Well, let me think. Two years ago DH and I decided not to go out of town for thanksgiving. And since his family never got together for Tday, he decided it would be nice if we had his family over :thud: I had never done a Tday by myself (I help at my parents, but really just make the gravy and help set the table). So I was very nervous. I actually had to look up a green bean casserole recipe! What I did was plan ahead - I figured what time we wanted to eat and "worked backward" on the timeline leaving time for the turkey to rest and to carve and plate (we don't carve at the table). On the turkey - I am a BIG fan of Good Eats so I did the brining of the Turkey all night - and everyone said it was wonderful. I also went with the smaller bird (12 - 14 lbs, if you need more get two) both for the ease of cooking and for my secret weapon - the roaster! I have two roasters, one old one (my great aunts) and a new one. They are so great for Tday as you can cook the turkey in the roaster (and I too use a cooking bag) and that frees up your oven! Yea! Plus I have a nice three season porch so the roaster sits out there on a folding table so it is completely out of my way for the day. I also use the potatoes in the crockpot. I have heard that there are recipes for stuffing / dressing in a crockpot (completely cooked in the crockpot) but I haven't tried them. I make any pies the day before. The big thing is to plan ahead and to relax. It was actually much easier than I had thought. In fact, last year DH wanted to have a Tday with his family the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Well, he was supposed to go to a comic convention on Saturday, but his friend ran late so they went SUN! :slap: I did the whole thing by myself Sun and he showed up just before everyone came over. The funny thing is, I almost think it was easier with the house all to myself! :grin: BTW, I am fairly simple with the meal. Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, Corn Casserole, rolls (crescent - from a can) and pumpkin pie (homemade the night before) and some other dessert (storebought - DH doesn't like pumpkin pie, but I am to worried about everything else to make a second desert!).
kmwiegand