Ours was ok. I went to my FIL's an hour early to put out everything and put on the finishing touches. I had 13 show up all total. I had it all hot at 1pm when it was scheduled but most of them were almost a half hour late as usual. I had to cook my 18lb turkey 5 hours 45 minutes at 350 to get to 165. Thankfully it was still very moist. It should have been. I brined it and then shot it up with an injection lol. Everything got good reviews. They really liked that orange cranberry sauce. You should have seen the neighbors face when he saw Jon packing a big silver turkey roasting pan to the car lol. Neighbor...is that a turkey in there? Me..yeah. Neighbor..arent you afraid he will drop it. Me..nope but just in case lets let him go down the stairs first lol.

A typical belly-buster - sends everyone into a turkey coma just long enough to come out and enjoy more turkey, stuffing and gravy! Then it's back to the turkey coma! Desserts were also well-enjoyed!

Today I'll make my turkey stock out of the carcass and start portioning turkey for the freezer........

Mama's work is never done! LOL

I left the carcass with my FIL. I thought of making stock but I honestly dont want to see turkey anything for a while. His other son has a bunch of outside dogs he was going to take it to. I didnt bring home any leftovers. I left them for everyone else.

I boiled and de-boned our turkey bones so now I have the wonderful start for a turkey pot pie! Next I made some turkey salad for sandwiches, And of course there is sliced turkey breast for sandwiches or heating in the gravy and serving over the stuffing! Left-Over Lou would be so proud of me:D I love left-overs!!! Oh yeah there was the sliced breast meat and 1/2 pecan pie that went home with my daughter:) I just couldn't bear to keep that pie so handy I would gain another 15 lbs before Christmas if I had of:o

My Thanksgiving was small this year but really good. The turkey came out perfect, succulent juicy meat with skin as crisp as potato chips. We had it with tawny port gravy, cinnamon cranberry sauce, cornbread and apple stuffing, herb mashed potatoes and green beans with bacon. For dessert there was pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake. We of course ate way too much. I am still full, I think I have a food hangover. After dinner we all crashed on couches to watch a concert from Vienna on TV. It was nice because we always watch the Strauss concert from Vienna on New Year's day so it felt like a preview. I'm glad everyone had a good thanksgiving. Now I'm just waiting for my sister to show up. It's time for our annual Christmas shop till you drop.