30 days of gratitude

I am thankful every day for the adventures that my journey has taken me on. Today I share the compilation of my daily expressions of gratitude during the month of November.

1. I’m thankful to have three amazing grandparents in my life. I refuse to take for granted how lucky I am. 
2. Lazy weekend mornings with hot breakfast, the sounds of Z’s current video games and extra furry snuggles.
3. The sweetest, most trusting rescue cat that just loves on everyone she meets. And that she’s extra snuggly on cold mornings.
4. Pumpkin Spice. Between our Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Wallflowers, this morning’s Pumpkin Spice Latte VIA and the batch of Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix that just came out of the oven our home smells so inviting. I can’t get enough.
5. Cozy blankets – Mommom’s crocheted flannel baby blankets, Mom’s pastel and lace childhood quilt, and our warm lap quilts from Kathleen – there’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in handmade love.
6. My newly found tolerance for running. Tonight I ran 4 miles because I *wanted* to.
7. Daylight Savings. Our bedroom window faces the East and as annoying as the super bright sun may be, Gabby sunbathes for a good hour before I get up at the foot of the bed. My mornings start with the warmest snuggles.
8. Foggy Friday mornings that allow me to sleep uninterrupted just a little longer.
9. Having an assortment of good eats within walking distance of our home. And that a mile walk totally justifies a burger and onion rings.
10. Local produce. As much as we whine about our bi-weekly grocery outing, there is nothing more satisfying than having an abundance of fresh produce in the house.
11. Homemade Chai Tea. I have always loved vanilla chai, double spice chai, Thai chai, pumpkin chai, you name it. Thanks to a certain someone’s new obsession, I have made a delicious batch to enjoy this week.
12. My incredible mother. Here’s to celebrating many more birthdays with the woman who taught me to give selflessly.
13. A loving family to go home to for the holidays and the generous gift of airline miles.
14. Working from home. The extent of my commute is walking upstairs and the only traffic is a furry monster barreling under my feet to beat me to the top.
15. Having a job I genuinely enjoy and working with amazing people that make the tough days bearable. TGIF.
16. Care packages. My mom and aunts always find the most thoughtful and unique items to send to me.
17. The wonderful people I’ve met through this blog. So wonderful to see The Tomato Tart and Kitchen Corners this week.
18. Tamales. And creative friends. Today’s lunch consisted of traditional chorizo and cheese tamales, pumpkin tamales and chocolate tamales.
19. Cool rainy days to get into the holiday spirit. And warm slippers even though someone said I was one stop short of the retirement home while wearing them.
20. Two story windows. Today’s overcast drizzle reminded me that this is the first day since we moved here that I have turned on the lights during the day. Yay for saving electricity!
21. Friends that push me out of my comfort zone and encourage me to pursue new opportunities.
22. New adventures. 2013 has brought both of us new jobs, a new city and new friends. So far this is the best chapter yet.
23. Going out to eat. We don’t do it often which makes the food and conversation that much more enjoyable. ️ Last night was a cozy little German restaurant down the street that was nothing short of amazing.
24. Holiday Baking. Despite not having a traditional office to bake for this year, I am so honored to be connected with such amazing causes like the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap benefiting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, I am baker‘s amazing Desserts for the Deserving and Java Cupcake‘s Deployment Care Package Program. 
25. Having done all of my Thanksgiving shopping early (and actually remembering everything on my list!) so that we can avoid the grocery stores this week.
26. My collection of family recipes and that I learned them standing beside the ones who made them for me year after year. Mommom’s Pecan Pie just came out of the oven.
27. The incredible smells coming from my oven. Pumpkin Challah smells even more delicious than one could imagine.
28. The endless laughter that we share in our house. Never a dull moment and always a smile.
29. The internet for allowing me to keep in touch with friends and family, connecting me with new friends and saving the day when I realized I had white yams instead of sweet potatoes on my hands yesterday.
30. That I have so much to be thankful for. We may not be perfect, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.