Mike, One of my hobbies is breeding zinnias, and I use "hairnets" that I make from mesh fabric that I bought in the fabric department of Wal-Mart. The material is inexpensive and has an open mesh that allows easy air circulation and sun exposure, while keeping bees from getting at the flower. The nets don't harm the flowers or plants at all. Interestingly, I have seen butterflies sipping nectar from the zinnias through the mesh, but they don't go after the zinnia pollen, so I am glad that the butterflies can feed through the mesh. The nets are basically approximately square "sacks". I fold over a rectangular piece of the mesh and secure the top seam and side seem by weaving a piece of black yarn through the mesh. I alternate sides with the yarn about every ½" to ¾". The seam doesn't need to be really closely stitched. Obviously I leave the bottom open to allow the "hairnet" to fit down over the flower. I use black mesh and yarn because the black nets are less conspicuous in the garden. I just started using these nets last year and they have revolutionized my zinnia breeding. I used to have to race the bees to get at the pollen on my selected breeder zinnias, but now I can relax and get the pollen over a period of half a day, and have an abundant supply of good pollen. The bees are amazingly aggressive at grabbing any available zinnia pollen. The nets also keep the bees from randomly pollinating my selected breeder flowers. Here is a picture of one of the nets on a zinnia. This zinnia was in rather poor shape because it is one that I grew from a cutting this fall and I just used it as a "model" to wear a net for this picture which I just now made. My breeder zinnias typically look much better than this one, as you can see for yourself by looking at their pictures in the It can be fun to breed your own zinnias message thread in the Annuals forum. I make the nets in several sizes to accommodate different sized flowers. You shouldn't have any trouble making these nets to your own specifications from needles, yarn, and mesh fabric from a local fabric store. MM

No bag vote here. No you are not an idiot, just a woman on a mission seeking info. No you don't need a rack if you use the bag method. Just put the bag in the roasting pan. I've never used the bag method. I've seen other roasts (beef) done in a bag, just haven't ever seen a turkey. If you like the skin to brown, I don't think you can't get that when using a bag. The bag will give you a moist turkey, just not a brown one. DH likes to see brown skin when I roast a chicken or turkey. If you don't do the big presentation of the whole turkey at the table all dressed like MS was in the kitchen, then I say go for it. Any event, hope you have a wonderful holiday!

I've made gravy after using an oven roasting bag with no problem. It isn't really pale if I remember right. You can always add just a drop of gravy master if you want it darker. Or make a roue, letting the butter brown slightly, then use the drippings and broth to finish the gravy. I've only cooked about 4 turkeys in my 53 years, so maybe someone else can help more. Happy Thanksgiving Tami

I will tell you how I do mine and it is always a nice browned juicy beautiful turkey. I rub a light coating of French's yellow mustard all over the bird and inside the cavity, then sprinkle on a generous amount of Worcestershire sauce over the breast, then I sprinkle with a nice dusting of Tonys seasoning, then I spray very lightly olive oil spray over it. That combination will always make a beautiful bird and the flavor is amazing. You will not taste the mustard but it really enhances the flavor. Now I don't slather it on just use my bbq brush and paint it on. Another thing that makes it even browner is to add a little kitchen bouquet to the mustard. I have used the brown in bags in the roaster but it tends to make it really fall apart and you just can't get it out complete. It is good and juicy and very tender, and if you don't mind if it comes apart then you can use them. They end up stuck to the bottom of the bag. I have never had anyone even know it was cooked in the roaster unless I told them. You can always take it out and stick it in the oven under the broiler for about two minutes to get it crispy but don't burn it!