By Sheri Hopkins
Lifestyle Contributor
Hello everyone! It has rained cats and dogs today. I know we will be begging for it in July and August.
My brother Larry has three children, Jason, Michael and Kelly. I have so many fond memories of them growing up. If there is a Wagoner in a crowd there are going to be laughs.
One of those boys married a sweet, precious girl named Tonya Stephens. Face the facts Micheal was a nerd and married one of the prettiest girls I know. We all love her but she couldn’t cook. It’s a fact, she couldn’t cook.
Now they got by somehow. One time I was at their house and supper was on the stove. It was a can of green beans heated up and some mac and cheese. She was pretty so she could get away with it. You know you’re not a cook when you are always asked to bring the paper plates and cups to a family function. Did I mention she was pretty?
They managed to survive and she would call me with her cooking questions. I always enjoyed telling her a recipe or how to cook something. The one question that she would ask quite often and finally I had to raise my voice. She would ask “how do I cook pinto beans?” When I raised my voice, I said, “beans and water, Tonya! Beans and water!!” She hasn’t asked me since, I guess she finally figured out how to cook a pot of beans.
I’m proud to announce there are several things that Tonya can cook now. She has an awesome Frito Salad that she takes to every church potluck and to my house on Christmas because we do Mexican. She has even made a pie or two. As the old saying goes, “she’s come a long way baby.”
Michael on the other hand is still a nerd and even has a t-shirt that says bird nerd on it. He wears it quite proudly. If you know Michael, he doesn’t like any clutter or anything extra anywhere. When they lived in Fort Smith, he always wanted to take stuff to the dump, of course on the first Saturday of the month because that was free dump day. One Saturday they were going somewhere and he had on his slacks. They were all ready to go and he tells Tonya he needs to run by the dump. She didn’t win the battle that day so they go to the dump. They are inside the vehicle and Michael gets in the back of the truck to dump stuff out. They turn around to look at him and he’s gone. Nowhere to be found. I’m sure it wasn’t real upsetting since Tonya didn’t want to go anyways. But, where could he be? Low and behold he had fallen off the back of the truck into the dump. We still laugh when Tonya tells this story. I only wish I could have been there to see it.
This week’s recipe is Tonya’s famous Mexican Frito Salad. It is really good and everyone loves it.
TONYA WAGONER’S FAMOUS FRITO SALAD
1 head of lettuce, chopped
2 tomatoes chopped
2 cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 regular bag of shredded cheese
1 bag of Fritos
1 bottle of Catalina dressing
Get your lettuce, tomato, beans and cheese all mixed up. Right before serving add the Fritos and Catalina dressing and mix well. Don’t make ahead, because your Fritos will be soggy.
Enjoy and have a great week!
