Hello everyone!! Summer is here in Arkansas! It’s definitely a heat wave, but we sure did enjoy that nice rain. I’m back from vacation, and I have to ask—why does vacation always go by so fast? As you all know, I went to Branson for a couple of days with my brother and his wife. We always have a good time when we’re together.
When I tell you we always end up in a dump restaurant or that crazy follows us everywhere we go, I’m not lying. We decided to drive to Springfield to visit Buc-ee’s on the first day. On the way, we stopped at the McDonald’s in Huntsville to grab something off the value menu. First of all, the place was very dirty. We had to order at the counter because not one of us could figure out the kiosk. The only way I can order on one of those things is if my grandkids are with me. Second, it took us about 20 minutes to place our order. The young man behind the counter kept asking me what kind of sauce I wanted with my nuggets, and I kept saying, “I didn’t order nuggets. All I want is a double cheeseburger.” I bet he asked me four times what sauce I wanted before we finally got it straightened out. After we finally got our food, my crazy brother—who is so used to eating at the Dari in Greenwood—asked the employee, “Hey, can we get some ketchup?” I was about to die laughing. I said, “You have to go over there and get it yourself. It’s self-serve.” We laughed so hard. Honey, the hillbillies had come to town! Every trip we take, we always try to get off the elevator with whoever else is riding it. It doesn’t matter what floor we’re on—we just start following them.
We made it until the last night. Peggy and I were on the elevator, and sure enough, she started to get off on the wrong floor. I had to stop her, and we both cracked up. At least I didn’t wear any of my clothes inside out like I’m prone to do.
Did I ever tell y’all about the time the Brightspeed guy knocked on my door? He was talking to me, but he kept staring at my shirt. I thought, “Do I have food on me or something?” I looked down and realized not only did I have my shirt on inside out, but the big “2XL” tag was sticking right out under one of my chins! He was from up north, so he probably thought, “There are some real hicks in this town.” I looked at him and said, “I’ve got my shirt on wrong.” With the sweetest voice he could muster, he smiled and said, “Well… it’s almost the weekend.” Bless his heart—he wasn’t a dummy.
Until next time, hug your babies and hug them tight! Since we’re having a heat wave here in Arkansas, I figured I’d share a homemade ice cream recipe. You haven’t lived until you’ve had Tracy Epperson’s homemade Big Red ice cream. He makes me a freezer full every year for my birthday, so that means next week I’ll be getting some. It is absolutely delicious! If you don’t have an ice cream freezer, I suggest you get one so your children will know what it’s like to have homemade ice cream. Every summer Sunday afternoon, my dad would get out the ice cream freezer, and we’d make homemade ice cream. Back then, we only made vanilla, but Dad always had Hershey’s chocolate syrup—which came in a can back then. His freezer was one you had to crank by hand. They hadn’t started making the electric ones like I have now. We all took turns cranking that thing. Those are such wonderful memories.
Big Red Ice Cream Ingredients: 1½ liters Big Red soda (you may have to use cans since the liters can be hard to find) 2 cans sweetened condensed milk 1 pound diced fresh strawberries (Tracy uses diced bananas instead of strawberries.) 1 large bag of ice Rock salt Directions: Pour the Big Red into the ice cream freezer canister. Slowly add the two cans of sweetened condensed milk, then stir in the strawberries or bananas—whichever you choose. Make sure everything is mixed well. Place the canister into the freezer bucket and layer the ice and rock salt around it. Churn for about 30 minutes, or until the ice cream reaches the desired consistency. Store any leftovers in freezer-safe containers and enjoy!
