Thanksgiving is an opportunity for me to do some major baking and cooking!  I like to good, but don't have a whole lot of time to really fix up something 'big'.  This year, we had Thanksgiving at The Shadow Lady's Sisters' place.  Her parents, and a friend from work finished out the family and friends that were sharing the day.

I have SO much to be thankful for... I'm living a dream - a fantastic wife, a loving family, a good job, good health, great friends... I can go on and on.  I'm very blessed, and very thankful.

My morning started just a bit before 6AM, and getting the bird ready.  After the fiasco of having TONS of food left over last year, I decided to take it a bit easier, and got a smaller bird... if I had it in by 7, it would be done between 12 and 1.

I've NEVER seen a garlic so large!!!  Its called elephant garlic, and a lady at the store said it was milder, and very flavorful.

She was right!

50 minutes later, the bird was ready for the tent and the oven.

In the oven. 

Now you know my secret to a moist bird.  I know all the instructions say you don't need a tent.  I don't believe it, though... every time I haven't used one, I wished I had.

Around 11, the tent came off... ol' Tom was looking good!

He sure smelled good, that's for sure!

He was close to being done already - The temperature was up to 170 or so, and he was starting to fall apart... a sure sign of tenderness.

I popped in the potatoes and yams along with him, and baked them all together for the last hour.

 

About noon, I pulled Tom out of the oven, and started on the gravy and stuffing. 

Once I had what I needed of the drippings, I moved him to the box, which we wrapped up in a blanket to keep the heat in.

Once the gravy and stuffing was done, we put things in travel warmers, and drove across town to join up with the rest of the relatives...

Gotta tell ya... Gar smelled GOOD!  :-)

Tom wasn't much worse for the ware after his trip.  I popped him in the oven to make sure things were warmed up while we set out the things.  I was worried about the moistness, but it came out great... I was very happy with it.

I stuffed him with onions and that huge garlic... man it was NICE!  I

 had garlic breath for a few days, but it was worth it...

We had a great time eating, talking, visiting, watching the game, and playing Trivial Pursuit...

I had a cake that was awesome! One of the sisters made it.  The topping was some sort of eggnog based slathering of goodness... hopefully, she makes another one for Christmas!  :-)

 

In all, it was a great day with family and friends.  Just like its supposed to be.

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