‘Thanksgiving Table With Food’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

It has become a We Love DC Thanksgiving tradition to tell you what we’re thankful for in and around DC. Imagine us all around a candlelit table, counting our blessings over wine and turkey. Please join us in the comments. And remember, We Love DC isn’t a cult, we’re just fanatically close-knit, okay?

Tiff: This year has brought a lot to renew my perspective on DC. I’m so thankful for my new neighborhood, the welcome we’ve gotten from our neighbors, and the new regular haunts that have come with our move, like Ray’s River East and Rustik. I’m grateful for people who share their culture and passion through dance and the new friends I’ve made that way. But most of all, I’m thankful each day for the We Love DC community- my fellow writers, of course, but also the readers, the Twitterers, the other DC bloggers, the reporters who welcome bloggers into their community, and yes, even the anonymous comment trolls. Some of you have become valued colleagues, some have become cherished friends, but you all inspire, challenge, and energize me.

Katie:

• The passionate, interesting, savvy group of people that I follow on Twitter. They keep me informed of DC’s great food, good deals, and breaking news.
• Great workouts at locally-run places like Mind The Mat and Yoga District.
• Our area’s farmer’s markets, full of crisp, flavorful produce, that never fail challenge me to be a better cook.
• Dupont Circle at dusk.
• Food splurges that are worth it, like The Source, Poste, and Bourbon Steak.
• Deals and steals on some of my favorite DC food: The unlimited “fat kid” brunch at Masa 14, the slice and pint happy hour at Radius, the beat-the-clock happy hour at Firefly and SEI‘s $6 sushi at happy hour.
• Drinking wine on the patio at Willow at night in the summer, or a huge cup of Ginger Rose iced tea at Pound Coffee.
• The breakfast taco from District Taco.
• Vintage/Thrift shops like Treasury, Secondi, Junction and  Oliver’s in Annapolis.

Ben: It goes without saying how thankful I am for this city and all its treasures that I get to share with my wife and my friends. Great hockey, fantastic exhibits, continuing opportunities — all part of the mosaic of things I truly enjoy around here. There is one thing I am really thankful for in DC this year, however, and that is the wonderful cultural resource that is the National Museum of the American Indian. This year has been one full of great programs and outreach, exposing the vast culture, perspectives, and insight into the indigenous people of North America. I have been truly blessed and am immensely thankful for all of their continued hard work and involvement with the native community, sharing our heritage with DC and the world and encourage those of you who have not visited the museum, to make time to do so next year.

‘Capitol’
courtesy of ‘devonhaupt’

Carl: This year has been one of great change for me. I am thankful for being able to leave some things behind from my life that were patently bad and negative for me. Also for being able to find new things, meet new people and start a new chapter in my life. I am thankful for a new relationship and the flower that blooms in my heart with every glance or touch. I am very thankful for my friends, especially those at We Love DC, who have been generous enough to let me stay on staff during a tough couple of years, during which I have been mostly unproductive here. I couldn’t ask for a better set of colleagues.

Erin: This has been a hell of a year, both good and bad, and I am thankful for this city–this glorious, tweed-riding, live-music-loving, 65-degrees-in-late-November city–for helping me value the good so much more. These are a few of my favorite things:

• Having the luxury of walking past the U.S. Capitol every single day. They just don’t build ’em like that anymore.
• We Love DC, for giving me the opportunity to take my camera to amazing places, like in front of the rail at the 9:30 Club.
• Every one of the many people in this city who wake up every day and wonder what they can do to bring a little more kindness/art/organization into the world. They are many.
• Twitter, and the many fine denizens of DC and beyond who join in the conversations that enrich and amuse us all.
• The fact that the Smithsonian museums are free.
• The NGA Sculpture Garden and the many stories you can watch unfold just by opening your eyes and being patient.
• The little spark of luck that washes over me when I walk up to an outside Metro station late at night and see the next train arriving, instead of departing without me on it.

Paulo: I have a special Thanksgiving word of gratitude this year for The National Gallery of Art. For the Vermeers, Rembrandts, and other Dutch Masters; for the Ratjen, Dale, and Shein collections; for endless galleries full of drawings and etchings and prints and daguerrotypes and photographs; for the cavernous halls arching over marble and bronze sculptures; for the Folger flowers about the fountain; for free Sunday evening classical concerts; and even for Pre-Raphaelites. NGA has been my (and my wife’s) go-to spot for immersion in various ages of art for the last 7 years by virtue of proximity and sheer collection volume, and I’m thankful for it.

‘Caporales San Simón 2’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

Shannon: I’m thankful for the past year of amazing memories in the District.  Getting engaged to my favorite person on top of the Capitol dome, moving to Adams Morgan (which, even though I’m biased, is by far the best neighborhood in the District) during the Snowpocalypse, and completing another Nation’s Triathlon are DC experiences that I will never forget.  I’m also thankful that I live in a city where I can bike to work every day and where I can find an endless supply of myths to bust.

Brittany: A year ago, I was here just to visit my family for the holiday, depressed about living on the other side of the country and wanting badly to come home to stay for a while. I am terribly thankful that, this summer, I had the opportunities fall into place to make that happen. I was very lucky to be able to get on a plane with my three suitcases of clothes and one beautiful old chair, leave the rest behind, and start my life right back where I left it, with the amazing people of this amazing city. Particular gratitude is felt for my friends who were my apartment-hunting proxies who found me my new place (on the Red Line, with which I seem to have consistently good luck) and who will be sitting at the table in that apartment this week when I host my first real Thanksgiving dinner of my own. I am so thankful to be surrounded by colleagues, friends, and relations who make me laugh, encourage me to be better, and who would never, ever wear Ugg boots.

Rachel: What a difference a year makes — it’s a cliché but so be it. It’s been a year since my first post for We Love DC. Friendships have blossomed since then. Too many baseball games to count were attended. Interesting and inspiring people were spoken too. I essentially realized why I’m still in D.C. It’s because I was able to come into my own here. We Love DC has had a lot to do with that. I’m so thankful for this city, its people, and for those people for sharing their stories with me. All I know is I’ve met my fair share of true characters while running around each and every quadrant in Washington. So thank you, Washington, D.C., for being the vibrant hub of modern culture that I know you are! Keep up the good work and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

‘Ben’s Chili Bowl on DC’s historic U St.’
courtesy of ‘AndyMac.Miller’

Rebecca G: I am thankful for the Green Line. For the bus lines. For dog-friendly businesses, buildings and neighbors. I am thankful to live in aneighborhood where everyone says hello, and where community pride has forced the need for custom bumper stickers. I am thankful that my world is populated with beautiful architecture and inspiring monuments, not to mention the occasional oddball building or garden. I am thankful for Rock Creek Park, fabulous happy hour deals, cultural cacophony and chatty cabbies. But it would be a lonely, empty city without my incredible friends, wonderful family and hopelessly spastic dog. They’re what I’m most thankful for, every day of the year.

Patrick: Like many of you, I am thankful for the Metro. When it works it’s amazing and it makes my life so much easier. When it doesn’t- well, that’s why I’m thankful for when it does. I am also thankful that I live in a city full of so many bright, young people who make my life infinitely more interesting. I am also thankful for Osiris at District Taco, not only for making such yummy meals but for reminding me I left my iPod on my table the last time I dined there. Most importantly, I am thankful for my We Love DC family and all of their readers. If It wasn’t for y’all I wouldn’t have the opportunities to talk to basketball players and see lots of theatre. It’s this site and all that run it and read it that I am so very thankful for.

Dave: When it comes to DC this year, I’m thankful for the fact that there are ample channels to channel my inner geekiness every day I need. There are the wonderful people of We Love DC and the readers who for some reason come back to whatever ridiculousness I stumble upon (the Pop vs Soda debate? That was a fun one). I’m thankful for two really awesome guys who complete my band and the hordes/dozens of fans who support us wherever we may play in and throughout the District. Finally, I’m thankful for a chance to wake up every day and wastch the sunrise over the Jefferson Memorial out my back window. Just a solid reminder that not only is every day a new one, but also a new day in DC.

‘Arrgh! This Sign is So Angry!’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

Max: While this has turned out to be the worst year of my life, I fully realize that things could always be worse and that I have a lot to be thankful for.  I have a great group of friends who have helped me through the rough times and made the fun times even better.  I’m thankful to have a job that I don’t hate, enabling me to travel and buy fun camera equipment to further my passion for photography.  I’m of course thankful for the opportunity to write and shoot for We Love DC and to share those things with our readers.  But in the big picture, I’m most thankful for all of the amazing places and experiences that this world has to offer and for having the constant desire to learn and explore.

Ashley: I am thankful for the Social Safeway. I’m thankful that the construction that has been messing up my commute has finally (hopefully) finished. I’m thankful for the spot in Rock Creek Park that I’m still convinced no one else has discovered. I’m thankful that I work in a building that people fly from all over the world to visit, and that sometimes, when I’m the only person in that building, I feel like a part of history. And I’m thankful that though D.C. is a town that friends come to live in for a short time before moving on, they come here at all, because this town (and I) wouldn’t be the same without them.

Samer: I’m thankful that after 23 years living in the DC-area, I’m still not sick of it, not bored, and most certainly not looking to move. This city continues to show me its best, from great photography shows, wonderful bars — beer and otherwise, delicious restaurants, and great scenery. I’m very thankful for my friends, new and old, who come in and out of this town, and without whom I wouldn’t be who I am.

‘237/365: Justin from Fojol Brothers’
courtesy of ‘Amber Wilkie Photography’

Jenn: One of my favorite quotes has always been theater director Tyrone Guthrie’s exhortation to his actors: “Astonish me in the morning!” The amazingly talented people in the oddly similar worlds of drinks and theater are constantly doing just that. Their dedication to craft and creation, service and beauty, and their willingness to share that with me, help make my life all the more enjoyable. For that, I am truly thankful.

It’s been another year of deep personal change and growth for me. Throughout all the ups and downs, my work with We Love DC has remained a wonderful constant. I’m grateful for all the interactions here, and reaffirm that I welcome all civil dialogue with readers. No matter how much we may agree or disagree, it’s important to me to hear your voices. Thank you.

Samantha: I am so incredibly thankful for We Love DC this Thanksgiving. Last year at this time, I was finishing my thesis and felt extremely uneasy and unsure.  Although my sentiment may have simply been a result of the abnormal amounts of caffeine I was consuming during the time, I believe it was because I had no real idea of what was to come next.  Closing one chapter and opening another can be quite terrifying.  But then the We Love DC family – a community of people who were creative, passionate, and most importantly, encouraging – came along and provided me the opportunity to further explore my interests.  Now, almost a year later, I still don’t have it all figured out, but with confidence I look forward to the future.

Michael: This year I am thankful for DC9. They say you don’t fully appreciate something until it is gone and that certainly applies here. I have missed this great gathering place and concert venue immensely while its status in the community lingers in limbo. I have been attending concerts and enjoying bars in DC for seventeen years and for the most recent of them I have found no bar more inviting than DC9. In a sense DC9 captured the personality of the long demolished Crow Bar while providing the intimate musical entertainment space of the old 9:30 Club. These two things combined to make it my favorite hang-out and go to meeting place for a chill night of jukebox tunes and beers. I am thankful to DC9 for giving my partner Diamond and me some of our first DJ gigs (spinning before and after shoegazer bands). I am thankful for the staff who, unlike most other watering holes in DC, actually care enough to remember my name (even if I haven’t been there in awhile). Heck, some of them even remember my sister-in-law’s name and she lives in New Jersey! Finally I am thankful for all of the fantastic, intimate concerts that I have seen at DC9 this year: Delphic, Adam Franklin & The Bolts of Melody, Woven Hand, Russian Circles, The Young Widows, This Will Destroy You, Agnostic Front, Film School, The Golden Filter, and my favorite Norwegian shoegazer band Serena Maneesh (twice!).

‘(303/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

Tom: 2010 has been a difficult and stressful year for me, and without many of you in my life, I don’t know how I’d have coped. The community that the DC Blogosphere is has kept me sane.  I’m thankful not just for my We Love DC family, but the bigger family that We Love DC is part of.  Thank you DCist and Aaron Morrissey, thank you Greater Greater Washington and David Alpert, thank you Prince of Petworth and Dan Silverman, thank you BYT and Svetlana Legetic.  Thank you also to newcomer TBD.com, who’s introduced all of us to other great local blogs and helped us work well amongst each other.  Working as part of this big community makes me thankful for connected the District is, and how happy I am to be living here amongst the nation’s greatest bloggers.