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Some Like It Hot
So I’ve been walking more and trying to watch what I eat, and things have been going pretty well. And then that pesky little Valentine’s Day creeps up and threatens to derail me with all her tasty chocolates and sugary sweets. But not this year—no, ma’am. It doesn’t mean I’m not going to celebrate—y’all know how much I love a good holiday—but I am going to shift my focus a bit without sacrificing all the fun.
The answer to my Valentine’s prayers is a delicious little bivalve that you can prepare a hundred different ways: the oyster. Sure, he’s not a rich piece of fudge or a fluffy mouthful of frosting, but he’s every bit as rich and divine. I like to eat them raw with just a bit of lemon juice, horseradish and a touch of salt. There’s nothing better than when your oysters are so fresh and so cold that you can just slide ‘em off the shell. That is the best way to get the full flavor of an oyster. And y’all have heard about them being an aphrodisiac? There might be something to it—I don’t know. But if nothing else, it’s a good excuse to eat an oyster and snuggle up to the one you love.
Now Michael, he likes to add some heat to just about everything. So he’ll put a couple shakes of hot sauce onto his oyster, throw it down, and let that heat just linger.
And this gets me thinking…
That dash of hot sauce is like our relationship together: it hits hard at first, lingers for a while and eventually your mouth returns to a real comfortable place. Some couples worry that if they’re comfortable, their love must’ve gone and disappeared, but it’s just not so. I prefer to think that the comfort comes when you’ve managed to bring two lives together in a real nice way.
I think back on my first date with Michael. He was so nervous. He knew I was in the restaurant business so he insisted that I pick where we were going to eat, figurin’ I was into those 3 or 4 hour dinners with food that he couldn’t pronounce. He couldn’t have been further from the truth. I said, “Well, do you ever go to Denny’s?” So he took me to Denny’s and I can remember getting the three-egg scrambler with cheese and a side of bacon. And Michael said, “Oh my goodness, this is gonna be much easier than I thought!”
Of course, it’s never easy putting two lives together, but the work is always worth it. You know, we all have our days, but Michael is so sweet to me. We tease each other unmercifully—that’s our thing. And we can get real rough with our teasing. Once we were playing the “Newlywed Game” with some friends and they asked Michael if he knew what size bra I wore and he said, “A thirty-six long.” We laughed ourselves silly.
Truth be told, I don’t know what we have planned for this Valentine’s Day—I’ve been so busy I can hardly see straight. But I know one thing for sure: I’ll be with my Michael and we’ll probably be laughin’.
Try Some of Paula’s Valentine’s Day Ideas!
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Reader Comments:
when will you have some of the recipes that helped you loose weight.?
By catherine on February 08, 2013
Thank you for your story, it sure is great to know that others laugh and tease too. Both dale and I have the big "D" as you have and it can be a challange but I've learned to make a apple pie with sweetner that's great for special time. Today Included it's our 45th wedding anniv. day NO special plans except to be together but that's what counts.
By dee blessing on February 18, 2012
Gettin' down to HEALTHY on Valentine's Day! You know, there is a BIG difference between bringing your numbers down with medication and bringing your numbers down WITHOUT medication. Paula, Dr. John McDougall says he can get you off your meds in TEN DAYS! I would believe him if I were you! Check out Dr. McDougall's 'Paula Deen Wager' at www.forksoverknives.com Happy Valentines Day!
By Diane Krstulovich on February 13, 2012
Cute pix of you two. I was at a book signing in Kansas City where Michael stood to the back & threw out his one-liners and was hilarious. You two deserve many more Valentine Days together.
By Martha on February 13, 2012
hey Paula and family love you all love all yourshows on tv. you where very lucky to find Micheal.you all seem to have a good time.take care of your self we all want you around for a long time. claudette curtis skowhegan.maine
By claudette on February 13, 2012
Paula, you are the best thing to happen to tv! I enjoy you, and I am so happy that you are living as healthy as you can, and still having fun too! I love to see your shows on tv, and to read your website, you're so entertaining, and a freakin great cook to boot! Thank you for letting us in yours and your family's lives!! Love and hugs and best wishes to y'all! Happy Valentines Day!!
By Pamela on February 13, 2012
I just love you Paula. I have a small restaurant in lincoln,Arkansas and it is my dream to meet you. I use alot of your recipes at the restaurant. My son was diagnosed with meddulloblastoma several years ago and I promised God if he helped my son get threw it I would help alot of people. Well its been 5 years and my son is in remission and i bought a small reataurant so i could feed people. I feed 500-600 people for thanksgiving for free for the last 3 years. I buy 100-150 coats for school kids every year that do not have a coat. If anybody needs food I am there. It is my dream to meet you. Hopefully someday. Doris Spindler
By Doris Spindler on February 12, 2012
i just love you paula and keep on cooking southern style tell all those people to keep there opinion to them self and they can just kiss your grits your biggest fan from rayville louisiana
By mary hunter on February 12, 2012
i just love you paula and keep on cooking southern style tell all those people to keep there opinion to them self and they can just kiss your grits your biggest fan from rayville louisiana
By mary hunter on February 12, 2012
Just wondered, does Paula actually read these comments, or does someone else. Love her shows, When are we going to see some new ones, getting a little tired of the ones way back from the first shows. Watch Bobby;s new show, about time someone in that family thought of the rest of us. Wish I had a stomach to eat all that, my, my. Well I am diabetic 2 as well have benn since 1997. i am now 68. To those who think u can;t have sweets u can, and they are just as delicious. U go Bobby, Thank u for caring about those of us who need healthier food. I am orignally from the South and I know how they cook, Paula u have just been true to your upbringing. Rosie in Ct.
By R. Herdman on February 11, 2012
I just love you & your family! You helped me home school my kids when your show first came on! Twice a day my kids stopped and we learned to cook together! I have 4 kids they love you too! I met you and Michael at the Wallmart book signing for your book & you both signed my book and you all took time to speak with me cause I had already read the book...My sweet husband took me on his business trip to Georgia and drove me from Alanta to Savanah to eat at your resturant & of course Uncle bubba's! My family watched the kids and we had a wonderful time! I am so grateful to have you on the food network and my boys love watching both your boys,Michael and Uncle Bubba...and of course Michael's sweet brother! yall are just like family! The Lord bless you all and I told the kids someday we will take them to Savanah... for your food & all the history in Savanah maybe we will see you & the boys! Thanks Again for being such a Great Lady! Love gloria henderson
By gloria henderson on February 10, 2012
Hi Paula my name is Tom i am a diabedic as well.I am a paramedic been in ems for over 30 years last year they gtook my right leg off below the knee.This year they took my left leg off below the knee it hurts i lost everything.I have a wife and 3 kids its hard i started to cook a lot to help we have your cookwear set the red 12 piece set i love it but we r having trouble with it the red is comming off the handle and the insides r like getting scratch we only use wooden tools and plastic i dont understand it please write me back i would like to talk more about hte diabe\ties with you more sometimes you need friends to talk to.
By tom mitch on February 09, 2012
Just wanna to say,Love you Paula..... One day to my trips to Savannah We r going to meet:)
By Patricia Laidler on February 09, 2012
God bless ya! We all love you. We know your cooking didn't create the diabetes disease. Few of us get through life without some mishap so don't let the negatives bother you. Thanks for sharing your hair and makeup tips from time to time. You are an icon to those of us with grey hair and a few years.
By PATSY PALMER on February 08, 2012
wish i could cook like you love to see you on tv.wendy
By wendy on February 08, 2012
PAULA, I LOVE YA'II. Sure wish you would come to King George Va. you have alot of people who LOVE YOU. How come we can not see Bobby where er live? Cause we LOVE YOU. LOVE AND BEST DISHES FROM MY KITCHEN TO YOURS. LOVE YA'LL
By Wanda Houchin on February 08, 2012
I just Love you to pieces, Miz Paula Dean,and your whole family.I love to watch your cooking shows and read your news letters as often as I can. I wish some daay you could have one of your shows here in Cartersville, I'd be the first to stand in line to see you. You know to me, you are just like my Dear Sweet Mother used to say, Your Just Full of Sweet Down Home Goodness..... A true fan
By Sharron Bohannon on February 08, 2012
Hi Paula, We have a lot in common. My Mother, who passed 3 years ago, suffered with Agouraphobia for many, many years and was housebound for 7 straight years. I miss her every day. A couple of years ago I went to Cullinary school and got my degree as I am the oldest of 3 and did most of the cooking in our family from the time my Mom got sick when I was 9 years old. Cooking has always been my passion, my go to comfort especially when things arn't going well, or when I'm happy. I cook for my whole extended family and friends and have for years which gives me great happiness. My husband and I are both on living on Soc. Sec. Disability and saving as much as we can to come to Savannah to visit your restaurant and hopefully meet you. I have enjoyed your personality, wit, sense of humor and of course your many delicious dishes since I first discovered you on the Food network. I really envy your relationship that you have with your 2 sons, Jamie and Bobby, they both seem so appreciative of you and filled with love for you and you them. Having the hardships you 3 suffered with obviously bonded you 3 beyond words, it reminds me of the one my two sisters and I shared with our Mother too. When you took the trip to Paris with Michael I was thrilled for you, especially being familiar with Agouraphobia's many fears and limitations. When Jamie and Bobby appeared on that rooftop to surprise you, well, I broke down in tears with you dear, I knew the incredible flood of emotions you must have been feeling. I am so happy for you and your success. You so deserve it all and G-d has smiled down on you and your beautiful family. I hope to meet you someday and just sit down with a cup of coffee and talk like friends do. By the way, I too have tpe 2 Diabetes and it's not a death sentence dear you will be okay. Sincerely, Marsha Cohen Granada Hills, Ca.
By Marsha Cohen on February 08, 2012
It's so hard being diabetic. I know you say its not the end of the world, but when you love sweets, it might as well be the end of the world. And to watch everyone else enjoying the fudge and cookies and cakes and stuff like that it just kills me.So, to make a long story short I take lots of insulin. And I eat sweets. I enjoy your recipes. Keep them coming!
By Jackie on February 08, 2012
Paula, I think you are the greatest. I have gotten your magazine since day one, love it and all your cookbooks. I admire you for a lot of reasons. You put family first and you can tell they mean the world to you...I remember when you were in Chattanooga, and they said 14,000 turned out. My daughter and I came and had a wonderful time. Hope you will do that again..Just keep working on the Type-2, I know you can do it, and I know you will work on it, because I know how much your family and the grand boys mean to you....Love you and Bobby and Jamie cooking together in your kitchen...really like Bobby's show...Take care.....Love Loretta
By Loretta Plemmons on February 08, 2012
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I love Orchids but fine it hard to kept alive for very long. I love the way you display
Syndie Reynolds in Paula’s Love of Orchids on May 13, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Use baking soda and peroxide made into a paste to get all the grunge off o f your casserole dishes and pots and pans.
in 10 Quick Household Tips on May 11, 2013 at 6:21 pm
To Ronald Bryant: Try Paula's apple cake recipe "Grandgirl's Fresh Apple Cake From Georgia." It is sooooo good. I think you'll like it!
Mary in Paula’s Love of Orchids on May 11, 2013 at 4:11 pm
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