Wooooooooaaaaaahhh Hold up a minute - I just read your blog post and saw your shopping list. Now - I dont mean to judge - but I noticed that you bought a measuring cup... umm does that mean you didnt own one before? I think perhaps in a kitchen where, just yesterday, there did not even exist a measuring cup - cooking a full on Thanksgiving meal might be just a tad bit ambitious... However I also noticed that you are using cooking bags so your basting question is moot because the bag self bastes and you arent allowed to open the bag once you start cooking - so it is easier... but I am a little concerned about the heretofore lack of even a measuring cup in your kitchen ... leaves a slight doubt in my mind as to your readiness to tackle the BIG BIRD ... baby steps Madrid Man..baby steps... you probably should have started with .. say... jello