When Emily invited me to join the Christmas Bird Count, I knew it was going to be a memorable morning. Organized by Audubon, this event brings communities together to celebrate and count local bird populations, and in our town, Elizabeth Bohem leads the way. We began at 8 am, walking through a few snow-dusted blocks in Pinedale, searching the trees and bushes for any flutter of feathers.

As snowflakes fell, we counted each bird we saw, sharing smiles and laughter at the occasional glimpse of wings darting by. At one point, we spotted a flock of House Sparrows nestled in a little bush. I couldn’t resist—I pulled out my camera and managed to capture a few shots, capturing their gentle presence against the snow.

With my travel mug in hand, I sipped my warm coffee as we moved along. This mug isn’t just about convenience—it’s about savoring these moments, surrounded by nature’s beauty, wrapped in warmth, and connected to the world around us.