So, it’s true, I planned my own surprise birthday party and it was…fabulous!

Listen, I know I am a control freak, so I just go with it! I love paying attention to all of the little details of party planning.

Here’s what I did:

I chose my favorite fine dinning restaurant Noble Fare, and they were kind enough to close the entire restaurant just for my party. Thank you so much to Jenny and Patrick, the owners.  And of course Cheryl from Back in the Day Bakery had to do my cakes, yes I had more than one cake!

Pictures of the cakes, courtesy of Cheryl Day.

They were out of this world! I had 33 guests including my parents from Mississippi and Michael and Paula!

I love all the coffee table books I received.

My parents gave me a design book I have wanted to add to my collection. Paula gave me a giant gold leaf shell that I filled with turtle shells and placed in my living room.  I made all the guests give toast and tell what I mean to them.  It was so funny to hear their toasts; the whole night was a blast!

This shell is the accent piece for my living room.

I totally suggest throwing your own surprise party.  Patrick, the chef, served all my favorite dishes like Heirloom Tomato Basil Bisque, House Rules Salad, Ahi Tuna Tartar, Vindaloo Chicken, New York Striptease, and Alaskan Halibut! It was a night I shall never forget, and not because of all my gifts!

Next party please!:
Well, now I am planning Corrie’s, Paula’s niece, gender revel party that Paula is throwing for her. The party is to revel the sex of the baby - have y’all ever been to one?

The gender will be revealed once Corrie and Brian cut the cake. The inside of the cake will be dyed blue or pink depending on the sex of the baby.  Cheryl from Back in the Day Bakery is making (you can tell we love her!).  We are going to toast with champagne that Oprah sent Paula as a gift. We have been waiting for just the perfect time to drink that champagne!

For this party, I am planning a sit-down dinner in the dinning room for 16 guests. The amazing Susan Mason will be catering, so Paula can truly enjoy the party. All guests are wearing pink or blue to represent their guess of whether or not it will be a boy or a girl.  The party should be a very special night at Paula’s home. I am going shoot this party and put in an upcoming of Cooking with Paula Deen Magazine so y’all can enjoy, too!