Trader Joe’s. We have a real relationship with them; I mean, we only go there at least twice a week; for sure on Saturday am to say Hello to all our friends. Ok, and to buy our usuals, but the people we know for so long there makes it even better.
Last year, we bought their annual Gingerbread House kit, and it never got made! We started doing this in 2016, and we have been continuing this tradition for six years now. But, last year…what did we do? Well, let’s go back to 2016.
Oh, the Tot…she wanted to eat some of it and was a bit sad that it was not for our consumption but for the beauty of the little cookie village! All I know is I didn’t do the “frosting” right. There is an art to whipping the egg whites, adding the lemon juice and then slowly adding the sugar; this gets it that sticky gluey consistency.
And on to 2017…I. know I know! She’s wearing the SAME shirt! This time, we got the doggie cookie up high. (he didn’t make it in 2016. Mystery….hmmm….)
2018. It’s getting a bit better. Well, you be the judge.
All characters present (thank you Tot)….but that darn frosting/gluey stuff. ERGGGH. Can I get it right!?
In 2019, we are MAYEWEEEEEED (as they say in Princess Bride) to the HHH, and so hopefully we have this down by now.
The frosting was a bit sparse. … Just not quite right. But we have the doggie and family.
2020. (in our home!) Oh, the little cutie pie.; This year…our little pilferer: I found out LATER, our house got sparser as the days progressed. Why, you ask?? A little elf came and partook of the characters in the middle of the night. I wondered what had happened to the little doggie and family!?
So, as noted before, we had bought the kit in 2021, but didn’t do it as I had a grand plan this year! Our very own gingerbread contest!
Festive, frolicky, and fun! But, alas, I still had a fight with the frosting. Let’s now see what has become of 2022.
The kit sat in our kitchen cabinet for ONE year! Would it still be usable? Stale? Moldy? What!?
The grand unveiling…..AAHHHH! All characters, candy…IN TACT. No, no sampling (yet).
Maybe the year was good for it OR..maybe it was because I had another set of hands for the mixer this year. She could whip the egg withes while I poured in the confectioner’s sugar.
This year, we had our little companions helping: Coopy patiently waiting for a crumb or sugar granule to adorn the floor; Woody climbing the ladder and swinging joyfully.
The frosting is turning out? Maybe? Oh, my…it’s perfect this year! Woody, are you the secret? It’s all of us! We are all making this work.
And ….as she puts the final touches on (asking for just ONE gummy?)
And tada!!
I think it looks the best this year!
Teamwork is dreamwork!
Tatum added the candy cane. I love you, Tot! We have so much fun doing this. May we continue the tradition.