ANTICIPATION IS THE BEST PART. . .

Waiting for two months to go to see Paula Deen was certainly exciting.   I've watched her cooking shows for as long as they've been on the Food TV Channel. I have three of her cookbooks and even subscribe to her magazine. Being trampled by 2000 crazy people trying to get to free ice cream was not the best part--one we chose to escape by going to our seats (which happen to be on the SECOND row).  I'm not sure what I thought I would see--the kitchen set up was very good--thanks to Viking Corp.--who wouldn't love that?!  And the roses--hundred of red, pink and white roses done in big beautiful arrangements.  Out comes Barbi Basset, who introduced the president of Brookshires (in mismatched suit and tie--Stacy and I decided that his wife packed for him and he got the outfits mixed up) who introduced---you guessed it--PAULA DEEN. She came out and talked with the audience for about an hour and a half. She cooked very little. That disappointed me!   She chewed gum all night!!  I thought that was rude. All I could think about was if Ed was sponsoring someone to stand in front of that many people, he'd not be a happy camper if they were smacking gum (even if it was because they were quitting smoking and it was Nicorette!)   She brought her husband with her and he was dry witted and sweet.    Don't you think he looks like Santa Claus?  Well, Debbie, Stacy and I had a good time.  We laughed a lot.  And now I'm going to be like Shelly.  I'll watch Rachel Ray!