“The recipe for the candy is on the counter. Take it with you if Bonnie wants to know the ingredients. I’ll pack everything up for you right now.”

“Okay. I’m running out to the Corner Tavern first to check something out. Do you want me to bring some food back for your lunch?”

“Thanks, but no. Lonnie’s coming to pick me up and we’re going down to Hal and Rose’s Café for lunch. I was about to ask you if you wanted to come along.”

“I haven’t had one of Rose’s roast beef sandwiches in ages. How long do you plan to be there?”

“An hour if that’s okay with you. That’s how long Lonnie has for lunch. And if Mike can get away to join us, it might be a little longer than that.”

“An hour’s fine with me, and so is longer. Take all the time you want, Michelle. It’s not like I’m paying you for working here, or anything. I may drop by on my way back from Bonnie’s house if you’re still there. I’ll give you a call on your cell when I leave Bonnie’s.”

“Okay, Hannah. Don’t forget to stay in touch with Mike. I know he asked you to.”

“I won’t. And don’t worry, Michelle. I’m just going out to the Corner Tavern and over to Bonnie’s house. I’ll be perfectly fine.”

BUTTERSCOTCH CRUNCH CANDY

You do NOT need a candy thermometer to make this candy.

half of a 15-ounce bag of salted stick pretzels (the thin stick kind—I used Snyder’s)

14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk (I used Eagle Brand—do NOT use evaporated milk)

¼ teaspoon salt

2 cups (12 ounces) butterscotch chips (I use Nestle)

Hannah’s 1st Note: you can make this candy in a heavy saucepan on the stove over MEDIUM heat or in a large, microwave-safe bowl in the microwave on HIGH. Either will work just fine.

Put the pretzels into a bowl and break them into pieces. You don’t have to be exact, but try to make sure each pretzel is broken into at least 4 pieces.

Hannah’s 2nd Note: When Lisa and I make this candy at The Cookie Jar, we put the pretzels in a large, sealable, plastic bag and crush them up with a rolling pin until there are no large pieces left.

Prepare an 8-inch square brownie pan by lining it with a piece of heavy-duty foil that is large enough to stick up at least two inches above the sides of your pan. You will use these “ears” of foil to lift out your candy after it has cooled and hardened.

Spray the inside of the foil with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray.

Open the can of sweetened, condensed milk and pour it into another microwave-safe bowl.

Sprinkle the salt on top of the sweetened condensed milk.