we used a recipe for “building gingerbread” *edible but not as good as “eating gingerbread”

Butter                8oz
Brown Sugar   8oz
Molasses          8oz
Flour                 2lb 3oz
B. Soda             2tsp
Cinnamon       2tsp
Ginger              1/2tsp
Clove                1tsp
Water                8oz

Cream together the butter and sugar, then add molasses and water, sift all the dry together and add slowly to mixer.  Bake at 325F until done, it all depends on what size your pieces are.  I normally at least double the recipe for a good size house.  Also all of the gingerbread MUST be totally cool before you start to build or the icing will just melt and not glue anything together!

and to put it all together, we used Royal Icing:

Royal Icing Using Meringue Powder:

4 cups (440 grams) confectioners’ (powdered or icing) sugar

3 tablespoons (30 grams) meringue powder

1/2 teaspoon extract (vanilla, lemon, almond)

1/2 – 3/4 cup (120 – 180 ml) warm water

Note: Food Coloring (I use Gel Pastes that can be found at cake decorating and party stores or
else on-line)

For Royal Icing with Meringue Powder: In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand
mixer), beat the confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder until combined. Add the water
and beat on medium to high speed until very glossy and stiff peaks form (5 to 7 minutes). If
necessary, to get the right consistency, add more powdered sugar or water. To cover or ‘flood’
the entire surface of the cookie with icing, the proper consistency is when you lift the beater, the
ribbon of icing that falls back into the bowl remains on the surface of the icing for a few seconds
before disappearing.

The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing
hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

Makes about 3 cups

Jordan was the one who came up with the idea of adding skittles to the tops of the gum drops and I must say, I love the look. Jalen and I both followed Jordan’s lead.  He told me he was making a pattern, alternating red and green. He also made a sort of gate with the candy canes and a walk way.

Jalen’s house is the one with the candy cane on the roof and alternating red and green skittles stripes.

My house is the last one with the candy cane hearts and red skittles.

It was a fun venture.  We made two batches of building gingerbread, which for the amount and size of houses we were making, it was just too much.  Also, the rectangles we cut were not quite the right shapes so we had gaps.  For next year’s gingerbread villages, I’ve ordered Gingerbread House Cutters (B1101) from foose.  It was quite fun :)

We also made some eating Gingerbread, sugar cookies and white chip chocolate cookies. I’ll be sharing those soon. and can I add. the house smells lovely. I <3 Gingerbread!

Thanks for stopping by!

Love Love and Blog you Later,

Joscie, rhymes with bossy :)

Day 8, two

Me: day 2 of advent calendar

Jalen: Kung Fu Panda 2

Jordan: 2 earth skylanders

Troy: Jalen’s 2 eyes

Day 9, Twelve

Me: safety inspection sticker

Jalen: day 12 on the advent calendar

Jordan:12 skylanders

Troy: 12 cups in a display case

Day 10, Snack

Me: I find it funny that we all took our pictures at different times but chose the same snack. our mickey mouse shaped rice krispy treats.

Jalen:

Jordan:

Day 11, Online

Me: my blog

Jalen: our router

Jordan: his 3DS can go online

Troy: Jordan online

Day 12, In Real Life

Me: my craft stuff that got moved out of my craft room for rehoming/ebay or whatever. and has sat here in my kitchen waiting for me. (ps, ready for an online craft sale?)

Jalen: real people driving and living.

Jordan: the day by day bible.

Day 13, Mail

Me: Calendars going out to mail at the Post Office

Jalen: Lego Catalog

Jordan: Christmas card from Lego VIP program

Day 14, Line(s)

Me: our first year putting up lights outside

Jalen: lines on the table

Jordan: lines of skittles (and other candies) on his gingerbread house.

Thanks for stopping by!
Love Love and Blog you later,
Joscie, rhymes with bossy :)

Jalen chose the large Mickey Mouse ears.  I cut ice cream cone shapes to paint as Santa.

we baked at 250 for two hours. and I couldn’t help but think, I wonder how much energy that’s using?

once they were cooled we brought out some acrylic paint and got busy.

Jordan painted all the elephants dark blue. again no big surprise there.

Jalen painted most of his mickey ears black.

I opted for aqua and also painted my santa.

We did not put these on our tree but instead tied them to gifts. :)

It was a messy and long project but I am glad we did it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Love Love and Blog you Later,
Joscie, rhymes with bossy! :)

• we forced some paper white narcissus for the first time since we’ve been back home in the islands.
• we baked a lot of gingerbread and sugar cookies.
• we made gingerbread houses.

• made some cake pops
• made goodie bags for my mail carrier and garbage man.
• got a thank you from the garbage man when i handed it over
• got a thank you note from the mail man in the mail box. it was so sweet, it made me smile. :)
• we saw the ships all lit up for Christmas.
• went to church on Christmas eve.  Jalen was an acolyte and carried in the flame.  He also helped light the candles at the end of the service.  Jordan was excited to hold a candle.

• we went to see the city lights/parade
• we didn’t plan to meet up with MarnaLicious and Family but it just worked out that way :)

• Incrediboy made a come back.
• We went hiking one day with Aunty MarnaLicious after a late night of crafting.  I did not feel well.  Note to self: go to bed on time!
• we went out to eat. a lot.
• I designed, printed, addressed and mailed out 180 Christmas Cards.
• only one has come back for bad address, that’s a record.
• Next year, I will not be sending out as many cards.
• I designed, printed, assembled, wrapped and mailed out 33 calendars.
• Next year, I may or may not be sending out as many calendars.
• we shopped online
• i ordered books for all my nieces and nephews and personalized with bookplates
• they loved them, I’m so excited!
• We have really enjoyed our think geek/amazon Christmas shopping. It was really simplified and I will go this route again.
• Jalen’s computer broke
• we bought a new laptop for the boys
• I called the teaching textbook company for help recovering his grades/progress and resetting our registration.  what an awesome, helpful company. I highly recommend them.
• When asked what I wanted for Christmas, I emailed a link to my amazon wish list.  and I got the best gift ever.
• I got a new camera strap designed for the ladies. and i love it!  It’s by black rapid.
• Jalen learned in his math program about bits, bytes, K, Meg and Gig.
• Jordan learned in his math program how to count pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
• I designed and screen printed some camp half-blood t shirts.
• I need to go buy more t shirts as a messy work space ruined a few.
• We got a lot of rain
• we bought new cell phones, the nexus s.  the new Google phone.
• Best Buy is not on my happy list.  They had insufficient supply so when I went in to pick them up, I could only buy one.  I had to order Troy’s via phone and it was delivered a few days later.
• I am loving my phone though.
• We saw Yogi bear for another free sneak preview at MCBH
• We saw the Chronicles of Narnia, voyage of the Dawn Treader in 3D, and loved it.
• We bought a new waffle maker from Bed Bath and Beyond. a super fancy double, flip it over kinda waffle maker. $95.
• so excited about it. made waffles like 10 since getting it.
• saw same waffle maker at sam’s club. $65. doh! but not too disappointed.
• missed out on the lunar eclipse/winter solstice due to overcast weather.
• Jordan got a new camera and a spy watch from Granny and Pop.  He took about 65 pictures on it and then dropped and broke it Christmas morning.  So glad we had bought the product replacement plan.  We replaced it with a more expensive shock proof model.
• Jalen got a robot arm and a spy cam rover from Granny and Pop.  He and Troy put both together and is loving it.
• We got Jalen snap circuits and Jordan got some elephants and elephant books.
• Both boys got a kindle to share and airzookas.  These are hand held air canons.  they are a bit unwieldy and difficult but fun when you get the hang of it
• We had steak, rice, corn and sparkling apple cider for dinner.
• We’ve got party hats, noise makers and curly cue thingies to throw in the air.
• We’ll be celebrating new year at 8pm HST.

I hope you’ve had a great 2010 and will join me in 2011, it’s going to be a great one!

Love Love and Blog you Later,

Joscie, rhymes with bossy! :)

this was just around sunset.  then as it got darker, they turn lights on the building:

We walked out the side gate, where they were offering horse carriage rides for $60 for a few blocks.  (We did not ride) I caught this shot through the gate  of the lights with my super high tech bokeh shaper, heeee.

Every year, Santa and Mrs. Claus are sitting in front of Honolulu Hale (City Hall) and Santa offers up a friendly smile and a shaka.

The tree in front of the building

We walked around inside the building where they have themed trees decorated by different city departments.  My two favorites were the Super Mario Tree, which included all our friends: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Yoshi, Bullet Bill, a piranha plant, mushrooms and Donkey Kong.  The other favorite was a made in the eighties tree which had 45s and record cover replicas all over the tree.  Some of the ones that made me laugh: George Michael, Samantha Fox, The New Kids on the Block…   We made our way to the back hall where every year wreath decorating contest entries are posted.  Here were a few of the ones that caught my eye.

We then went outside to the area where the trees were lit up so beautifully and got a few (not so great, but I still love ‘em shots) of the family.

and here are some random hearty shots of the trees. sigh, all those hearts make me happy :)

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the season with those you love and those who love you!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah! :)

Love lOve and Blog You later,

Joscie, rhymes with bossy!

I can’t believe it’s November. NOVEMBER! It was just september wasn’t it?  We had a great Halloween, all of us in our wizard wear, and we got a lot of cute, oh look, it’s the Harry Potter Family comments.  Dressing up is so much fun!  I had a thought that we should institute a all celebrations should be dress up events… but then we don’t really throw parties in our family.  Maybe I should change that too. ha. we had so much fun.  I am not happy with the rushed pictures we got on Halloween Night, so you know, I’ll be dragging the costumes out for more,  hopefully better picture taking later.  Our pumpkins were fun. Troy’s is the one on the left, mine is the polka dot one (of course) and Jalen’s is on the right.  Jordan’s is sitting up just out of frame, a clone trooper.

Last week I was knocked down in our wintery Hawaii weather, aka rainy, and my throat decided to get mutinous on me.  No fever, so I just held out and tried not to complain too much. (ha, as if) I did have to battle a little woe is me I want to cry like a baby for a little bit, but gave it some thought and figured I know people who are dealing with more than a sore throat out there. perspective is a good thing.

We are lucky enough to have twice a week trash pick up in our neighborhood and last week the city people dropped off recycling bins and information on our new schedule.  Since our housing area has a yard service that takes care of our green waste, we are only adding recyclable bins to our schedule. (i know you are fascinated, aren’t you.  on the edge of your seat? ;) )  I loved the look of these brand new cans lining the street.

so every other week they will pick up our #1,#2 plastics, glass, aluminum cans, corrugated cardboard and newspaper (minus glossy inserts) in these blue bins. I was very excited to drop two pieces of plastic in our bin this week.  We don’t subscribe to the newspaper, we read our news online or watch TV… but we do get the twice a week local interest type paper along with a Hawaii Military Newspaper once a week that will find their way to our blue bin.  I find it strange that they ask us not to bundle, bind, or bag our materials, just to throw them all mixed in the bin…but whatever.  We will still be carrying our HI-5 deposit bottles to the recycling center to get our $1.15 or whatever back.

Jordan’s class took a field trip to the firehouse and Troy and I were lucky enough to go as chaperones.  It was a fun trip. Hey, it was hot. and humid. but fun, fun.  Are you surprised to hear, my child went up to the front row and engaged the firefighter giving the presentation? Yeah, me neither. ha.

It was super cool that they set up a little hose for the kids to spray a cone and knock it over. Jordan about jumped on the nozzle to get it going, it was so funny.

One of Jordan’s friends at school has a Dad who is in the army and just returned home last week from deployment. I was so excited to see him home (he probably thought I was nuts) I was saying welcome home and we’re so glad to see you home… when he brought his son to school.  This week Wednesday is Veteran’s day.  I am going to celebrate it by making cards for Operation Write home.  There are so many family members that would love to get cards from their deployed service members, I want to be  a part of it.  check it out here.  I’ll also be participating in a blog hop on Nov 14. Do you want to join in on that too? check the blog hop.

So that’s what has been up with me lately. What’s going on with you?