Edible Architecture

This post is a worthy diversion from our meadow projects because it celebrates old traditions and gives an ovation to time-invested creativity. This Thanksgiving took us over the river and through the woods to Oma and Grandad's house. On Black Friday, while the masses were sleeping off tryptophan comas and dashing to early bird sales, Suzan's Mom was rolling out her famous gingerbread and helping the kids to construct their own edible wonders. As always, she was brimming with clever tips and tricks... AND THEN ... pulled out the magical box of colorful confections. Right down to the chocolate candy-coated rocks that they used on the chimneys. Morgen and Hayden probably clocked over 13 careful, detailed hours planning and pouring their creativity into these delightful creations. They are eager to share them with their friends, so, while they are still in-tact, they deserve a moment of fame.

Morgen's house is an awesome candy shop. Visitors follow the Necco wafer path to little awning-covered windows with merchants inside, ready to assist their customers. Hayden proved that all things confectionary do not have to be "girly". His hunting club is equipped with a turkey blind and a trophy bird. It also includes a quail cage and a big scary mystery (not allowed to tell) inside the house to surprise his friends when they eat down the house.

Thanks mom, for dusting off those custom made gingerbread cutters you created with a welding torch all those years ago. And for sharing your tips, your creative gifts and for reminding the next generation that it really is worth it to slow down and pour yourself into something once in a while, and to take pride in going above and beyond.