Plenty of work, for which I am grateful, is keeping me from blogging as much as I’d like. In the meantime, I’m challenging myself to list at least 10 Pacific Northwest things I’m grateful for today.
So here’s my challenge to you – please reflect for a moment and then leave a comment below with a few things on your gratitude list.
Here's my list, which just got me warmed up:
1. Carkeek Park in north Seattle, where I can walk in a lowland forest and see salmon spawning.
2. The Panama Hotel, Miro, and Zen Dog teahouses, for their fine tea and soothing ambiance.
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| Brewing tea in a gaiwan at Zen Dog Studio Teahouse |
4. Washington State ferries—love those ferry trips across Puget Sound.
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| Riding the Bainbridge Island ferry across Elliott Bay |
6. Crystal Mountain’s South Back on a clear day with fresh, cold snow.
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| Silver Basin in Crystal's South Backcountry |
8. Weekends at the lakeside North Cascades Institute Environmental Learning Center nestled in the North Cascades of Washington.
9. Our remaining patches of old growth forest, may they remain a sanctuary for all.
10. The craggy awesomeness of our snow-covered volcanoes on a clear day.
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| Wy'East/Mt. Hood |
11. Our local organic farmers and small family artisan food vendors, bless them for their
hard work and bounty.
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| Samuele makes the BEST fresh pasta! |
12. Crimson vine maples and fresh huckleberries in
the Cascades each fall.
Oh my, once I got started it was hard to stop.
May you treasure each moment and savor each bite. Happy Thanksgiving!
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12 comments:
My family, all of whom are in the NW except one in SFO which is pretty close.
Our weather. Seattle has a bad rep but most places have worse, and I think it's just about perfect for our needs. (I have no desire for for palm trees and the heat....)
Mt. Rainier, I couldn't live anywhere that did not give me frequent views, it's a touchstone.
The mix of people here....quirky, brilliant, earthy, interesting
...and that's just within my family!
The juxtaposition of water, forests and mountains make vistas lovely from just about everywhere.
Well put Anne! Thanks for your thoughtful list.
Family and friends near & far.
Good health! Which allows us to get out, to ski, to bike, to run, to walk, to kayak, to be outside, rain or shine.
Incredible natural beauty - often shrouded in fog/rain - which makes it all the more spectacular when you do see it.
Connections to people, place, and spirit.
And last but not least, the abundance of good food!
I'm grateful for the memories: of vacations at Cannon Beach, excursions to Ashland for the Shakespeare Festival, my sunburnt summers in beautiful Baker Valley and Radium Hot Springs. And I guess I should be thankful for the many strains of my family who struggled westward on the Oregon and Applegate trails. And for Levi Scott, my grandfather, who was the first of us to show up in Polk County way back in 1844...
Dude, I forgot razor clams.
Thanks Jennifer, yes, I love the fog as it snakes around forest-covered mountains and hillsides.
Kathy, wow you had ancestors here in the NW 15 years before mine arrived in 1869 (although one came to explore earlier). But a grandfather alive in 1844? Must have been VERY long-lived. I'm guessing it was a great-great? And yes, razor clams are wonderful, had some razor clam risotto recently that was to die for.
I'm grateful for KPLU.
Mountain views from all directions.
Puget sound and the San Juans
North Cascades
Great book stores like Elliott Bay & third Place
Open mindedness and politically left in Seattle
Great options for healthcare including alternative options
Great state, city & county government
Portage Bay Cafe
Hiking close by
Great biking
International District
Seattle Art Museum
City parks
Gratitude for making the list.
I am thankful for:
my auntie- who is always around when I need to talk, eat, relax, walk, or just need some company
Half Priced books, my favorite store
Netflix on demand, without that I would never be able to have discovered 30 rock or Parks and Rec
Ballard farmers market, so I always have pretty flowers in my house
UW football....go dawgs!
My mother's good health.
My adorable great-nieces, especially Catherine.
Living in beautiful Wenatchee (but still close enough to enjoy Seattle).
Good health.
Wonderful family and friends.
The happy strains of a fiddle while Scottish dancing. :)
Basically, I’m grateful for the sun, moon, earth (all of the elements…air, water, fire, earth, wood metal), universe, the life energy/spirit (the clearlike essence that Buddha mentions) that is behind all of existence, including us. I’m grateful that I exist.
Thanks Lindsey, Lesley, Patti, and Joyce for your great lists! Lots of good things, and Joyce you nailed the most basic of all.
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