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:

Chia seed fruit cobbler

Great Blue Heron at Greenlake, Seattle, WA

Hamilton Mountain

Sundog

Frozen waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge

Elowah Falls

On the way to Goat Lake

Goat Rocks Wilderness in Gifford Pinchot

Triple Falls

Crater Lake

Hood to Coast

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

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

Kona, Hawaii

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

Sausage and Veggie pasta in creamy tomato vodka cream sauce

Tom, Dick and Harry

Mt. Tamalpais, Marin County, CA

Mt. Hood from Coyote Wall

Muir Woods