That is one packed oven! Looks delicious.

I'm jealous. went to my sister in laws and they wanted to have a "Boston Market Takeout Thanksgiving"

Lovely.

I'm having Thanksgiving envy. Didn't celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving last month with a big feast (it's not as big or important a holiday up here) and now I'm feeling like cooking something special.

Must always have something "cheesy" for Thanksgiving.

I've heard that those baking bags are amazing. Or is that plastic wrap that you put on to keep the turkey warm?

Best leftovers--stuffing.

We had a lovely free range organic turkey with simple sides -- steamed broccoli (because all four children under 8 present love the it); mashed potatoes; roasted sweet potatoes; dressing; a green salad with apples, walnuts and gorgonzola; homemade cranberry sauce; and (Cheesecake Factory) pumpkin cheesecake for dessert after a walk to see Christmas lights in the neighborhood. It was relatively healthy and just perfect, as our guests brought the things that travel well (cranberry, salad, dessert) and we didn't spend the day slaving in the kitchen. I am missing the traditional pie today, so we will make up for it at Christmas.

My boyfriends mother started the stove on fire. Apparently some of the turkey dripping sloshed out of the pan when she removed the turkey. They were already carving it when I got there. She went to check on the rolls she pop in after removing the turkey and the whole bottom of the stove was aflame! Thankfully a fire extinguisher was close by. The house was a bit smoky and we need to open all the windows and let the cold in for a bit. Unfortunately the rolls were a casualty but the rest of the food was good.

That photo looks a little like a giant teddy bear head in a pan covered with plastic wrap.

I didn't get to bring home any leftovers, except some turkey munchies for my dog.

Mine went off without a hitch! It was my first time hosting. We brined the turkey and tried the "butcher" carving method recommended in the NY Times (Or LA Times, I can't remember). It was perfect, we'll be doing that moving forward.

Sides were simple, green beans grilled with green onions and almonds, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, gravy, and my first attempt at dressing, which turned out faaaabulous.

Now I want to host every year!

While we spent Thanksgiving with family, we did Turkey Day 2 with friends on Friday. My husband does a dry rub of herbs and spices and roasts the turkey in a paper bag-- keeps it moist until he removes it before the last hour of roasting to get it golden brown. I did about five hours of cooking, including a spicy cranberry relish, a green bean and French fried onion casserole with mushrooms sauteed in white wine, citrus roasted yams, fresh rolls, garlic mashed potatoes, herbed dressing, and two types of homemade gravy-- turkey and mushroom (since I'm a vegetarian). Then, of course, there was the desserts-- my homemade pumpkin pie and the apple pie and apple cake our guests brought. All in all, it was delicious and something we'll continue to do with our friends in the future!

We hosted. I used an organic kosher turkey, which I'll definitely do again (no brining required and it tasted great!). Sides were: Sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, mushroom stuffing (cooked outside the bird), giblet gravy, green beans with pine nuts and biscuits. Everything came out perfectly, except for the stuffing, which was dry. We also had an apple cranberry pie and lots of champagne.

Unfortunately my husband's family was in a pile up on the NJ Turnpike. They are now fine, but never made it to NYC and the dinner. We ended up heading to Philly that night to be near them (my mother-in-law was in the hospital for 2 nights) so now we've got mounds of leftovers to consume.

I'd definitely host again. I really enjoy the cooking.