Christmas business

Well, this year I decided to make real gingerbread for what are usually graham cracker houses. The recipe was delicious and absolutely perfect for making houses. Right after I had baked up a tray I eyeballed it and cut out the pieces for three little houses. I assembled them with royal icing and then the boys and I went to work.

Obi-Wan’s house is on the left and the decorations are very sparse because they all went into his tummy instead of on the house. Count Dooku’s house is on the right, the one that’s been through a powdered sugar blizzard.

My little masterpiece.

I am sold on making real gingerbread now. I’m definitely going to do it every year. It smells up the whole area of the house where our little houses are on display!

Now onto Christmas Hoopla, a tag from Michelle at In the Life of a Child

1.Ok, this is specifically not a meme. It’s a HOOPLA. Got it?
2. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas
3. Please refer to it as a ‘hoopla’ and not the dreaded ‘m’-word
4. You have to specifically tag people when you’re done. None of this “if you’re reading this, consider yourself tagged” stuff is allowed…then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you — but the more, the merrier to get this ‘hoopla’ circulating through the blogosphere.
5. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I’d like to get as many people involved as possible.

1. I love Christmas!

2. I love Christmas lights and I love to put them up myself. On Christmas Eve it is tradition to drive around well lighted neighborhood’s oohing and aaahing at the displays. One day when we own a house, I WILL have the grandest display in the neighborhood. :)

3. I believed in Santa till I was twelve

4. When I was single and had money I loved to pick out a family from our church every year, on which to do the Twelve Days of Christmas doorbell gift ditch.

5. I really, really, REALLY want a Wii for Christmas

6. We really, really, REALLY can’t afford one but that won’t stop me from dreaming.

7. My very favorite Christmas song ever is God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen (I love the renditions by Manheim Steamroller and Bare Naked Ladies), followed closely by Carol of the Bells, Oh Holy Night and Greensleeves.

8. Another tradition at Christmas time is to bake plates of goodies to take to friends. I LOVE this tradition. I LOVE goodies. I like to make peanut brittle, fudge, jewel cookies, magic cookie bars, etc.

9. My favorite ornament on the tree is a yellow clay star I made in first grade. Well, all I did was push the cookie cutter into the clay, but then my teacher baked it and wrote my name on it. It’s the oldest ornament on my tree.

10. We’ve had our own tiny family Christmas for 5 years now. We really do miss our families more around the holiday’s.

11. Count Dooku wants a Hot Wheels glow in the dark race track and car for Christmas. Obi-Wan wants a Master Yoda action figure. I’m so thankful for little boys who don’t realize it’s ok to ask for more than one item at Christmas time. Both of their requests can and will be filled, making everyone happy.

12. I must have a real tree every year. We love to pick it out as a family and we love the fresh pine scent that fills the room every season.

Moving Mama! You’re it!