"tis the Season"

Oh the aroma of fresh baked gingerbread! Something about the delightful smells of the holiday season that is so comforting.  Although I am not a big fan of consuming gingerbread, the smells and intricate artistry of gingerbread cookies and houses can be so comforting, "warm, fuzzy and whimsical!"   Yes, I can make a "mean" gingerbread, the artistry of the decorations, however, a little on the "iffy" side.  As young children, my sons thoroughly enjoyed the cookie cutter almost as much as consuming the cookie dough!

Each year I make a silent promise to myself.....construct a gingerbread house...start to finish.  Again a broken promise.  At least I didn't promise anyone else!  The last attempt at gingerbread construction...Hm mm?  Mrs. G.'s house with Granddaughters, Jordan and Taylor.  So much fun, it looks so much easier than it actually is.  The twins having the time of their life, eating as they decorated.  As the project finished, each house totally different, they were put on display in Mrs. G. living room, for all to enjoy.  The following morning, however, much of the candy missing!  Since mice loved to invade during the cold New England winter months, everyone assumed it had been a mouse with a "sweet tooth!"  Eventually, a few holiday seasons later the "little mouse" with the rat sized sweet tooth, confessed.  Miss Jordan, the queen of sweets, the culprit!  Nice!

Before moving south, we always enjoyed visiting the Connecticut based Mohegan Sun Casino.....the holiday gingerbread house,exquisite.  Just watching the chefs and "elves" during the construction phase, totally breathtaking, the details perfect!  Now that we live in central Florida and are able to visit Disney, we always make sure the Gingerbread displays are part of our annual holiday trip.  Most people visit the parks, but the truth be known, the resorts themselves are decked out in their holiday finery, and yes, the Gingerbread theme lives on.  "Snow" covered villages complete with trains and whistles.all displayed for eager visitors to discover.  The winter wonderland beautiful and charming, downright awe inspiring!

Closer to home, the aroma or holiday baking, comforting.  It makes, the downright cold weather, bearable!  Keeping the lights low, the tree all aglow and scented candles setting the mood for "snuggle down" on the couch time, whether watching an old holiday movie, munching on some fresh baked cookies or filling out those holiday cards...."tis the Season, there is nothing quite like it!