Renee and Neil were able to escape from the record breaking snows in Portland, Oregon and flew across country with their daughter Georgia Ann to be with us for Christmas. We met in Nashville, Tennessee.

I wanted to have a family activity for us this year. First I went on the inter-net and downloaded a recipe for building a gingerbread house. Judy and I created the house plan and baked the prefab walls and roof.

When we all gathered together we began constructing the house. Renee was wielding the frosting “caulking gun” and Neil was guarding the square ness of the structure. I was handling the camera. Judy and Georgia were in charge of painting the shutters and applying the candy decorations. You can follow the construction in photos below.

Georgia was the focus of the activity and she really got into painting the shutters with blue frosting. In fact she continued painting the walls, the roof and parts of the base until her pot of blue frosting was exhausted. She applied the candy decorations and they came out rather crooked. You know the effect is wonderful. The house has a distinctly organic, swayback look.

Judy and I hope that all of our readers have had a wonderful Christmas and were able to get together with your family and loved ones.

Now we wish for all a happy and prosperous new year.
With Love, Gary and Judy