Thanksgiving Morning

My first Thanksgiving here at home. I know that people cook turkeys everyday and there are far more people out there that are hosting families larger than mine and having to prepare and cook every.single.thing.

I'm thankful that my family is chipping in and bringing the sides. We've got the turkey, mashed potatoes, and noodles. I think I can handle that.

I got up at 6 this morning- probably way later than most out there! And set to tackle the beast.

 My helper was ready and waiting... and begging.

After it was all said and done, I'd declare a tie. The turkey somehow, after 5 days in the fridge, and a short soak last night in cold water, was still icy! I was able to finish thawing it (or so I currently think, we will see) in the sink with cold water. THEN, The people at Honeysuckle must have not trust the turkeys to keep their legs together because I couldn't even cut the wrap off. I managed to get the legs out so I could get the neck ::gag:: and the bits out. Then I gave up and put the legs back in the stirrups. Will deal with it later.

I did the whole separate the skin thing and put roughly 1/2 stick of butter on the breasts under the skin along with 3 springs of thyme. Then sprinkled with salt and pepper, (salt, pepper, and a couple sprigs in the cavity too) And rubbed the butter on the outside to try to get it off my hands. Finally, I sprinkled Lawry's seasoning salt on top and then brushed with olive oil.

I preheated the roaster to the highest it would go and got in in there for 30 minutes to, hopefully, brown the skin and then turned it down to 350* for I don't know how long, at least 4 hours I think. I could hear it sizzling so I'm hoping the high heat effort worked. Bird needed a tan, bad.

 Managed to not make too big of a mess.

 and now it's 7:30, all cleaned up, and I'm resting quickly with a Peppermint Mocha and the Today Show.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!