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:

Goat Rocks Wilderness in Gifford Pinchot

Hood to Coast

Mt. Hood from Coyote Wall

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

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

Hamilton Mountain

Muir Woods

Triple Falls

Great Blue Heron at Greenlake, Seattle, WA

Kona, Hawaii

Elowah Falls

Sundog

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

Crater Lake

Mt. Tamalpais, Marin County, CA

On the way to Goat Lake

Tom, Dick and Harry

Sausage and Veggie pasta in creamy tomato vodka cream sauce

Chia seed fruit cobbler

Frozen waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge