My "Visit" with Paula Deen!

Before I "introduce" you to Paula Deen (lol), I just wanted to make a few "service announcements." First, I want to thank everyone who took part in last week's Poll, in relation to making weekly memes into monthly memes. The vote was pretty close, but I decided that for now - I will hold all my Events on a monthly basis. It's just easier for me right now with my busy work schedule.....so I hope you understand. I will keep the dates of all future Events at the top of the blog as a reminder. I look forward to everyone's participation.

The next What's on Your Wall Wednesday will be next week, June 10th.


The next Porch and Patio Party will be the following week on June 17th.

And, the next Tea Time Tuesday will be on June 23rd.

Mark your calenders, and feel free to grab the logos to place on your sidebar, so others will know that you participate in these events.

So, as many of you know...Mr Grits and I went out of town for a few days to Tunica, Mississippi. We stayed at Harrah's - a casino and resort. While we did not come back with any great wins, I had a spectacular time. Best of all, I did not even realize what was in store for me.

(Remember that all pics can be enlarged by clicking on them)

I was excited that we would be able to eat at the new "Paula Deen Buffet." It is her pilot store, and from what I saw it is ahuge success. It happened to be the One-Year Anniversary.

This is the outside of The Paula Deen Buffet and Store. You have to go through the store to enter the restuarant. It looks like this was taken outside at night, but it is inside.

At one end of the restaurant is a beautiful rotunda dining room. I was not able to get pictures of the inside of the resturant. I did not think the people dining would appreciate that I was taking their pics. But, it was equally beautiful. They said that she personally chose the fabrics and tables/chairs and antique hutchs, etc.

Well hello Paula! I wish I had $1 for everyone who posed with this cutout to have their picture taken with Paula. Then, I might have made some money on this trip. LOL

The store was simply beautiful. It was a bonus that everything in there was just my style.

Her dishes were 40% off. Good thing we flew there and I had no extra suitcase room.

I mentally spent about $1000 as I walked around. I love the red and white "Towel" bin.

Does this look familiar to all you Paula Deen fans? This area was modeled after her own kitchen on her show.

I love this rooster painting above the hearth cooking oven.

Okay, I can hear all you plate and toile lovers taking gasps of air. I was drawn to these like a paperclip to a magnet.

Needless to say.....regardless that we had flown there and only had one suitcase and a carry on...these beauties were going home with me. I got a set of 4, and will showcase them later in the week.

I did not get the matching cannisters....but I heart them!

These tee's just cracked me up. I had to get the "Butter" one and brought some home as gifts.

The Buffet had the most awesome desserts, and she sold them in her store as well.

Don't these make your mouth water? I probably do not need to tell you that my diet was totally blown! LOL

Here are the lovely pewter and stainless measuring cups....just like Paula uses on her cooking show.

This about says it all!

I wanted to lick this wall it looked so yummy. I love those square blue plates.

Hello my lovelies!

LOL! This came home in my suitcase, too.

So after I had done all the shopping my credit card could afford...I went back outside to sit on the front porch to wait for Paula.

Keep in mind that this was an unscheduled visit....and I had only learned of her visit a few hours earlier from a Blackjack dealer. I tipped him well. LOL

I was like a kid waiting for Christmas morning to arrive. I am a huge Paula fan!

But finally she arrived with her party. I recognized her husband, Michael, right away. But, it took me a few minutes to spot Paula amongst the group she was with. She was wearing this cute, pink hat that said "Hey Y'all!", and her signature jeweled reading glasses.

(sorry the pics of Paula are not that good)

Like any mild-mannered Southern woman, I pushed and shoved my way right up to her. ;-)

I told her about my cookbook, and she said she loved the name and told me to send her a copy.

(I know, I know....somehow I think Paula Deen has more on her mind and schedule than sitting around waiting for a copy of my cookbook. LOL)

In this pic above, I was trying to convince her to give me a set of her plates because I was her biggest fan. :-D I got her to sign four copies of her magazine. One for me, one for my Mom, one for my Sis, and one for my Aunt. We are all fans!

Now Michael was a hoot! He was just a big Teddy Bear. I asked if I could have my pic made with him, and he just grabbed me and snuggled right up to me. He is just as sincere as he appears on TV. I asked him if Paula was as funny and vivacious in real life as she was on TV. He said...quote - "Oh honey, they have to edit out a lot of stuff." And he just gave a big laugh. He was kidding around with all us women.

Paula was laughing and talking and thanking eveyone for coming. She seemed like an everyday person. She was not all dolled up like I thought she would be. Here's the funny part...Mr Grits and I had to get up the next morning at 5am so we could go down and grab some quick breakfast and catch the shuttle to the airport. The casino had a food court. There were not that many people there at 5am. But, guess who was there? Paula and Michael! She said they had been up all night gambling. And I could tell that she had because she had on the same clothes. LOL

But I had one more treat in store later that night after I met Paula. I went to see a concert with...

Vince Gil!!!!! WOOHOO! Our casino host asked upon our arrival if I wanted tickets and I almost tackled her in my excitement. I had pretty good seats. Paula and her family were sitting in the front rows and Vince kept picking on her. He said at one time after he plucked a few "off" keys...."my guitar is squeaky...does anyone have any butter?" It was too funny.

It was a great 2 hour concert.

So I hope you have enjoyed seeing my trip to Tunica, Mississippi. I might not have come home with any winnings, but I brought back some great memories....and some awesome plates!!! LOL

Have a great week dear friends.....Barb