Amazingly, Thanksgiving is just on the horizon. Yet, I have barely finished picking goodies from my son’s Halloween stash. Nevertheless, it’s getting close to that time to start making family gathering plans and dinner menus. During this time of year, I think it is especially important to focus on family both past and present.

I can’t help but reminisce about my days in Louisiana as a child. My grandmother would rise at dawn to start the daunting task of cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the family. Even now, I can remember the sweet smell of the sweet potato pies mixing with the savory aroma of pineapple glazed ham. It was a very special time that I’ll never forget. Now that I’m a mom, I want to hand my own unique spin on the holidays down to my son and grandchildren to come.

As someone who loves to experience new things, I feel that some times it’s just fun to reach outside one’s comfort zone and break tradition. Check out these How to Make a Soul Food Thanksgiving Meal and How to Make a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving Meal pages to learn some delicious recipes that you may have never tried before. Who knows? You just may add a new dish to your traditional Thanksgiving meal.