The holidays are sneaking up and, as usual, I’m planning my seasonal
baking. Besides the traditional cookies and pies, this year I’d like a nice
gingerbread house. Nothing too fancy, just a simple structure. But I confess: I
cannot pipe decorative icing, the distinguishing feature of Gingerbread Houses
the world over. I’ve tried. But the skill is not there.
Does this mean I’ll have to do without? Nope, it does not.
Because even though I can’t pipe, I have other skills. Skills I learned as a
child. Skills I’ve honed over a lifetime. Skills that – okay, mainly, cut and
paste skills.
I gathered a few rolls of bubble
gum tape, some craft scissors. And, voila! Roof shingles. Or even window
shutters.
From there I moved onto fruit strips, Tootsie Rolls, and
more chewing gum. In the cereal aisle I grabbed Rice Krispies and Shredded
Wheat Biscuits – the big kind, not those frosted mini guys.
In the end I came up with three kinds of Gingerbread Houses,
each with its own unique character. Now all I have to decide is which one I
want to do for Christmas.
