I’m always on the lookout for something fun to write about. Sometimes I have three or four great stories batched up, and other times I’m working at the last minute to come up with an idea. Somehow, this week, the need to find a story made it into my dreams.

In my dream, I was looking closely at a flowering shrub that was near a windowsill. As I peered in, I saw a little hummingbird. And then, as I went to pet the hummingbird (which is of course totally normal!), I bumped it off the branch that it was on, so now I’m trying to help the bird up. Then suddenly, I saw a little baby hummingbird, even smaller, with the first one. My first thought was, “I need to take a picture of this, it will make a perfect story for Life Lived Outside,” so still in my dream, I get my phone out to take a picture, when suddenly like out of a scene from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Maddy comes flying up like a tiny garden fairy to join the birds.

Then I woke up, and I still had it in my head, in those groggy moments between sleep and wake, that I had a perfect newsletter and one of my tasks for the week was complete. And then I realized it was a dream. I’m sure you’ve had dreams about your work or workplace before. Sometimes, maybe, that’s a reminder that you are spending too much time there!

I think Life Lived Outside is currently at 380 weeks in a row, so for 7 years, every single week I’ve found something to write about. It’s no wonder that even the process of creating the stories has entered into my dreams. Hopefully my sleep in the future will be visions of sugar plums and not the tasks I need to complete! 

And I should be dreaming of sugar plums because this year, as part of our Return to Wonder, our Christmas Wall is a giant gingerbread house! It is decked out with delicious morsels, candy canes, and icing and is the perfect spot to grab a holiday picture while you are picking out gifts for others (or a little treat for yourself) from all of the beautiful Christmas plants filling the nursery. 

And this Saturday we’re really getting into the Christmas spirit with Elf Yoga (grab your spot here). So feel free to dress like an elf and come out to relax and celebrate the joy of Christmas and the balance that yoga brings. We all need that this time of year. And when yoga is over, check out the delicious goodies from Spellbound Sourdough or grab a coffee from Quail Run Coffee. Whatever you need this holiday season, we’ll be here to help you relax, unwind, and Return to Wonder.