Big Family Simple Living

I recently had the joy of sitting down with Lisa Bass from The Simple Farmhouse Life Podcast, and let me tell you—this conversation felt like a breath of fresh air. Lisa is a mama of eight, a passionate homemaker, a seasoned homesteader, and someone who truly embodies the beauty of a home-centered life. Our conversation spanned everything from homeschooling and homesteading to sourdough bread, raw milk, and the ever-evolving rhythms of raising a large family.

And y’all—I left so encouraged. I just had to share some of the goodness with you here.

The Beauty in Choosing a Home-Centered Life

Lisa's family is in a bit of a transitional season right now—they’re building on their farm while temporarily living in town. But even in that in-between space, she holds tightly to her values. Her family cooks from scratch, educates their children at home, and deeply values time together.

She reminded us that the home doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

So often, we hear the cultural message that motherhood is something to survive rather than savor. But Lisa is walking proof that choosing a slower, more intentional pace—one that’s centered on home, faith, and family—can be deeply fulfilling.

Even though the work is hard, she emphasized how it gets easier as you grow into it. Whether it’s homeschooling, baking sourdough, or sourcing whole foods from local farmers, each decision adds up to a lifestyle that’s rich in meaning and peace.

“It’s not that it’s overly time-consuming. It’s just home-based. You can start something in the morning and come back to it in the afternoon. It just requires being around home.” — Lisa Bass

Why We Need to Remember Our Why

Adam and I often talk about how crucial it is to stay rooted in our why. Whether it’s homeschooling our kids or feeding them well, the journey can be tiring. But when we remember why we’re doing it—why we want our children protected, prepared, and deeply loved—it breathes new life into the mission.

There have been days when we’re both overwhelmed, questioning if we’re doing it “right.” But like Lisa shared, there’s never been a moment where she and her husband questioned their conviction to raise their children intentionally. That kind of resolve comes from keeping your eyes on the long game—knowing that the fruit of faithful sowing doesn’t always show up right away, but it will come.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

Lisa talked about how even baby food can be simplified. She doesn’t spend hours blending up separate meals—she just gives her little ones soft, nourishing bits of whatever the family is eating. This mindset of “less pressure, more purpose” kept coming through over and over.

Real Food, Real Simplicity

We also dove into something Adam and I are super passionate about—real food. From raw milk to bone broth and home-baked sourdough, Lisa shared how her family's diet has evolved into one that’s rooted in traditional, nutrient-dense foods. And as someone who's been doing this for 15 years, she reminded us that it’s not as overwhelming as it seems once it becomes a rhythm.

The food doesn't just nourish their bodies—it’s part of the culture they’re creating at home.

Lisa buys her meat in bulk, gets milk directly from a local farmer, and bakes bread from scratch regularly. I know that sounds intense, but as she says, it’s all second nature now. What once felt complicated has become secondhand.

“Once it becomes second nature, it’s not a big chore. It’s just what we do.”

I loved how she encouraged us to start small. You don’t have to change your whole life overnight. Choose one thing—like making your own bread or sourcing clean meat—and go from there.

Two Major Takeaways

1. Simplicity comes from routine, not from perfection.
   Whether it's making sourdough, homeschooling, or simply managing a home full of kids, the process becomes lighter when we stop striving for perfect and instead commit to showing up consistently. Routines built around the home allow space for joy to grow.

2. Know your why—and return to it often.
   Culture may call you crazy for choosing a slower pace, homeschooling your children, or investing in farm-fresh food. But when you root your life in faith and know what God has called you to, you can walk in peace—even when the world doesn’t understand.

I want to leave you with one more verse that’s been a stronghold for me in this season of motherhood:

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
— Psalm 127:1 (ESV)

Let’s build our homes on purpose—with love, with grace, and with the wisdom that comes from the Lord.

With love and aloha,
Bethany