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I have been trying to share ways to Grow Something Beautiful on Instagram and Facebook. Now you can find them on the website!
I will be adding to the blog once a week. Everything I share on those other platforms will now all be in one space. I will date each one so you can easily find the new ones.
By sharing ways to Grow Something Beautiful, I hope to encourage you to do the same. Even when one day (or season) is hard, God has given us beautiful things to observe. I don’t want to miss His beauty.
7-13
It has been a glorious morning here on the homestead. A beautiful breeze has been gently waking us up and the birds have been singing there hearts out.
It makes me pause for a moment and think about how much beauty is available for us to enjoy from the moment we open our eyes until we close them for the evening.
God is given us the best gift, summer. All the sights, sounds and feelings of this season helps us through the dark and cold of winter. It gives us hope.
Take the pictures, sit on the porch and feel the sun on your face, and get your hands in the dirty. You will not regret it.
Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie and the BFF Family
http://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyfarmnewsletter
7-12
What’s Growing Wednesday has made its way around again.
Today I’m so excited to show you some things from the garden!
Bo and I have been weeding and now I know what I need to replant and where I have room for more flowers 
.
It’s not too late to Grow Something Beautiful, grab some seeds and see what beautiful things you can grow around you.
Julie and the BFF Family
P.S.
The Shoppes on Second has a nice variety of Botanical Interests Seeds. You have plenty of time to grow beans, lettuces, flowers and so much more!
http://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyfarmnewsletter
7-11
Good Evening Sweet Friends,
Today was a beautiful day. I took the kids to the park to play with cousins and then this afternoon I recorded a garden tour.
I’m so excited to show you what beautiful things we are growing tomorrow.
While you wait for this week’s video, here is last year’s garden tour
I hope today you found time to find beauty and time to Grow Something Beautiful.
Julie and the BFF Family
#gardening #ohiohomestead #gardentour #growsomethingbeautiful
7-7
This was week one of my Summer Flowers Subscription!
They turned out so lovely 
What do you have growing lovely around your home this week??
Growing Something Beautiful, one bouquet at a time
Julie and the BFF Family
7-5
I got Marshall to sleep early last night and decided to head out to the garden. I have been wanting to work on weeding while Bo took care of the other kiddos and last night it worked out that I could.
The saying “a man’s best friend” has never felt so right as it did last night. Otis and I enjoyed the evening listening to the hum of the fan from the hoop house and watching little fireflies dance about the sky.
Grow Something Beautiful Friends, one quiet evening with your best animal friend at a time,
Julie and the BFF Family
7-3
Watching the littles learn how to care for and respect animals is a lovely process.
Not all our kids have had the full farm experience. We rented for the first 7 years of our marriage and weren’t allowed to have animals.
These younger ones are learning right along with the rest of us. Time, dedication, and love toward the animals is being taught. We hope that as they grow they will have respect for all animals, whether they are pets or ones that will feed us.
This little boy and this little bunny are learning how to trust each other, one step at a time.
Grow Something Beautiful Friends, one little bit at a time
Julie and the BFF Family
#homesteadmama #homestead #homesteaderofohio #womenentrepreneurs #womeninag #homesteader #homesteadfamily
#homesteadbooks #ohiohomesteaders #ohioentrepreneurs #growsomethingbeautiful #ohiofarm #bunnies #minilop #trust #respect
7-2
If you don’t have a place for pollinators , take the time to make room for them. I’m as anxious to see what is flying around, as I am seeing what is blooming.
Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie and the BFF Family
June 29, 2023
June 28, 2023
What’s Growing Wednesday is here once again and I can’t help myself but share the beautiful flowers!
We planted flowers for the pollinators and it’s one of my favorite places on our 2 acres. (The other place is on the deck iykyk 😍).
My love for flowers and the pollinators has led me to make the BFF Jr Gardener Series. The first class is all about Butterflies. If you haven’t checked out the Downloadable Course , you should! It would be a great activity for you to do with your families. (I even have a FREE Sample of the Butterfly Unit 😁)
Grow Something Beautiful Friends, for you and the pollinators!
Julie and the BFF Family https://brinkerfamilyfarm.com/product/free-sample-butterfly-class/
BFF Jr Gardens – Ultimate Butterfly Class
June 27, 2023
Since I shared our story about “Little Ear” I thought it would be fun to update you all on the rest of the puppies 🙂
Baby, the smallest of the puppies, made her way to Alaska and is doing well with my sweet friend and her family. She is now called Eden , because we are trying to Grow Something Beautiful over here and The Garden of Eden was the most beautiful of places.
Boy, AKA “Tank”, was bought as a 5 yr wedding Anniversary gift. The gift for a 5th Anniversary is wood. So they named him Oliver Wood, “Ollie” for short.
“Little Ear”, I shared her story in a post yesterday. She is getting picked up this weekend. I can’t wait to hear what her name will be 🙂
That leaves us with “Monster”. She was the largest of the litter and still is the biggest. She went to the vet for shots this week and is 9.02 pounds of lovable puppy. She is still available and looking for a family to love ❤️
These puppies have been a lot of fun. I’m glad we were able to be part of there lives for this little bit.
We encourage you to Grow Something Beautiful Whether It’s Gardens, Animals, Skills or Community.
We are rooting for you!
May You be Blessed.
Julie and the BFF Family http://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyflowersnewsletter
June 26, 2023
Our Darcy girl had puppies on the evening of April 30th. She had 4 healthy puppies and did really well with it being her first litter. Darcy had 3 females and 1 male. One of the females, the middle in size, was not like the rest. She did not have an ear lobe.
Right away I knew she would need an extra special home. A home that would love her lots and be sure to use special caution with her.
This past week a lady reached out asking about “Little Ear”. It was decided early Friday the lady was going to drive 4 hours to get her on Saturday. Friday afternoon another lady messaged me asking about “Little Ear”. I told her I would keep her posted, in case things didn’t work out with the first lady.
When it was time for bed Friday evening, I just tossed and turned. I felt so uneasy about the lady that was going to drive 4 hours I ended up messaging her telling her we were going to keep “Little Ear” for the time being. As soon as I pushed send, I instantly felt better.
Saturday I messaged the lady from Friday afternoon to tell her the puppy was available. She then told me something that made me know right away I made the right choice on Friday night.
Her son has a little ear and it would be cool for them to grow up together.
They came out to see “Little Ear” and the son and puppy have little ears on the exact same side. This is the right family for our sweet puppy. They will forever be best buds and I’m so excited for the future of those two little ears.
Grow Something Beautiful Friends, and stick to your gut when something feels off. You may find something more beautiful then you could have ever thought possible ❤️
Julie and the BFF Family
http://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyflowersnewsletter
June 24, 2023
Last year we set up two large beds as our pollinator patches and they have not disappointed this year! Currently we have some daisies, coreopsis, Larkspur and more blooming.
Just a couple nights ago we saw butterflies, bees and finches enjoying the abundance.
The pollinators sparked an idea to make downloadable courses sharing with kids and families more information about the animals and insects that help the gardens. BFF Jr Gardener Series was born from that idea and I’m so excited to share it with you all.
I have already completed The Ultimate Butterfly Class and on July 15th I will release The Ultimate Bee Class part of the series.
Until then, I hope you try out the free sample of The Ultimate Butterfly Class and check out the other items I have included to make this a complete learning experience ❤️
FREE (Butterfly Class Sample)
Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie and the BFF Family
http://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyflowersnewsletter
June 23, 2023
And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”
Genesis 1: 24-25
Grow Something Beautiful,
Julie and the BFF Family
www.brinkerfamilyfarm.com
June 22, 2023
We have been adding hay ground to our fields to supplement the cows over the winter months, but we don’t have enough just yet.
Luckily we have neighbors that we have been able to buy round bales from. The guys just hauled (Lord willing) enough hay to last us until next year. God is so good to open this opportunity for us.
I’m so grateful for neighbors that are willing to offer a helping hand. This is a beautiful example of community.
Grow Something Beautiful Friends, one neighbor at a time,
Julie and the BFF Family
www.brinkerfamilyfarm.com
http://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyfarmnewsletter
June 21, 2023
What’s Growing Wednesday is here again.
Flowers, chicks and puppies are growing well.
What is growing around your homes this Wednesday?
Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie and the BFF Family www.brinkerfamilyfarm.com
June 20, 2023
“In dealing with a girl or a horse, one lets nature take its course.” Fred Astaire
Grow Something Beautiful Friends, one lesson at a time,
Julie and the BFF Family
www.brinkerfamilyfarm.com
June 19, 2023
I think it’s good to be stretched a little. I also think it’s good to know what your limitations are.
This past year we have grown as a family, farm and business in ways I wouldn’t have ever predicted. It has resulted in a lot of stretching in our pockets and more importantly in ourselves. I needed to be busy. I felt like that was going to help me heal. The more things I had going on the less time I had to dwell on things I couldn’t change.
It worked, for a while.
Over a year later, I’m looking back and looking forward. Taking notes of what worked and what didn’t. Now I’m setting limits. How can I change things so that we get the rest we need? Not just the physical rest, but the mental rest as well.
We all have the ability to Grow Something Beautiful . Sometimes we need the distractions to help us through a rough season. But as we come out of it, we need to reflect and find rest.
Growing Something Beautiful can mean so many things. Right now for us, it’s finding ways to rest and regroup. We are a much stronger family when we are rested verse being worn out, over- stimulated and over-worked.
How are you finding rest this season?
Grow Something Beautiful Friends, one restful bit at a time,
Julie and the BFF Family
https://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyfarmnewsletter
June 17, 2023
I thought maybe we would try to have puppies one time. That way the kids could experience it.
Now that they are about old enough to move onto forever homes, I’m kinda sad.
From watching them be born, to watching them open their eyes and seeing each personality blossom, I feel much like their momma.
I feel fortunate enough that we were able to experience this as a family and look forward to seeing who each puppy goes to and how they get to bond.
They will forever hold a special place in my heart, much like a special friend ❤️
Growing Something Beautiful on our little homestead,
Julie and the BFF Family
www.brinkerfamilyfarm.com
June 16, 2023
Sometimes a little thinning in ones life can be a good thing.
Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie and the BFF Family
http://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyflowersnewsletter
June 15, 2023
I felt like I needed to dig a little deeper today to find the beauty growing around me.
It’s been a very busy week, we have been here and there and everywhere and I’m tired 😂
Today I had to replant watermelon, squash and a row of beans (for the second time).
I found some weird looking black eggs all over some weeds in the garden.
And the littles…..that’s all I’m saying about that 😂
After taking a few minutes to reflect I came up with a few things that we have Growing Beautifully around here today.
We have some gorgeous flowers blooming, puppies to play with and it’s Thursday which means Bo is off tomorrow!!
Take time to reflect on the beauty around you and Grow Something Beautiful Friends.
Julie and the BFF Family
Share with me how you are Growing Something Beautifully ❤️
June 14, 2023
What’s Growing Wednesday!!
This week we have wild strawberries!! (I’m a little surprised by that find)A lily, calendula and tomatoes!!It’s been a busy week so far around here. I’m hoping for a slower Thursday. The garden is calling and I’m ready to get my hands in the dirt 🙂
How has your week been going?
How are you finding beauty this week?
Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie and the BFF Family
June 14, 2023
It’s been a minute but I pulled together a YouTube video talking about Lemon Balm and Sun Tea 🥰Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie and the BFF Family
www.brinkerfamilyfarm.com
June 13, 2023
We started growing our own chickens for eggs and meat a few years ago. We both grew up around them and were excited to be able to have a place to grow them. Having chicks and raising them to offer our family a source of protein has brought me much joy. When it’s a cold winter day and I can pull out a whole chicken from the freezer and know I will be able to make several meals from it, my heart is grateful. Raising chickens for meat isn’t the most glorious homestead project, actually it’s very dirty. The chickens we use for meat are called Cornish Cross. They are meant to grow quickly , which in turn means they eat a lot, gain a lot and poop a lot.This isn’t a glamorous job, but I do it with a joyful heart (most of the time 😉). In just a few short weeks our freezer will be full of chickens again and come winter I will again be happy to go to the freezer and pull out a chicken that I know exactly what it ate and how it lived.Growing Something Beautiful isn’t always clean and easy. But the rewards at the end are so worth it.What beautiful things are you growing this season?
Grow Something Beautiful Friends, even if it’s one tomato plant, grow something.
Julie and the BFF Family https://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyfarmnewsletter
June 12, 2023
Eliana asked to have my phone to take pictures of the flowers yesterday. She knows I love flower pictures and I quickly handed over my phone.
Teaching kids how to Grow Something Beautiful and then letting them find ways to enjoy the fruits of their labor is so important.
We have to teach how to find balance in our day to day. All work and no play, or all play and no work will lead to a hard life.
Let’s Grow Something Beautiful together and share the fun with others.
Julie and the BFF Family
June 9, 2023
I love sharing ways to Grow Something Beautiful.
But I haven’t (and don’t) always feel like I want to, or that I am capable of doing it.
Some seasons of life are full of good, excitable things. Some seasons are not as full.
Some days start out great, then come to a crashing STOP.
So, how does one hold onto the Growing Something Beautiful each day, when not each day is Beautiful?
For me, it’s taking a deep breath, reciting a verse, then I start praying. I pray for other people, I pray for God’s goodness and I thank Him for the beautiful things that are still around me.
The phrase Grow Something Beautiful came to me when I was hurting. I needed lots of beautiful things to keep my mind busy that way I wasn’t left with much time in idle.
God is so good. When I needed the beautiful things the most was Spring time. It was easier to keep busy and He knew that’s exactly what I needed.
Grow Something Beautiful can mean so many things.
How do you Grow Something Beautiful?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11
Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie and the BFF Family
June 8, 2023
Growing Something Beautiful can mean more than just growing beautiful gardens, food and animals.
It can also mean community.
Community can be as much or little as you want it to be.
Right now, my community is my family. They are the people I spend ALL my time with and also DESERVE my best.
One new way I’m trying to make sure they all feel appreciated and loved is to spend one on one time cooking dinner. Each kid has a day of the week that they get to check the mail, it’s also the day they are going to cook dinner with me. We are going to work together as a team and learn how to communicate in soft and thoughtful ways.
My hope by the end of summer, each member of our family feels like an important member of our community.
Day to day life can be messy and chaotic but it can also be beautiful.
Growing Something Beautiful really needs to start in our homes before anything else.
How are you Growing Something Beautiful Friends?
Julie and the BFF Family
http://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyflowersnewsletter
June 7. 2023
Who is ready for “What’s Growing Wednesday?!”
I am so excited to share what we have growing beautifully around our little homestead.
This week we have coreopsis, roses, yarrow, forget-me-not, and Sweet William all showing off and adding some beautiful colors to our pollinator patches.
What are you Growing Beautifully?
Julie and the BFF Family
http://bit.ly/brinkerfamilyflowersnewsletter
June 6, 2023
Who would have thought the curly-twirly tips (scapes) of garlic would bring so much joy to my morning?
While talking with my mom this morning I was marveling at the funny tops of the garlic.
Nature is so cool and unexpected. Growing Something Beautiful can mean as much or as little as you want it to be.
This morning beauty was found in the garlic patch. This afternoon it was watching Marshall walk EVERYWHERE.
And this evening was watching two little boys play with Daddy.
Growing Something Beautiful, one day at a time 
Julie and the BFF Family
June 4, 2023
The guys have been working on adding a fence to combine the two pastures so we don’t have to put cows on the trailer for a 30 sec ride.
It’s also wide enough that we can walk along the side. I’m super excited for that!!
Grow Something Beautiful Friends
Julie and the BFF Family
June 3, 2023
We released our American Painted Lady Butterflies this week.
What a fun (and easy) project to do with the family.
I love that Growing Something Beautiful can mean so many things. This time we let nature do all the work and we were able to enjoy the transformation.
While observing the changes, I put together the first BFF Jr Gardener class, The Ultimate Butterfly Class.
It’s full of 40+ pages of information and activities to do as a family.
Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie and the BFF Family
June 2, 2023
To the man that has been my biggest supporter, Happy Anniversary
It’s hard to believe this is year 11.
I’m so proud of us and all that we have been able to do together. I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for us.
Growing Something Beautiful, one day at a time
Julie and the BFF Family
June 1, 2023
Making headway with the hoop house.
Do I wish it was already planted , heck yea.
I have to remind myself that this season of my life will only last for a short time. So do what I can, when I can and it will be just fine.
Grow Something Beautiful Friends
(even if it takes you longer than you want it to )
Julie and the BFF Family
