Gingerbread Party!

Last night, my Betrothed and I had a few guests over for a Gingerbread and Apple Cider Shindig. This was a ZS gathering, so do not be alarmed by the ZS names mentioned later. We simmered a huge pot of apple cider mixed with spiced rum, and I had some egg nog with Bacardi (delish!) The gingerbread creations varied greatly, and now I have a delicious-smelling little town on my table!

I made a traditional little house...

Gayne had a train kit...

Voltage made a mini village...

...and Firebird added a little shack to it.

I think the most epic gingerbread construction was Guardian's castle. He employed the help of graham crackers as well. Ahhhh...

This party was a first, and I think it was a success! I'm thinking Second Annual Gingerbread and Cider Shindig next year! It was nice to see some faces I hadn't seen in a while. My Betrothed had just returned home for winter break, so it was definitely nice to see him again, too! Now what to do with that leftover egg nog... Expect to see some delicious baked goods soon!

Christmas Festivities: Gingerbread House

My beloved and I decided to begin the tradition of gingerbread house-making for the holiday season. We started with a Deluxe Wilton Gingerbread House Kit (found at the craft store). We mixed the royal icing then got to work constructing our delicious domicile.

Let me tell ya, keeping those walls to hold together was a challenge. But we sang Christmas songs as we held the walls in place. Apparently, you're supposed to let it sit for several hours at this point so the royal icing can dry... but we didn't figure that out until after we finished the whole house (whoops)... so we moved on to decorating.

You know you like our gumdrop bush clusters

And this is the finished house on its goods side...

Up next year: a Gothic castle with a working chocolate fountain and an egg nog moat. We'll see how that works out, since this is our first gingerbread house!

Word to the wise: Do not attempt eating the house or the candy that comes with it... It is not flavorful and it is pretty much for looks.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!