--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As it baked, the blessed casserole…" description: "\"“As it baked, the blessed casserole smelled just like it did when I was a child, which was likely the last time I’d eaten it. I marveled that the scent..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/ree-drummond-818_brown-hair_as-it-baked-the-blessed-casserole-smelle_2297120.png" --- # As it baked, the blessed casserole smelled just like it… ![“As it baked, the blessed casserole smelled just like it did when I was a child, which was likely the last time I’d eaten it. I marveled that the scent of a specific dish could remain in one’s consciousness for over two decades. Except for the dark brown hair and the crumbling marriage, I’d…” quote by Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/ree-drummond-818_brown-hair_as-it-baked-the-blessed-casserole-smelle_2297120.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/ree-drummond-818_brown-hair_as-it-baked-the-blessed-casserole-smelle_2297120.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/ree-drummond-818_brown-hair_as-it-baked-the-blessed-casserole-smelle_2297120.png) > ““As it baked, the blessed casserole smelled just like it did when I was a child, which was likely the last time I’d eaten it. I marveled that the scent of a specific dish could remain in one’s consciousness for over two decades. Except for the dark brown hair and the crumbling marriage, I’d officially become my mother. Marlboro Man, happy to have something warm to eat, declared it the best thing he’d ever eaten. I looked at the mess in the kitchen and felt like moving. Marlboro Man and I watched movies that night. Our TV satellite hadn’t been hooked up yet, so he’d transported his movie collection and VCR from his old house. And I didn’t have to get up and drive home when they were over, because I already was home.”” [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The lingering scent of a childhood dish shows how sensory experiences anchor memories across decades, linking identity and nostalgia. **In simple terms:** Smell of food triggers long‑term memories. Key Takeaway Cherish sensory ties to your past. Themes memory nostalgia food identity Mood warm nostalgic Type personal reflective When to use this quote - cooking - family gatherings - personal reflection Key Concepts sensory memory nostalgic triggers family tradition Questions to Reflect On - What foods evoke your earliest memories? - How does scent shape your sense of self? A Different Perspective Smell alone may not fully capture emotional depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Old house](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-house/) ## Related quotes > [A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-good-marriage-is-like-a-casserole-only-those-responsible-for-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have a squash casserole that everybody, even my kids, love. I won't tell my kids how to make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-knight/i-have-a-squash-casserole-that-everybody-even-my-kids-love-i-won-t/) [Gladys Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-knight/) > [Not only is New York City the nation's melting pot, it is also the casserole, the chafing dish and the charcoal grill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/not-only-is-new-york-city-the-nation-s-melting-pot-it-is-also-the/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [Google 'broccoli casserole' and make the first recipe you find. I guarantee it will be disappointing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-kimball/google-broccoli-casserole-and-make-the-first-recipe-you-find-i/) [Christopher Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-kimball/) > [Casseroles don't have to be about canned ingredients and vegetables you normally wouldn't even think of eating alone, much less stuck in between layers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/casseroles-don-t-have-to-be-about-canned-ingredients-and-vegetables/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Known to act a donkey on the camel-toe, then take the camel-toe and turn it into casserole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/2-chainz/known-to-act-a-donkey-on-the-camel-toe-then-take-the-camel-toe-and/) [2 Chainz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/2-chainz/) > [Film is like a casserole. Everybody is thrown into a pot, and we're all in it together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/film-is-like-a-casserole-everybody-is-thrown-into-a-pot-and-we-re-all/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [Most people cringe at the thought of a casserole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/most-people-cringe-at-the-thought-of-a-casserole/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Turn the cameltoe into casserole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/2-chainz/turn-the-cameltoe-into-casserole/) [2 Chainz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/2-chainz/) > [Sleep? What's that? A new type of casserole?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/sleep-what-s-that-a-new-type-of-casserole/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“At all times a heavy ceramic casserole would sit on a pale blue Aga, so should people drop in unexpectedly, I could wander out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-keyes/at-all-times-a-heavy-ceramic-casserole-would-sit-on-a-pale-blue-aga/) [Marian Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-keyes/) > [Most people think to make green bean casserole around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but honestly, I make this dish more during the summer, when green…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damaris-phillips/most-people-think-to-make-green-bean-casserole-around-thanksgiving/) [Damaris Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damaris-phillips/) > [With these big Wagner pieces, if I haven't started three years before, I'm screwed. You need time to look at the piece again and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-rattle/with-these-big-wagner-pieces-if-i-haven-t-started-three-years-before/) [Simon Rattle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-rattle/) > [I'm particularly fond of boned chicken breasts with a little garlic under the flesh and cooked in a casserole for 40 minutes with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-binchy/i-m-particularly-fond-of-boned-chicken-breasts-with-a-little-garlic/) [Maeve Binchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-binchy/) > [“BRAINSTORMING! Every night after dinner—which is usually something like tuna noodle casserole made with cream-of-wallpaper soup—I escape to the privacy of my bedroom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/brainstorming-every-night-after-dinner-which-is-usually-something/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) ## More by Ree Drummond > [“What else haven’t you told me?” I thought for a minute. “Actually, yes…there is,” I replied, pausing to consider my words carefully, “I eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/what-else-haven-t-you-told-me-i-thought-for-a-minute-actually-yes/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [Butter, cream, and bacon. That's such a great foundation right there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/butter-cream-and-bacon-that-s-such-a-great-foundation-right-there/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“More and more, I began helping around the homestead. I learned to operate my John Deere mower so I could keep the yard around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/more-and-more-i-began-helping-around-the-homestead-i-learned-to/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“I walked proudly out of the church, the new wife of Marlboro Man. When we exited the same doors through which my dad and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/i-walked-proudly-out-of-the-church-the-new-wife-of-marlboro-man-when/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“When we arrived at the wedding at Marlboro Man’s grandparents’ house, I gasped. People were absolutely everywhere: scurrying and mingling and sipping champagne and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/when-we-arrived-at-the-wedding-at-marlboro-man-s-grandparents-house-i/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“What is it?” I asked, pasting a magazine photo of a football--found in an old Seventeen magazine spread--on my beloved’s collage. “Well, a bunch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/what-is-it-i-asked-pasting-a-magazine-photo-of-a-football-found-in-an/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“When I arrived, I immediately saw the mother of an ex-boyfriend, the kind of ex-boyfriend that would make you want to look as good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/when-i-arrived-i-immediately-saw-the-mother-of-an-ex-boyfriend-the/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“At times the differences concerned me. Could I ever be with a man who’d never, in his entire life, eaten sushi? Could I, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/at-times-the-differences-concerned-me-could-i-ever-be-with-a-man-who/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“You did not do my homework assignment for me,” he said, grabbing the collage again and looking it over. “I had insomnia,” I said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/you-did-not-do-my-homework-assignment-for-me-he-said-grabbing-the/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“I couldn’t bear the thought of a ham sandwich. Imagining milk trickling down my esophagus almost sent me over the edge. Even the saltines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/i-couldn-t-bear-the-thought-of-a-ham-sandwich-imagining-milk/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“Marlboro Man picked me up the next evening, exactly one month before our wedding day. Our evening apart had made the heart grow fonder,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/marlboro-man-picked-me-up-the-next-evening-exactly-one-month-before/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“I’ll send the nurse in here in a minute, okay?” Waste of time , I thought. “Okay, but…do you think there’s anything we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/i-ll-send-the-nurse-in-here-in-a-minute-okay-waste-of-time-i-thought/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“How come I wasn’t riding around in his middle seat? Was I supposed to initiate this? Was this expected of me? Because I probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/how-come-i-wasn-t-riding-around-in-his-middle-seat-was-i-supposed-to/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“I’ll see you in the morning. Oh, and hey…if I don’t answer the door right away it probably means I’m doing some weight training…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/i-ll-see-you-in-the-morning-oh-and-hey-if-i-don-t-answer-the-door/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“Minutes later, we were back at the sliding glass door that led inside the house--me, leaning against the glass, Marlboro Man anchoring me there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/minutes-later-we-were-back-at-the-sliding-glass-door-that-led-inside/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) [Explore all 361 Ree Drummond quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) ## More Brown hair quotes > [“But he had the kindest face in the world, with big, dark eyes and buzzed-cut brown hair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/but-he-had-the-kindest-face-in-the-world-with-big-dark-eyes-and/) [S.C. 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Dark hair, brown eyes, great abs, white teeth, Abercrombie & Fitch.” “Close,” I say. “Light brown hair, correct on the eyes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/let-me-guess-dark-hair-brown-eyes-great-abs-white-teeth-abercrombie/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [“She was a squat, angry-faced middle-aged woman with lank brown hair who looked like she fought Rottweilers for a hobby. This was the legendary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/she-was-a-squat-angry-faced-middle-aged-woman-with-lank-brown-hair/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“She never hurried. Her brown hair took a lot of work to keep perfect. She wore a blouse and skirt, not expensive, but carefully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-freeman/she-never-hurried-her-brown-hair-took-a-lot-of-work-to-keep-perfect/) Brian Freeman > [I had this desk alongside the most beautiful Australian 18-year-old girl with long brown hair, and I got up enough nerve to ask her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/i-had-this-desk-alongside-the-most-beautiful-australian-18-year-old/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [“She was wearing blue jeans and a dark blue peasant blouse, the ties of the neck open. She looked so beautiful and soft, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-addison-allen/she-was-wearing-blue-jeans-and-a-dark-blue-peasant-blouse-the-ties-of/) [Sarah Addison Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-addison-allen/) > [“I saw her as soon as I pulled into the parking lot. 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Marlboro Man, happy to have something warm to eat, declared it the best thing he’d ever eaten. I looked at the mess in the kitchen and felt like moving. Marlboro Man and I watched movies that night. Our TV satellite hadn’t been hooked up yet, so he’d transported his movie collection and VCR from his old house. 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