I Call My Sugar Candy

I don’t know what happened last week, but I just couldn’t get around to posting anything new.  I finally posted my trials with making the reindeer, but life’s other business kept me from writing about the experience until late in the week.

Before that, I assembled the house with more than satisfactory results.  Nothing came crashing down, so I moved on to decorating.

It took a bit – because of business – but it got done.  The gingerbread house is finished!

No, you don’t get to see it yet!  I’ve got one bit of detailing to do on the reindeer, prepare the base for display, and then bring all the elements together.

So watch for the big finish around the middle of the week!  Until then, here’s just a bit of what I’ve done in the past week plus.

 
Here’s some of the candies I used for decorating.  Some didn’t cut the muster, some were used, then removed.  I ultimately used seven different candies.  I exercised some restraint in the decorating; some gingerbread houses can be a bit over-the-top in that regard, but I didn’t want that for this house (though I can’t help but remember Dr. Frasier Crane’s response to the concept of less is more: “Ah, but if less is more, just think of how much more ‘more’ will be.”)

Some classic touches.  I like the look of Necco Wafers as shingles.  Remember my two model houses?  About 100 wafers cover the roof.

I first used licorice pieces for the front door.  They didn’t look convincing as a door…

… So the candy was replaced with a door made of honey gingerbread.

Shutters were made from honey gingerbread, too, after I failed to find a candy or store bought cookie that could be shutters. The green piping likes to fall off the little cookies!

Jelly fruit slices serve as window crowns.  Spearmint leaves will provide “greenery” for the landscape.  Two different candies will provide paving for a walkway and a path.  The Boston Baked Beans were to surround the lower sides of the house like stone siding; the candy pieces were too big, though, and the deep red color didn’t provide enough contrast to the dark gingerbread.  They’ll either be put away for another project or poured into a candy bowl.

You’re one post and maybe a trivia story away from the big reveal!  Check back soon!

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