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In fourth grade, my wise homeroom teacher assigned our class to write down 100 things for which we were thankful. I’ve repeated the exercise every year since.

100 Things for Which I am Thankful 2014This my second year publishing my “Thankfulness List” (you can read last year’s here). While I’ve found that taking time to record 100 blessings is a valuable practice, publishing my list last year taught me something else. Although gratitude on its own has value, it gains its truest strength when it is expressed.

I didn’t look back at 2013’s list before writing this one, and there are certainly some repeats, but I am glad for it—if anything, I hope that I am growing more in appreciation for my blessings, not less. I am also categorizing this post as one of my “Fives,” but since we are counting blessings, I think sharing 100 instead of five is appropriate, just for today.

In the spirit of expressing gratitude: 100 Things for which I am Thankful. Wishing you all very happy Thanksgiving, with 100+ blessings of your own!

  1. My best friend, biggest supporter, and partner in crime: my husband Ben.
  2. My younger sisters. I was lucky enough to be born into the same family as my other two best friends, and I can’t imagine my life without them.

Chicago-Sisters

  1. My health.
  2. My education.
  3. Our new home.

Front of House

  1. Living in a country where I can express my views without fear.
  2. My mom and step dad, who make every trip home fun and relaxing, and who are why I cry every time I leave.
  3. Growing up with all four of my grandparents, who still inspire me today.
  4. A father who never let me doubt for a moment that he was proud of me and ended every phone call with, “I love you.”
  5. My in laws. I’m so fortunate to have joined another loving and supportive family.
  6. Living in a neighborhood where I feel safe.
  7. Every comment on my site. It makes my day to hear from you!
  8. Ravioli Day.The Crew-Ravioli Day
  9. Modern communication.
  10. Quiet mornings alone with my cup of coffee. And maybe a slice of Cranberry Swirl Bread.
  11. Entrepreneurs, who take risks to develop creative, useful things for all of us.
  12. Weekends.
  13. Art. It makes the world beautiful.
  14. The Madison farmers market. I miss it!
  15. The sound of fresh snow crunching under my boots.
  16. The way bread smells when it bakes.
  17. My five senses.
  18. Rainbows.
  19. Mistakes. They are some of life’s most effective teachers.
  20. Free wi-fi at airports.
  21. Electricity.
  22. Having access to fresh produce within a mile drive of my home.
  23. Our month in France. I am speechless to have had this opportunity.Eiffel Tower
  24. Running.
  25. Waking up just before the alarm sounds.
  26. Cars with seat warmers.
  27. The Godiva chocolate rewards club. One free truffle every month!
  28. When the guy in front of me in line at the grocery store lets me go ahead because I have fewer items.
  29. Moments so funny, I laugh until my stomach aches.
  30. To Kill a Mockingbird, my favorite book.
  31. Inside jokes.
  32. Campfires.
  33. The night sky.
  34. Tears, in joy and in pain.
  35. My giant, beastly, and fiercely warm winter coat.
  36. Lazy Sunday mornings.
  37. Croissants. What a glorious celebration of butter.Eric Kayser
  38. Dinners at home with Ben, the one time of night when our lives hit pause.
  39. Dinner at Ben’s parents (especially when his sister cooks—she’s amazing!)
  40. The U.S. Postal Service. Isn’t it kind of incredible that I can pop a letting in my box, then it will appear in yours a few days later? Speaking of…
  41. Snail mail.
  42. Indoor plumbing.
  43. My cookbook collection.
  44. Making every green light on the way home.
  45. Finding a favorite snack in the Target clearance aisle.
  46. Impromptu dance parties.
  47. Sunsets on the lake.Lake Sunset
  48. And sunrises too.
  49. Access to clean water.
  50. Having the opportunity to travel often, both personally and for my blog.
  51. Pens that write easily and nicely. (These are my favorite.)
  52. My KitchenAid stand mixer. It’s cliché, but I’m emotionally attached.
  53. Similarly, my Dutch oven. If our house ever catches on fire, I’m ditching my wallet and saving this treasure instead.
  54. Our neighborhood pets deer.
  55. Happy hour.
  56. Teachers.
  57. Living near this trail:Woods
  58. Turning on the car radio and hearing the song I’ve been singing all day long.
  59. Patient Home Depot employees.
  60. The nice lady at the gym who never makes fun of me for forgetting my ID every single week.
  61. The little birdies that hang out in our neighbor’s feeder.
  62. The first, mouth-burning cookie out of any fresh batch (most often these chocolate chip cookies).Whole Wheat Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies. Best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had.
  63. Early morning runs when I feel like I’m the only person in the world.
  64. Falling asleep on freshly laundered sheets.
  65. Baby shoes. They are just so stinking cute.
  66. #TBT
  67. The stranger who helped me empty my 20+ jumbo bags of leaves at the dump (no small task).
  68. When someone else unloads the dishwasher.
  69. Samples at Trader Joe’s.
  70. Instagram.
  71. Road trip sing-alongs.
  72. Homemade salted caramel sauce.
  73. Scoring the last slice of pie.Southern Buttermilk Pie with Bourbon
  74. A hot shower on a chilly day.
  75. When the shoes in the clearance section are actually the right size.
  76. This American Life. I look forward to it every week.
  77. Christmas music.
  78. Our snow blower (and Ben for using it on my behalf).
  79. The rolling plains of Kansas. They’re beautiful.
  80. Frozen pizza.
  81. Dishwashers.
  82. Sunflowers.
  83. Blue skies on crisp fall days.
  84. The way the summer sun feels on my shoulders.
  85. Public libraries.
  86. The zoo.
  87. Bear hugs.
  88. Our time living in Madison. I’ll always love that city, tiny apartment, and Brandy Old Fashioneds.Brandy Old Fashioned. One of the classic cocktail recipes everyone should know.
  89. Speaking of Madison: fried cheese curds.
  90. Coupons for things I actually use.
  91. The way the air smells after it rains.
  92. Someone taking care of me when I’m sick.
  93. The ocean.
    Kiss on the St. Malo Ramparts
  94. Being able to do what I love as a full-time job each and every day, and the person who makes it possible…
  95. YOU!

Thank you!

I cannot thank each of you enough for your support of my blog. I love connecting and sharing with all of you, and I am so passionate about this site. Thank you for making it possible! Wishing you each a warm, wonderful holiday with the people you love. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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  1. Such an great idea! It must be amazing to have these to look back on through the years. Happy Thanksgiving!!

  2. Wonderful list. You have several things that strike a chord in me – indoor plumbing, and your favorite book (To Kill A Mockingbird) – I read that when I was a junior in high school – when it was newly published. I wish you and Ben a wonderful Thanksgiving.

  3. I just love your list. It includes so many things I’m thankful for, also. I’m thankful for you and I welcome your posts. They’re like sitting down with a friend and having a cup of tea or coffee (or Old Fashioned). Continue to be thankful. Continue to be happy. Continue to love life! <3 God bless you!

    1. Diane, this is such a touching note. Thank you so much! I hope you and your family had a warm, wonderful Thanksgiving. Wishing you all the best, always!

  4. What a gorgeous post Erin. I love it. :) Big believer in gratitudes, I find 20 things every day I am thankful for, it really makes for a more positive and fun life, even the littlest things become awesome things. :) Happy Thanksgiving lovely one. Cheers from Aus. xx

  5. Aww, this list is so inspiring, Erin! I love that there are the big, more obvious things, but also those small things…the things that make each day a little brighter. Hope you had a great thanksgiving :)