What If Our Houses Were Really Made Of Gingerbread?

Every year my family makes a gingerbread house. When we were in Califorinia one year we couldn’t find a house kit so we made a tree! It was still pretty cool.

I just recently learnt that the white house has a tradition of doing a gingerbread house each year, so I thought I would include one of those!

This year we are going to make a train...not sure how well we will do. (I think this might even be the one my mom bought!)

This is the house we made last year...not the best every but we’re working our way up, better and better each year.

For those of you that were really curious what it would be like if our houses were readying made of gingerbread this was the closest example I could find.

AND if you really love gingerbread get yourself one of these candles and you’ll have the wonderful spiced smell for hours!! You can find this at www.etsy.com/shop/blisscandles

My Christmas Wish List!!

I thought seeing as Christmas is coming I would do a Christmas wish list!! Some of my items are pretty out there, but one can dream right?

I love this movie! I’m not much for animated movies but I love this one, it made me cry...I’m a sucker for love stories.


I love all things vintage, including this dress! You can find it at www.etsy.com/shop/chiffonlounge


I love birds and I love this! It’s so pretty! You can find it at www.etsy.com/shop/Kathleencavalaro

I've wanted one of these for a long time, but I feel sort of silly getting one for myself.

www.tiffany.ca

While my husband is there he can always get me this ring too!! www.tiffany.ca

We played this game at a part once; it's hilarious and so fun! http://quelf.com

I think this was one of the first movies I loved or maybe even was allowed to watch, and I still love it! A classic!


I love this dress cause it reminds me of summer! I want to wear this dress right now in hopes that it’s warmth and color will make summer come that much quicker! You can find this dress at www.etsy.com/shop/thehouseofhearts

This re-make was really good! But....

If you really love the movies then you have to watch the first one! It's so worth the 6 hours spent!

I hear this love is great (although short) and I love love letters and poems!


I would only be able to wear these in fall, but that’s ok, they’re so cute they would be worth it! You can find these at www.etsy.com/shop/sweetknitting

Yes, I do want a power drill, it's not a mistake! www.blackanddecker.com

If I could get my hands on a copy to hold me over until it really comes out on video/dvd I would be the happiest! www.twilightthemovie.com

I don't have internet at home, the computer I do have isn't the greatest and I want to do more! http://store.apple.com

I love to cook and you can't be a real cook without a good set of knives!

And I want one of these too!! How cool hey??

I think every girl needs a pair!

Maybe I'll get this on our 10 year? Wouldn't that be great!

I love love love books!! And if I get them I get them on amazon (so much cheaper) www.amazon.ca


My husband and I got hooked on this show somehow and we haven’t really had TV for a while so we had to rent them all. We’re still on season three but if we could get our hands on season four to catch up wow, I’d be pumped! www.nbc.com/heroes


I have been searching for boots like this and if I was more trusting with buying things (other than books) online I would order them right now!

I saw this book and I want it!! I probably sat and looked through it for a good half hour and although a lot of it looks pretty intense, and intimidating I want to learn! He’s got a lot of pictures, which I also love! www.jimcooks.com


And if I’m going to get the cook book I may as well get the baking one too!! (although the cook book does have some baking in it, but you can never have too many baking options!) www.jimcooks.com

Have your own wish list? Share it here; leave a comment, I would love to hear about it!

Christmas Isn’t Christmas Without A Tree!

Ok so would put our tree up in October if my husband would let me but we put it up a couple of weeks ago and yesterday I put up a tree at work. I love Christmas trees! It’s just not the same without a tree (I had a Christmas in California, and one in Australia and it was strange. Not because it was hot out, but because we didn’t have a tree!)

AND if you love Christmas trees as much as me go to the Conservatory in the Assiniboine Park and see their Christmas Tree Contest Trees! It’s running now until the 6th of December!

This is my mom's cute littele tree from last Christmas (still waiting to see what she'll do this year)

Here is a picture of my tree this year! I don’t have the best camera so the picture really doesn’t do it justice!

And here is the one I did at work! It’s so great I get to decorate for Christmas at work!

I’m having a sale!!!

For the holiday shoppers, and the people looking for gifts, or just something nice for themselves I’m having a sale in my etsy shop!! Everything is 30% off!!

Baking Blitz: Marshmallow Fondant

When I was prepping for my wedding I wanted to make cupcakes for my social with fondent icing! I looked it up a few times and only found really complicated recipes. I was starting to lose hope (and I wasn’t going to cave and use the readymade stuff! ick!) but then I found this recipe! Its super easy, take some strength, and literally getting your hands dirty but it’s so worth it in the end! The fondant was a huge hit, and my cupcakes with pink heart cut outs were some of the best I’ve made yet!

16 ounces white mini-marshmallows (use a good quality brand)
2 to 5 tbsp Water
2 pounds Icing Sugar 1/2 cup Crisco Shortening

Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave or double boiler: Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open microwave and stir, back in microwave for 30 seconds more, open microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until melted. It usually takes about 2 1/2 minutes total. Place 3/4 of the powdered sugar on the top of the melted marshmallow mix; mix in gently.

Now grease your hands GENEROUSLY (palms, backs, and in between fingers), then heavily grease the counter you will be using and dump the bowl of marshmallow/sugar mixture in the middle.

Start kneading like you would bread dough. Keep kneading (it is really sticky at this stage!) Add the rest of the powdered sugar and knead some more. Re-grease your hands and counter when the fondant starts sticking. If the mix is tearing easily, it is too dry, so add water (about 1/2 tablespoon at a time and then knead it in).
Add food coloring if you would like it a different color other than white.
When the fondant is all mixed well roll out to do cut outs for cupcakes or for covering a whole cake.

Tip: This fondant does great in the fridge. If you find it’s a little hard or dry add a little water until it’s the desired workability. (I still have some left!)

Have any good ideas, or substitutes for this....share them, leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!!