Ginger - Fail

I laugh now looking at the ambitiousness of my last post. I am not a baker. Food and I maintain a casual relationship-- I eat it, can sort of cook it, but the finesse of baking and decorating alludes me. Give me glue, paper, a pencil or yarn and I'll make something lovely--- as long as its not edible. I have decided that just because Martha Stewart's EXPERTS create gorgeous examples- does not mean that I am qualified to do it-- case in point: the gingerbread house(s).

It was doomed to fail:

  • There were no chocolate flavoured graham crackers in two grocery stores (supposed to look tudor-y)
  • The graham crackers she did use were not square. This helps with construction (ie- leaves huge gaping holes in the sides of the house.)
  • The caramel glue recipe didn't work. I had to boil sugar, then add water (DO NOT DO THIS--- IT EXPLODES!--- duh.)
  • Graham crackers are HORRIBLE to cut. They shatter easily and crumbs get everywhere.
  • Caramel glue is INTENSELY sticky- yet manages to not hold the house together well.

All in all, after smashing half the graham crackers, getting caramel EVERYWHERE, dropping whole graham crackers into the pot, burning myself, and making three ugly houses--- I ended up with one.(I quickly abandoned the multi-layered extravagant design). One imploded, the other exploded while I iced the sole survivor. The effort to make this house coloured its success-- but a day later (now the caramel is removed from my fingernails)-- it looks kinda homey and cute.

Messiest thing ever.

Frustration. (Note gaping hole in side of house)

Finished product--- all alone. I like it's shake roof and tudor-ish styling. It kind of looks like a Black Forest Cake. <3 So not attempting this again though. I'm definitely not opposed to the kit.

Thanks for reading!

Gingerbread House Part I

I've been Pinterest-ing Gingerbread Houses a lot the last couple days. I've always done kits in the past (only a few imploded--- oh dear.) This year... I'm going to try and make my own. I've collected a bunch of different styles...

(See them on Pinterest: HERE)

Aren't they gorgeous? I'm hoping to make two this year-- one with my boyfriend, the other with my Mum for her 'Holiday Soiree'. I'm planning on using Graham Crackers for the basis of the first one, then if I'm feeling ambitious-- I might bake up some real gingerbread.

My plan: A Tudor style with pretzels (like Martha Stewart's) but much bigger than a cottage. I'm planning on making tinted icing, green icing garland, swirly mints, and silver balls for a bit of sparkle.

Here's my ingredient list for Royal Icing, Caramel glue (to hold it together)and other supplies.

Royal Icing:

Yield Makes 2 1/3 cups

Ingredients

1 box confectioners' sugar (1 pound)

5 tablespoons meringue powder or 2 large egg whites

Directions

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine sugar and meringue powder. Mixing on low speed, add a scant 1/2 cup water. For a thinner consistency, usually used for flooding, add more water. A thicker consistency is generally used for outlining and adding details. Mix until icing holds a ribbonlike trail on the surface of the mixture for 5 seconds when you raise the paddle.

Caramel Syrup

for attaching walls (better than icing!)

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup water

Directions

Bring sugar and the water to a boil in a medium saucepan; reduce heat, and simmer until thickened and light brown, about 10 minutes. Use immediately.

Other Ingredients

  • Pretzel Sticks
  • Graham Crackers
  • Chocolate Graham Crackers (roof?)
  • Some type of shingles--- m&ms? Flat candies layered? chocolate chips?
  • Food colouring for stucco?
  • Swirly peppermints
  • Mini ice cream cones (trees)
  • Mini Candy Cane
  • Coconut snow
  • Green and red icing
  • Silver beads
  • Sprinkles

Stay tuned for the next blog post... the finished product! Wish us luck!

Radko

So, I was knitting my last Christmas order, watching a TLC Christmas show. It was called "Extreme Christmas Trees". There were two fellows that ran a bed and breakfast-- and decorated a tree in each room. They were gorgeous. Their main tree was in the dining room, and was positively STUFFED with these beautiful, frosted glass/tin looked ornaments. They mentioned that they were all from the same designer--- Christopher Radko... and some of the ornaments were collector's items worth about $2,500 dollars! One fellow said he had spent approx $200,000 on this collection! They were so beautiful that naturally I had to have a closer look at these retro, gorgeous ornaments..

Take a look at these gorgeous ornaments yourself! Visit the website HERE:

Enjoy!!

Tuesday Treasures Snow Edition

It's a gloomy day in Victoria-- par for the course on these fall days. Other parts of the country are getting dusted in gorgeous white snow... while we get another rainy Holiday Season. My boyfriend's job requires a lot of driving, so I cannot wish for snow without a heavy heart (unless it doesn't stick--horray!). Instead, I'll indulge in my love of snow with this post...

Printable Snow Party:

I really like just any excuse to decorate for a party. It'll be fun when I don't live in a paper-walled apartment. I heard someone cough through the wall last night-- sounded like they were in the bedroom! Can't be too jolly in here, or we'd get a notice!

Find it HERE:

Snow Blocks:

Aren't these sweet? They'd be a cute toy or even decoration! I'd love to make some of my own one day!

Find them HERE:

Cute Cardinal:

Isn't he just sweet? I love the caption "Yes, dear?". I really want to see a cardinal in real life one day. They're astoundingly beautiful.

Find it HERE:

Snowy Deer:

I love this deer silhouette. There is one with baby antlers too! Living in Victoria-- we see quite a few of these little guys around. While most see them as a nuisance, I still get excited whenever I see one.

Find it HERE:

Let it Snow!

Isn't this cute? This kind of Christmas decoration is timeless- very homey!

Find it HERE:

Whether you don't get snow, or get 3 ft, I hope you enjoyed this Tuesday Treasures!