Thank you, QNS for the info (I think). I'll get my turkey at the grocery store wrapped in plastic thank you very much. And yes, QE, I knew it was wrong, but I was picturing the turkeys running around in little dresses LOL.

Yes, JanRN, that is what we will do next year: Butterball turkey. (In fact, that is where our Thanksgiving Day turkey on turkey day will come from this year as I am cooking for about twenty people, so need a 23 pound bird.) Daughter needs three turkeys...one for her minister and the other we will cook with noodles for ourselves later.

JanRN ... I thought you were better to visualize dresses than !!!! :)
You'll never think of turkey the same again! Oh for the fringe benefits of this PC ride.

QNSue ... *gasp* you're going to BUY one? Perish the thought!!!! If they aren't big enough then just cook two!
Oh you'll have turks again next year ... think of what you will miss, if you don't! :)

Since it's only DH & I for Thanksgiving dinner this year, I'll just buy a turkey breast. Even that will last a few days but the leftovers, esp stuffing are my favorites. I always make twice as much stuffing as I need because I love it cold (keep going to fridge and forking some out and then wonder why my pants are snug).
I've never made turkey soup but it sounds good. Is it made the same way as you make chicken soup? Any thing added or done differently? I may make some with the leftovers. I make some type of soup 2-3 times per week. I bow to the inventor of the crock pot!

Ok, JanRN, need your turkey stuffing recipe...please?

I'll second that ... all hail the Crockpot Inventor! :)

JanRN ... I often do the same as you, and just cook a turkey breast if it's just one or two guests. Even do it for myself when solo. Fire up two crocks ... one with the turkey, the other with the stuffing/dressing. When larger gatherings, and wants lots, .... stuff the bird and a crock (or two!) :D


American Thanksgiving .... this next Thursday 11/22?
Then Black Friday which I am thinking is a stat holiday too?

Canadian Thanksgiving as you may remember was last month ... 2nd Monday of October and is a stat holiday.

I will miss not making Thanksgiving Turkey Soup this year...We are leaving for NC right after Turkey Day and my son will get all the leftovers...I generally roast a 20 lb bird so we can have leftovers for sandwiches, etc...

I remove all the stuffing from the bird right after roasting....When we're done eating that evening I take as much of the meat off as I can & break up the carcass...When it's time to make the soup I place all the bones & skin in a very large pot at least 12 quarts.... cover the bones with broth or water and simmer it all until it all falls apart...then remove the bones & pieces of skin...don't strain it...all the nooks & crannies that held the stuffing will become part of this fantastic soup...I will then add all the fresh
veggies..carrots,celery,onions,potatoes,mushrooms, parsley...I season it with Bell's Poultry Seasoning...optional salt & pepper. I also add a cup of barley....If I know I won't be using the leftover gravy & stuffing any more I will throw that in too...at this point the soup & will be thick you will have to add more broth or water.....this is not a this soup but you don't want it to be gloppy...This is how my mom used to make it and everyone in my family expects a quart when it's done...

QuiltE...you make me laugh. I've seen dresses on concrete gooses but never on live turkeys!
Jan...I too love the dressing and make extra. Yes turkey soup is like making chicken soup. I learned from a wonderful German lady that stock made with the bones...and the secret ingredient was a couple cloves of garlic...could not be beat. I don't do that often now for just the two of us but it is worth it.
QuiltE...yes Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November for us in the states and is a national holiday. Most companies also give Friday as an official vacation day and merchandisers have taken advantage of it and have used that day to kick off the Christmas season with huge sales. Calling it black has something to do with stores being in the black for the year from that point on. They are already advertising Black Friday prices and getting an early jump on the sales. Shopping has become a national pastime in the states. It's really sad.
Honchey...we were posting at the same time and your Thanksgiving soup sounds absolutely wonderful

Honchey ... toss your carcass etc. into the freezer. I know a lot of people who do that and then just make it when they have the time and interest sometime later.

As for me and Turkey/Chicken Soup ... I have given up on making it! I make lots of soups with success, and yet Turkey and Chicken just never seem to turn out in all the times and ways I have tried. I have now officially declared it to be a no-make for me ............ unless I use the boxes of store bought broth with the meat and veggie add-ins, which to me isn't really "making" it!

GGal ... I thought it was better for JanRN, than the cold hard truth! :D

Where I live, we can be in the States in 2 hrs at Niagara Falls ...... add on border crossing time though!
So there are a lot from this area that head south for BF.
Not me, as I don't enjoy the crowds ... and besides, I want to know if that if I want to return stuff, that I can do so.

Interesting enough, the Canadian retailers are now trying to capture the BF business, and encouraging people to stay home and buy here. Granted, I doubt they end up with some of the phenomenal prices that we hear about south of the border.