Best. Holiday. Ever.

Thanksgiving is dedicated to all that I love most: food, family and friends. Naturally, it's my favorite holiday. Since my mom's family is all here in Chicago and there's a large contingent of my dad's family out on the west coast, I alternate spending Thanksgiving here at home with the Clarks and feasting with the foodies out in Palm Springs. Either way, it's always an amazing day.

This year, I spent the holiday in Chicago. Peggy and Bill, my fave Chicago foodies, graciously hosted and everything was fantastic. However, I'd like to highlight my personal favorite Thanksgiving tradition: the cooking of the second turkey.

Ask anyone who's borne the burden of dating any member of the Clark clan and they'll vouch for what an "experience" the Thanksgiving experience is. There are approximately 700 of us (only a slight exaggeration) and it gets really, incredibly loud. But in the midst of all of the insanity, the traditional games of dice, the toasts (you may or may not be welcomed to the family on your very first Thanksgiving appearance, which may or may not creep you out, but if you belong you'll be able to laugh it off), the raucous laughter, the chorus of voices -- each one louder than the next and the gaggle of little kids running around... there is a sit-down meal of epic proportions.

There is dinner: turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin muffins, stuffing, gravy, beef tenderloin, a big green salad. And then there are second helpings. Then there's dessert. Pies of all kinds: pumpkin, cherry, lemon meringue, French silk. An amazing array of cookies. It's all very normal.

But then things get real. All the while we've been feasting on rounds 1 and 2, lounging around watching football, drinking cocktails, eating dessert and goofing around with one another, something great has been in the works.

That something is turkey number two. And it's done just as people are feeling ready for some turkey sandwiches. Holidays in the Clark family aren't a sprint; they're a marathon. Knowing that, Peggy and Bill roast a second turkey and prepare a full sandwich bar, complete with a variety of breads, rolls and croissants, an assortment of condiments and most importantly, a giant platter of fresh-from-the-oven white and dark meat.

It is, without a doubt, the best part of the day. I highly recommend this tradition to anyone who loves a good meal. Or three. Or four. But on Thanksgiving, who's counting?