A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 30:

Today and every day I am thankful for my little family and our holiday traditions. It is beginning to look like Christmas in our house already!

Beginning in December, I will be launching a new series called The Winter Project.

If winter is a season that you endure but don’t love or if you struggle with staying buoyant during its dark and cold days, this is for you!

Happiness is cumulative!

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 29:

Today I am thankful for all of the time that we spend outside camping, hiking, and playing and for this afternoon we spent exploring a new-to-us nature area by golden late-in-the-day light.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 28:

The way the sun was shining and the sky was so blue, our slow-paced walk to the park, that my kids saying they were thankful for their family and their pets and the beach, a very relaxing and wonderful day. Thankful.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 27:

When I first moved out on my own, I didn't know how to cook. At all. I ate instant rice rolled in tortillas with cheese, tater tots, microwave meals, and who-knows-what else for a long time. When I figured out that following a recipe WAS cooking and that there were recipes for ALL KINDS of foods, my life was forever changed. I am so thankful now, 20+ years later, for all of the things that I have learned over time and that I feel unlimited in what I eat because I know I can make whatever I want!

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Photo credit: Old Town Pizza

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 25:

Today I did the majority of the grocery shopping for Thanksgiving. While I was at Trader Joe's it was a complete madhouse. Every aisle was thick with carts and crowds and I had both of my kids with me so we weren't exactly a small group either. The cashier congratulated me on choosing to shop today because, as he said, it will be worse tomorrow. When I left, he told us to have a blessed holiday and smiled a genuine smile. Not only am I beyond thankful that I am able to buy a cartful of groceries for our week and holiday, but I love that there is still genuine joy in people even in the midst of hurry scurry chaos.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 24:

Today I am thankful for the wonderful nurseries we have in the area that offer educated advice and tranquil beauty. Also grateful for our crazy leaf fun at the park!

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 23:

I am thankful that my kids have the entire week off of school for Thanksgiving. I love the slower pace of days like this and the extra time to spend with them.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 22:

My littlest love has been sick with the stomach flu this week. It is no fun at all but it will pass and he will be back to eating like a lumberjack. I'm am tremendously thankful for my good health and the health of my family.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 21:

Today I am thankful to have found a writing group and met some great new people.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 20:

Long yoga class in a warm studio on a rainy day. Bliss.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 19:

Today I am thankful for our boys' great school and that both of our teacher conferences went very well!

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 18:

Today I am thankful that my mom is back home and being cared for, that rain is coming this week (snow in the mountains!), and that our sweet Miley is doing well in doggy school.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 17:

Fire in the fireplace, freshly bathed dog sleeping nearby, dinner from the crockpot (a modified version of this Indian lentil dal), and house smelling of the apple cider granola (recipe here) and banana bread (recipe here) that I made for breakfast and snacks this week. Love days like this.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 16:

Today I am thankful for long stretches of time to get caught up on writing projects and things at home. For kids playing nicely together and a relaxing pace to the day.

I am planning for a small gathering on Thanksgiving this year. It doesn’t need to be fancy but I would love to try some new recipes. I’m craving something “en croute” as a main course and maybe a dessert covered in caramel!

I sometimes use Pinterest for meal planning and decided to create a board for Thanksgiving this year.


I do have a few favorites that usually find their way to the table too. Here are a few things that I have made and loved in the past:

Mushroom gravy
Sweet potato casserole
Stuffing
Pumpkin gingerbread with spiced buttercream
Braised tempeh Wellingtons
Roasted Brussels sprouts
Persimmon apple breakfast cake

What are you having?

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 15:

I am thankful for our local libraries (we have 3 in Roseville), where I can even check out audio and Kindle books. I spent a little time in this lovely sunny spot today.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 14:

I am in love with the way that my kids sit down every day with a box of markers, a bottle of glue, a roll of tape- whatever supplies they can get their hands on, and make stuff just because they want to.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 13:

I am so, so thankful for my husband, best friend, and partner in everything. My life is better every day because of you. xoxo

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 12:

Today I am thankful for massages, sweatpants, dark chocolate, and flannel sheets. That is how my day ended and it was exactly what I needed. Goodnight.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 11:

I am thankful for the access that I have to so many wonderful foods, farmers markets, recipes, and online inspiration so that I can feed my family healthy and delicious foods.


PS: The recipe for this yummy bean soup can be found here!

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 10:

I am grateful to all who have served and who are currently serving our country. Thank you for your bravery.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 9:

I am thankful for moments of "me too!" with new friends and old. We all have stories and finding these common threads makes my heart smile.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 8:

I'm thankful for my adventurous travel-loving girlfriends who kept me out too late to post this yesterday!

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 7:

Today I am thankful for good mornings and good nights. For the first time I hear my kids' sweet voices in the morning and for 8pm, when all 4 of us huddle on the couch for a bedtime story or two. Love.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 6:

Today. Oh, today. Today was full of challenges big and small; close and far away. I’m so thankful for the perspective that being alive for 40 years has given me. I am able to move through these things (literally on my morning run) and figuratively by continually moving toward more positive things. These days are all part of the currency of life and I am thankful to have them all.

Our under-the-stairs room/closet containing dog and cat food but no lighting was invaded by bugs today. That lead to my wearing a headlamp inside the house... 



How best to approach days like this?

“When eating an elephant take one bite at a time.” ~Creighton Abrams

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 5:

I am thankful for the natural areas in the middle of my suburban neighborhood where I regularly see deer, turkeys, rabbits, and other animals. Being out on the trail in the early morning is my favorite way to greet the day.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 4:

I am thankful for this furry little face and her cheerful company on my early morning runs.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 3:

Today (and every day) I am thankful for my family. Our house may be a mess and we may sometimes have pancakes for dinner, but we feel like the luckiest people in the world to be in our little family. xoxo

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 2:

Today I am thankful for our Saturday pancake ritual and for lazy Saturdays where all four of us can hang out at home, in our PJs, until embarrassingly late in the day.

A fall photo series: Each day during the month of November I will be posting something that I am thankful for along with a photo or two. I invite you to join me by posting a link to your blog, Instagram, or Facebook page in the comments.

Day 1:

Today I am thankful for the wonderful friends and families in our corner of town that make it feel like a community. 


This photo was taken at the fall festival at our kids’ school. I love how the blur captures a moment of crazy joy while the kids were dancing.