For the Smart Money Cookie

When you think of the holiday season, which one comes to mind first?

Is it Christmas? Or Easter? Or possibly Thanksgiving?

All these holidays have a special place in my heart and memories.

But when it comes down to the end of the day and I had to choose one, Thanksgiving would be my choice.

Not to downplay the other two (for they are extremely important in my faith), but Thanksgiving is a day unlike any other.

The traditional thanksgiving meal is etched in my mind and taste buds for all time.

The smell of the roasting turkey and savory dressing, not to mention all the side dishes, is an aroma sweet to the soul.

Growing up in a family that enjoys food, going to our annual Thanksgiving dinner was always a treat.

The amount of delicious dishes was often overwhelming. but nonetheless welcome.

It wasn’t until I got married, however, before I really got a grasp on the extent of the Thanksgiving dinner.

You see, little did I know my family was not a casserole family.

Food was food and was to be separated as much as possible. It’s just the way it was.

So when I had the privilege of having a Thanksgiving dinner with my wife’s family, I really saw how such a collection of awesome thanksgiving side dishes could be.

I have my favorites and I look for them every yea