We've had as many pies as people, some years.

And this is bad how?

And this is bad how?

First, there's the interpersonal drama: whose apple pie do you pick? Because, yes, usually each grandmother makes an apple pie. Then nobody wants to take the leftovers home after, because everyone's dieting.

I prefer for guests to arrive with one dish and leave with left overs. They are free to leave the pies, however.

You know what I love about Columbus at Thanksgiving? Mid Ohio Con. Turkey and comics! A friend of mine is doing a panel so I'm definitely going.

On behalf of your aunt-in-law, may I suggest that you not bring more stuff than you've discussed with her?

But there are some things you just have to have, or it's not Thanksgiving.

Then nobody wants to take the leftovers home after, because everyone's dieting.

I'll take those pies for you, no problem.

They are free to leave the pies, however.

And I see Cash is my kind of girl.

because everyone's dieting

Oh, well this, at least, will not be a problem. Way Too Much Food will be an issue, though, because it's going to be kind of a small crowd -- I'm used to cooking for 15-ish people, and I think there will only be 8 this year.

In that case, may I also recommend the CI-endorsed method of also letting the turkey air-dry (uncovered) in the fridge for 24 hours after brining? The moisture and seasoning are still locked into the meat, but the skin ends up bone-dry and gets amazingly crisp.

(I also highly recommend butterflying the turkey so that the thighs and the breast are the same distance from the heating element, but so far I've only been able to convert people to this method if I cook the turkey myself. But it really really works! And it saves time!)

I was gonna also recommend to Cashmere to bring out Cook's Illustrated backup, so the brining love comes from different sources. CI is MAD for the brining. And the airdrying totally rocks.

And, Jessica, you totally converted me last year with just the talk of butterflying, and we did that last year and it was OMG so good.

But there are some things you just have to have, or it's not Thanksgiving.

You're the one who always brings the pickled beets even though only one person within a hundred miles likes them, right? Ditto the sweet potato dish.

This year Tom and I are making and bringing some sort of stuffing, a cranberry-ginger-pear compote, and sweet potato pie. We may also purchase and bring a chocolate pecan bread pudding from our local bakery because it is Teh Awesome.

Normally we have Thanksgiving at Cousin H's house. This year we are going to Cousin D's son's place. His new wife is all psyched up to host - which is fine, but will be - gasp - different.

I asked what we could bring and she told us to "surprise her - just nothing yellow&green or we will be eating in our car". While I do tend to favor those colors for some things - food is not under that influence. Though now I'm tempted to make a platter of green and yellow bell peppers.