The smell of gingerbead is in the air!
As with the end of fall the gingerbread season begins.
Since 2006 I have been a regular contributor to the Festival of Trees in Grande Prairie and have been looking forward to this years festival. There is nothing better to get one in the Christmas mood then spending a few hours in a magical winter wonderland!
And this year does not disappoint! Being the first big Christmas event of the season, Evergreen Park is decked out in fantastic Christmas splendor! I wish I would have taken my tripod as they have the most amazing new display that needs to be captured.
There are now 2 blooming cherry blossoms trees in the gala.
This is a shot from under the branches. Only one word can describe these trees.
Stunning
If I can find the lights I am seriously considering constructing one for my front yard. Covered in a light snow, it would be the sweetest Christmas light display on the street.
As the name implies, there are many gorgeous trees at the festival but if I could take one home this year, it would be the tree below. It is part of a very nicely done display from The Grinch. The team that put the display together did an outstanding job!
I love how the top hangs down, like the ornaments are far to heavy for the tree. Just realizing now I should have spoken with the decorators to see where they found this little gem. And now the more I think about it the crazier it will drive me. I must find a tree like that.
This years build was quick and efficient, by far the easier of the houses I have done.
As this years “house” was a church I wanted to keep it clean and simple.
I made a few design changes along the way, it was going to be a rock covered structure but it just did not have the look I was aiming for. I sided a few sections with the rock and after a few hours of looking at it I knew it had to go.
As always I went with a few of my signatures, the candles in a least one window. Numerous wreaths. And of course there is always room for at least one Rolo tree. Sometimes disguised as poinsettias. Cute and the perfect size for any gingerbead house setting.
Not a lot needs to be said so I have just chosen an assortment of shots from the piece.
However I will be doing a Gingerbread 101 in the beginning of December on the FBC website! If you have any questions about any of my GBH builds, techniques or anything gingerbread please do drop me an email in the next week so I am sure to cover topics people would be interested in knowing how to do.
With great pride Midnight Mass took 1st place as Judge’s Choice again this year! Which means it will be sold this evening at the live auction! Last year Sugar Plum’s sold for an outstaing $600, would it not be fantastic if we broke that record tonight!
We also took home third place as decorators choice!
If you do pop into the Festival this weekend, please do vote for the People’s Choice award!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy Midnight Mass.
- 1 cup shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 2 eggs
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in molasses and eggs.
- Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture.
- Divide dough into thirds and wrap in plastic wrap.
- *To make this non construction grade – add 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- A good tip for making gingerbread walls is to use cookie sheets that have no edges.
- It makes for much easier removal when you can slide them right off.
- I lightly spray my cookie sheets with a non stick spray and roll the dough directly onto the sheets. Roll the dough to a cm thick.
- Place the pattern on the dough.
- Using a ruler and a sharp knife cut out the walls.
- Place the cookie sheets into the refrigerator to chill for 25 minutes.
- This helps prevent the walls from spreading.
- Bake at 350° for 10-14 minutes or until lightly browned.
- When done remove immediately to a cooling rack.
- Once your walls are done you can get ready to do the siding.
Awe thanks Karen.
It was a crazy busy day, getting the pictures sorted and the post up took longer then antisipated.
You never know what can happen at the auction. I am just glad to be able to partisipate.
I will up date as soon as I know more!
Thanks Karen!!! xoxox
Well the suspense was killin’ me! It’s about time you posted!
I am very proud of you…you are so talented…I KNEW you would do it again.
Last year was $600….I’m gonna say $750 or higher this year.
GREAT JOB MY FRIEND!!!!!
Thanks Rebecca!
I love every minute of it! What a fabulous way to be creative and help charity!
Plus it really is a fun way to kick off the Christmas season!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Paula!
I think it is the little details that takes a regular gingerbread house and turns them into something special.
Plus the little addition of things like people or animals like Sugar from The Sugar Shack GBH 2009, are touches the kids just love.
You have to get down to their level, they truely have the best views of the houses. So I keep that in mind when I build.
The ribbons are a nice bonus, but my goal is making it to the live auction. When that happens you have the potential of making a lot of money for the charity.
Which really makes it all worth while.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
wow congrats 🙂 so proud of you
Your church and the surrounding scene is stunning! Congratulations on the award ribbons. I love it all, your attention to the smallest of detail in the decorated boughs on the church step railings, the wreaths, etc. My favourite piece has to be the male figure carrying a baby.
Thanks Melissa.
I am very excited to build a house for the FBC post!
I have been jotting down numerous ideas.
Thank you all for the opportunity!
It is just lovely!! You did a wonderful job and I can’t wait to see your FBC piece in a few weeks!