Another year, another great Bean Bake. I'm sure I've told the story before about why the Bean Bake is called the "Bean Bake". But, for those that may wonder why we have such a unique name for our annual family get-together I'll share again. My Grandpa Whyte baked beans by putting them in cast-iron pots and placing them in the ground amongst hot sand and coals (covered of course to keep the dirt out). He did this for his birthday one August and it became a yearly thing where all of the family would get together to enjoy the beans, along with other staple items like stewed beef over the fire, corn on the cob, boiled potatoes and lots of tasty homemade pies and desserts. The tradition started a long time ago and this year we celebrated the 34th annual bean bake. Saturday is the feast and Sunday is the horseshoe tournament at Foster Lake.
I have been going to this fun weekend celebration since I was a very little girl. I have so many great memories of summers in Boulter at our cottage and going to the Bean Bake. Someday I'll have to pull all my old photos together and do a seperate blog post about it.
My kids and my husband love the Bean Bake every bit as much as me. They look forward to it all summer and count down the days til' they can go back camping, fishing and playing with cousins, friends and aunts and uncles. We headed back Thursday morning and enjoyed 4 solid days of fun. I didn't take my camera this year but my cousin Dennis lent me his. Chloe took her little point and shoot too - so we managed some photos anyhow.
Thanks Grandpa Whyte for starting this tradition. I know you are looking down on your family and are so proud that it continues - year after year after year.
...and a few from the "Chloe cam"