I’d like to pose this question to you: can banana bread build a bridge?
Before you say no, because you are thinking in a literal sense, it’s too soft, who could drive on it, it would probable crash like a house of cards…. what if it was used to build a bridge of communication or a bridge of friendship? A-ha, not that that changes everything. I know some of you who, like me, love banana bread, are thinking, “where do I sign up?”
Recently a woman posted on Facebook that she was having an issue with her neighbor. Many people offered advice and ideas but most were antagonistic and some downright mean. I know if I awoke to bare bottom lawn ornaments facing my house I would be sad so I suggested baking a fresh loaf of banana bread and taking it to the neighbor as a peace offering.
I wasn’t being sarcastic; I truly believe that food can be the best olive branch during conflict. If it were up to me I would have a basket of muffins at every meeting of the minds. Who can get angry with a chocolate chip muffin in their mouth? Trust me, it’s impossible.
People respond to food. Especially homemade banana bread. (Notice I did not say zucchini bread, that would send an entirely different message to me, because as most of you know I believe zucchini is vile.) My mom and I once baked more than 20 loaves of banana bread in one day, not because we had conflict, but because I was trying to save the bananas from the local Dumpster. Our neighbors benefited from that adventure and some remember it to this day. I strongly believe breaking bread with our family, friends, and neighbors can be the most rewarding form of communication we have. And yes, banana bread can build bridges. Peace, Sandy
“The smell of good bread
baking, like the sound
of lightly flowing water,
is indescribable in its
evocation of innocence and
delight.”
M.F.K. Fisher
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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