Year in Review…...
December 15th, 2009
it was awesome. Period.
For our family to maintain and in fact grow our business in one of the worst economic years in our nation's history speaks for itself.
My son is healthy and his momma and I are in love and partners in his life and in each others.
Mom is just steady kickin' butt.
Bobby has met a fantastic girl and has an inner peace and happiness that has been the only part missing in an otherwise full and happy life.
My dad has turned a page in his life that has us as close as we have ever been.
Uncle Bubba is happy and healthy and planning super positive changes for his business next year. His daughter Corrie has become engaged to Brian, a great guy and they are planning a wedding at mom's house next year.
Bubba's son, our cousin Jay, is overseeing The Paula Deen Store and in spite of the economic challenges is running one of the top retail spots in Savannah.
Dustin, one of my best friends and our restaurant GM, and his wife Julia gave birth to their beautiful son Jordan.
Andrew, affectionately known as Nacho and by the way the best damn center fielder in city league softball, and his wife Martha are giving birth early next year.
These are but a few of the blessings I have been so happy to see over the last year. To see the people I love prosper is the real joy I get in my life. There is no space on a deposit slip for the true pleasure to be had in our lives.
...and it was Tim Tebow's last year at Florida!
Thank y'all for the kind words all year, this is a special part of my week. Our big changes for the website will come on line February 1st and after seeing a preview I know it will be worth the wait. If you can, send a special prayer to Lisa Ann and Parker. I wish you all the best and a full and speedy recovery for Parker.
Thanks again y'all, do good. It works.
-jamie
Jamie and Paula’s bunch - You guys are the real deal. You have earned and deserve every ounce of happiness and good fortune you are enjoying. I am so blessed to have you in my life, and in more ways than you can imagine. Your entire family has been such an incredible gift to ours over the years and I thank you for that. You truly have no idea what a pivotal influence each of you have been. We love, admire, and most importantly RESPECT you. Continued blessings in the new year!
Jane Blocher on December 15 2009
Hi Jamie,
Sounds like a wonderful year even in the mists of a hard year. I wonder what surprises and blessings are in store for everyone next year, I have a feeling it’s going to be a good year!!!
Happy Holidays to you and your family and all the bloggers.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diane on December 15 2009
You all have had such a fantastic year, and no family deserves it more! It’s been a blessing to watch all of you succeed in business AND in love! So happy to hear that Bobby has found that special someone in his life too. We enjoyed seeing you both in Kansas City this fall.
Little Jack is such a sweetheart. We always enjoy seeing him in magazines, on the website and on the shows. There’s not enough of that in the media today.
Our prayers and blessings are sent your way from Savannah, MO. And a special prayer for Lisa Ann and Parker.
Merry Christmas and God bless you all!!
Tharran & Barb Gaines
Barb Gaines on December 15 2009
Jamie…...
I so enjoy your blogs! You are a gifted writer and very funny! You have a way with words….
You should write a book!!!!
You did have a great year and you are blessed with your family and your business, BUT you need to hear me when I say, again, that I am blessed, so very blessed…..because of you and the blog and Paula’s site…..I have made so many wonderful and caring and loving friends. It has been a good year for me too!
Oh…Tebow is graduating!!!! That is something to be thankful for!!! haha!
So looking forward to the “new” site and hearing all about “all things Deen!”!!!
Lisa Ann and Parker….you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Merry Christmas, Dear Jamie. I hope you and Brooke and Jack have a safe, special holiday filled with all you wish and hope for. May the days ahead be filled with food, fun, laughter and…..FAMILY!!!
Merry Christmas to all my blog family. I so love y’all! May all your wishes come true….
God Bless you, Jamie, for all you do.
Love you,
Deb M
deb m on December 15 2009
What a wonderful blog Jamie! I am so glad so many great things have happened for you and your family this year and I’m sure 2010 will be even better. When you think about it, we all have a lot to be thankful for. The highlight of 2009 for me was November 11th, my son was born! A healthy 9lbs 2oz and I thank God every day for the blessing of 2 healthy children and a great husband that I love even more since we started a family. I look forward to seeing the changes on the website in February. Hope you and your entire family have a Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year! Oh, I’m just curious, what has Jack asked Santa to bring him this year? My daughter is almost 3 and she asked him for a Strawberry Shortcake doll. Christmas is so magical again looking at it through a child’s eyes!
Crystal on December 16 2009
Bobby met a girl? As much as I’m happy for him, I have to admit that my heart is breaking a little!! Happy holidays Deen family!!
Kerry on December 16 2009
Happy New Year to you and yours too, Jamie! May next year continue to bring all of us joy, happiness and health we all want.
Judi on December 16 2009
Jamie—I’ve met you years ago when your Mama did a cooking school at your Uncle Bubba’s….it was an all dessert school and you and Brooke were going the next day to have a sonogram of your newly announced pregnancy! What a blessing!
I’m so happy you all have had such a Blessed Year with Brooke and Jack and that Bobby has found someone special! As far as Tim Tebow goes (you’ll recall I’m a die-hard GATOR fan) you might hate the Gators, but even you will admit what a positive influence on people Tim Tebow has been…I’m sad to lose him!!!!
Blessings on 2010 for you and yours!!!
Charon B. on December 16 2009
Jamie,
Thanks for a great year, I wish nothing but the best for you and your family. Happy holidays
to everyone on the blogs I wish all a safe and Happy New Year. Much more blogging to come in the new year
Jennifer
from Baltimore
Jennifer on December 16 2009
Your year sounds like it has been full of blessings. Ain’t God good? Believe in Him, accept Him, and put Him first and life will be full and happy. My husband and I just got back from Savannah Monday. I did not ask for the dressing at the restaurant (well the store is the only place I went), but I guess I should have. I figured if I had explained to those people that you told me in blog land about this salad dressing, they would think I was some crazed stalker person. Oh well. Maybe next trip. We had an awesome time there as we always do, even if it did rain all day saturday for the tour of homes. I hope that you and your family have a very merry and blessed CHRISTmas and a prosperous new year!
Alyce on December 16 2009
Jamie,
it is our blessing to read how grateful a man admits to being, to take time to point out all the good in his life. Thank you for sharing. May the rest of us and all we know do the same. Daily.
And an Amen to seeing Tebow leave. now college football can get back to normal! LOL!
May the blessings continue for you and your family. Have a wonderful Christmas weekend, and a healthy New Year.
Looking fwd to the new site in Feb. Thanks for the blog, and all you do for us.
from Augusta, Ga
Donna S on December 16 2009
Jamie,
It sounds like the Deen family really did have a great year. I’m glad cause you all deserve it so much. Hope 2010 is even better for ya’ll and for the rest of us too! Hope to see ya’ll next year!!
Happy Holidays!
From Hampton, Georgia
Mystie on December 17 2009
Jamie,
Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us. Just like Deb M, I have met some wonderful people on the blog and twitter. Deb M, being one of them.
All I can say is WAY TO GO on growing the business. I am a business owner too and I can understand the great accomplishment.
It is so nice to see good things happen to good people. Hard work does pay off.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us. Feel like I am part of the family!!!
See you on the cruise. Can’t wait to have some fun and some drinks!!!!!
Have a wonderful holiday.
Here is to an amazing 2010 for all of us!!!
Kimberly Whitacre on December 17 2009
Jamie,
Merry Christmas to you and the family! Hope you have an amazing 2010!
Brigette on December 18 2009
Hi Deen Family,
From our family to yours, we send prayers and blessings for a Beautiful Christmas season and the Happiest of New Years. Thank you for all that you do to give back to Savannah and the surrounding communities. From special promotional visits to meeting the kids at the schools, the Deen family is front and center to offer support and well wishes to all who listen. We thank God for ya’ll and for the blessings you have received for hard work given. We will continue to celebrate many meals with The Lady and Sons. We raise our glass, Cheers to 2010!
See you round Savannah.
Dawn M Byrd on December 18 2009
Hey Jamie,
We spent a lot of time with your mama last Christmas watching all her DVD’s when we needed a GRAND MOM to cheer us up! Things have been much better this year and on to a more cheerful Christmas! We think of you boys every time we see Paula wondering if we’ll get to see Bobbie and Jamie! Your family adds to much to ours, even though we’ll never meet, you’ve had a place in our hearts and in our living room for a long time. Big hugs and kisses to y’all!
Kathy in California
Kathy on December 20 2009
Hi Jamie,Thank you for sharing your familie’s life with all of us. Love to hear all about the things going on with Jack, and the rest of you. Congrats. to Corrie. And so happy for Bobby. We met his new girl in Nov. at the book signing. What a lovely girl. I am also a big Gator fan. And very sad to see Tebow, leave. But I’m sure he will go on to do great things in his life. What a wonderful young man. Hope your family has a prosperous and Great New Year.
Sandra Smith on December 21 2009
Thanks for a year of great Blogs, Jamie! I have enjoyed reading all of them. My wishes to you and your family for a very Merry Christmas!! I hope your 2010 is just as fantastic!
My thoughts and prayers are with you Lisa Ann and Parker. Take care.
Rose
Rose on December 21 2009
Jamie, It was in fact a great year! for if it was not for you and your wonderful blog I too would not have meet a wonderful and sweet friend…Deb M. and Rose.
I hope you enjoyed the cheese we sent you 
and I REALLY hope that this Christmas is one of the best!! Enjoy every moment with Jack…they grow up SOOO fast!
I can not even express how important you, Bobby and your mom has become to me…You gave me a great gift this year….Friendship!!
Love to all of you!!
Andrea Lepinse
Andrea Lepinske on December 21 2009
Hi Jamie; I just wanted to wish all of the Deen,
Groover and Hiers family a very Merry Christmas!
jan c. on December 21 2009
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the family!!
Jessica
jessica llewallyn on December 22 2009
Hey Jamie and Bobby!
Wishing you and your family and to all the bloggers a very merry christmas!!:)
Thanks for the blog Jamie…always a great read!!
Marina on December 24 2009
Jamie
Just wanted to wish you and all your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Glad everything is going great for yall and I think 2010 will be even greater. My wife and I can not wait to go back to Savannah and eat at The Lady and Sons Restaurant. Our only hope is that we can see yall there the next time.
Marc
Marc and Barbara Scroggs on December 25 2009
Hello…
I am glad Bobby found someone. He seems to be happier and as full of life as ever!!
So glad to hear that. Congrats man.
Have a great day.
Patrick Allen on January 04 2010
Jamie's blog is where you'll find all the latest news and thoughts from Jamie Deen. He blogs a lot like he talks, kinda hard to follow at times. Feel free to leave a comment and join in on the discussion!
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Hey Jamie,
You are so right when you say this has been the best year ever. Just to make it through another year in this hard time is great. I thank GOD everyday cause HE definitely gets all the credit!!! For me the best part of this year was getting to meet You & Bobby in Fairhope at the booksigning. I have done alot of things that were special this year but by far meeting you was the best and most memorable. I thank y’all for that too!!!! I am so excited about getting to see my family next week for Christmas. My work schedule is actually allowing me to spend time with them this year. I am even more excited about spending 3 full days in the kitchen cooking. I am working on the menu right now and it is going to consist of many Deen recipes. I know you are looking forward to spending time with you friends and family. I know that christmas with your Mom is going to be great as i am sure it always is. Well I got to get back to work on this menu. Tell Bobby HEY for me….and I am so excited for him that he has found that special someone. Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Love y’all
JOEY
“BLOG GIRL”
Joey Elizabeth Burns on December 15 2009