Flying Kite took last week off, leaving me plenty of time to make stuffing, drink bourbon and fail miserably at my family's annual Bingo tournament. It also gave me an opportunity to consider the things I'm thankful for in our fair city. Here is an incomplete list:

1. The 13th Street bike lane (see also: the 10th Street bike lane): We've enjoyed the lovely east-west lanes on Spruce and Pine for a couple years now, but cyclists who travelled north-south through Center City were out of luck. No more! This thoroughfare can also be considered the Straight-to-Prohibition-Taproom superhighway.

2. The Race Street Pier: Sticking with infrastructure, I have lots of love for our city's most scenic new park. A stupendous blend of greenery, modern lines and functional space augmented by a post-industrial backdrop, river breezes and a stunning view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, this resounding reuse achievement makes me excited for the (fingers-crossed) upcoming Reading Viaduct re-do.

3. Neighborhood farmers' markets (see also: The Food Trust): The Sunday Headhouse Square farmers' market is wonderful, but it's also a schlep for most of the city. Thank goodness for the local pop-ups that brighten neighborhoods weekly. My beloved market opens Wednesday afternoons at the Passyunk Fountain. It's affordable, convenient and the produce is stupendous. Special points for the heirloom popping corn.

4. Carlos "Chooch" Ruiz (see also: local heroes): We are lucky to have this paragon of virtue and clutch hitting. Sometimes I dream about Chooch hugging the Phanatic, and wake up weeping.

5. DiBruno Brothers on 9th Street: Shopping at the original Italian Market location of the legendary cheese mecca is an experience every food-lover should have. Let your personal monger guide you towards all things alpine, sheep-y, funky and rind-y. It's the closest most of us pleebs will ever get to a personal shopper. Never go if you're in a hurry. Taste everything.

6. Trading Places.

7. Pennsylvania Hospital: Did you know Philly has some of the best hospitals in the world? I used to know it in a vague sense, and now I know it in a very real sense. My boyfriend has been undergoing treatment for cancer at Pennsylvania Hospital. Yes, they have great doctors, but they also have some of the kindest, most competent nurses, administrators, social workers and orderlies I have ever met. Penn Medicine has cradled us in its institutional bosom, and I couldn't be more grateful. (I'm also thankful that my man is now officially cancer-free.)

8. Local websites: How would I waste time without Philebrity, Foobooz, Curbed Philly, Meal Ticket, PlanPhilly, Food In Jars, Hidden City, Madame Fromage, Philadelphia Speaks, Zoo With Roy and Eater Philly?

9. Shot Tower Coffee (see also Ultimo Coffee, Bodhi Coffee): The snob-tastic coffee revolution has come to Philadelphia, and I can get my perfectly-pulled macchiato at any number of places around town. Show Tower Coffee in Bella Vista is my personal favorite. Extra points for this technology miracle: They keep your loyalty points on the computer.

10. Beer: In this city, you can get a great one in an average bar. This is very special. 

Things I hope to be thankful for next year: the arrival of SEPTA's mythical contactless cards (death to tokens), a groundbreaking date for the Reading Viaduct project, the return of Bike Philly, a consistent quarterback.

What are you thankful for? Comment below or tweet us @flyingkitemedia. 

LEE STABERT is managing editor of Flying Kite.