Friday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• A Yellowstone lodge designed around nature

• How to find joy in ordinary days

• A new shopping tradition

• Creating a morning routine

• How to keep your curiosity flowing

True or False?

Meal planning for the week ahead can cut food waste in half.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

A Yellowstone Lodge Designed Around Nature

Tucked beside Yellowstone’s famous Old Faithful geyser is a hotel that feels almost like part of the landscape itself. Built in 1904 using local lodgepole pine and stone, Old Faithful Inn was designed to celebrate the surrounding wilderness rather than compete with it. Today, it’s considered one of the earliest and most influential examples of “rustic architecture” in America’s national parks.

Stepping inside the massive seven-story lobby feels a bit like entering a giant treehouse. Twisted logs, hand-built staircases, and an 85-foot stone fireplace were all crafted using natural materials gathered nearby. Architects intentionally used unusual wood shapes and rough textures to reflect the forests, geysers, and mountains just outside the doors.

More than a century later, the inn is still welcoming millions of visitors each year. Careful restoration work has helped preserve the historic lodge through earthquakes, fires, and decades of wear. Its lasting appeal is a reminder that buildings can feel grand while still staying deeply connected to the natural world around them.

How to Find Joy in Ordinary Days

Lighting a candle during dinner. Listening to music while cooking. Taking a slow walk without checking your phone. These small moments might seem simple, but psychologists say they can genuinely support mental well-being. What people online call “romanticizing your life” is closely connected to a psychological concept known as “savoring,” or intentionally noticing and appreciating positive experiences.

Researchers say this practice can help strengthen emotional resilience and reduce stress by encouraging the brain to focus on moments that already feel calming, meaningful, or joyful. Importantly, it’s not about pretending everything is perfect or ignoring difficult emotions. Instead, it’s about making space for good moments to fully register, even during stressful seasons of life.

The best part is that it doesn’t have to look dramatic or expensive. Experts suggest starting with small sensory rituals like drinking coffee without distractions, journaling a few good moments from the day, or spending time outside noticing the sounds, light, or weather. Often, it’s the ordinary routines that end up feeling the most grounding.

The Vermont Country Store—Make it a Tradition

Welcome to The Vermont Country Store! Since 1946, the Orton Family Business has offered an incredible assortment of unique and useful products and a shopping experience unlike any other. Find new favorites like our exclusive bedding and sleepwear, heirloom-quality Mountain Weavers table linens, genuine Irish wool sweaters, and baked goods made from treasured family recipes. Rediscover beloved brands from the past, like Tangee, Lemon Up, and Mason Pearson. There’s more in store every time you shop to make each visit even better than the last.

Make your experience extra special! Free shipping on orders of $75 or more.

Thank you to Vermont Country Store for sponsoring The Canopy.

Creating A Morning Routine

For years, the “perfect” morning routine often looked packed with productivity: early alarms, long checklists, and squeezing in as many wellness habits as possible before the workday began. But more people are now shifting toward slower, more flexible mornings that focus less on optimization and more on feeling grounded.

Instead of trying to do everything, experts and wellness writers are encouraging a few simple rituals that help calm the nervous system and ease people into the day. That might mean keeping phones out of the bedroom, taking a few quiet breaths while making coffee, journaling for five minutes, or eating a more nourishing breakfast instead of rushing out the door. Small habits like stretching, stepping outside for sunlight, or making the bed can also help create a sense of rhythm without adding pressure.

The bigger idea is that morning routines don’t need to look perfect to be supportive. Slowing down, even briefly, can help people feel more present, rested, and connected to themselves before the noise of the day fully kicks in.

Thank you to Heywa for sponsoring The Canopy.

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: True. Most household food waste comes from forgotten or unused items.

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