We've got a table that my great-great-grandfather Asa built about 100 years ago. It's an old farmhouse style table, with breadboard ends. I've been putting a caliper to the ends for the past decade (I recalibrate after Sunday dinner every week – except when I have to move the calipers to fit the turkey platter for holidays), and I've noticed that the wood movement breaks down to .5mm per year. What can I do to stop this? - Tad Hongry

Nellie Joanna Bly: If you plate the turkey before getting to the table, you'll have more control over whether grease splatters end up on the tablecloth, you'll be able to apportion serving sizes correctly, and you won't have to use the large platter, so you'll have room for the calipers. Maybe you could even dress them up for the holidays with those ruffly papers you find on some turkey legs.