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

Elowah Falls

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

Hood to Coast

Sundog

Crater Lake

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

Goat Rocks Wilderness in Gifford Pinchot

Hamilton Mountain

Kona, Hawaii

On the way to Goat Lake

Frozen waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge

Great Blue Heron at Greenlake, Seattle, WA

Mt. Tamalpais, Marin County, CA

Sausage and Veggie pasta in creamy tomato vodka cream sauce

Tom, Dick and Harry

Mt. Hood from Coyote Wall

Triple Falls

Muir Woods