My favorite part of the year is finally here. S U M M E R! We pay a high price to get here: school projects, final exams, awards ceremonies, talent shows, parties and every kind of crazy crammed into a few fast and furious weeks. But summer has come to our rescue, and with it comes instant redemption of all the end-of-school insanity! 

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We’re about as tired as our little lambs on a hot afternoon, but just knowing we don’t have to return to the school routine on Monday evokes a deep sigh of relief in all of us. Though I have to say, we finished strong. That is, my girls finished strong. While I was all cooked and done, they were still grinding it out, winning awards, making great grades, and using their gifts in talents shows. My oldest sang one of her own songs while playing the guitar one week, then won the 7th grade science award the next. {What a surprise! Who knew our songbird was also a scientist?} And my youngest created fabulous fashions out of magazines last week, then received a blessing for her strength as an organizer this week. {She’s far more like her first born mama than I thought. Not so second born?}

I don’t say much about my girls here on the blog. Mostly because I just want to enjoy the moment and let them share their own hearts and stories in the ways they choose down the road. But every now and then, a mama’s heart swells and overflows. We aren’t all about awards and recognition here in our family, but seeing your children honored for the things God created them to do is a beautiful thing. {Sweet girls of mine, I’m so proud to be your mama…with or without awards!}

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And now we get to celebrate what we love best: being together as a family. That’s our favorite thing about summer…and about life. Playing together, working together, lingering over meals together, creating together, hosting friends on the farm together, doing anything at all together…this is our sweet spot. Together is how we love to be.

Happy Summer!

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  • Julie - Happy summer Linsey! And congrats to your girls for working so hard and using their God-given talents to shine! (They must have an amazing role model! : ) We have 3 more weeks of school here in Seattle – – so we are still in the midst of the crazy! Your post brought sunshine to my heart today… feeling the warmth and anticipated joy of much family togetherness this summer. Can’t wait!ReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - I hope you enjoy your togetherness! Of course, there are moments when we all need our alone time {I’m enjoying a few of those moments right now!}, but for the most part, being together is EXACTLY how I love to be. Happy almost summer to you!ReplyCancel

  • Dianne - Loving the picture with this post. Just beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • Gracia @ Gracious Offering - Linsey,
    Love the paragraph about your girls…”let them share their own hearts and stories in the ways they choose down the road”. That’s my blog philosophy as well. Yet, doesn’t hurt to celebrate some special moments once in a while either :)!
    Glad the school year ended well for both of them! Enjoy your summer…Maine bound? Visiting Maine…eating a lobster po’boy…is on my bucket list!ReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - Yes, a short visit to Maine this year since we’ll be combining the New England trip with a visit to my husband’s family, but even a single day on the Maine coast is a gift! Hope you get to enjoy that someday!ReplyCancel

  • Morning Glory + Hello Summer » Bravehearted Beauty - […] brave and beautiful heart today? Mine is bursting with joy because we’re only a day away from our family’s favorite season: S U M M E R […]ReplyCancel

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Friday’s Beauty Hunting Retreat was divine. And I mean that. There’s no way I could create this on my own. The extravagant beauty, the beautiful weather and the specific group of women who gathered here…all God’s doing.

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Something magical happens as we walk around the farm hunting for beauty. I literally see women come alive. Even those who arrive quiet, reserved and introverted {I’m right there with you; it takes every prayer I’ve got to step out of my comfort zone and invite you into my space} leave with a radiance and energy about them.

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A number of women have told me they’d love to come to a Beauty Hunting Retreat someday. I know distance is an issue for some, but most of what holds us back is fear. Our fears are as numerous as the stars in the sky, but what if we let our fears point us forward instead of holding us back? What if we stepped into the things we fear instead of avoiding them?

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I have all kinds of fears about hosting these retreats, but with each little step of faith, beautiful things happen…for me and for you. If you’re afraid of coming to a Beauty Hunting Retreat because you don’t know a thing about photography, come on! If you’re afraid of coming because you don’t know anyone and don’t like new situations, come on! Take that small leap of faith. I promise you won’t sink into a pit once you get here. If anything, you’ll be lifted up and inspired. I’ve seen it happen with each woman who comes. So by faith, I believe the same will happen for you.

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I don’t have any future dates scheduled just yet, but if there’s an interest, I’ll get something on the calendar this summer. Maybe June? Email me if you’re interested. {And yes, introverts, this invitation is for you, too! Beauty Hunting is perfect for your personality. Takes one to know!}

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We’d love to share our little piece of heaven with you. If Beauty Hunting isn’t your thing, stay tuned for the next Family Farm Day. {I posted a few photos on the farm Facebook page.} We’ll do that again for sure! It’s another way to share abundant life, and that’s what Ten 10 Farm is all about!

Happy Monday to you, brave and beautiful ones!

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P.S. Did I mention the food?!?! {I’m pretty sure my husband is a chef in training for the heavenly feast!} One of my favorite moments of the retreat was when one of the women looked at the lunch my husband set down in front of her and exclaimed, “This isn’t normal! Nothing about this is normal!” That’s exactly what we hope you’ll feel when you come for a Beauty Hunting Retreat! We hope it will be a retreat from normal and maybe even a taste of heaven!

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  • katey - I love the kitty in the log! Awesome pictures!!!ReplyCancel

  • Nicole - We will meet in person one of these days, Linsey…

    Your retreat sounds fantastic. : )
    xo,
    NicoleReplyCancel

  • Val - The other morning I felt prompted to read Matthew 13. The word ‘abundance’ lept up at me especially having followed your blog recently. I re-read that chapter renewed and the words of Isaiah quoted in it resonated ‘…and I would heal them’. Thank you for the healing brought about by your photos and thoughts.ReplyCancel

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Friday morning, I’ll open our farm up to a few Bravehearted Beauties who have courageously signed up to spend the day with me here on the farm. They are brave because some are driving hours to get here; brave because some don’t even know me; brave because they’ve cleared the day during one of the busiest times of the year; brave because they signed up without a lot of details on what it is I’m offering; and brave because they trust it’s going to be good.

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And the truth is, I don’t fully know what it is I’m offering. Scary for a detail girl. But this has become God’s sweet spot with me. When I trust Him enough to say yes to scary things, when I move outside of my comfort zone, when I give up planning and controlling and just say YES to His crazy ideas, He comes through for me…and for the women who say YES with me. When we say yes, amazing things happen. Abundant life happens.

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I’m sure I’ll talk about things like aperture and chasing the light, but a Beauty Hunting Retreat is about so much more than photography. It’s a time when I trust God to nourish our hearts through beauty. {I’m convinced beauty is His universal love language.} And I don’t know how He does it, but God makes His presence known here…in a quiet, peaceful, welcoming way. He does something for people’s hearts here.

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As we walk through clover, tall grasses and barn dust here tomorrow, my goal is to get out of the way so that God can do His thing. All I know for sure is that it’s going to be good.

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Another way we’d like to share our farm and abundant life with you this weekend is with a Family Farm Day on Saturday. My girls are so excited to show you all the animals! And my studio will be open for those who’d like to do a little afternoon shopping. Contact me for the address. Your turn to be brave and come see what God has for you here!

BE BRAVE TODAY!

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  • Jennifer - Oh, my! You, my sister, are glorious! I love how He shines in you! I love your courage-yes, you are His Bravehearted Beauty! I pray His blessing over you this day and for all who attend, today and this weekend! Much love!ReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - Oh, thank you! It was a blessed time for sure…full of life and light…despite the rain that threatened all day. Life reigned!ReplyCancel

  • The Beauty of Blackberry Farm » Bravehearted Beauty - […] If there were one place other than my own farm where I’d most want to lead a Beauty Hunting Retreat, Blackberry Farm is it! Wouldn’t it be dreamy if someday I got to do that someday?!?! Dare to […]ReplyCancel

May is a crazy busy month, but not every minute has to be. Would you like to experience some peace that nourishes your spirit in the midst of the chaos? We’d love to give that gift to you this very weekend. Consider this your official invitation to Ten 10 Farm!

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Three invitations for you this weekend:

1. BEAUTY HUNTING RETREAT: Friday, 9 am – 1 pm.  There’s so much life to capture on the farm right now that you won’t have to work very hard to see beauty. Bring your camera {even an iPhone}, and I’ll show you how to capture beauty in new ways. I promise you’ll leave feeling full and satisfied…in your spirit and in your tummy. {JD is preparing a delicious lunch!} This event requires a reservation and spots are limited, so please RSVP via the farm website.

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2. OPEN STUDIO: Friday, 1 – 3 pm; Saturday, 3 – 5 pm. Stock up on stationery {teacher gifts, summer birthdays, happies for you!} and well priced home accessories. If you’d like to stop by, email me with a friendly little note, and I’ll reply with the address.

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3. FAMILY FARM DAY: Saturday, 3 – 5 pm. For all who desire to visit a farm, this is for you! Pet the lambs, feed the chickens, hold brand new baby chicks, watch ducklings on the pond, buy farm fresh eggs or just enjoy the view! No charge. {Unless you want to buy eggs from my daughters!} Bring a friend, bring your children. Email me with a friendly little note, and I’ll reply with the address.

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We’ve always known our farm is meant to share, and with all the life exploding here these days, this just feels like the perfect time to extend an open invitation. New friends, old friends, blog friends, real life friends…come say yes to life with us this weekend!

Can’t wait to see you!

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  • Katey - This sounds like an amazing day!!! I wish I lived closer!! Have a great time.ReplyCancel

  • Marjorie Dineen - Dear Linsey,

    SO wish I could be a part of this. It is exactly what I need. Problem is that I live in Maryland. I wish you well with this wonderful weekend that you have planned.

    MargieReplyCancel

  • Marjorie Dineen - Dear Linsey,

    SO wish that i could attend. It sounds exactly what I need but the problem is that I live in Maryland! I wish you well with all the beautiful things that you have planned.

    MargieReplyCancel

  • Lori - Linsey-How sweet of you to extend an invitation to your lovely farm. I would love to visit Ten 10 Farm, unfortunately this weekend I am traveling to Indianapolis to support and love up on one of my dearest friends. She battled breast cancer last year and is having additional surgery on Monday. Praying for NO Cancer! I look forward to one day having the opportunity to meet you in person and Beauty Hunt at Ten 10. Wishing you a fabulous weekend, Lori 🙂ReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - Sounds like you were EXACTLY where you we supposed to be this weekend. I’d love to meet you at a Beauty Hunting Retreat down the road! It was an amazing day!ReplyCancel

  • Amy - Oh how I wish I lived closer! I want to love on those baby lambs…and chicks, and pups, and all the other critters! I love that you are sharing your Beauty Blessings with everyone. Keep posting for those of us too far away to enjoy it in person!ReplyCancel

  • Dikola - Hi Linsey,
    Every single detail of this weekend sound delightful! So wish I could participate and meet you! Houston will have to do though, and God has been so good to send us a couple of chilly May days. It’s been really beautiful here! I hope you will offer this periodically…would love to come up for a weekend with my Nashville girls…I know they would enjoy this, and you and your family too! Hope you have a beautiful weekend!ReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - Hopefully I can start planning a little further in advance for those who want to travel. Lately, I’ve just been planning spontaneously. So unusual for me! I guess that’s growth, but surely the pendulum will swing a little more back to center. 🙂ReplyCancel

I’m giving all my words away in person vs. writing this week, but I couldn’t resist sharing the light I captured on Friday night. My beauty loving heart was all aflutter as the setting sun bathed our pasture in golden light.

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GLORY!

And there’s more…

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Morning and evening light are so glorious. What is your instinct when you see pretty light? Do you chase after it with a camera? Do you paint it? Do you look right at it or look at the things it’s lighting up across the way?

Wherever you are today, I hope there’s light shining in your heart…even if there isn’t light shining in the sky. And if there’s not, it will come. I promise. Your light will come.

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P.S. I still have a couple spots open for next Friday’s Beauty Hunting Retreat. I’d love to spend the day with you! RSVP through the farm website if you’re interested.

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  • Holly - OH your posts are always so relevant for me! I feel like our family is in a “hold” pattern right now and as we sit here waiting to see what life has in store for us, well it’s getting much harder to wait. Thinking about a move to Franklin from Atlanta. Waiting for the “sign”….hope there will be one whether it means staying or moving! Lots of praying going on here.ReplyCancel

  • Cindy - Wow…Linsey…some of these photos look like paintings! So beautiful. You have blessed with this gift for seeing beauty that others sometimes miss in God’s Landscape. Thank you for sharing.
    xoxoReplyCancel

  • Dikola - While I have promised myself not to compare Houston to Nashville, I am extremely grateful for your pictures as a sweet reminder. I can literally smell the sweet TN air through your pictures!ReplyCancel

  • Donna - I have been following your blog for awhile now….and I have to tell you that your photography is AMAZING…it seems like it just gets better and better, if that is possible. Thank you for sharing your journey on the farm…!ReplyCancel

  • Gracia @ Gracious Offering - Beautiful photos, Linsey. Those lambs are absolutely adorable!
    To answer your question, when I see amazing light, I chase after it with my camera too. Still have so much to learn! Hoping to order a 50mm lens soon! Wish I lived closer to TN…would come to your beauty hunting retreat in a heart beat.
    Happy Mother’s Day…enjoy your day with those beautiful daughters. Warmly, GRaciaReplyCancel

  • Katey - Love this light!! It calls me out of the house and away from whatever I’m doing and I take pictures of anything that glows especially in the light. Last week I was on my belly taking pictures of a snail crawling across our patio and my hubby said, the burgers will be done in 5 minutes have you even started the side dishes?? That is what the light does to me. I love your lambs and your beautiful farm. KateyReplyCancel

  • Amy - That first picture! No words.ReplyCancel