thanksgiving thursday thirteen

i'm stealing this idea from d.'s post who borrowed it from z. and it's always a fun feature. it seems appropriate to launch it today, thinking of thirteen thanks.

13. whole food. i love that owen's alphabet includes words like asparagus and acorn squash; rutabaga and raddichio.
12. having parents who are phenomenal grandparents. this of course needs a thirteen of its own.
11. music. dancing, singing, bongo-druming, air-piano-playing, lalalalaing and the joy that goes with it.
10. choice. along with words like freedom, liberty, democracy, choice gets wrapped up in political agendas and become banal soundbites--but they're still important ideas to revisit, reinvigorate, and reconsider. atlantic monthly did a great feature on the american idea that i think provoked an important conversation. but i think of all the choices i do have, and the levels of choice--from where i live and where i eat to how i work and love.
9. good coffee. this, along with the other dozen, i've grown to love whether it is french press, stovetop, or espresso with michael--and no one makes a better "coffee house" latte!
8. the color green. when we first painted our living room green we had at any given point six or seven brushstrokes on the wall everything from key lime cream to burnt sienna sage until we found the shade that fit our lives. i remember the guy at home depot telling us that there are more shades of green than any other color--and it seems fitting as i look outside of the northwest window and see at least twentysix shades of green between the frosty grass and t he evergreen. i think it goes along with whole foods and living a thoughtful life that respects bees and trees.
7. virginia woolf. inspiration.
6. friends. for making cupcakes with. for celebrating wednesdays. for being there even when they're far far away. for being part of that thread.
5. alaska airlines mvp gold status. for making getting here and there and together easier.
4. sierradog. like number 3 he just gets better with age.
3. red wine. and i'll also sneak in dark chocolate.
3.brothers and sisters that make phenomenal aunties & uncles and a new generation of cousins. you know, family. for playing wii with. for drinking microbrews with. for sharing the thankful stuff with.
2. socks. fuzzy, argyle, stripey, knee-high. for keeping your feet warm
1. having love. i have a keychain that says 'live the life you love; love the life you live.' i bought it when owen was born to remind me that during a time of change. and i'm thankful everyday that michael and owen help make this possible.
bonus: new love. celebrating the new life on the way-- b.'s stella coming in april and s & j's baby cardinale coming in june. really, what could make us feel more thankful?

that was an easy thirteen and i can quickly think of a dozen more like looseleaf adagio teas, irish cheese, velvet pillows, making ravioli, hand-knit scarves, writing poems with three and six year olds, sidewalk chalk, roses, sesame street, real live friendly neighbors, postage stamps, ocean mist, being able to stay for the parade at disneyland, and zerberts from owen.

what are your thirteen?