Ok, so Test Turkey day went off without a hitch! I followed Alton's recipe to a T, except for omitting the candied ginger. Invested in a thermometer, and used a few hints and tips from this thread (special thanks to Goodweed!). The bird cooked in a little over two hours, and was fanflippintastic! Perfectly juicy flavorful from the brine and aromatics. The flavor went literally to the bone. I would have liked it to brown a bit more evenly, but I will work on that one for the next time. I also prepared mashed and sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing, creamed spinach, corn pudding, and gravy.
Now, you all know I was freaking out about receiving my mothers approval of my bird. She decides that she didn't want to cook dinner, so she was coming to get turkey. Yikes! Ummmm, I am guessing that she approved, seeing as for just herself and my brother, the woman jacked half my turkey!!!
Thanks for all the help and feedback everyone, I feel much more comfortable, even excited, about cooking the entire meal come Thanksgiving!
The bird out of the oven, and after my mom took her "dinner"....