by Paula Deen
Southern hospitality, 217-19
stepmothers, 191
Stone, Molly, 185-86
synchronicity, 129
Toronto Film Festival, 252
Turners Cove, Paula’s move to, 139-40
Turners Creek:
Bubba’s move to, 247
property on, 196-97
Uncle Bubba’s Crab and Shrimp au Gratin (recipe), 263
Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House, 230, 242, 247-48, 263
USA Today, 121
Walls, Dustin, 226-27, 237
Weiner, Barry, 168
Whitefield Chapel, Bethesda, 184
Wilkes, Miss, 104-5
Windon, Tricia, 185
Winfrey, Oprah, 172-75, 176
WLB-TV, 161
A Woman of Substance (Bradford), 46
Woodside, Dawn (Bubba’s fiancée), 252
Zep, 54
Momma and Granddaddy Paul at River Bend.
Grandmomma and Granddaddy Paul at their last motel, the Casbah, just before Granddaddy died.
River Bend pool in the early fifties, the waters of my childhood.
Grandmomma Hiers holding the future Bag Lady.
My inspirations: Grandmomma Nellie Hiers and Grandmomma Irene Paul, and boy, did they make a mean fried chicken!
Jamie (six), Bobby (three), and wide-eyed friend.
At a modeling shoot.
Bobby Deen, who would grow up to be one of People magazine’s “most gorgeous and eligible bachelors in the country.” Got it all from yo’ momma, son, and don’t you forget it!
Jamie Deen. I gave him that haircut. I think he’s forgiven me, but I wouldn’t swear to it.
Jimmy and Paula Deen and their sons in 1978: behind my smile are the crippling fears of agoraphobia, full-blown.
Bobby in the hospital after his tonsillectomy.
Jamie, Bobby, and me: tough times ahead, but wonders in store for us.
The original Bag Lady team: me, the boys, and their girls, and who slept where in our shared house, I do not want to think about.
Here she is—The Bag Lady herself.
Aunt Peggy and Uncle George Ort, who helped make it all happen.
We did it! The proudest day of my life …
The staff of The Lady & Sons: Aunt Peggy is in the second row on the right, always along for the ride.
Me and my niece, Corrie, on our first trip to Six Flags amusement park: we haven’t stopped laughing yet.
Dora Charles, me, and Aunt Peggy—three tough dames.
Ineata Jones, better known as “Jellyroll,” making her famous hoecakes.
The lady just loves to give hugs to her guests at The Lady & Sons in Savannah.
Me and my beautiful “bridesmaids” at my weddin’ shower. (Jamie-forget your presidential aspirations.)
Michael and me on our weddin’ day with our children, Anthony and Michelle.
The famous “titty twister” photo of me aggravating Bubba big-time, but with big-time love.
Bubba and family: Ian, Trevor, and Bubba’s fiancée, their momma, Dawn Woodside; Bubba’s in the chair, and his kids, Jay and Corrie, are at right.
My brilliant, loony, and lovable producer, Gordon Elliot, giving me direction from the last available seat in my bathroom.
Jamie and his exquisite bride, Brooke, on their weddin’ day.
Getting a foot rub from a spiffy harbor pilot at our daughter Michelle’s weddin’.
At the Georgia State Senate on Paula Deen Day. Do you believe it?
Paula the movie star being interviewed on the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival showing of Elizabethtown: life don’t get much more glamorous than this.
Cameron Crowe, the producer of Elizabethtown, gave me this signed poster after we finished shooting the movie: the little Albany cheerleader travels in classy company!
Me and my precious grandbaby, Jack Deen: You don’t know grits about how good it gets, child.
I just love this picture of Michael and me: I must have just fed him some oxtails.