rooted growth that happens in everyday life—nurturing relationships, traditions, and faith—and shows why sometimes staying small is exactly the next level we need.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Discover how your everyday hobbies—whether baking, gardening, crafting, or more—can blossom into meaningful heart work that blesses others. Julie shares gentle encouragement and faith-filled insights to inspire you to share your simple joys in ways that bring connection, service, and purpose to your life and community.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Turn your love for simple living into something bigger, better, and stronger. It’s time to step gently beyond your comfort zone and consider how you might take your own simple life passion to the next level—whether through writing, teaching, creating, or simply living more intentionally.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
There is one area of gratitude we don’t talk about very often, and that’s the kind we need to extend to ourselves. Just saying that out loud might make some of us a little uncomfortable, and dare I say it, feel as if it’s ‘self-centered’. But – are you ready for this? Brace yourself, because I’m here to tell you—it’s not. It’s not selfish, prideful, or self-serving. Not in the least. Join me on the porch today as we talk about the value and importance of offering ourselves the grace of gratitude. It may just even be one of the most appreciated lessons you can learn.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Gratitude is a lot like a seed. You can hold it in your hand, admire its potential, and even carry it around with you - but until you plant it and tend to it, it doesn’t really grow. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: if we want to grow grateful hearts in our children, we have to do more than tell them to say “thank you.” We have to show them what it means to live a thankful life. Listen in and find ways to help you cultivate gratitude in your child – and how it begins with you.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
When we think about gratitude, we usually picture quiet moments - those still, peaceful pauses where we reflect and give thanks. But that’s just one facet of the glittering gem we call ‘gratitude’. In this podcast, we’ll take a look at gratitude from another angle. Not the kind that stays tucked neatly in your heart or scribbled in a journal, but the kind that moves. The kind that rolls up its sleeves, steps outside the door, and says, “How can I show my thanks right here, right now, in this community I call home?”
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Gratitude isn’t just about being polite—it’s a way of seeing the world. In this episode, we explore how to live with a thankful heart even when life isn’t picture-perfect. Whether it’s finding peace in the middle of a storm or recognizing the beauty in small blessings, you’ll discover how true gratitude transforms your perspective—and your pace.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this special Labor Day episode, let’s pause to reflect on the quiet blessings of freedom—and the people who make that freedom possible. From those who serve in uniform to the everyday folks who keep our communities running through their labor, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that gratitude often begins with simply noticing. Join me for a slower look at how our freedom is built, sustained, and worth being thankful for every single day.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
There’s a quiet crisis happening—some of the world’s oldest and most meaningful crafts are slipping away. In this thoughtful episode, we’ll talk about what endangered crafts are, why they matter, and how even one curious soul can help keep a tradition alive. You’ll hear about fascinating old-world skills like scissor making, flax processing, rush seating, and the ancient yarn art of nalbinding. If you’ve ever felt drawn to learn something timeless, this episode is your gentle nudge to try your hand and become part of a beautiful legacy.
Lists of Endangered Crafts
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
If you love to make things, chances are you’ve given most of your creations away. Gifts, holidays, little tokens of love. But when was the last time you made something just for you? In this episode, we’re giving ourselves permission to create with joy, curiosity, and a little bit of playfulness—without needing a reason or a recipient. Whether it’s a cozy blanket, a garden marker, or a batch of spice rub, let’s talk about why crafting for your own home and heart isn’t selfish—it’s soul-sustaining.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
We often think of handmade as something tucked away in the craft room—yarn, fabric, glitter, glue. But the truth is, a handmade life stretches far beyond those four walls. In this episode, we explore the beauty of everyday handmade living—from garden projects to homemade bread, mended shirts, and homegrown herbs. This isn’t about being crafty; it’s about being intentional. Join me for a warm conversation about how the most meaningful handmade moments are often the simplest, and how your hands can bring love and care into the daily rhythms of life.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Let’s pull back the curtain on a topic that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough—the stigma of homemade. Somewhere along the way, store-bought became the gold standard, and handmade got tucked into the corner with a polite smile and a “Well, bless your heart.” But homemade isn’t second-best—it’s soulful, intentional, and brimming with meaning.
Join me on the porch as we chat about how homemade got a bad rap, why it deserves a revival, and how each stitch, stir, and scribble we make is a quiet act of love. It’s time to dust off the doilies and reclaim the beauty in making things with our own two hands.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this episode, we’re going to pay homage to the one day of the week that just begs us to be unplugged, to reconnect with others (and ourselves), and to just enjoy life. That day is Sunday. Are you ready to re-establish this day of rest? Listen in and find out how to do just that!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
I know it might sound just a little odd coming from someone who talks about living a simple life, but I’m a big fan of boredom. Not the kind where you're stuck in traffic or trapped in a waiting room without a magazine in sight - although those count, too. I mean the good kind. And there are some good things in the middle of boredom. Just listen in and find out what they are!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
There are days when our slow, simple life gets swept up in a fast, loud, messy whirl of activity. The kind of day where your coffee goes cold before you can drink it, someone forgets to feed the dog, and the to-do list looks like it was written by a caffeinated squirrel. If this is your life, maybe it’s time to learn to reconnect, to relax and enjoy the life you have. Listen in and learn how to get back to that simple life you love!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
We’ve gotten so tangled up in our gadgets and gizmos that we don’t even realize how loud the world has become. It hums and buzzes and dings and beeps. Our calendars yell at us with reminders, our phones light up like fireflies in a jar, and we’ve got more tabs open—on our browsers and in our brains—than we know what to do with.
So, what does it really mean to unplug? Listen in and find out!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
There’s something about pie that just says home. Not the store-bought kind with the perfect crimped edges and the glossy labels—but the kind your mama or your granny used to make. The kind with a little flour on the countertop, maybe a thumbprint in the crust where someone pressed too hard, and the aroma that floats out of the oven and wraps around your soul like a quilt on a chilly morning. Listen in and find out why the Pie Bird sings, and how baking a pie is like sending a little love note to those we love!
Apple Pie with Cheese Crust
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
There are sermons you hear on Sunday morning and ones whispered through your grandmother’s kitchen on a quiet afternoon. I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard some of my best sermons - not from a pulpit, but from a bowl of dough and a warm oven. And if there’s one food that’ll preach, it’s a good, old-fashioned yeast roll. Listen in to this week’s ‘sermon’ and discover where faith and yeast rolls meet in the middle!
Aunt Dot's Hot Rolls
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
When was the last time you had a good, old-fashioned baking day? Not just whipping up a quick banana bread while the laundry tumbles and the kids are hollering, but a real baking day. The kind where the windows fog up from the oven’s heat, the counters are covered in flour, and the radio hums a tune older than your favorite apron. Maybe it’s time to get back to a Baking Day Revival. It’s easy – just start with slowing down and whipping up some muffins, memories & messes!
Paradise Muffins
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
There’s something about biscuits that just feels like home. Not the kind you pop from a can and pray won’t explode in your hand, or the ones that come in a plastic bag found in the freezer section of your grocery store. No, I’m talking about real biscuits. The kind Grandma made without ever glancing at a recipe card. Where measurements were eyeballed, flour dust danced in the morning light, and the rolling pin had stories to tell. Listen in and learn more about the one food that can hug you back – biscuits!
Aunt Dot's Cheese Biscuits
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Put on your aprons and head to the starting line with the humble, hearty, and sometimes hilariously unpredictable world of sourdough. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Sourdough? Really? Haven’t we seen enough mason jars of bubbling starter and loaves scored like fine artwork to last us a lifetime? Probably – and to be honest, mine never turn out that artistic. But stick with me, because we’re not going to talk about sourdough like it’s the next big foodie trend. We’re going to talk about it like it’s an old friend who’s been sitting on the back porch swing waiting for us to come home and settle in for a visit.
Sourdough Starter Recipe
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
When we think about homemaking, we often focus on the daily tasks - the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and everything else that’s required to manage our homes well. But when we step back and really look at the bigger picture, homemaking is about so much more. It’s about the atmosphere we create, the memories we build, and the lessons we pass down. Long after we are gone, our homes will continue to tell our stories. They will hold the echoes of laughter, the warmth of love, and the subtle but powerful legacy we leave behind.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Too many people think that homemaking isn’t really a profession, job, or worthwhile end goal. I mean, all it takes to run a home is to do a few loads of laundry, cook meals, and do a bit of tidying up, right? But we as homemakers know better. There’s more to homemaking than stirring a pot or pushing a vacuum. There’s budgeting, problem-solving, time management, conflict resolution, meal planning, and so much more. Years ago, Home Economics was a real college degree. Today, our academic societies have all but dropped that curriculum. But if it was brought back, what would it look like? Listen in to this fun look at what you would sign up for if you decided to get your college degree in Homemaking!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
To me, homemaking is one of the most uncelebrated jobs anyone can have. But it’s also the most important and necessary. We rarely consider what it takes to maintain a home. And today, we’re going to talk a bit more about how to keep it in balance and make our homes a harmonious place to live – not just for you, but for the entire family.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Homemaking is a lot like a diamond. It’s not just one thing - it’s a collection of skills, responsibilities, and heartwarming moments that come together to create something truly special. If you think about it, a diamond shines because of its many facets. Each one catches the light in a different way, reflecting its brilliance from every angle. And in the same way, homemakers have multiple facets—each one an essential part of what makes a home function smoothly and feel warm and welcoming.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
There’s something about the rhythmic motion of a needle pulling thread through fabric or the soft clickety-clack of knitting needles that just soothes the soul. In today’s fast-paced world, we often look for ways to slow down, to reconnect with ourselves and our roots, and handwork is a beautiful way to do just that. It’s practical, creative, and—let’s be honest—there’s just something deeply satisfying about making something with your own two hands.
Listen in to learn more about the ‘old-fashioned’ skills embraced in handwork. (And one only requires having a needle, some yarn, and your thumb!)
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Take a step back in time—back before dollar bills, bank accounts, and credit cards dictated the way we live. Before we became so dependent on money, communities thrived on something far simpler: bartering and trading. It was the first economy, built not on numbers in a ledger but on relationships, trust, and the value of a hard day’s work. And the funny thing is, even though we’ve moved so far away from it, there’s still a lot we can learn from it today.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
We all dream of having a garden like Grandma and Grandpa did. Lush. Green. Loaded with fresh food. Our memories take us back to visions of Grandma snapping beans on the porch. And we ask ourselves, “How did they do it?” One way was with tools they couldn’t hold them in their hands. Those tools were the moon and stars.
Listen in to learn more about this time-honored (but often questioned) way of using the very essence of creation to grow a healthier, more productive garden!
Raising with the Moon
You and the Man in the Moon
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Remembering what you’ve gone through, the hardships and the successes, combined with the skills you learned from your parents and grandparents can help when you face obstacles today. You could think of these skills as ‘hand-me-downs’. Just as you cherish having Grandma’s apron, or grandpa’s toolbox, these skills are as beneficial in today’s life as they were yesterday.
Listen in and learn more about yesterday’s skills, and how Grandma and Grandpa did their own blend of simple life and prepping!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
We often think about necessities in terms of what we can touch and hold—things like food, water, shelter, and the supplies we might stockpile for the future.
While those are certainly important, what if I told you that the real necessities extend beyond the material? And that the key to living a truly fulfilling life—one that blends the best of prepping and simple living—is to recognize that your mental and emotional needs matter just as much, if not more?
Listen in and learn more about the necessities that go beyond the material things in life. If may just help you to live a life that is deeper, richer, and more fulfilled.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this 4th podcast of the Simple Life meets Prepping series, we’ll dig into a topic that’s as important as it is often overlooked: finances. Now, before you roll your eyes and start thinking, “Oh great, here comes the talk about budgeting and saving for a rainy day,” stick with me for a moment. We’re not going to dive into complex spreadsheets or endless number crunching. Instead, I want to take a moment and talk about the connection between finances, living simply, and prepping for the future.
Products To Help You with your Finances
Gain Control of your Finances (printable)
Home Budget Spreadsheet
Home Income & Expense Spreadsheet
Home Finance Bundle(Budget, Income & Expense Spreadsheet & Dollars & Sense eBook)
Holiday Budget Bundle (To help manage finances during the holiday season)
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Welcome back to the Porch! Grab yourself a few cookies and a cup of coffee and settle in for a bit. Today, we're talking about one of my favorite topics – the skills you need for both prepping and living a simple life. Tune in while we talk about 5 skills that will come in handy – from the basics to the more advanced.
Make Your Own Rope Jig
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Last week, I introduced you to a new, sweet little town called Simply Prepping. For the rest of the month, we’re going to hang out there, and see how the townsfolk are able to bring prepping and living a simple life together, and have it blend smoothly. This week, it’s going to be all about one of the basic necessities of life: food. Listen in and find out how living a simple life and prepping can work together - and bring you a delicious meal, no matter what’s going on around you!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Imagine a life where your pantry holds jars of home-canned vegetables, your evenings are spent enjoying a quiet sunset with loved ones, and your heart is at ease knowing you’re ready for both today and tomorrow. That’s the harmony of living in a small town called Simply Prepping. Listen in and get directions on how to get to this sweet little place that sits at the intersection of Prepping and a Simple Life.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
In this digital age, it’s easy to rely on our devices for entertainment. Streaming movies, scrolling through social media, or playing games seem to fill every spare moment. But before blue light was a thing, people found meaningful ways to spend their time—ways that nourished the soul, strengthened relationships, and created lasting memories. Grab a cup of coffee or your favorite refreshment, and let’s chat about those timeless forms of entertainment that don’t require technology and how to rediscover joy in a simpler way.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Finding your passion can sometimes feel elusive. Either you have too many ideas to choose from, or you can’t pinpoint a single one. It’s easy to get stuck in uncertainty, but discovering your passion doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on simplicity and breaking the process into manageable steps, you can uncover what truly makes your heart sing. Listen in to discover how to find your passion and allow your passion to guide you toward a more intentional, simple, and joyful life.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
You may think some of Grandma’s time management ideas are old-fashioned, but no matter who you are or what you are doing, it’s inevitable that life will throw you a curve ball – or a broken phone. That’s when you need to sit down on the porch and talk to Grandma. She’ll tell you right quickly that her Plan A is perfect to adapt as your Plan B. Listen in to learn all about Grandma’s Plan A. It might just be the best plan you can make.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
With Valentine’s Day on the 14th of February, it’s no wonder we think about love during this month. We love the exhilaration of a new romance, and the security and comfort of a long-term relationship. But no matter its age, love is a whirlwind of emotions. It’s thrilling, nerve-wracking, full of clarity one moment and questions the next.
And while you may be thinking this sounds like the ups and downs of falling in love with a person, the same can be said about falling in love with a simple life. The journey isn’t always straightforward, but it’s undeniably rewarding. Listen in to learn how you can fall in love with living a simple life. It may just be the one of the best relationships you’ve ever had.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Have you ever been driving along the road and had to swerve to miss a pothole? Sometimes, traffic or timing will prevent you from going around it, and it’s deep enough to make your teeth rattle and wonder if it ripped the muffler off of your car.
The same thing can happen on your life’s journey. I don’t care what lifestyle you live, whether it’s slow and steady or one that is fast paced with no exit in sight – we’ll eventually hit one of those craters in the road.
I can’t speak for the fast-paced lifestyle, as although my life can be busy at times, I primarily stay in the slow lane. But I can help you navigate the potholes when it comes to living a Simple Life. What it boils down to is making an Assessment.
Listen in to learn what a Simple Life Assessment is, and how to create one for your own simple life journey!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Happiness may be subjective, but one thing is universal: living a simple, intentional life can help us uncover the kind of happiness that lasts. Listen in and learn 7 Key Reasons why living a Simple Life can make you happy!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Many of us choose a word for the year and use it to help direct our goals for the foreseeable future. These are often words such as faith, empowerment, success, and gratitude, which are some of the most popular choices.
But instead of choosing a favorite, this year I decided to step out in faith and adopt the word ‘Extreme’. Listen in as I explain why I chose it and how I’m already applying it to achieve my ultimate goal of living a simple life!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
A new year is so much like writing a new book. January 1st gets the exciting title of Chapter One. Our goals are the initial ideas and the outline. But just like writing a book, there are some goals, dreams, or aspirations that won’t survive the editing process.
Whether it’s due to time, resources, or changing priorities, we all have those ‘unwritten chapters’ in our lives. In this episode, we’ll explore how to accept these chapters with grace, find peace with the life we’ve chosen, and embrace the joys and fullness of our current journey.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Before the year gets here, take time to reflect on the lessons learned, the growth, and joys of your simple life!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Discover the gifts you can give yourself this Christmas!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Christmas carols are part and parcel of the holiday season. But if you think about it, the music of Christmas isn’t just about the notes in a score. Well beyond the notes and harmonies, there’s a deeper sense of rhythm and melody woven throughout every aspect of the holiday season. This ‘music’ touches our hearts, brings back beautiful memories, deepens our traditions, and even comforts us in our quietest moments. Listen in and learn more about the literal and symbolic music that fills our hearts during the Christmas season.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
The holidays are the busiest time of the year for many of us. Our calendars are so weighed down you can almost see the activities dripping off the paper. But in spite of all the busyness, we still need some quiet time to regroup and refresh. That’s where Audits and Inventories can help. But these aren’t your typical audits and inventories of what you still need to do or the contents of your cabinets. Listen in and discover different types, and how they can help you learn to slow down and enjoy your simple life!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Even when living a Simple Life, all of the preparations that lead up to a holiday can be hectic and exhausting. Yes, you’ve done everything you can think of to make it easier. You’ve scaled back, delegated, planned carefully, have created quite a few handmade gifts, and the cookie dough is in the freezer, just waiting to be baked. But there is still a lot to do.
It’s easy to feel ‘scattered and stretched’ instead of ‘merry and bright’ during this time. But there is a way you can twinkle more. In order to do that, you need to set aside roughly an hour, and do some ‘pre-holiday’ preparation, and assemble a December Survival Tool Kit. Listen in to see what that is, and the fun things you can add to it!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving – with a ‘glass’ that is overflowing!
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
This time of year, with Thanksgiving headed our way, we’re often encouraged to focus on gratitude, count your blessings, or say thank you for all that we have. And, for the most part we do, and we are thankful for our blessings. Yet, there are so many things to be grateful for. It’s also so much more than offering thanks for what we have. Gratitude is also an attitude and an action.
Join me on the porch as we talk about how to cultivate the power of gratitude with our attitudes, and how to put it into action.
Gratitude Bingo Card
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Some things never go out of style, and living a gracious life is one of them. For me, living a simple life and a lifestyle of graciousness goes hand in hand. Living in the south, a gracious life not only seems to be the norm, but our mama’s all made sure we knew the art and intricacies of applying them every chance we got. Join me on the porch and learn more about how to add a bit of graciousness to your simple life. It may just be one of the best things you can do for yourself and others.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Even when you live a simple life there are times when you feel as if you are standing in the middle of a storm. Adding holidays to the mix can make it even more chaotic. It doesn’t have to be that way. Join me on the porch and find easy ways to help calm that storm.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
A comfortable faith comes from a place of trust, familiarity, and regular practice. Just as when you first begin getting to know someone new, your relationship goes through a bit of awkwardness and uncertainty. But once you spend more time with that person and begin to share experiences, the comfort level when you are around them increases.
In this episode, we will discuss how to reach a place of comfort, find out how to deal with the discomfort we may experience, and, if you are willing, accept the challenge to bring a deeper level of comfort to your faith.
Faith & a Simple Life - Amazon
Faith & a Simple Life Companion Workbook - digital product through The Farm Wife Shop
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
Here in the south, and I imagine it’s the same in other parts of the world, we have a deep-seated connection to food. Whether it be meals served at home, packed in a basket to create a picnic, or cakes and cookies made for a bake sale, we love our food.
And many of our traditions revolve around food. But there is one tradition that just makes it even more fun, and that is the tradition of a Pass It On Plate. Listen in to learn what a Pass It On Plate is, and how it is used not only food as a gift, but also as a connection of hearts, homes, and communities.
Links to Find your Pass It On Plate
Pass it On Plate – Etsy
Giving Plate – Etsy
Blessing Plate – Amazon
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
As the air cools and the days grow shorter, we find ourselves in the midst of one of the coziest times of the year—fall. It’s a season that invites us to slow down, gather with loved ones, and enjoy the comfort that only this time of year brings. Listen in as we dive into the heart of that comfort: from the emotional and scientific pull of comfort foods to simple activities that bring us together during this season. Fall comfort isn’t just about what’s on our plate—it’s about the people we’re with and the warmth we create, inside and out.
Recipes:
Chili Chicken Stew
Paradise Muffins
Apple Pie with Cheese Crust
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
The changing of the seasons, whether natural or in life, is inevitable. It’s how we move through these seasons that make a difference in our lives. And we have a choice. We can fight the changes, kicking and screaming, or embrace them with a comfortable level of acceptance. Listen in as we talk about how to recognize the changes as they come, the best way to make the transition with grace, faith, and purpose.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Faith & a Simple Life
FICTION
The Strangers Room
We all have lessons to learn in life. Some are big and only happen once or twice in our lifetime. Some are pop quizzes which we never saw coming. And others are small, almost imperceptible, which happen as a learn as you go lesson.
But some lessons come wrapped in unusual packaging with a unique delivery system. And not too long ago, I found myself in class learning more about a subject I don’t really think much about.
Tedium. That boring, frustrating, and irritating – but inspiring, beautiful and soothing part of life we all have to deal with from time to time. And of all the places I could learn more about it was sitting at my bead weaving loom.
Bead Weaving Loom
Bead Weaving Bracelet Draft
Bead Weaving Hatband Draft
Bead Weaving Books
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
It’s fairly easy to visit with a single friend from time to time, and occasionally a neighbor will drop by. But groups? I’m going to be honest – they are a little harder to come by. Whether they are steeped in the whirlwind of a hectic lifestyle, or comfortably settled in to living simply, most everyone is busy these days. It gets difficult to find the time to have lunch with a friend, much less to join a group.
Still, being a part of a group has some great benefits. Whether it be for a specific function, or just an enjoyable visit, being a part of a group is a great way to celebrate a piece of living a simple life.
https://www.thefarmwife.com/how-to-start-a-social-group/
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
When you sand a piece of wood, you are taught to ‘sand with the grain’. If you sand across the grain, the grit of the sandpaper will leave grooves– like scratches or small cuts that are obvious in the finished project. When you sand ‘with the grain’, those scratches are less obvious, as they blend in with the natural grain of the wood.
But sometimes in life, we should be actually sanding ‘against’ the grain in order to produce a beautiful and unique life. Listen in to learn more about the benefits of sanding ‘against the grain’ in your own simple life!
Understanding Wood Grain Patterns: Types, Examples & Terms (duffieldtimber.com)
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
We often think in tangible terms when we talk about living a simple life. Homemaking. Slowing down. Spending time with family, getting involved with our community, and developing our creative skills. But there are some things we can’t actually see or touch that make up a large portion of living a simple life. These are the intangible things we experience, see, or think, such as love, joy, peace and contentment. There are also two other things - willingness and touch.
Listen in to learn how willingness and touch are integral pieces of living the simple life we love.
Send us a text
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
How many times have you taken a look at all of the bits and pieces left over from other projects, and wondered what in the world you are going to do with it? These are often called ‘Remnants’. But don’t toss them out. Instead, get creative – you’re only limited by your imagination in all the ways these can be used for other fun projects!
Send us a text
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Creativity is a wonderful thing to indulge in. You can be creative in the kitchen, craft room, yard, and in many other ways. But when you overindulge, it can create a very creative problem. Need help with creativity overload? You may find it here - (but then, again, you may just find you have a bigger problem…)
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Social Media. Cell phones. Emails. They all have their purpose when it comes to communication and stopping in for a quick visit. But they all have one thing in common – they are very impersonal.
It may sound old fashioned, but there is just something special – and much more personal - about having and using a Calling Card. Listen in to discover what these are, how to use them, and then learn how to create one for yourself!
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
There are times when life just gets too heavy for us to shoulder the load. When that happens, it may help to sit down by the Brook Besore with David and his men, a story that can be found in I Samuel 30. You may be surprised as how a simple rest by a deep ravine can help.
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
It may seem like a lazy, unproductive, and selfish thing to do, but there really is value in being still. Take a lesson from a little yellow bear and learn the value of the Art of Doing Nothing.
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Dot-to-dot. Connect the dots. As a kid, you probably spent time pouring over a page with numbered dots scattered around in what seemed like a random method. If we started at Dot One, drew a line to Dot 2, and continued in the same method, eventually the lines we use to connect the dots would form a picture.
But ‘connecting the dots’ isn’t just a puzzle game for kids. It is also used as an idiom in life. When we don’t fully understand a situation, we are told to ‘connect the dots’. In other words, we need to start at the beginning, move to the next point, and start following the dots until we finally understand what is taking place – or rather, a figurative picture begins to form.
Creating a plan for your simple life may be as simple as creating your own Connect the Dots game. Listen in and start at Dot #1. You may just discover you are creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece instead of a simple game for kids.
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Holidays have a way of eliciting excitement in our hearts when we think about them. We can’t wait to catch up with family, dig into food we usually only get to enjoy once a year, and celebrate with all the festivities and fun.
But there is nothing that can burst our excitement bubble quicker than thinking about how much it will cost. The needle that pops our excitement bubble is doubly sharp when we think about all the time it will take us to plan, prepare, bake, cook, shop, decorate, and clean. It’s enough to seriously consider taking all our holiday money and escaping to a deserted island!
But before you buy your plane ticket, listen in to find simple ways to manage your time and money, and still be able to enjoy your holidays. And it all starts with a Plan.
(Listen closely to find an early FREE 'Christmas' Gift!)
Other Great Christmas Products:
Have a Merry, Simple Christmas eBook
Holiday Budget Bundle
Have a Merry, Simple Christmas Bundle
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Don't Lose Your Marbles!
In the heat of summer, we are often looking for fun ways to entertain ourselves and stay as cool as possible at the same time. We also want to take advantage of the season and host a gathering. But knowing what to do – other than a picnic and outside games and activities – can be tough. What we really want to do is escape the heat and the mosquitoes but still do something different than just a movie night.
It’s easier than you think – and maybe more fun than you can imagine. Listen in and learn all about the Game Box and how to use it for an enjoyable summer activity!
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
The summer months bring out more than bathing suits, grills, and ice-cold Lemonade. It also brings hot and humid days, some of which break the 100-degree mark. With little rain fall to break the heat and humidity, life can become uncomfortable to almost unbearable.
It isn’t surprising that the heat doesn’t just make us sweat – it can also bring out the worst in us. Even the smallest thing that would ordinarily get overlooked seems to bring on a full-blown hurricane of emotions. In other words, it becomes a Tempest in a Tea Pot, or a Storm in a Teacup.
Rather than spoil your summer fun with heat-related temper issues, listen in to find a few ways to keep from turning from an otherwise gentle soul into a full-blown tsunami.
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
This week our nation will be celebrating the 4th of July, which we all know is the birthdate of our country gaining freedom. Our forefathers created and signed the Declaration of Independence, which gave us political separation from Great Britain.
By choosing to live a simple life, you have gotten your own brand of freedom – the separation from the tyranny of a life where something or someone other than yourself dictates you where you live, how you live, when you can come, when you can go, what job you can have, or what lifestyle you can live.
It’s your life, your choice. And you even get to create your own definition of what that simple life you’re living means to you, and the elements you want to include in it.
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Mama taught all of us girls the basics of laundry. We learned how to use the washing machine, the proper way to hang clothes on the line, and when we were blessed with an automatic dryer, how to use it. Once everything was cleaned, she taught us how to iron, then fold items and put them away. And yes, she even taught us how to fold fitted sheets.
Fitted sheets are the bane of our existence. No matter how hard we try, they just don’t fold well. Fold in half, tuck the fitted corners together, fold again. Tuck in the flap. It looked easy. It sounded easy when Mama explained. After quite a bit of trial and error, I managed. And then, the manufacturers came out with elastic corners. I went back to Folding Fitted Sheets 101 all over again.
But folding fitted sheets can also be a metaphor for life. Listen in and learn how folding fitted sheets may just help you ‘neaten’ up the wrinkles in life!
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
Established in Washington in 1966, Reading is Fundamental (RIF) began when Margaret McNamara realized that students she was tutoring didn’t have ready access to books. Today, we have libraries, bookstores, eBooks, and even online libraries. Accessing books isn’t truly a big problem any longer, but finding time to read might be. Take a ‘page’ out of Ms. McNamara’s ‘book’, and discover how reading can be entertaining, educational, and the perfect way to escape the heat, stretch your mind, and relax for an hour or two. The only real problem you may face is that you might just get to a good part and want to stretch that reading time out to the rest of the day!
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
The summer heat has a way of driving us indoors, but we struggle to find ways to escape the heat and still be productive. Summer is one of the best times to work on handmade Christmas gifts. Listen in and discover some great ideas on gifts you can make, and a simple tip on how to keep them all organized!
Links:
Psalm 91 Throw
Embellished Bath Towels
Barn Quilt
Coasters
Wooden Spoon Butter
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop Do you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!
Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)
The Search for a Simple Life
How to Cook a Possum: Yesterday’s Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don’t worry – this isn’t a cookbook!)
It’s official. Summer has finally hit us between the eyes. The humidity may be more of a southern thing, but the heat affects all of us, at least to some extent. And it doesn’t just make us sweat. It can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether we want to or not, we can’t avoid it, so we just need to learn how to handle it to the best of our ability.
It isn’t really difficult to get ready for summer: you just have to plan ahead a bit, then dive in. Listen in as we look at how you can stay cool, and how to help your elderly neighbors and animals beat the heat.
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop
I hope you are ready for today’s conversation because I am going to take you back in time. I’m doing this to answer a question proposed to me recently. It had to do with the differences between a Simple Life ‘back then’, and a Simple Life now. The question seemed to clash with a belief that ‘we can never go back; we can only move forward’.
To a point, I agree with that statement. It is impossible to step back in time and change things. We can only move forward and do our best not to repeat our mistakes.
But when it comes to a way of living our lives in the modern world? I can’t say I fully agree with that. We may not be able to do away with all the modern conveniences, such as airplanes, computers, and cell phones, and truthfully, we probably wouldn’t want to do away with some type of electricity, indoor plumbing, and running water, but we can live a life similar to the way our grandparents and great-grandparents did, with a few adaptations.
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop PageGreat Products by The Farm Wife:
The Simple Life Workbook
Simple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of Homemaking Find other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife Shop
As much as we sometimes would like to withdraw 100% from society, in reality it isn’t practical or probable. As humans, one of our basic needs is to have contact with others – even if it is only one or two people at a time.
Having neighbors and a community fills that need. It doesn’t mean we have to be surrounded by people every single day. A little aloneness is also good for the soul. But when times get tough or we just need a helping hand, it is nice to have someone who can help.
In Episode 33, we talked about how to be neighborly. But there are times we need to expand on that and include the community around us. Listen in and discover fun and easy ways to become active within your own community.
My Amazon Shop
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Welcome back to the Porch! Help yourself to some tea cakes and lemonade and settle in for a few minutes. In fact, you showed up just in time to help me with a little project I’m working on. All I need for you to do is tell me – what is your favorite kind of cookie? (Just send me an email and let me know!)
While I was in the kitchen baking those tea cakes you’re enjoying, I started wondering about who the first person was to actually bake a cookie. And as a random history buff, I had to go find the answer to that question. I never discovered an actual person, but I did learn a bit about the origins of this sweet treat.
Not only that, but I also learned a life lesson, about how baking cookies can easily apply to living a Simple Life. Listen in to learn more about the history of baking cookies, and how they may help you to be a bit braver about taking the next step in your own Simple Life journey!
Send us a Text Message.
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Gardening as part of a Simple Life is more than just growing fresh food for your family. It is also finding a way to continue growing that food when money is tight or we find ourselves in the midst of floods, drought, or even food shortages. To do this, we need to take our gardens to the next level and learn how to save the seeds for the food we grow. Learning how to start your own Seed Bank is simple. Listen in and get started on the basics!
My Amazon Shop
Mary’s Heirloom Seeds *Affiliate Link
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company
Seed Savers Exchange
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
If gardening is an art form, frugal garden decorating is the canvas!
We all want healthy, beautiful gardens that delight the senses. But there should also be an element of fun tucked between the greenery. But when adding decorative elements to your garden, a shopping trip to the local gardening store may cause severe shock to your checkbook. Some of those precious gardening gnomes really need to come with their own pot of gold. You may be able to afford one, but several? Not so much.
Listen in and find some fun and frugal ways to add a decorative touch to your garden – even if you are looking for a ‘Whimsically Elegant’ touch!
Support the Show.
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Spring is here, and with it comes a beautiful array of spring flowers. As you drive down the road, you see fields of wildflowers, or beautiful roses in someone’s yard. All that beauty can’t help but make you smile.
If it makes you smile so broadly when driving, why not let that beautiful vision greet you each day in your own yard? Embracing life with beauty is as simple as adding a cutting garden. It’s just a matter of choosing which ones! Listen in and learn what plants work well in a Cutting Garden, how to display and share them, and which flowers work the best!
Farmers’ Almanac calculator
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Handcrafts are a beautiful way to express our love for creating, and sharing that love with others. But having to buy all the supplies can get expensive. One way to circumvent spending all that money is to supplement your love of handcrafts with things from nature. And that’s where a Craft gardens comes into play.
Learn more about what to grow, how you can use items from nature in your handcraft projects, and even how to find things you don’t have the room to grow!
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Flower gardens are a great way to add beauty to our yards and homes. But a Friendship Garden just seems to bloom better and more brightly. It’s my belief that these gardens are so beautiful because the fertilizer that makes them grow is love.
If you are ready to start planting ‘Friendship’, listen in on how to get started growing the best garden anyone can have!
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
One aspect many of us have included in our Simple Life is having a garden. Our goal is to provide food for our family, seasonings for the food we create, or even just being able to walk outside and gather a bouquet of fresh flowers to decorate our home.
But as with any endeavor, we need to plan our garden, long before we dig the first hole. For today’s podcast, we will start thinking about where we are going to place our gardens, what we will plant, and how we will tackle this project. Listen in for some easy tips to help you get started.
Farmers’ Almanac calculator
Mini Compost Bins
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Springing forward is more than just moving our clocks up an hour. It is also about springing forward with a new attitude. Making an attitude adjustment can help you breathe deeper, feel healthier in both mind and body, and can bring a smile to your heart and face. It also acts as a source of encouragement, knowing that we can accomplish all those plans we set for this year.
Listen in to learn how to start your Spring off on the right foot!
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
There are so many types of businesses you can do from home. This podcast is nowhere near exhaustive, but it can get you started in the right direction. Listen in to find out what home-based business is right for you.
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Now that you’ve given working from home a lot of thought, done your research, and maybe have even dipped your toe in the water, it’s time to think about what comes next.
This episode in the Home-Based Business series deals with tips on setting up your office, creating schedules, dealing with ‘expectations’ from others, and how to help make working from home a productive career.
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Have you ever dreamed about quitting your job and starting your own home-based business? Then grab some refreshments and settle in for this three-part series. Today’s episode covers the perks, the downsides, and gives you a general idea of what it takes to set up a home-based business. It also offers food for thought on what type of business, how to set boundaries with family, and ways to counteract some of the issues that working from home can create, such as isolation, depression, anxiety, and those dreaded interruptions.
The Farm Wife Amazon Shop
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
You’ve had a week to think about your BIG dream of quitting your job to stay home. But as much as you try to manipulate them, the numbers still aren’t adding up. Don’t let this frustrate you – it’s to be expected.
We have been manipulated to live a lifestyle of consumerism. We are told we can be beautiful, rich, happier, more fulfilled – but to do that, we have to buy this product, drive this car, or wear these clothes. To try and keep up, we go deeply into debt. Debt is a pit that is very difficult to come out of – literally, physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially.
But if Debt is another D word, it can be overcome by applying the other 5 – Dream, Desire, Determination, Dedication and Drive. And we can take control of our own lives, rather than be manipulated by the Man Behind the Curtain – which would be advertising companies and society as a whole.
If your numbers aren’t adding up, then it’s time to take a closer look at your debt and find ways to dissolve it. Let’s talk about just exactly how to start reducing or eliminating debt.
Simple Life Home Budget
Simple Life Home Income & Expense Spreadsheet
Simple Life Home Finance Bundle (Home Budget/IEW/Simple Life Dollars & Sense eBook)
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Lately, we’ve been hearing the catchphrase ‘When the BIG one hits’ quite a bit. What it refers to is the rumor of a ‘big’ storm, or the ‘big’ recession, or even the ‘big’ hit of an EMP, social collapse, or even war right here in our own country.
We’ve all probably heard the rumors, used the phrase, and thought about what our future will look like if it does happen. But that particular BIG one is something we can’t control. However, there is another BIG one we can control, and isn’t a rumor – it’s very real to us. This BIG one is our BIG dream. The one we have to quit our day job and stay home.
Now, wait. Before you think this one may not apply to you. You may love your job, or you may be the sole provider for your family, so staying home isn’t an option. Although I will focus on what it takes to fulfill the dream of staying home, there will still be ideas that apply to your BIG dream. You may have to think outside the box a bit, but the same principles still apply.
Simple Life Home Budget
Simple Life Home Income & Expense Spreadsheet
Simple Life Home Finance Bundle (Home Budget/IEW/Simple Life Dollars & Sense eBook)
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Have you ever found yourself in a slump? Life is stale. Your creativity feels similar to a dry creek. There are things you want to do but can’t seem to find the motivation. If this is where you stand, it may be time to get an Accountability Partner.
Often, having an Accountability Partner is something you would do from a professional standpoint. However, when learning to live a Simple Life, a personal Accountability Partner comes in handy.
Listen in to learn more about why you should have an accountability partner, who It should be, and the benefits having one can make in moving in a positive direction.
Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education®
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
There are so many types of financial investments, but we rarely consider one of the most important investments you can make – and that is learning how to invest in yourself.
We try our best to invest our time, money, and energy in our finances, homes, family, jobs, and other priorities wisely. What we neglect to remember is all of these things have a tendency to drain us mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and even spiritually. We give so much to other things we don’t think about how important it is to invest in ourselves. Maybe it’s time to change that. Listen in and learn more about the benefits of investing in yourself, as well as a few ways you can start doing that right now. After all, you are worth it.
My Amazon Shop
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Have you heard about the time someone had the bright idea of importing Hippos into South Louisiana? The thought behind it was to use these mammoth beasts in part to help control water hyacinths which were taking over our swamps. But was it such a great idea?
How many times have you had a ‘wonderful idea’ that you just knew would work? It’s one thing to try implementing something such as a new recipe or knitting project. It is something entirely different to try a huge, costly endeavor, and not do all of your research before you spend the first penny.
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Have you ever had this really great idea to do something, but as hard as you try, you can’t get past the first initial thought? As hard as you try, you just can’t ‘see’ it. And for many of us, we need to be able to ‘see’ what we want if we ever want to accomplish it.
If you love the idea of living a Simple Life, or if you are in the process of learning how to do it, but just can’t quite see exactly how you want it to look, then a great solution is for you to create a Vision Board or a Vision Notebook.
Both a Vision Board and a Vision Notebook are very similar in design. With the board, you can use a piece of poster board or even a wall in your house. With the notebook, you keep it all neatly contained in a 3-ring binder. But before you get started, it helps to know what this really is, how to create one, and why you would want to do it in the first place!
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
There is just something about a garden that can soothe my soul quicker than almost anything else in the world. From breaking ground and starting seeds, to planting and then harvesting, I love the time I spend in the dirt.
If you stop and think about it, there is a close comparison you can make between a garden and living a Simple Life. They both need sun, healthy soil, and a good helping of water to thrive. And if you think about it, the grass really is greener on the side you water.
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
No matter how you describe or define it, I love living a simple life. But for me, a more traditional simple life fits better with who I am. So, what’s the difference between the two?
To be honest, there is very little difference between a ‘simple life’, and a ‘traditional simple life’. A simple life is one where you actively focus on slowing down, choosing your priorities, and following your passions.
A Traditional Simple Life takes this lifestyle a bit deeper. It encompasses various aspects of life that are centered around a more intentional approach combined with traditional values and practices. There are elements of living within your means, less dependency on outside sources, and a more hands-on approach, rather than using technology for everything you do.
Listen in to find more on living a Traditional Simple Life, including why it may be considered a ‘radical’ way of life and what some of the benefits are!
You Don't Need Permission to Live a Simple Life
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
It’s that time. We are now in a brand-new year, and are faced with either making, or starting on our New Year’s resolutions. In Episode 90, we talked about the feeling of being stalked by our resolutions. To boil it down, the word ‘resolution’ often feels as if it is a synonym for ‘duty’. If you’re like me, you have enough ‘duties’ to last you a lifetime, and most of that is errands and housework!
Rather than look at this year as a duty to perform and complete, we are going to peek around the corner of that barrier and take a look at what possibilities are out there. When you look at it that way, you may just get excited to see what your new year will hold.
Simple Life Starter Kit(FREE Mini Workbook)
Living a Simple Life Workbook
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
A bright star in the East. Oh, how I often wish I could have been standing alongside the Magi when they looked up to see that beautiful sight. How I would love to have started walking, each step filled with the anticipation of coming closer and closer to the Christ child.
Each year at Christmas, as I hear the story and listen to the songs that portray this wonderful sight, I realize that I may not ever look up and see such a phenomenon in my day and age, but I can harbor the brightness of that star in my heart. Even more so, this star should not just be tucked away in my heart, only to be pulled out, given a good shake to release the dust and mold, and put on display only at Christmas.
Instead, it should be worn and visible each and every day. Listen in and find ways you can make the Christmas star visible in your life each and every day of the year.
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
All too often during the time right before Christmas, we feel as if we are being stalked by the New Year approaching. Time is flying by. We look back and see that we didn’t accomplish that long list of resolutions we vowed to keep. There just wasn’t enough time, money, or energy. By February, five had been broken. By March, half of those that were left dried up to dust, only to be swept up and thrown in the trashcan. By June, we had forgotten all but one or two. Those, we actually worked on, or had reached. Maybe. By September, we were already thinking to ourselves what next year’s resolutions will be. And by November and December, we are plagued with having to make even more plans for the year coming up. Hmm…
Do you need a better idea for dealing with New Year Resolutions? Then settle in for a visit and learn a few tricks on how to deal with them!
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
One of my favorite things to do is to read. It’s something my mom instilled and encouraged in me from a very young age. I enjoy reading so much, finding time to spend between the pages of a good book is actually one of the minor priorities I listed when mapping out my Simple Life plan.
Several years ago, this love of the written word led me to starting an annual Winter Reading List on my blog. I chose a winter reading list for a reason. In spring, I am primarily outside in my greenhouse starting seedlings, or getting my garden ready for planting. In summer, I am weeding, harvesting, and preserving the fruit, vegetables, and herbs I grow. In fall, I’m back in the garden either planting fall goodies, or getting the beds ready for a long winter’s nap.
Are you ready to start planning your Winter Reading List? Listen in to develop a good strategy for what you’ll be reading this winter – and get some ideas of what to add to your list!
4th Annual Winter Reading List
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
“Giving up hope is for the hopeless.” – This is a quote by Lloyd Davis (played by Bruce Boxleitner), from the movie, Love’s Everlasting Courage.
No matter how bad things get, there is still hope. It may be buried deep within us, but it’s there. We still have the ability to step away from the sheer mountain of things that threaten hopelessness to see the other side. We know we can’t give up, or give in. We may have to shift gears, choose the other fork in the road, or bulldoze through the middle, but know in your heart there is always a way around the problems. We just have to stop. Take a deep breath. Search for the successes, and lean on God and His timing.
And once you have done that, you may find that a bit of peace has covered over the encroaching hopelessness, and you can get back up, take another step, and try again. Listen in to find out more about keeping the hope burning bright in your life.
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Our lives may be busy most of the year, but things seem to escalate during the holiday season. Between the extra shopping, baking, cleaning, and everything else on our list of things to do, our schedules are hectic. At some point, we just need a break.
You probably already know this, but much of the holiday chaos is created by our own hands. We want the holidays to be memorable, so we keep adding things every year to make it more special. How many times have you seen a decorating theme, the television version of a holiday tradition, or a meal in a magazine that you think would be ‘just perfect’ for this year? I confess to doing that myself many, many times. There is just something magical about all those colors, textures, and twinkling lights that draw me in. It’s very hard to resist.
But by adding all the extras, or completely changing holiday themes, we end up with a few added problems. First, we could easily blow our entire budget on decorations alone. Which means we spend money we don’t have any longer to buy all the gifts we still need to get.
A second issue is time. It takes time to rearrange furniture to make room for the bigger tree, taking down and temporarily storing all the knickknacks that are already there to make room for the angels, elves, Santas, and other extras we want to display.
Has it all become too much? Then listen in as we talk about ways to Undo some of the Holiday Chaos!
The Merry Simple Christmas Bundle
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
How do we measure ‘enough’? Is it when our savings account is stuffed to overflowing? Is it when we need to buy a bigger house, just to have more closet space for shoes and clothes? Is it when our paychecks double and the cost of living is cut in half?
I am guilty of using the phrase, “It’s not enough”, all too often in my life. There’s not enough money. There is not enough time. There’s not enough _______________ (you fill in the blank). We seem to have the mentality that we need an over-abundance of something in order to make it worth our while. When in reality, what we really need is ‘just enough’ to serve our needs.
During this Thanksgiving holiday, it may be time to sit down and think about what is truly enough to us – and how to be more thankful for what we do have. You may be surprised at the abundance you have all around you.
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Setting a Holiday table is often a work of art. In fact, we often gaze longingly at the beautiful table settings in magazines. Fine China. Sparkling crystal. Sterling silver polished to a high gleam. The centerpiece is perfection, and the touch of greenery stretching across the center from end to end just adds that glamorous touch.
And as you picture your own table looking that perfect, your mind’s eye catches that priceless crystal as it tilts over from an elbow and shatters. Uncle Dan tells his wild stories with a big sweep of his hands, which catches on the greenery and pulls it off the table. And Grandma’s shaky hand drops mashed potatoes all over the centerpiece. And that doesn’t count the food stains on the pristine white tablecloth. You wonder if you even have enough stain remover on hand to get them all out.
Rather than be faced with a bigger than normal clean up, use what you have on hand and your own personality to create the best holiday table settings. Your meals may just be even more fun, and you won’t be picking glass shards out of the food.
The Farm Wife (website)Let's Visit (email)
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
As thanksgiving approaches, we start thinking about all the things we’re grateful for. But a few years back, as I was sitting on my swing during my afternoon teatime and making my list of things I’m thankful for, I stopped and wondered why I didn’t do this more often? Was I only thankful for a few weeks out of the year? Of course not. But Thanksgiving just seems to bring it to the forefront.
After I thought about it for a moment, I tore the list I was working on out of my notebook and set it beside me on the swing. I then began a new list.
Gratitude shouldn’t be reserved strictly for Thanksgiving. Instead, it should be year round action. Settle in for an afternoon tea and learn how to create a gratitude list for every month of the year – with an extra section for your Daily Gratitude. And to help you out, there is even a worksheet to get you started!
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit (email)Gratitude List Freebie!
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
R.A.O.K. - Random. Acts. Of. Kindness. This world really has gone crazy, as the Judd’s sang in their song ‘Grandpa’. Every day I read about so much mean-spiritedness and hatefulness that people are doing to others, just for the sheer purpose of doing it, or needing to feel as if they are in control. I often ask myself why people would do this? And then I read a story about an unsung hero that gives of themselves to help another, just for the sheer delight in bringing a smile to someone’s face.
RAOK’s are very simple things. They don’t always take a lot of money. They don’t always require great investments in time. They just take a mindset that we are blessed and should share those blessings with others.
Join me on the porch to learn a few ways you can offer Random Acts of Kindness. And who knows? We may just make this world a better place to live.
The Farm Wife (Website & Resource Page)
Let's Visit! (email)
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Dealing with grumpy relatives is one of the most difficult things we can do. It is even more difficult during the holidays because it is combined with all the other added stress and workload.
You can’t just tell Uncle Ralph and Aunt Priss to stay home. But you can get a handle on it before they show up.
Join me on the porch to find a few ways to make your holiday a bit more pleasant, even when that grumpy relative is sitting next to you at the table.
The Farm Wife (Resource Page & Website)
Let's Visit (email)
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Here in the South, October is the ‘potluck’ time of year when we aren’t sure what our weather will be doing until we lift the lid on the day. Some mornings the heat and humidity are aggressive long before the sun wakes up. The next, you need a sweater even in the late morning.
But just knowing that we will soon have cooler weather more consistently has me thinking of being outside even more than normal. And one of the things I would love to plan this year is an outdoor Potluck.
Settle in for a visit to learn what a potluck is, the main reasons to have one, and some of the delicious offerings you can find just waiting for you on the tables!
The Farm Wife
Stop by for a Visit!
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
As much as we really don’t like thinking about our mortality, at some point, death happens to everyone. But life shouldn’t be about how our lives will end, but rather how we live it.
To help me determine if I am living the life I should, I came up with 14 questions I ask myself on a routine basis. As a farmer, I naturally gravitated towards a farming bent to many of them. But in all honesty, you don’t have to live on a farm to answer them. You may never be faced with pasty butt, but if you stop and think about it, each question still applies to any given lifestyle.
The Farm Wife
Stop by for a Visit!
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Traditions are a big part of our holidays. In many families today, we are brought up to believe that our holiday traditions are not only historical, but also set in stone. Just the very idea of changing these long-held traditions is considered treasonous.
But things have changed over time. We may not always be able to uphold those holiday traditions. Instead, we either have to adapt them to our new lifestyles or change them altogether.
Listen in to learn a few reasons that can support the necessity of changing holiday traditions, and some fun ways to create new ones!
The Farm Wife (website)
The Farm Wife Podcast Resource PageEmail me for a Visit!
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Even when you live a Simple Life, your days can get busy. Often, we find our time is filled with so many things, we have very little room left over for spending time with God. And often, if we are able to squeeze in some quiet time for devotionals, we can’t seem to find the solitary space we need.
If necessary, we may just pull up a chair, open our Bible, and start focusing on God. And this is a good thing.
However, if your intention is to truly dig deep, it helps to have a little more privacy than that. Sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee may work well if you are at home alone. But if your family is there, you may be subjected to distractions.
In Matthew 6:6, Jesus tells us to go into our ‘inner room’ to pray. But where can we find that ‘inner room’, and be sure we aren’t distracted?
Listen in and discover some practical ideas of creating your own Inner Room. And once you find it, learn how to set it up and what supplies will come in handy. Then settle in for a more fulfilling time of prayer and devotion!
The Farm Wife (website)
The Virtual Porch (email)
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Hospitality is more than having guests in your home. A hospitable home is one that is warm and welcoming. It is one where the words ‘Come on in – I’m so glad you’re here!’ are genuine. It is a home that reflects our very own heart. It brings comfort, happiness, and a sense of coming home to anyone who walks through the door, whether they are a guest or the family who lives there.
But knowing what it is and how to offer it may be two different things. Listen in to learn a few ways you can offer hospitality to your guests, your family, and even in the aisle of a grocery store!
The Farm Wife (website)
The Virtual Porch (email)
Support the show
The Farm Wife (website)
Let's Visit! (email)
Amazon Shop Page
Money gets very tight some days, and we are limited as to ways to earn it or keep it. Since getting another part time job isn’t always feasible, the next best thing to do is cut expenses. If you’re like us, you’ve squeezed a penny so tight it makes Lincoln jump off to go get help. That’s where my thoughts on a Buyer’s Club come into play. Listen in for a few of the pros and cons of starting your own Buyer’s Club with family, friends, and neighbors – and if this way of saving money is right for you.
The Farm Wife (website)
The Virtual Porch (email)
Support the show
Is breathing in your own home getting difficult? If you feel as if you are being suffocated by a cluttered home, then maybe it’s time to get busy and create a little more room to breathe.
One thing to remember about the things you have sitting around your home – the more you have, the more time you spend dusting or washing.
Listen in and find a few tips to get you started with the decluttering process and find the room you need to breathe.
The Farm Wife (website)
The Virtual Porch (email)
Support the show
Did you know that setting goals is similar to scheduling a doctor’s appointment? Just as you would get a yearly checkup, you need to make an appointment with yourself to take a look at what goals you’ve set and how they are coming along.
There is a school of thought that says setting new year’s resolutions, making goals, and planning ahead shouldn’t be done. Their reasoning behind it was that it was stifling, no one can predict the future, and too many people get frustrated and feel like a failure if they don’t meet all those expectations.
But with not setting any type of goal you run the risk of becoming like a rudderless boat. It’s a big ocean out there – do you really want to try and reach your destination without having any idea of how to get there? Probably not. If you’re like me, you don’t care much for sunburn, you prefer to have plenty of food, water, and supplies on hand, and at the very least, have some idea of how you can weather any storm that blows up.
Setting goals is important. Listen in and learn why a yearly review of those goals and plans are just as necessary. It could be the difference between reaching those goals or having to add them to your next year’s plan.
The Farm Wife (website)
The Virtual Porch (email)
Support the show
As homemakers there is a bit of a misnomer that we do little more than cleaning house, preparing meals, and using all our free time in between to watch soap operas, read books, or just indulge in leisure time.
That is about as far from the truth as you can imagine. Being a homemaker is actually a full-time position, and frequently requires many, many hours of overtime. Any leisure time we may have is carefully scheduled into our calendars.
One thing folks don’t often think about is the social obligations of a homemaker. These can range anywhere from activities with school-aged children to being active within your Village or Community.
If you aren’t sure exactly what the social obligations of a homemaker are, listen in and take a look at some of them - then find a few ways you can balance your time and schedules.
The Farm Wife (website)
The Virtual Porch (email)
Support the show
We are very familiar with what it means to have relationships. If we know a person, we have some type of relationship with them. We have parents, siblings, nephews, cousins, and other familial relationships. Some of us have spouses, children, and grandchildren. Most of us have friends, bosses, co-workers, and neighbors. With all of these we have some type of ‘relationship’.
But did you know you can also have a ‘relationship’ with baking bread?
I’m willing to bet very few of you have ever considered baking bread as a relationship. But if you really think about it, when you learn to bake you are doing just that – building a lifelong relationship with something you love.
Baking can easily be compared to the dating process. At first, it’s just a simple matter of a friend inviting you to go to a party, and before you know, it ends with saying ‘I Do’ and living Happily Ever After.
Is it time for you to start your own relationship with baking bread?
The Farm Wife
The Virtual Porch (email)
Support the show
Regardless of who you are, where you were born or your life’s circumstances, you have a story. You may consider it boring. It may feel mundane and uninteresting. Or it could be fraught with pain and fear or exhilaration and curiosity. But regardless, it is your story. And you may be surprised, but you may also have family, friends, and future generations who would love to hear it.
Perhaps it is time you begin to think about sharing it. Maybe not to the world at large, but to the few who may be very interested in what you have to say.
You may still think writing your story is a waste of time. But believe me, it isn’t. Writing your story will not only allow future generations to get to know you better, but it may also help you to learn who you are and who you really want to be.
It may awaken a long-lost dream or goal. And writing is one of the ways mental health professionals use to help someone over a hurdle or obstacle in life. Writing your story can be cathartic and help you to find a certain level of peace with a particularly difficult life experience.
Writing is beneficial but writing your story priceless.
The Farm Wife (podcast Page)
The Virtual Porch (email)
Support the show
During the holidays, there is quite a bit of baking to do. It’s too hot to turn on the oven, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get some prep work done.
Some of that prep work includes making meals for the freezer, whipping up some cookie dough, and mixing up a few ingredients for baking and spice mixes.
Listen in and learn more about getting ahead of the extra workload the holidays can bring, just by spending a day or two in the kitchen. And you won’t even have to turn on the oven!
Support the show
To me, there is nothing better than unwrapping a gift and finding something that was made just for me. It tells me the one who gave it put a lot of thought and effort into it, which means I was on their mind and in their heart while they worked.
And that’s the beauty of a handmade gift. They are very personal, both for the one who makes it and the one who receives it. I like to think of them as prayer gifts. As I work on a gift for someone, I usually pray for them with each step of the process. That way, when they get the actual gift, they are also getting days and weeks of prayers that are sewn, knitted, or woven right into the project.
Are you ready to create more meaningful gifts for your family and friends? Then listen in to find not only several gifts you can make, but also the benefits of creating these gifts by hand.
Support the show
Are you starting to melt yet? Down here in the south it is hot, humid, and no rain in sight. And in spite of living here all my life, I have difficulty handling the heat. But I still have work to do, and prefer to stay productive, so I have to find a way to handle it.
One thing I do to beat the heat of summer is to settle in with a glass of ice-cold lemonade and get started with my holiday planning. The last thing I want to do during the holidays is to run around as if my hair is on fire trying to take care of last-minute details instead of enjoying every moment of this special time.
All it takes is a cool, quiet spot to work, a pen, paper, and even maybe your Christmas notebook. By the time you have to get up and get dinner started, you will be well on your way to having that Merry Simple Christmas you enjoy so much!
Support the show
I love holidays, but there is one aspect that has always been daunting – and that is all the planning that leads up to those special days. Whether it is Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or any other big holiday celebration, I always wish I had help with the planning part of it.
One way to make it easier is to host a Holiday Planning Party. Since we’re talking about planning ahead for Christmas this month, I’ll focus more on that holiday in this podcast. But just know – this same principle can apply to any major holiday or celebration.
And before you groan about having to do even more planning, hosting a Planning Party doesn't have to be anything formal. No gilt-edged invitations required or contacting a caterer! With a few preparations, you can gather together with a few friends to exchange ideas, recipes, and DIY instructions to make everyone's holiday planning easier, and a lot more fun.
Are you ready to get started? Then listen in and let’s make a plan.
Everyone loves delicious baked goods, fresh from the oven. For those who regularly bake, it’s only a matter of getting in the kitchen, pulling ingredients, and getting started. We have long since learned the art of baking by instinct, feel, and sight.
But what about those who approach their ovens with skepticism, and then, only once or twice a year? These folks haven’t honed those instincts and get frustrated when the cookies come out flat, or the bread doesn’t rise. If you are someone who doesn’t bake, yet wants to learn how, this podcast is designed to give you a few tips to get started.
My mom used to share with me a few old sayings about wishes. The first one was ‘if wishes were horses, beggars would ride”. This basically means that if you could accomplish something by simply wishing for it, life would be so easy.
The second one was, ‘Don’t wish your life away’. These two sayings go hand-in-hand. If all you are doing is sitting around wishing, your life probably doesn’t have much value. And if you truly believe you could have everything you ever wanted just by making a wish, then I’ll add another old saying you need to hear – ‘That dog just doesn’t hunt.’
In this episode, listen in to find out how your wishes can be a good thing – or if your dog is sleeping on the porch.
When you think about being creative, I’ll bet you have a mental image of a quiet activity, such as knitting, baking bread, or writing a book.
For the most part, we think of creating as a solitary activity, which means unless we talk to ourselves, it is a time of silence. But being creative isn’t always a silent activity. Instead, our creativity can actually be a very ‘vocal’ expression.
Whether you are a writer, fiber artist, potter, or builder, you are being creative, and that creativity has a voice. Instead of words that are spelled out, they come in the form of texture, design, color, and movement.
Listen in and find out what your creative voice has to say. It may just be the best story you have ever heard.
Having great neighbors is a true blessing. Around here, we go to them for advice, as well as just an opportunity to sit and visit. All of our neighbors know they are welcome to stop in for a visit.
There was a time when being a part of a community was taken very seriously. Folks helped each other with things that took time, strong backs, or projects that would otherwise take weeks or months to complete. This is where barn raisings come into play.
But raising a barn doesn’t have to be a literal event. A strong community can easily find other ways to ‘raise a barn’. All it takes is a willing heart, a little ingenuity, and maybe a few tools and a plate of sandwiches.
If you are ready to raise some barns in your community, listen in for some ideas you can begin implementing today!
It all started with a text from a friend that said, “I was wondering when the next meeting for Canning and Food Preservation Anonymous is. My husband says I have a problem!”
Growing a garden and preserving the harvest is a great way to eat healthy. But for some of us, it can also become an obsession, which could quickly and easily turn into an addiction.
In this Episode, learn more about a few of the symptoms that can help you determine if you have an addiction to gardening and preserving your own food. Once you see if you have any of the symptoms, score yourself to see if you are truly obsessed and addicted to gardening and food preservation!
My morning ritual of feeding and caring for chickens is more than just part of living on a farm. I found that, by sitting for a few moments and paying attention, these crazy birds start turning into ‘professors’ and teach me a few life lessons.
‘Enroll’ in a fun class with Professors Don and Jack – you might be surprised at just how smart a chicken can be!
Hope. A single word that can bring a small spark of peace to our hearts. Each resolution we make, every goal we set or dream we have, everything we do has an element of hope that comes with it.
But Hope doesn’t work alone. To just hope for something, yet do nothing to achieve that goal, relegates Hope to the world of dreams and fairy tales, quickly to be covered up and dissolved in the fog of neglect. In order to reach any goal or resolution we make for ourselves we have to apply the Quintuplet Principle. God first, always. Then comes Faith, Hope, Love, and their brother, Work.
Listen in and learn more about the Quintuplet Principle, how it works, and how you can easily apply it to any resolution, dream, or goal you make.
Wearing pearls with a sweatshirt? Hmm...
Many of us suffer from worrying more about what others think about us than becoming the person we were truly meant to be. We don’t want to appear as being too weird, outdated, or silly. But in life, some of the things that are the most fun are all three of those things.
The term ‘keeping it real’ is a way of saying something is authentic. By staying real, you come across as being honest, trustworthy, and ethical. It is being true to your beliefs, values, and yourself, as well as creating a desired level of integrity.
No matter what you eat or wear, what job you have, or what you look like, you are a divinely made, awesome person. It is people like you with your individuality that makes this world a fun place to be.
If you aren’t who you are meant to be, listen in to find out how you can get started today. It may just be the best gift you could ever give yourself.
Writing anything is quickly becoming a lost art. So much of what we do is kept on computers, phones, or tablets. With a few taps, our whole world is sent into cyberspace.
But what happens if the computer crashes? Where is that list you desperately need when your phone slips out of your pocket and into a puddle? Or the iPad drops on the floor and is stepped on?
All of your information may be retrievable, but that takes time, and in some cases a trip to the store or a few phone calls. But that means those carefully laid plans for today, the medication list needed for a trip to the doctor, or your grocery list is suspended in space indefinitely.
And where is the personal touch in shorthand, text-speak, and emojis?
It may be time to bring back the art of the Written Word. For the homemaker – or anyone else for that matter – learning how to write it down may just make all the difference in the world.
Summer is headed our way. The kids will be out of school. You need a break from work. We want to find something we can do together as a family – but one look at the checkbook and you know the expensive vacation destinations won’t work for this year. You still want to have fun and make some memories, but what can you do? It may be time to consider having a Staycation.
A Staycation is a vacation where you stay at home. It is amazing how much money you can save, but still have a fun time. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can do as much or more on a staycation than you can on a vacation, yet still feel like you have had a break. And even better, you won’t have piles of laundry to do before you can go back to work.
Do you need a few ideas on what you can do on a Staycation? Listen in for fun things to do, for singles, couples, or even an entire family!
From time to time, we all have struggles in life we have to deal with. Some may be for the short term. But for those that stick around longer, they can weigh us down. We become stressed, anxious, and our hearts are heavy with sadness.
Many of these issues stem from outside influences or things we just do not have any control over. No matter what we do, say, or where we go, the struggles are still there.
Since we can’t control them, we need a way to deal with them. This podcast is designed to help you find a way to step away from the negative thoughts and feelings, and re-focus on those things that are good in your life.
“If you are struggling, I am so sorry you have to go through this. But know that you are not alone. We all have struggles. It’s how we deal with them that counts. This process may take time to do well – but just keep at it. Before long, it will get easier, until you rarely focus on the struggles.
“And if they are getting too much to bear, just remember – Baby needs new shoes, so it may be time to go shopping.”
I love being creative. There is just something about having a mental image of something pop into my head, and then working through the steps to bring it in to reality.
It doesn’t matter if it is a weaving project, baking bread, or my latest project, creating a designated bee yard. I just love taking a project from idea to done.
Creating does make a fun past time. It’s also a great way to give unique gifts or even make extra money. But did you know there are also some tremendous health benefits in being creative? There are.
Listen in to find out how being creative can help you become physically, mentally, and emotionally healthier and happier.
It is that time! The weather is starting to warm up a bit. Our lungs, body, and attitudes are ready for a breath of fresh, warm, spring air! All we really want to do is to stand outside, breathe deeply, and just enjoy a break from all the cold.
It’s also time to do a bit of spring cleaning. But spring cleaning shouldn’t be limited to just washing windows and cleaning the home. Our bodies, minds, and spirits need a good scrubbing as well.
Listen in and learn ways to not only get your home ready for spring, but to also freshen up ourselves as well!
When it comes to faith and having a Ministry, a few of us prefer a quiet approach. We are the ones who sneak in and leave a package of food on the porch of a family struggling to make ends meet. We are the ones who push our lawn mowers past our own yard and straight to the home of a neighbor who has been ill.
I am one of those who prefer the quiet way of doing things. But several years ago, I kept getting a feeling I was missing something. There was something else I felt led to do, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what. And once I did, I discovered that a simple Ministry may just lead you down a wonderful road.
Your ministry may be small, but so are seeds. However, even the tiniest seed can grow into something beautiful. If you aren’t sure exactly what type of ministry you want to pursue, listen in as the Biscuit Wagon starts to roll. It may inspire you to find your own creative way to serve an amazing God!
“You cannot pour anything out of an empty cup. We have a tendency to give everything we have away, and then feel guilty because we can’t do more.” - Patti McBride Williams, LPC, LMFT
Do you ever feel that empty inside? Then maybe it’s time to replenish your cup and take a bit of time to fill it with refreshment for your body, mind, and soul.
As a homemaker, our lives can become fairly busy. We balance caring for our home, nurturing our families, helping our neighbors, and joining in with our community. There are times when our schedules are so full, we tend to neglect one of the most important people on our list. And that person is YOU!
We don’t often stop to think about the importance of caring for ourselves. As the primary caretaker for our homes, families and faith, homemakers mark these things as priorities. In reality they definitely are, but the problem comes when we neglect to add ourselves to that short list.
Taking care of ourselves is just as crucial as taking care of the other priorities in our life. Without self-care, we run the risk of becoming drained physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Listen in to learn more ways to take care of yourself – even when your life gets busy!
“It may be March, but already our minds – if not our bodies – are out in the garden. If we aren’t planting, we are prepping the beds. Our thoughts are on the end result, and all those delicious vegetables, fruit, and herbs we plan on harvesting.
Along with that harvest comes the reminder we have to do something with all that produce. Sure, we plan on eating as much of it fresh as possible, but you will still have quite a bit left over. And that’s when the canning process starts.
But in reality, the canning process needs to start while you are out there babying those tiny little plants. It may be months before you pull out the canners and jars, but you still need to have a plan. Most things you need to consider are simple, but canning season has a few ‘hidden’ aspects that we don’t think about until the last minute.”
Listen in and find great ideas on how to Plan Ahead for Canning Season!
“I’m guilty of talking a lot about cooking your meals at home. For the most part, I discuss the practicality of it, and how it can save you money. And those are both true. But did you know there are other benefits to it as well?
The most common benefit of cooking at home is that you get a chance to clean out your refrigerator, pantry, and freezer. I don’t know about you, but there are times when I open up any of the three, and things start falling out on me. There is nothing worse than having a frozen roast fall on your foot!
Instead of limping around the rest of the day, pull that roast out. Look in your refrigerator and pantry for some fresh carrots, onions, and potatoes. If you don’t have time to watch over it all day, then pop it in the slow cooker. At the end of the day, your dinner will be all but ready to go on the table.”
Listen in and learn the other benefits of cooking your meals at home. You may just end up enjoying the process more than you could ever believe!
The Farm Wife
The Farm Wife Podcast Resource Page
email me @: thevirtualporch@gmail.comParadise Muffins (recipe)
We’re living in a time when money is tight, prices are high, and jobs are scarce. But if you look back over history, you can see where this is more common than not. However, rather than thinking about our ancestors struggles, we almost romanticize their lifestyle – the skills they had, the size of their garden, and how delicious Grandma’s biscuits were. How many times have you thought, “How did they do it?”
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘walk a mile in my shoes’? The origin of this saying stems from the full quote “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes”, and is believed to come from a poem written by Mary T. Lathrap in 1895. The original intent is designed to elicit empathy.
But, it can also work in another way –it can help you to better understand why our grandparents and great-grandparents lived the way they did. It was a way to survive during the hard times. From there, it can put the struggles we have into perspective, and help us find a way to manage them.
Grandma and grandpa had skills and knew how and when to use them. Combined with knowledge, creativity, ingenuity, and a healthy dose of hard work, they were able to manage.
If money is tight for you, maybe it’s time to stop romanticizing Grandma and Grandpa’s lifestyle and take a walk in their shoes.
Listen in and ‘walk alongside’ Grandma and Grandpa while they put their old skills to use!
We all too often have a stack of those huge projects that need to be done. Long before I start on mine, I always have a mental image of how they should look once completed. Invariably, my imagined finished piece seems so much grander and more perfect than what is possible with the parts and pieces I have laid out to work with. But I have faith that it can be done and done right. All it takes is remembering that the Art is in the Details.
Regardless of the project or task at hand, there really is Art in the details. Even the simplest task, such as laundry, has an art to it. In this Episode, we will explore the artistic side to any project you are working on, and how paying attention to the details can make a world of difference in the final results.
The Farm Wife
The Farm Wife Podcast Page
email me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
In school, I learned a little about the Depression Era. My parents and aunts mentioned it a time or two across the years. My knowledge of it was limited to the failure of the stock market in 1929 and peppered with some of the hardships people had to endure during the era.
Once I began researching, I realized just how little I really knew. These weren’t just difficult times for people, they were devastating.
From 1914 to 1918, our country fought in World War 1. Then a short 11 years later, they were hit with a different type of ‘war’ – the Great Depression. Instead of being shipped off to another country armed with munitions, the people of this country faced the battle of a severe economic downturn. Instead of arming themselves with munitions, they had to fight this new war with innovation. Their new task was to learn how to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Not an easy task.
My research started me thinking – just how well could I survive another Great Depression? This Episode covers a bit more of what folks had to do to survive, as well as my desire to create my own version of a Depression Era Challenge.
The Depression Era ChallengeThe Farm WifeThe Farm Wife Podcast Page email me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.comPlease Note: This is an Affiliate Link. If you click on a link and make a purchase I might make a small commission, but it does not affect the price you pay! For more information, please see my Disclosure Page.
The Secret Giftby: Ted Gup
One aspect many of us have included in our Simple Life is growing a garden. Our goal is to provide food for our family, seasonings for the food we create, or even just being able to walk outside and gather a bouquet of fresh flowers to decorate our home. The question then becomes, what exactly do we want?
When it comes to gardening, there are different ‘types’ and ‘styles’ you can consider. In this Episode, we will talk about what ‘types’ and ‘styles’ are, and how they can be used regardless of whether you only have a small space or a large area to plant.
Even if you are a seasoned pro, this podcast may give you a bit of food for thought. If you are new to gardening and are starting small, you will not only get some freshness added to your life, but you may just find you have added a whole new layer of enjoyment to your life.
The Farm Wife
The Farm Wife Podcast Page
email me at: thevirtualporch.com
The term Bucket List was created by Justin Zackham and used in his screenplay ‘The Bucket List’. It started out as ‘Justin’s List of Things to Do Before He Kicks the Bucket’, and then was shortened to simply ‘Justin’s Bucket List’. The phrase Kicking the Bucket goes back to the 18th century, and simply means to die.
A Bucket List isn’t a schedule or agenda exactly, but rather a list of accomplishments and experiences you want to have before you…well…kick the bucket. But it obviously does have a, forgive the pun, deadline.
A Seasonal Bucket List is basically the same thing but is categorized by the optimal season to complete the items on the list.
Still, being cooped up inside can tend to cause a bout of cabin fever. We have cleaned the house from top to bottom, been creative, read several books, and are now looking for something different to do.
If that’s the case, then grab your notebook, a pen, and stock up on hot chocolate. In this Episode we will settle in and start creating a Seasonal Bucket List.
The Farm Wife - Website
The Farm WIfe - Podcast Page
email me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
John C. Campbell Folk School
"The coffee break is one of those phrases where the meaning has shifted over time. In today’s world, it means escaping from your desk long enough to grab a cup of bitter brew from the breakroom. Or it means filling a to-go cup to take with you while you run errands.
In the past, it wasn’t referred to as a ‘Coffee Break’, but as having Coffee with Friends. It was a time for a group of friends to sit down at the table together and have a good visit. In my opinion, we have come way too far from the social-oriented coffee breaks of yesterday."
There are benefits other than just having fun when it comes to having coffee with friends. Learn more about how the coffee break was done in the past, and how to revive that fun practice with a friend or group of friends today!
"In Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, the famous balcony scene has Juliet giving a soliloquy based on the premise that Capulet and Montague are only names and shouldn’t be a defining factor of a person. She puts it this way: ‘A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.”
This same thing applies when you are talking about self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and living a Simple Life. They may have different names, but they are all still roses. The only difference between the three may only come down to the degree in which you apply it."
In this Episode, learn more about what it really means to be Self-sufficiency, Self-Reliance, or living a Simple Life, and finally get an answer to whether you can actually live this type of lifestyle!
"Giving up on our dreams may be one of the hardest decisions we have to make in life. And even if you live a Simple Life, you still have to face the fact that some dreams, passions, and goals just aren’t meant to be. "
I’m going to be harsh here. When something no longer has a heartbeat, it is dead. We can try to get it moving. We can perform CPR. We can wish, and hope, and keep pushing and trying, but the truth of the matter is – it just can’t be revived.
But before you give up all hope, not all dreams and passions no longer have a heartbeat. Some of them are just sitting on a shelf waiting for a chance for revival. These are the dreams that are breathing shallowly, but still have enough fight in them to hang on.
The key is to understand the difference. Those dreams and passions that no longer have a heartbeat are the ones that weren’t truly meant to be. The obstacles are too high, too wide, and too deep to find a way around. This may mean it’s too costly. It may be physical or medical limitations apply. You can’t fly an aircraft with poor eyesight, and claustrophobia and scuba diving don’t always mix. "
We all have had dreams we just can't seem to bring to reality. In this podcast, listen in to learn the difference, when to keep your dreams alive, and when to let them go.
Website: The Farm Wife
Podcast Resource Page: The Farm Wife / Podcast
Email: The Virtual Porch
"Starting a New Year is similar to holding a brand-new book in your hands. It’s one you’ve been eagerly waiting to read, and you can’t wait to see what is going to happen. Before you ease the cover open, you take a moment to feel the book in your hand. The texture. The weight. Some of us, who truly loves the printed word, will even take a moment to smell the pleasing aroma. We can’t wait to get started, so we lift the cover and start reading.
In this new book, there are 365 pages just waiting for you to explore. However, instead of each page being filled with words and images, each page is completely blank. It is waiting for you to write the story."
Learn how to use each minute of your new year to your advantage, by planning ahead. Using the similar techniques of writers, you can 'write a synopsis, create outlines, and set goals and deadlines' to help make this a great - if not the best - year ever!
Website: The Farm Wife
Podcast Page: The FarmWife/Podcast
Email: The Virtual Porch
"Everyone of us is different. We either have different likes, dislikes, or styles. We approach things with our distinct viewpoint. And for the most part, we need to celebrate those differences. Who wants to be a carbon copy of the next person? There is no fun in that!
But there is one way we are all just exactly alike – we all struggle from time to time. Sure, the specific struggle may be different, but we all still have them. You may struggle with balancing a schedule, budget, or a family. I struggle finding writing ideas, avoiding the Shiny Object Syndrome, or holding my tongue when I really want to speak my mind.
Delving into the unknown can be one of the biggest struggles we have. An opportunity is presented. It looks intriguing. You and I are inexplicably drawn to it. But then, we start to question it. We call it playing Devil’s Advocate – which is a way we can express the negative side of it in order to test the viability and strength of the opportunity. Unfortunately, we all too often allow the negative side to win."
One way delving into the unknown happens is when we consider making significant changes in our lifestyle. Listen in to find questions to ask yourself and learn helpful tips to get you started on your journey to making a shift to living a Simple Life.
The Farm Wife
Podcast Resource Page
FREEBIE: 6 Questions to Ask Yourself
"Welcome back to the Porch! I am so glad you joined me. I’m Julie, and I teach folks just like you how to live a Simple Life. And although it is fun to think about the future, sometimes, we need to stop and take a look back.
The New Year is just a few days away. We may already be looking at ways to make this one even better than the last. This is the year we want to shift our lifestyle – shed the busyness and learn to relax and enjoy living a Simple Life.
But before you start making grand plans, you need to stop and look back at what has already taken place. Consider it a review before stepping into something new and different. "From mistakes and distractions to accomplishments and successes, discover how taking a look back can help you before you take the next step forward.
Have you ever dreamed of receiving a gift that made your heart swell with joy? A gift that spoke to your heart; one that you knew you would cherish for all times. Even if it meant you could only keep it for a short time and be asked to share it with others. This is a gift that meant down the line it would be returned to the giver. None of that matters. You still want it. It makes your eyes light up and your heart leap with joy. It is worth having.
Take time this holiday season to think about the Ultimate Gift we have been given.
"Let me guess. You are hearing jingle bells in your sleep – and they aren’t Santa arriving early. Your mind is whirling faster than snowflakes in a blizzard. That Things to Do list is tattered, torn, and possibly tear stained. And time? There doesn’t seem to be any left. "Finding quiet time during the hectic holidays may be difficult, but in order to keep from getting stressed and losing the joy Christmas is all about, it is also necessary. Discover the benefits of taking a few quiet moments for yourself, and easy ways to set aside a few moments to recharge.
Thanksgiving is over, the dishes are washed, and we have once again survived the food coma that was caused by not being able to resist that one extra sliver of pie.
It’s time we turn our focus into keeping our Christmas as simple as possible. We want to be able to do all the things we need to do, but still enjoy the holidays with our family and friends and keep the reason for the season close to our hearts.
To do that, we need to know ahead of time exactly what our priorities for the holidays are. Before you even get out a pen and paper to make your shopping and To do lists, you need to know what you want to do.
Join me as we talk about how to make plans for the holidays, ways to keep your calendar from overloading, and discover ways to keep your Christmas simple so you can relax and enjoy the holidays!
The Farm Wife
The Farm Wife Podcast Resource Page
Stop by for a visit at:
The Virtual Porch
"I am guilty of using the phrase, “It’s not enough”, all too often in my life. There’s not enough money. There is not enough time. There’s not enough to _______________ (you fill in the blank). We seem to have the mentality that we need an over-abundance of something in order to make it worth our while. When in reality, we need ‘just enough’ to serve our needs."
Instead of looking at what you have and thinking it is never enough, maybe it's time to take another look around and see that what you have is enough - and in some cases, more than we can handle.
One thing I’ve learned in life is that God always provides us just ‘enough’. We may not have excess, but we have what we need, when we need it. Sometimes that comes in material goods, like more tomatoes than we can handle in a single day or in scrap metal and a few tools to make a part. On occasion, He sends us a little extra income, that is just enough to do what we need to do. Sometimes the ‘enough’ comes in the package of knowledge and creativity to be able to make what we need.
And sometimes, ‘enough’ comes wrapped in the package of a friend who has what we need, like Danny and his tractor, or Kathleen and peaches. Enough also comes from friends who offers words of encouragement, giving us the faith in ourselves we need – or helping hands to get us over the latest hurdle.
We may not have a lot, but we always have ‘enough’. And I thank God for providing that enough –whether it’s in a few tomatoes, a small bag of peaches, or the friends He has put in our paths to give us courage and determination.
Be sure to visit me at:
The Farm Wife
The Farm Wife Podcast Resource Page
Stop in for an email visit at:
The Virtual Porch
We are all blessed in some way, but how we use those blessings can count for so much more!
Recently I came across a quote by W.T. Purkiser. He said, ‘Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our Thanksgiving.”
I have often counted my blessings, but honestly? I never gave pause to think about how I can use them. During one of my Afternoon Tea breaks, I sat and pondered these words. During that session, I saw the importance of asking myself two questions: “What are my blessings?” followed up by “Just how do I use them?”
We know we are blessed. In this Episode, listen in as you discover one of the keys to living a Simple Life. Count your blessings - then take it a step further and learn how to use them to bless our families, friends, and others.
The Farm Wife
The Farm Wife - Podcast Resource Page
Stop By for a Visit!
"Welcome back to Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. I’m Julie, and I teach people just like you how to live a Simple Life. One aspect of living a Simple Life is the necessity of creating a strong bond with your neighbors."With the advent of the Internet, we have slowly lost touch with human interaction. Being neighborly is quickly becoming a lost art.
In this episode, find out how you can revive the art of neighborliness, through introducing yourself, building stronger bonds with your neighborhood and community, and feel comfortable getting or offering help when needed. There are also tips on fun things you can do together as a group!
The Farm Wife
Old Fashioned Calling Cards
Stop by for a visit at:
The Virtual Porch
"Hi, I’m Julie, and I teach folks how to live a Simple Life. When you live a Simple Life, you may just find that your world is filled to overflowing. It’s what we call a ‘Gracious Plenty’."There is just something almost magical about those two simple words. It invokes thoughts of a slower life where folks gave what little they had to those in need. Mrs. Mae Ethel taught me more about how to offer a Gracious Plenty in just the few short years we knew here. But - she could also be a bit fun and demanding, as well, even if she did bake the best Pineapple Cake I ever tasted!
Learn more about living a Simple Life at:
The Farm Wife
“If you aren’t learning something new every day, then you aren’t paying attention.”
Some lessons I’ve learned were harder to deal with. Others I almost missed because I was too busy looking in other directions. And when that happened, I learned the very first lesson which I have tried to teach others more times than I can count. That lesson is to Relax and Enjoy your life. It’s the only one we get, and it is filled with so much beauty, you don’t want to miss a single thing.
It's often been called the School of Life, and we attend class every day, whether we want to or not. But if you will sit back in your chair, open your books, and pay attention to the teacher – instead of shooting spit wads, passing notes, or sleeping through class – you may find out you enjoy it more than you ever thought.
Discover what I have learned by living a Simple Life – and then see how many of the lessons will apply to what you have learned in yours!
The Farm Wife
Let's Visit! Just email me at: The Virtual Porch
“There is nothing in the world worse than personal and spiritual stagnation. We, as humans, were designed to continue learning and growing, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.”
When living a Simple Life, you embrace the opportunity to spread your wings. Through learning we grow. Through growth we take another step closer to the person we were designed to be.
In this episode, you will discover how even stormy weather can’t stop you from learning and growing. Instead, ask yourself a question or two, and then take a step away from boredom and spreading your wings to help you soar to new heights!
The Farm Wife
Let's Visit! Just email me at: The Virtual Porch
Life gets busy. Our days are filled from the moment we get out of bed to the second we lay back down, exhausted and spent. Some of us may go to church. But during the week, we just feel we have too many other things to take care of. Although faith is one of our biggest priorities, it is also the one that seems to get the least amount of attention.
Learn more about how to determine what you want and need in your faith. Discover how you can apply it in a simple, quiet way, and allow your faith to become the priority you want it to be.
The Farm Wife
Let's Visit! Just email me at: The Virtual Porch
Just because we are in a season of high prices doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! Instead, gather up with friends and family by having a Potluck. It’s a delicious way to relax and enjoy your Simple Life, and not have to go broke to do it.
In this episode, you will discover a bit of history about the Potluck meal, how it can save you money, and tips on how to make it go smoothly. You will even find the ‘recipe’ for ‘Stone Soup’!
“Just because money is tight doesn’t mean you have to curtail enjoyment and entertainment with friends and family. Instead, make it affordable for everyone by having a potluck meal. It’s not only fun and delicious, but you might just finally talk your neighbor out of her super-secret family recipe.”
The Farm Wife
Let's Visit! Just email me at: The Virtual Porch
“In the case of rising prices, you can’t control the price of food, gasoline, or other necessary expenses. Instead, you have to go into survival mode and work even harder to make ends meet.”
Rising prices and food shortages are giving us cause for concern. Our income only stretches so far, and any extra time we have is limited. It may take a bit of work, but with a little thought, a bit of thinking outside the box, and a dose of creativity, you can survive high prices. In this episode you will find tips to help you stretch your income to help you weather the storm of rising costs and still maintain the Simple Life you want to live.
Guide to Surviving High Prices
The Farm Wife
Let’s Visit! Just email me at: The Virtual Porch
"In today’s society, it stuns me that there are too many children – and quite a few adults - who have no idea how to do much more than operate a cell phone, computer, or video game. The simple things that were taught to us by our parents and grandparents are all too quickly becoming lost. "
If we want to keep traditions alive and skills handed down from generation to generation, it may be time to become a Mentor.
Listen in to learn more about the value of mentorship and how you can become one today!
The Farm Wife
Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View Resource Page
"There are two ways I can get into trouble. One is rumors (from a trusted source, of course), and the other is S.O.S. signals. A while back, both of these issues joined forces.
Before I go further, first you need to know that I don’t pay much attention to rumors. And I have very few trusted sources when it comes down to it. And second, the S.O.S. I am talking about isn’t a ‘Save Our Ship’ signal – although when I have an S.O.S. episode, I probably need someone to step in and save me from myself. "
Listen in to find out what rumors and S.O.S. signals are getting me into trouble!
The Farm Wife
Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View Resource Page
“To the illuminated mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light.” I love the idea that constantly being in a position of learning can add light to my world.
It is this quote and many others that offer encouragement, ideas, and little nuggets of wisdom to help me along my Simple Life Journey. And to keep them in mind, I keep them written down where I can see them. I call it Chalkboard Wisdom.
Find out more about how you can add nuggets of wisdom, encouragement, and support along your journey - just by having a simple Chalkboard!
The Farm Wife
Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View Resource Page
When we consider our future, we usually think about where we may live, what jobs we will have, trips we want to take, or even the possibilities of relationships and other things. We rarely think about what the world we will live in will look like in five, ten, or even twenty years.
One thing we don't think about is the idea that it will be our children who will one day be our farmers, educators, politicians, medical professionals and blue-collar workers. It is the kids of today who will vote and make decisions for us tomorrow.
To help make our future a brighter place, maybe it's time we start teaching our children a few basic life skills. It is these life lessons that can help them make this world a better place.
The Farm Wife
Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View Resource Page
“How many times in life have we had a conviction that we wanted or needed something? We saw it or heard about it, and immediately decided we would have it, possess it, or do it. No research. No questions. We just go out and accomplish it.
And when we have it, we find out it is either more trouble than its worth, takes more care and attention than we have to give it, or it just doesn’t fit our lifestyle. Or it was advertised as something completely different than what it really is.”
We may see a photo of a Puggle and think it’s so cute and cuddly. However, the reality of raising a Platypus isn’t. The same thing applies when we think we want something in our own Simple Life.
One thing living a Simple Life means is that you are always learning and growing – through observation, research, and trying it yourself. You learn to be resilient and can adapt, change, and be flexible. You also aren’t afraid of scrapping your initial ideas and moving on to something different.
If you want to make progress in life, you need to be willing to both learn and grow. Listen in as the conversation on the porch is focused o how you can learn and grow. In the process, you will also find ways to fit your own ‘Puggles’ into your own Simple Life.
Not too very long ago, people tended to stay close together. You knew all your neighbors, and they knew you. If someone needed help, you showed up and got busy. If you were the one in need, you would find your neighbors standing on the porch waiting to do what was necessary.
But it wasn’t just troubles that brought neighbors together. It was also a need to socialize and have a bit of fun. Occasionally, the neighbors would all get together for a ‘meal on the grounds’ – which is just another way of saying they were having a Neighborhood Picnic.
It’s time we brought back a few of the ‘old’ ways of gathering together. And what better way to do that than having a Neighborhood Picnic!
Listen in and find a simple way to organize your own neighborhood gathering. You may just have more fun than you think - even if you don't invite the Dancing Girls!
All too often, we forget what incredible people we are. Few remind us. If this is the case, then let me be the one to do it today!
This week's episode will help you to remember just how awesome you are. Learn the hazards of trying to be someone else - and instead, embrace the person you are.
Find out how living a simple life means bringing your uniqueness to the table to create your own personal blueprint; how YOU get to build the life you want to live using your talents, abilities, individuality and perspectives. And discover the tools you will need to build this wonderful life.
Get ready to learn more about how to use your uniqueness, strengths and weaknesses to build the life you want to live and learn how to be the person you were meant to be.
Home Page - The Farm Wife
Life lessons come in all different ways. But the last place I expected to learn one was from a goldfish! But that is exactly what happened.
Sherman used his own early life experiences to teach me a much-needed lesson on Resilience. In his classroom I learned the importance of:
· Recovering quickly from difficulties
· Being tough
· Springing back into the person I was meant to be, rather than who others thought I should be
Join me and ‘Professor Sherman’ in the classroom and learn how this crazy goldfish taught me one of the most important life lessons for living a Simple Life.
The last thing you probably want to think about in the heat of the summer is planning for Christmas. But right now is actually the best time to do just that.
From planning, making lists, baking ahead, and creating handmade gifts, Christmas can be a hectic season. Listen in and learn how to apply a Simple Life perspective on getting ready for the holidays.
In this Episode, we will be talking about:
· Any handmade items can keep you busy, while still staying cool
· Cookie dough can be whipped up and put in the freezer
· Casseroles can be made and frozen without heating up the oven
· Lists can be made
· Planning can be done
When all these things are completed, a big chunk of the holiday work will be finished. That means you can settle in and spend time making some great holiday memories!
Go ahead. Grab your glass of lemonade, pull up a rocker and settle in to learn more about Planning Ahead for Christmas – even if it is hot out there!
“In my pursuit of living a Simple Life, I look for things that can move me forward on my journey in more than one category. Baking bread is the perfect example. First, I am fulfilling a goal to stretch my wings in the cooking and baking meals at home category. Second, I am applying skills in the frugal category by using ingredients I have on hand in my pantry.
My creative nature is happy because there are almost endless ingredient combinations to explore – from plain white bread to Pesto Parmesan Ciabatta. And baking bread helps me to take care of my neighbors. Almost everyone loves a fresh baked loaf still warm from the oven!”
If learning to bake bread is one of your goals for a Simple Life, this Episode takes a bit of the fear out of the process. Learn tips to baking a delicious loaf of bread. Before you know it, you may just start a love affair with baking bread!
Are you ready to fill your kitchen with the aroma of love? Then grab a glass of lemonade, pull up a rocker and join the conversation on the porch. It’s time to
Relax & Enjoy!
Find out more about living a Simple Life at The Farm Wife
Get helpful links and transcripts for this episode and others at The Farm Wife/podcasts
If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life or just have a fun visit, you can contact me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
Ever feel like you are lost? Then more than likely you are following a few Country roads and taking directions from a few of the locals.
“Driving 10 miles an hour down one of these backroads feels like you are going 110 on a straight paved highway. These roads are paved, gravel, dirt, and grass – all within a two-hundred-yard stretch.”
“And Heaven help you if you find yourself facing an oncoming car, truck and trailer, or a tractor while both of you are trying to cross over a half-lane bridge. It’s about that time you figure out you should have already learned the skill of ditch driving without tearing out the oil pan!”
And unless you already know who Bill Smith, Ratchett Hound and that old coot, Dooley is, it may be helpful to listen in and learn the secrets of decoding Country Directions!
If you need a map, just grab a glass of lemonade, pull up a rocker and find out how to get where you are going. It’s time to
Relax & Enjoy!
Find out more about living a Simple Life at The Farm Wife
Get helpful links and transcripts for this episode and others at The Farm Wife/podcasts
If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life or just have a fun visit, you can contact me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
Music may calm the savage beast, but it is also a great way to have fun! But music isn’t just for your listening pleasure.
Listen in on ways music can help you improve your mood as well as make your foot start tapping to the beat!
Grab a glass of lemonade, pull up a rocker and join the conversation! It’s time to
Relax & Enjoy!
Find out more about living a Simple Life at The Farm Wife
Get helpful links and transcripts for this episode and others at The Farm Wife/podcasts
If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life or just have a fun visit, you can contact me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
From the 16th Century to present day, picnics have been a great source of fun and entertainment. Picnics can be for any occasion, served most any place, and are usually guaranteed to be delicious.
In this episode, you will find a bit of history and a few fun facts about Picnics. There are also ideas on when to have a picnic, where to have it, what to serve – and even a fun way to make it a social occasion.
Listen in for fun ways to celebrate your summer. And to get started, just pull up a rocker, grab a glass of lemonade, and get comfortable. It’s time to
Relax and Enjoy!
Find out more about living a Simple Life at The Farm Wife
Get helpful links and transcripts for this episode and others at The Farm Wife/podcasts(When you visit this link, you can find posts and recipes to help you enjoy your picnics even more!)
If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life or just have a fun visit, you can contact me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
It may sound fancy and elegant, but in reality, it’s a fun way to enjoy a much-needed break!
Listen in to learn a bit of history on Afternoon Tea. From there, discover why it is important to continue the tradition. Learn what to serve and find out how to enjoy Afternoon Tea as a great break in the middle of the day or how to make it a social occasion.
Go ahead – it’s time to indulge in your first Afternoon Tea. Grab a glass of lemonade, pull up a rocker and join the conversation. It’s time to
Relax & Enjoy!
Find out more about living a Simple Life at The Farm Wife
Get helpful links and transcripts for this episode and others at The Farm Wife/podcasts
If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life or just have a fun visit, you can contact me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
Being frugal doesn’t mean you have to have a Death Grip on your finances. Instead, it’s a combination of knowing the value of a dollar, spending your money wisely, and learning to think ‘outside the box’. Join the conversation on the porch and learn how to live frugally without giving up what you love!
How well you manage your money can be as different as smooth sailing or discovering a hole in your financial boat. Join the conversation on the porch and find simple ways to plug the leaks!
From the beginning of time, homemaking has been an important part of living. But does the perfect homemaker truly exist? From decline in popularity to a revival, settle in for a good visit on the Porch and let’s talk about Homemaking Then and Now.
Keeping a Journal is more than just writing down your thoughts. It’s a way to guide you forward and give you an opportunity to look back and see how far you’ve come. Go ahead, grab a glass of lemonade, pull up a rocker and join the conversation about why keeping a Simple Life journal is an important aspect in your journey!
If you are ready to start your Simple Life, it may be time to set a few goals. And a great place to get started is during your Afternoon Tea break!
Learn how to shift from a busy life to a Simple Life that can be slower, sweeter and more enjoyable!
Changing lifestyles can be a lot of work. But choosing one that fits best with who you are, your dreams and passions can be well worth the effort!
thefarmwife.com/podcast
email me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
Take the first step towards moving forward with shifting to a Simple Life by dealing with those old bullies - fear and mistakes!
thefarmwife.com/podcast
email me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
Now that you know what a Simple Life means to you, it's time to start doing some dreaming about the next steps. Go ahead - pull up a rocker, grab a glass of lemonade and settle in for a bit of daydreaming!
www.thefarmwife.com/podcast
email me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
Do you love the idea of living a Simple Life, but aren't sure what it is? Pull up a rocker, grab a glass of lemonade, and settle in to find out what it is, and how you can create your own definition of what living a Simple Life means to you!
www.thefarmwife.com/podcast
email me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
What is a Simple Life with a Back Porch View? It's about slowing down, settling into your comfy place, and learning what it means to live a Simple Life. So, pull up a rocker, grab a glass of lemonade, and get ready for a good visit. It is time to relax and enjoy!
www.thefarmwife.com/podcast
email me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com
Welcome back to The Simple Life from a Back Porch View. Learn more about who the Farm Wife is and how she came to live a Simple Life. Settle in. Pull up a rocker and grab a glass of lemonade. It’s time to Relax & Enjoy!
www.thefarmwife.com/podcast
email me at: thevirtualporch@gmail.com