The Gingerbread Project

The backyard
R's barbecue & garage east

The west side
driveway, off-street parking and
R's garage front

There are still a few details to finish - like gingerbread people to live in this fine house. 

"Happy Accidents" was the theme of this project. Jellybeans broke glass, and I broke glass, and I broke gingerbread. My Cuisinart gave up after the eighteenth batch of gingerbread (not happy), and the crumby old hand mixer from the back of the cupboard gave up just before the last batch of icing was whipped. Aside from the Cuisinart *sobs*, everything that broke or didn't quite turn out the way I expected, actually turned out better, or I like the unexpected difference.

The final icing - the snow - was meant to be whipped and smooth, but because the mixer died I had to hand mix what I had left. It was going to be crumbly (or I would make a bigger mess) so I just left it, and added to granulated sugar for sparkle then packed it into the royal icing lined yard.

When the jellybean broke the glass in the sun-room

we decided to turn it into a ball-pit room.

Measure a million times and cut once, right? I thought I did..., 

the best example are the walls of R's garage. 

The rest of it, well, I like a little wonky in my gingerbread houses. 

R's garage roof is decorated with rocks... because he rocks.

The driveway and paths are made by spreading a thin layer royal icing 

then shaving spare pieces of gingerbread on top.

This is Hannah's cupcake shop.

It is still awaiting decorations, 

but the doors are open ~ please walk on in :)

The east facing balcony not only overlooks Sleeping Giant sunrises, but also our skating rink.

The trees in the back yard are full of squirrels. 

Well, okay there is only this one, but he's more than enough. 

Just wait until the gingerdogs are let out in this candy yard.

These spruce trees are made with gingerbread snowflake cookies

layered with green gummies, green royal icing, and candy lights.

Most importantly:

the chocolate grill.

Also, some burgers with perfect grill marks.

The Gingerbread Project
2011