Its not just a casserole or a hot dish. The casserole represents the bonding that takes place at a family gathering. Bringing a casserole to a special event means everyone is somehow doing their part in and representing their family in this event. It occurs in most families with ties to the Midwest. A family members special day creates a need for a gathering and after a few phone calls the home is scurrying with adults, children and a smorgasbord of casseroles.
Small towns all across the Midwest look forward to County Fair days where the best of the best hot dishes and casseroles are judged. The blue ribbon winners not only receive a ribbon but a right to officially promote the families favorite dish. Husbands and children consider a ribbon winning as automatic "bragging" rights. Children will recall the taste and smell instinctively when arriving at homes that have blue ribbon winning cooks running the kitchen.
There are many areas of the world that have brought these award winning casseroles to representation in the Midwest. Norway, Finland, Germany, Ireland and many other countries that have generations of representatives in the Midwest.
The life experience stories that are recalled and shared over a casserole dinner from generation to generation becomes a part of who we are. The casserole gathering encourages the series of events to take place that create our family roots. It becomes a base to which family directions are built and it will be a day of loss when this type of bonding is no longer a part of our existence.
Authored by:
Kathy Barnhardt
Written By:
Kathy Barnhardt
Joehank@brainerd.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Barnhardt
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