Skip to content
  • HOME
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
  • HOME
  • custom-logo
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
Life

June in Photos

July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 17 comments
June in Photos

Note – Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase using one of those links I’ll earn a small commission on the purchase at no extra cost to you. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Dreams, etc.!

Happy Monday! And Happy July!

I can’t believe it’s already July! But… I’m also excited for it, not just because it means June is over, but because July is shaping up to be an exciting month. When I thought of putting this post together I didn’t think I’d have a lot of photos to share, but it turns out I took more than I thought throughout the month! There are a lot of animals in this post, so there are a lot of full-sized photos. They were just too cute to make smaller!

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

The month started with the last day of school — and my last day working at the school! So obviously a celebration was in order. A friend and I went to Day Block Brewing Co. We ordered the pickle flight and other than the cucumbers, everything was different than the last time I went. The pickled grapes were… interesting. (Which for me is code for “not my fave.”) But the drinks were fantastic and the pizza? I’ve been dreaming about it ever since!

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

After Day Block, I went to the Loft Literary Center (aka one of my fave places in Minneapolis) for Lonely Arts, hosted by Hazel & Wren. Wren and I were in the same senior seminar, so I’ve been following the Hazel & Wren events and heard about Lonely Arts when they first started. I have wanted to check it out, but haven’t had a chance until now. Lonely Arts is a way to hopefully find critique partners and is described as “speed dating for writers.” Before it started I had some time to kill and I was exhausted, so I grabbed some coffee and sat down to do some work. (Story of my life before any event at the Loft Literary Center on a weekday for the last three years.)

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

Lonely Arts started with a collaborative writing prompt and ended with the “speed dating to find a critique partner.” It was a little awkward at times, but definitely a cool experience. We had to write down who we talked to and who we thought we might work well with as critique partners and they sent us contact info for our matches afterward. (Note to self: email my matches.)

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

The day after my last day at the school I celebrated my first day of working from home by taking Mina for a morning walk in one of my favorite parts of Minneapolis. She had fun exploring!

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

That afternoon (don’t worry, the day-by-day recap of June will end soon) a friend and I went to Boiler Room Coffee and I picked up the Coco Chainel, which was fantastic.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

After, we went to a little gathering with some of my (former) coworkers and I had my first s’more of the season. S’mores are pretty much the only good thing about summer. #allergiessuck

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

This is turning out to be a “where to get food and coffee in Minneapolis” post. My best friend and I went out for a belated (for me) birthday dinner to the Old Spaghetti Factory.

(PS – If you missed it, last week I shared some Life Lessons from Thirty (One) Years.)

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

And my dad and I tried out one of the spring coffees at Misfit Coffee after church one Sunday. I loved it, my dad was iffy on it.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

At the beginning of the month, I spent a few days puppy-sitting for my canine nephew Tino. Isn’t he handsome? 💙 He can be so frustrating, but he’s also so sweet and lovable! #puppylife

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

Little One came along, but I usually had one or the other out. Tino likes to play, but his version of playing is by jumping on her and she’s not so fond of that. There’s just a little bit of a size difference. 😉 The one time they encountered each other, I was holding Little One, she was wagging her tail, and Tino was jumping up to chase it. She gave me a look that said, “Really?” 😂

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

Her face. 💙

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

She enjoyed exploring a new neighborhood while we were puppy-sitting.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

On Prince’s birthday Glam Doll Donuts had a special Prince donut and all proceeds went to charity. My (former) coworkers and I went to get one for lunch.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

I attended the launch party for Marcel’s Letters by Carolyn Porter. While seeking inspiration for a new font design, Porter found letters by a man named Marcel and was drawn to his handwriting. Read the description of the book because I can’t describe it well (I tried), but it’s a true story about a man, the letters he sent to his family during WWII and Porter’s interest in learning more about him. I haven’t gotten too far into the book yet, but what I have read I have loved and I’m excited to finish it! She brought some of the letters to the book signing (enclosed in a protective case, of course) so it was cool to see those. Two other cool things about the signing:

1 // I ended up chatting with a woman who looked familiar and we discovered we both attended the same writing retreat a few years ago. It was cool to talk to her again and she actually knows the author!

2 // Carolyn Porter went to college with a friend of mine (an artist and hairstylist, she used to do my hair). Porter mentioned her when she talked about about different people who are in the book (including their college professor) so I was going to try to remember to get in touch with my friend after the signing, but I bumped into her as I left.

This event was a lot of fun for so many different reasons… and to think I almost decided not to go. Apparently I didn’t take a lesson I learned in May to heart.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

The next day I met up with a friend for a coffee/writing date that turned into a bit of a vent session. (Thanks for listening to me, Faith!) And after it was over, I packed up the car to drive to my hometown.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

I wanted to get away from the Cities for awhile, so I visited a friend (she’s like a sister to me) and her animals. Here’s Miss Sophie hanging out in the stables.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

And two of her horses. I’ve heard so much about the baby, so I loved meeting him! He was born on Good Friday and ended up getting really sick shortly after. She wasn’t sure he’d make it, but he did and he’s doing so well. He’s adorable and captured my heart immediately. (Let’s be real… this little guy captured my heart before I even met him.)

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

Miss Sophie again. I also love her. #obviously

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

A few friends were surprised by my “random” interest in horses, but it’s not really so random. My friend used to work in St. Paul, but her family lived back in my hometown in Wisconsin, so she lived with my family during the week for two years while I was in high school. (She’s actually the one who taught me how to drive and I learned how to parallel park on her dad’s farm. I was in a big pickup truck and I practiced parking it between two other pickup trucks. You’d think I never learned how, because I avoid parallel parking at all costs, but I did!) She has horses, so when she had one of her horses–Shadow–in the Cities I’d go to the stables with her during the week and I spent time hanging out with her other horses when I’d go back to WI with her on weekends. Shadow’s name is still on one of the stalls, so I had to take a picture. 💙

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

She’s just so beautiful.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

And speaking of my childhood best friend, we reconnected that weekend and I met her children and her sweet pup Maile. It was really nice to catch up!

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

I also discovered my new calling as a horse hairstylist.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

And spent some time hanging out with the lap dog. 😂

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

Aren’t they the cutest?!?!

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

If I had taken Little One along I might have stayed, but I didn’t so I went back home. I also must have gone to the Holy Land and come home with a lot of rice and a few falafel for another day.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

I’ve decided to create a “creative oasis” and try to bring back some of the creativity I feel I lost while working at a hectic and demanding school. I knew that plants needed to be part of my creative oasis, so I picked up some cacti and succulents. (And a hibiscus, but that’s outside and not in my creative oasis.)

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

And on Father’s Day I sat outside with my dad and watched two fawns frolic through the yard.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

I’ve been working on some beauty posts (coming soon!) and I enlisted my boss’s wife to be my photographer. She’s fantastic!

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

I also started an online writing class in June and I’ve enjoyed it so far.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

At the end of the month, Mina was having a great day until she got a bath.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

Round two of pictures for beauty posts took place and Odin watched the porch.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

And on the last day of the month I decided to escape the Cities again. It’s so peaceful and relaxing here.

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

We had a meeting with the chair of a rodeo, so before the meeting we grabbed dinner in the hospitality tent. It was really good!

And that was June!

I’d love to hear what you did in June! What are you looking forward to in July? Let’s chat below! 

[Tweet “Dogs, horses, and deer… oh my! Let’s talk about June.”]

[Tweet “Let’s catch up! What happened in your life in June?”]

Dogs, horses and deer, oh my! A peek at an animal-filled June. What did you do last month? // dreams-etc.com

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

Post navigation

Life Lessons from Thirty (One) Years
3 Lessons for Creatives

17 comments

  1. Mia Sutton says:
    July 3, 2017 at 9:22 am

    The “interesting = not my fave” part made me crack up. I do that, too! “How was it, Mia?” “oh, it was… interesting!” šŸ˜€ I love seeing your beautiful photos! Looks like a lovely month.

    Reply
  2. Rachel Ritlop says:
    July 3, 2017 at 10:24 am

    Awe love all of these photos!! You have such a cute pup !

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth Strack says:
    July 3, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    Looks like you had a fun month! Love all the pictures, especially of the horses. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  4. Laura says:
    July 3, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    What a great month! All of your food and coffee photos have my mouth watering! And the horse and dog photos are gorgeous too.

    Reply
  5. Vincent Carabeo says:
    July 3, 2017 at 11:33 pm

    Busy month huh! Love this post idea. Definitely enjoyed going through your photos <3

    Reply
  6. Patricia Conte says:
    July 4, 2017 at 11:34 am

    Lots to see! LOVE the animal pix – really great! I need to break out my camera more often – thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  7. Hannah Palamara says:
    July 4, 2017 at 11:36 pm

    The meals you ate in June look so yummy! Love seeing your roundup šŸ™‚

    Reply
  8. Shani Ogden says:
    July 4, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    Wow, what a full month! I love the rodeo picture. I grew up going to rodeos all the time as a kid and they are still one of my favorite things to do in the summer.

    Reply
  9. Joy Lynn says:
    July 5, 2017 at 7:10 am

    What an eventful month! Wow. Looks like you went everywhere! I absolutely LOVE the Twin Cities. The food is always amazing, and so is the beer and coffee (things I miss in Georgia). When we eventually move back to the Midwest, I think we’ll give Minneapolis some serious thought. You know some beautiful pups! Aussies are so cute šŸ™‚ And horse braiding?! Impressive!

    Reply
  10. Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says:
    July 5, 2017 at 7:55 am

    I love all your photos! The coffee pictures and the dogs have got to be my favorites. Looks like you have a fun but busy month!

    Reply
  11. Paula says:
    July 5, 2017 at 7:24 pm

    As a lover of all-things-dog, I must say that this post is fantastic šŸ˜€ Also – I am so impressed with those coffee pictures; I’m always amazed at how baristas can make those patterns.

    Reply
  12. Kate says:
    July 5, 2017 at 8:21 pm

    I’m also from MN and a huge dog lover, so loved all the dog photos and that this this covered ā€œwhere to get food and coffee in Minneapolisā€. My mouth is now watering thinking about the Old Spaghetti Factory and Glam Doll.

    Reply
  13. Lindsay @ The Flynnigans says:
    July 5, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    I LOVE the horses and of course, durable sweet little Mina. She looks like such a hamburger. Sophie is a beauty, too. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  14. Maggie Unzueta says:
    July 6, 2017 at 11:49 am

    Loving all your photos. They’re all so much fun!

    Reply
  15. Erica @ Coming up Roses says:
    July 7, 2017 at 6:43 am

    Can we talk about that pizza tho????????????? OMG

    Reply
  16. Shannon Paige says:
    July 7, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    Wow, that donut! Looks like an amazing month and this post really reminded me to appreciate these little things. Animals, food, coffee, and writing- some of my fave things all in one post! =D *thegoodthingscomin.wordpress.com

    Reply
  17. Carly Ned says:
    July 9, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    That pizza looks incredible! Loving seeing your month through pictures!

    Reply

Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

If only we always remembered to be in touch with o If only we always remembered to be in touch with our loved ones regularly; to tell them that we love them.

This thought has been on my mind the last few weeks as I’ve been in touch with one of my best friends almost daily. They’ve been navigating a scary situation.

But that’s what everyone says, isn’t it? Reach out to those you love. Tell them you love them. Don’t let a lot of time pass.

We all know that. We think about it sometimes. We hear about it when others are in crisis. We’re thankful that we aren’t the ones in crisis and we can remember this lesson through someone else.

But eventually we get caught up in life. Our daily ā€œI love you’sā€ are reserved for those we live with and sometimes we forget to text someone back… or it takes a few days to do so.

This week as I wondered why we don’t remember this more often I realized it’s probably a good thing. It’s a good thing that we can live life without worrying that tragedy is right around the corner. That would be an exhausting way to live.

It’s also good that we can get little reminders, sometimes not from our own life. So from someone who spent one week numb, another week weepy, and this week sad, remember to send your friends a text. Tell them you love them.
I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
See More Follow on Instagram

RECENT POSTS

  • Saying Goodbye to Crystal the Writer
  • The Day the Sorcerers Visited Baby Jesus
  • Thoughts on Hope
  • Christmas Playlist // 2022
  • Life Under Construction

CATEGORIES

  • Adventures (52)
  • Beauty (16)
  • Books (147)
  • Creativity (57)
  • Entertainment (18)
  • Life (224)
  • Uncategorized (539)
  • Wellness (8)

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow
  • Book Review Policy
  • BOOKS
  • Contact
  • DISCLOSURES
  • Insta Links
  • Seint Links
  • THE DREAMER
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | Ā© 2023. All text and photos belong to Crystal Brutlag, unless otherwise stated. Theme designed by Little Theme Shop: https://littlethemeshop.com

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Dreams, etc. // Minneapolis Lifestyle Blog
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.