(via I Need a Cupcake)The guests are gone, the dishwasher is humming, I'm sipping my fourth cup of tea to ward off the turkey/wine coma, and I'm finally getting a chance to think about the past year and all of the things I'm thankful have been part of it.
Of course I'm thankful for family and health, for being with someone who supports me and makes me better, for long-time friends who remind me of how amazing it was to be 18, for a place of my own, a job that actually makes me think and coworkers whose cube-side conversations have made me laugh till I cried.
This year has been a little different though, because for the first time I took on a project of my own (this blog), and have been able to share my thoughts with an amazing and talented group of people who (much to my surprise) actually want to read what I have to say and often share and add to the conversation themselves.
So 2009 marks the first year I've been thankful for YOU, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Your insightful comments, sweet e-mails and invitations to meet in person have meant the world to me. In particular, I'm thankful for all of the people that have constantly supported me throughout the year -- to Maris at In Good Taste who helped advise me when I was just thinking about blogging, to Abbie at Semigloss Chic who wrote a super-sweet post about my blog when I wasn't sure if it would ever take off, to Beth at Chinoiserie Chic and Style Redux who invited me to my first DC design bloggers meetup, to Tommy from Specs Appeal and Averill at Odi et Amo for always leaving smart and funny comments. There are so many more of you and I'm so grateful for your kindness and words of encouragement.
In 2009, I also became eternally grateful to all of the creatives out there -- whether you make something, bake something, paint something, cook something, grow something or design something -- you are the biggest inspiration to me. The self-reliant spirit in shaping something with your creativity, wit and two hands is something that has really captured my imagination this year and changed the way I think about what I consume and where it comes from.
Bottom line -- Thank you, thank you and thank YOU. Keep doing what you do best and I'm wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
