Print out this column right now and stick it on the fridge. A week from today, it may save your sanity.
Here are the popular toll-free hot lines to troubleshoot Thanksgiving "fowl-ups," and to provide some inspiration.
FOR THE BIRD:
• The legendary Butterball Turkey Talk-Line is 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372) and in service daily through the end of the year.
• Text the word "TURKEY" to 36888 from your mobile phone for tips on how much turkey to buy, thawing reminders and turkey temperature guidelines from the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line experts.
• www.Butterball.com has how-to videos, new recipes, cooking calculators and a section to upload personal Thanksgiving photos.
• Reynolds Wrap has a Turkey Tips hot line at 1-800-745-4000, or go to www.reynolds kitchen.com.
• Better Homes & Gardens' helpful website is at BHG.com/roastingguide (requires registration).
FOR FOOD SAFETY:
• Food and Drug Administration hot line, 1-888-SAFEFOOD, or 1-888-723-3366. Also, www.foodsafety.gov.
•USDA Meat & Poultry Hot Line 1-888-674-6854, or www.usda.gov/fsis.
FOR PIES AND DESSERTS:
• Crisco Pie Hot Line, 1-877-FOR PIE TIPS (1-877-367-7438). In addition to baking and storage tips, the hot line will have new helpful hints from the 2008 APC Crisco National Pie Championship's Amateur Champions. For how-to videos, go to www.crisco.com.
• Land O'Lakes, www.landolakes.com.
•Domino Sugar: www.dominosugar.com.
FOR CRANBERRIES:
• Ocean Spray Cranberry consumer help line, 1-800-662-3263, or www.oceanspray.com.
AND, FOR SPILLS:
• International Fabricare Institute, www.ifi.org.
• Carpet and Rug Institute, www.carpet-rug.com.
KIM ODE