Gingerbread.

For those of you in the Northern Hemisphere I should explain that not only is this time of year crazy here because of Christmas, but also because it is the end of the school/university year.  This, obviously, results in that overwhelming feeling of "Too Much!!".  This year I have 2 leaving their current schools and preparing for the next stage, which involves Leavers Assemblies, and Formals alongside the usual Presentation Days and Fetes.  I keep checking my calendar to confirm that I haven't forgotten anything (or anyone...) yet.  We also have Jonathan going off on a 3-day camp for the last 3 days of school which I need to remember to pay for.  Oh, and I need to remember to buy Christmas presents!

Anyway, we have been busy!  On Saturday our surrogate grandparents invited Meg to a Gingerbread House Decorating morning at their church which was great fun.  Some of the older ladies were in seriously competitive mode with very professional looking houses, while Meg's looks rather more 'age-appropriate', shall we say.

Jonathan then remembered the Ninjabread men and decided that he wanted to make a load of them to sell at the Yr 6 Leaver's Fete.

He also asked Joseph to whip up a batch of his fantastic gingerbread muffins (from Susan Reimer's Muffin book) that he is now becoming very proficient at.

We had a busy evening last night and the house smelt delicious.


I managed to find a little Gingerbread House kit so I have promised them that in the first week of the holidays they can make, and decorate, a house each.

I managed to whip up a couple of these little mug cosies for Christmas presents and posted a pic on facebook, a Lovely Lady then 'shared' my pic which was seen by some of her friends, which resulted in some orders!

And now I'm off for a cup of tea and one of Joseph's muffins to gear myself up - yum!

Productivity

Despite everyone being at home for the July holidays, I've managed to be fairly productive.  On top of all the Dog-Walking and Child-Exercising at various beaches, we've met up with friends, baked some rolls (more out of necessity in this particular instance), made chocolate brownies and I made gingerbread for the first time.  The recipe I used had pictures of teddy bears dressed in pyjamas which the Boys looked at and groaned.  "Lame" was the general feeling.  However, they were unaware of I purchase I had made a couple of months ago.

Ninja Bread Men!

When they saw them come out of the oven, the change in attitude was rather different and suddenly everyone wanted to help decorate!  We rolled out some leftover icing from various cakes and used the same cutters to ensure a perfect fit, then once they were dry we used icing pens to add belts, eyes and any other important details.

Here are my understated Ninjas...

These Ninjas belong to the Boys and are based on their Lego Ninjas apparently.

They look great but, to be honest, for all the effort, I don't think I'm all that inclined to bother too often!

Then to crochet.  Today alone I have managed to whip up a couple of coasters from this pattern for a friend who was looking for a birthday gift for her 91 year old Nan, some more face-washers and a scarf!

Miss M is having her first proper sleep-over with her friend tomorrow and Husband and I are actually going out - yes, really - for drinks at the new home of some ex-pat friends.  This involves the lovely Edwina coming to babysit all the boys, which in turns means I need to tidy.  I think I'll get my slaves on the job...  Night all! xx