I was thinking of the Siouxsie and the Banshees song when I woke up this morning...and I love that song, even though I know it's not really a happy house she's singing about at all, and therefore it doesn't really go with my post. Yesterday my little flat was the happiest house of them all, as my mom and sister (Amelia) drove to Athens for the serious business of making a gingerbread house. This is the first time either of them have seen my sweet apartment, so I was also just excited for them to see where I live/what I've done with the place. They just loved it, which I knew they would, and my sister made the hilarious and cute remark "I feel like I'm in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". (My little sister is 19, not a tiny child).
I was so excited, and made up the dough, drew out my "templates", put out my contribution to the candy-decor, and started lunch before they arrived. My dough/recipe proved to be more of a sugar cookie-ish concoction, which I think I can chalk up to lack of molasses, but it worked just fine for our purposes. We happily buzzed away like little bees, making democratic decisions about shingles and whether or not the enormous M&M doorknobs were TOO enormous:
We completed it all by making this crazy "yard", if you will, of the leftover candies and some piles of marshmallows! It was so fun...and I am going to have real problems not picking at it in the next week. I guess I can just pilfer from the yard. Maybe just the backyard.
After my lovely family left, I cleaned up a bit and went into my studio and had this moment of domestic zen, in which the washing machine and dishwasher were chugging away, full of clothes and dishes. My house is clean and neat, finally (after those few weeks of the store's business, my whole house was starting to look like a packing station/trashbag). I was happily on the sewing machine, zipping along, altering/taking in a pile of clothes that were a bit too big or muu-muu-esque for me. And I was so happy.
I spent the evening with my friends Keith and Corie at an undisclosed "Italian" restaurant (undisclosed because...ok. It was the Olive Garden. I know. It was not my choice). Then we went to see the Pursuit of Happyness, which they both thought was long and slow, but I thought it was exactly the way I thought it would be from the trailer. Which is to say, I liked it. It was kind of invented to be liked, right?
We're getting SO CLOSE to Christmas...I still need to wrap more presents, and see if I can eek out a few handmade gifts. And, more pressing, I need to bake/cook and make lists for tomorrow's party. What costume shall the poor girl wear? I think I'm wearing a grey dress with red tights and grey heels. I think Nico & the Velvets would be okay with that.
Comments (19)
I just love the ginger bread house! It's *PERFECT*. (Best one I've seen this year, so far!)
Happy Christmas!
A
amanda bel · December 17, 2006 at 01:34 PM
i love your yumy house! and the idea of a charlie and the chocolate factory apartment. fabulous.
risa · December 17, 2006 at 02:46 PM
you are so freakin adorable and so is that house! my goodness- the talent you possess is endless, isn't it?! ;) xo
joleen · December 17, 2006 at 02:55 PM
love it!!!! the shape of the house is great, and the yard is just too cute!
amandajean · December 17, 2006 at 03:24 PM
Making a gingerbread house is on my ''to do'' list for this Christmas. There's deliciously fun. I can understand the tempation to eat parts of them. The one I made last Christmas ened up with no Smartie roof tiles by the time Christmas actually rolled around. And the black cat I'd placed at the door mysteriously disappeared too. Good luck kepping your little mitts of it.
little cookies · December 17, 2006 at 10:51 PM
I have never felt inclined to make a gingerbread house - until I saw yours! It is adorable :) I will make one next year...
pendlerpiken · December 18, 2006 at 04:41 AM
so much color!!!! lovely and yummy lookin' :)
sara · December 18, 2006 at 06:35 AM
Yum!!! That house looks delectable! I love your and your sister's names - Emily and Amelia, your mom has great taste. :o)
Jenny Rebecca · December 18, 2006 at 10:45 AM
I love your gingerbread house! Last night on the Food Network the cooking challenge was gingerbread houses. Yours totally would have been in the running. :)
Marilyn · December 18, 2006 at 10:56 AM
Hum!!! i'd like to taste everything!
cecile · December 18, 2006 at 12:57 PM
Wow, what a fabulous gingerbread house! I'm so impressed - Love the garden - so whimsical! And a great family tradition too. :)
I bought one out of a box and had the kids at a party we had make it up - it looked nothing like that, haha!
Doesn't it feel great after a big day of domestic duties? After days like that I always sit down with a glass of wine and a new magazine and have an hour of 'me' time....what a life huh? It's fabulous! Merry Christmas!
Shell · December 18, 2006 at 05:46 PM
Too much fun!
Jane · December 18, 2006 at 06:01 PM
Love your gingerbread house, and the get together with your mum and sister. I get homesick this time of year and it makes me smile to hear others appreciating their family and friends
Rachael Q · December 18, 2006 at 07:51 PM
Hi Emily! :)
I stumbled upon your little world recently and never ever want to leave. The gingerbread house is so adorable, and since my little brother is coming home for Christmas this year, I know exactly what we'll do now... Have a gingerbread house decorating party! I can't wait! :) Thanks for the yummy photos and endless inspiration. --Michelle
Eggman Studios · December 18, 2006 at 08:13 PM
And where will she go and what shall she do
When midnight comes around?
Susan · December 19, 2006 at 11:01 AM
Oh, Emily, now that song is stuck in my head! ;)
I love all the candy colors.
Jennifer · December 20, 2006 at 01:47 PM
It's nice, in all the hectic crafting/shopping/visiting haze, to read a calm bit of domesticity where it's clear there is happiness. Lovely gingerbread house and it sounds like a lovely day.
ambika · December 20, 2006 at 02:06 PM
how fun! Your candy sweet house is lovely!
London Southern Belle · December 20, 2006 at 02:22 PM
my goodness!!! I am looooving the shape you chose!! So so darling!! You know...If I saw this somewhere else...I truly would have though of you!! Amazing how your unique and magical style shines through even with a gingerbread house!!
Such a fun gal you are!!
xoxo Jenny
jenny holiday · December 21, 2006 at 04:22 PM