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Experience the Magic of Butterfly Wonderland
Adventures ► August 12, 2020

Experience the Magic of Butterfly Wonderland

Picture it: Phoenix. 2020. Before our lives turned upside down. I flew in to speak at a conference but I knew I wanted to get in at least one adventure while I was there. On...

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5 Things I Learned Speaking at a Conference (for the first time!)
Life ► August 10, 2020

5 Things I Learned Speaking at a Conference (for the first time!)

With all that’s happened in 2020, it kind of shocks me when I realize that this is the year I spoke at a conference for the first time. It seems like ages ago. But in...

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Virtual Chat // Life’s a Whirlwind
Life ► August 7, 2020

Virtual Chat // Life’s a Whirlwind

Hi. Hello. It’s been awhile. I can’t believe it’s been over six months. I think that’s the longest I’ve ever gone without updating. I have partial drafts of posts that I started writing back before...

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Minneapolis in May and June 2020
Life ► July 15, 2020

Minneapolis in May and June 2020

The last Tuesday of May, I woke up and saw that a black man had been killed by police the night before in Minneapolis. I saw the photo and was stunned. This isn’t the first...

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Forgiving Those Who’ve Hurt Us // Why & How
Life ► December 23, 2019

Forgiving Those Who’ve Hurt Us // Why & How

A few months after I posted My Jonah Story a friend reached out and asked about forgiveness when people hurt us. It’s so easy to cut these people from our lives. This friend’s question was:...

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Coffee Date // December 2019 (Work/Business, Family, Games & Travel)
Life ► December 20, 2019

Coffee Date // December 2019 (Work/Business, Family, Games & Travel)

Note – Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase using one I’ll make a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If we were...

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Keep Your Head Up [Whatever That Looks Like For You]
Life ► December 16, 2019

Keep Your Head Up [Whatever That Looks Like For You]

This weekend I attended my nephew’s music recital and, as always, I found those kids to be absolutely amazing in the pursuit of their music and I walked away with thoughts that I decided I’d...

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Your Ultimate Christmas Music Playlist
Entertainment ► December 10, 2019

Your Ultimate Christmas Music Playlist

It’s that time of year! Some might even say it’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s that time when it’s socially acceptable to crank Christmas music 24/7 and have Christmas dance parties around...

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Criticism Hurts: How to Respond & How to Support Your Creative Friends
Creativity ► November 22, 2019

Criticism Hurts: How to Respond & How to Support Your Creative Friends

Criticism hurts. I understand that 100%. As a writer, I have faced criticism of my work. I have an English degree with an emphasis on creative writing and I have had to sit silently through...

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Recent Reads (+ If You’ll Like Them) // May & June 2019
Books ► July 19, 2019

Recent Reads (+ If You’ll Like Them) // May & June 2019

In April I shared a HUUUUGE roundup of books of I read from January through March and said I needed to make sure I did a roundup each month because that one was a beast...

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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.

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. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 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. “The water looks cold,” 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. 😂)

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.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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