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Some of My Favorite Thanksgiving Sides

It is almost here! The big day where we sit and feast with family and friends. I am more than a little excited to be making my favorite Thanksgiving dessert, Pumpkin Amaretto Cheesecake today. The last two Thanksgivings were spent out of the country, and making this cheesecake was out of the question. Last year we were in Riviera Maya with all six children.

The year before my husband and I traveled to Denmark to spend the holiday with Nicole who was studying abroad.

This year Gavin and I are visiting family in North Dakota. Its been awhile since we have hosted Thanksgiving at our home. When you are divorced and you share your children with your ex, the holidays can get a bit tricky. This is the year our six children are spending their time with the other side of their family.

I will be the first to admit that spending such a family centered holiday without any of our children is awkward. It used to be down right hard, but over the years you adjust. Our children have lots of family that they love and that love them. Knowing that our children are enjoying their time surrounded with family (even if its not me) is a good feeling. Unfortunately one child is busy working in Colorado and will not be seeing any family, but she has lots of great friends to spend the holiday with. They are her chosen family.

But to get back to the point of this blog post. Today I am making my Pumpkin Amaretto Cheesecake! This recipe always brings my sister to the dinner table. While I miss my little sis everyday and everyday she is in my thoughts, when I bring this cheesecake to the Thanksgiving table I feel as though I have her sitting there with us.

Thanksgiving dinner is at my brother’s home, and my sister-in-law is planning a large feast. I am bringing a yummy appetizer in addition to the dessert. Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving sides.

Some of My Favorite Thanksgiving Sides

Ginger Pear Martinis: This is a great signature cocktail that helps get the party started!

Brie topped with Apples and Craisins: This is so simple and blends all of the wonderful flavors of the season into a rather decadent bite. Perfect topping for a cracker. I will be making this!

Sweet Potato Casserole: This is an all-time family favorite recipe and the most requested recipe that friends and family alike ask for.

Some of My Favorite Thanksgiving Sides

Make-Ahead Creamy Mashed Potatoes: We love this make ahead recipe. When you are making a huge meal, I try to prep as much as possible!

Lower Carb Green Bean Casserole: this is a new recipe that I added to our repertoire this year. So yummy and much lighter than the traditional version.

Lower Carb Green Bean Casserole

Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Another vegetable side dish that my family gobbles up! Sweetness from the cranberries are balanced out with the crunch of the nuts.

Pumpkin Amaretto Cheesecake: This recipe was first discovered by my sister some 30 years ago in a Seventeen magazine.

Some of My Favorite Thanksgiving Sides

White Chocolate Dipped Gingersnap Cookies: I love making up a batch of these to send home with my guests. I simply package up small bags of cookies and tie it with a pretty ribbon so my guests can take a sweet treat home with them. After all everyone loves a party favor!

Since I am visiting my parents right now, my mom keeps digging up old photos. Here are two pics from a Thanksgiving day 19 years ago! Yes, my kids dressed up as pilgrims. This was a hold over from a Thanksgiving celebration they had at school that they also dressed up for.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with blessings!

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