By Sheri Hopkins, Lifestyle Contributor
Hello everyone! It is very cold in the River Valley. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I enjoyed Christmas so much this year. The E’s had such a good time, and they are spoiled but they are such sweet kids.
As most of y’all know every Christmas Eve, Jacob and I would meet Chuck at Longhorn Steak House in Ft. Smith. Chuck would work half a day on Christmas Eve in Conway and meet us at the Longhorn, so Jacob and I have continued the tradition and added his wife, sweet Loren to the table. I believe this is the first year I did not tear up at the restaurant, I wanted till I got home. We decided on the time, which was after church on Sunday, I called Jacob when I left. On the way up there, he called and asked me how far away I was, and I told him I was by Sharum’s. He decided to go ahead and get a table and wait for me. I get through all the Christmas Eve traffic and pulled in, got out and went in. I walked in and told the hostess that my son and his wife were there waiting for me. I told her – It should be under Hopkins. She looks, and no Hopkins. I said, look for Jacob and Loren. Nope, no Jacob or Loren. She looks some more and says, “what about Petey?” I shake my head nope. She tells me to feel free to go look for them. So, I strolled through the restaurant, and I think I see the back of Jacob’s head, so I go over to this couple and I’m like sorry, I’m looking for someone. They think I’m crazy. I call Jacob and ask him what section he was sitting in. He says, “by the bathroom.” I keep looking and can’t find them. Finally, I look up and someone has a doggie bag and it says “Cheddars” on the bag. I am at the wrong place wondering around disturbing people like a crazy woman. I tell the hostess, I’m at the wrong place. She says “it happens all the time.” She was trying to make me feel better. I got in my car and drove over to the Longhorn. Jacob has already called me wondering where I am. I had to confess all my blunders to him and Loren. He said I really figured you went to the Texas Roadhouse. That was a first for me, going to the wrong restaurant. We all had a good laugh. I have no clue how many people I disturbed while they were trying to eat their lunch. That poor couple that I practically sat down with. It really looked like Jacob’s head. He had the same haircut. From now on I will pay more attention to my surroundings.
Well, that’s just another crazy thing I’ve done to go down in the achieves. This week’s recipe is for some easy Rocky Road Candy. I know everyone is probably on a diet but go ahead and make a batch and just eat one piece a day.
ROCKY ROAD CANDY
1 12 oz. package of semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of butter
1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
2 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 16 oz. package of miniature marshmallows
Line a 9×13 pan with waxed paper. I always use parchment paper. I buy it at Sams in the big double roll. Heat chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl for 30 second increments, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. It is very important not to overcook, because it will harden. If you had rather, you can heat it on top of the stove on very low heat, just make sure not to let it scorch. Add the condensed milk in. In a separate bowl, mix the peanuts and marshmallows together and gradually stir into the chocolate mixture until all mixed together well. Pour into the prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm, about two hours. Cut into squares and enjoy.
