Because it's Thanksgiving, we like to think about all the things from the last year that make us thankful to be in Dallas. Feel free to crib any of these for your own dinner, because Aunt Linda went first and said "family," like that isn't totally cheating. And feel free to tell us in the comments about anything we might have missed. Like you needed our permission.

Dallas Cowboys offensive line
Who knew that investing in the guys up front would make the Cowboys better? Okay, everyone put your hands down. The Cowboys spent three of their last four first-round picks on offensive linemen, and now Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin comprise the young core of one of the best lines in the NFL.

With it has come a running game featuring league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray and pass protection so stout that Tony Romo could've had a picnic several times on the final drive against the Giants last week. The Cowboys are now a balanced team that no longer relies on Romo and the wide receivers to do everything, and with it has come a record indicative of a team poised to make some noise in the playoffs.

Craft cocktail surge
There was some concern that the cocktail scene might implode after Michael Martensen and his crew left Smyth and Cedars Social, and Eddie "Lucky" Campbell was wandering around without a bar to call his own. Well, Martensen is now doing his thing at Proof+Pantry, Lucky opened his own place called Parliament, Bowen House has turned back the clock in a good way and Midnight Rambler is possibly too sexy for Dallas.

Throw in the mainstays like Black Swan Saloon, Standard Pour, Victor Tangos and People's Last Stand, and Dallas' cocktail scene is firing on all cylinders. Now, where should we start the night?

Wise people making good food for great causes
The Dallas dining scene continues to grow at breakneck speed, and for that, we are thankful. But it's the pairing of Dallas' top chefs with charitable causes that makes us feel good for getting fatter. From Meat Fight to Chefs for Farmers to Cafe Momentum to Bubbly Q, Dallas chefs are using their powers for good.

Of course we always enjoyed their food. But when the money is going to causes that positively affect the whole of Dallas and beyond, it's hard to not go back for seconds.

Richard Branson
The Dallas City Council thought long and hard (okay, maybe not very hard, but definitely long) about whether they would "allow" Virgin America the two gates at Dallas Love Field airport it had been awarded by the Department of Justice. Virgin America founder, billionaire and three-time defender of the Most Interesting Man in the World title, Richard Branson, was more than happy to fight them with his usual panache.

There were parties on the ground, parties in the sky and parties in our hearts as Branson wooed the public to see the benefits of Virgin flights coming out of Love Field. Now, with the Wright Amendment gone and the city council having come to its senses, travelers are free to keep the party going all the way to Los Angeles, Chicago and many more destinations.

Menswear on par with womenswear
Dallas has always been a shopping mecca, but it's mostly catered to women. That might have made sense back in the day, but now guys are expected to master the casual-but-not-really outfit just as capably as their better halves.

The evolution started a couple of years ago, and we now have options like Traffic LA, Alton Lane, Trunk Club and Edo Popken, offering cool threads in all styles and price points. Add to that J. Hilburn's open-to-the-public showroom and the newly opened Stag, and it's gotten to the point that Dallas men may be as pretty as the women. That probably doesn't help Dallas stereotypes, but whatever, who are you going home with?

Sir Richard Branson fought the city the only way he knows how: crowdsurfing.

Photo courtesy of Virgin America

Sir Richard Branson fought the city the only way he knows how: crowdsurfing.