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:

Sausage and Veggie pasta in creamy tomato vodka cream sauce

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

Goat Rocks Wilderness in Gifford Pinchot

Hamilton Mountain

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

Elowah Falls

Triple Falls

Muir Woods

Kona, Hawaii

Mt. Tamalpais, Marin County, CA

Hood to Coast

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

Great Blue Heron at Greenlake, Seattle, WA

Chia seed fruit cobbler

On the way to Goat Lake

Sundog

Mt. Hood from Coyote Wall

Crater Lake

Tom, Dick and Harry

Frozen waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge