It’s Thanksgiving week, which means I’m compelled to reflect on the past year and consider the most wonderful events I’ve experienced. With some recent life changes, I’m reminded of the importance to stay true to yourself and focus on what makes you happiest. For me, that includes hiking a mountain, laughing and enjoying beers with friends, traveling to new (and old) favorite cities, and, of course, cooking up a storm. Below are a few photo representations of my most thankful 2014 moments:

Tom, Dick and Harry

Chia seed fruit cobbler

Crater Lake

Hamilton Mountain

On the way to Goat Lake

Frozen waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge

Sausage and Veggie pasta in creamy tomato vodka cream sauce

Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier

Kona, Hawaii

Great Blue Heron at Greenlake, Seattle, WA

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

Hood to Coast

Sundog

Mt. Tamalpais, Marin County, CA

Goat Rocks Wilderness in Gifford Pinchot

Triple Falls

Mt. Hood from Coyote Wall

Elowah Falls

Muir Woods

See what white speck on the right side? Yup, it’s a mountain goat! Goat Rocks Wilderness, Gifford Pinchot National Park