Finally, I’ve managed to get the gingerbread houses together. I’ve been a lazy bum this week — just hanging out and not doing much at all. It seems like I’ve cleaned a lot, but you’d never know it by looking around here.
This year’s competition was pretty tough. The top players came prepared with a theme in mind, which made it really fun. The good news is that everyone kept it clean this year (no strip bars or frat houses!) The bad news is that everyone kept it clean this year — which translates to: not as funny. Everyone topped the creativity scales and had a really good time though, so it was all worth it!
TheManoftheHouse and I were the defending champions from last year and we came in Dead. Last. Not one vote. It was fixed! We didn’t really have a plan, but when I saw the pretzels, I thought we should do a log cabin in honor of our pioneer ancestors. And every log cabin has a clothesline outside, right?
My nephew brought a guest to the competition (a girl! – she had fun, she’d never made a gingerbread house before) and they made the Tinsel Town Theater. You’ll notice that Up is currently running on the marquis and there is plenty of popcorn and candy for all the people standing in the ticket line.
Between the next two houses, I can’t remember who came in second and who came in third. (I’m sure SweetiePie knows though!) CrazyBIL and my youngest niece teamed together and created Santa’s Sleighwash. Check out the cupcake liner door flaps and the dirty sleigh going into the sleighwash and the clean sleigh coming out of the sleighwash. So Clever!
TheFirstChild and SweetiePie always have a theme and this year was no different (we’ve decided next year that the honeymoon is over and we’re going to split them up.) They made a Jump School to commemorate the fact that they went skydiving in August of this year (and lived to tell about it). Oh So Cute! Look at the little skydivers and the airplane. And doesn’t SweetiePie have pretty icing-writing?
And Tah-Dah! The First Place winners this year were MyDadLovesMeBestSister, BigDaddy, my oldest niece and TheSecondChild. (Ha! I’m thinking they won due to being the biggest team – I’m not bitter or anything LOL!) MyDadLovesMeBestSister achieved her Master Gardener status this year, so to celebrate, they created a Garden Shed. The flower pots and little candy trees on the front are enough to melt any voter. Not to even mention the compost pile, butterflies on the left side of the house and the Koi Pond behind the house. Congratulations Team Garden Shed!
I’m so proud of my little family. When we first started decorating gingerbread houses years ago, they used to slap the frosting on the houses and make a big mess. I love seeing how much thought and creativity they put into the houses now!
So. On to the New Year! I’ve bemoaned the fact that November and December flew by. And 2009 too. But to heck with that. What happened to the last decade?
Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were partying at the turn of the millennium??? As I look forward to 2010, I just have one big wish — I want time to Slow. Down. That one big wish would facilitate all the little ones (more family time, quilting, knitting, reading, yadda, yadda).
And one other big wish for all of you — a Happy and Healthy 2010. Happy New Year!!!
XOXO,
Anna
Oh, I was so looking forward to this post, and you didn’t disappoint! They’re all brilliant but the shed – oh my goodness, how I’d love a shed like that in my garden!
Happy New Year, Anna – I hope you have a lovely celebration tonight and a wonderful year ahead.
Wow! The creativity is wonderful! :) Thank you, as always, for sharing your delightful photos!! Happy new year-Happy new decade! Thank you for your blog-you are appreciated! And the smiles you invoke, as well! :)
You’re right – it must have been rigged! But the garden shed is wonderful too! What fun your family has. Would you like to adopt?
Happy New Year!
Wonderful! I absolutely love that your family has so much fun together. I am, in fact, unbelievably jealous of this, but that’s another story…
What creativity! What skill! What a disappointment that your darling log cabin didn’t get a single vote. I would have voted for it – but I can see why the choice was so tough. They are all amazing creations.
Happy New Year, dear Anna!
You all are so talented! The gingerbread houses are adorable. My favorite thing is….they reflect the personality of the individuals that created them. I love yours…the idea of the log cabin…how fun!
Have a wonderful New Year! Thanks for being my blogging friend!
Oh my gosh Anna, they all look like Blue Ribbon winners to me. They are just wonderful and I bet they smell great too! I didn’t even attempt one this year. Everyone decorated such creative houses, you guys could win a contest for sure. Happy New Year Anna and here’s to time Slowing down…….
xoShawn
What fun! I loved your house, but then I live in a community known for its log cabins! I wish you the best in the new year!
sorry to break it you. Time won’t slow down…it will speed up! I love the little houses and the parachutes I think I see there are too cute!
Happy New Year, Anna!
Love the log cabin!
S.W.A.K.
Oh my gosh.. what a creative lot you are! I think it was rigged too.. perhaps you need independent judges, and we are all impartial online, so how about some online voting??? LOL I did like the sleigh wash, and the jump school, the shed was cute too, but the log cabin was a truly inspired idea! I love the clothesline too (us pioneers in australia still have clotheslines)…
take care and happy 2010 to you :O) (its 2010 already in australia)
I figured it was about time for the gingerbread house post!! I love them all. You all are so talented. I’d probably still be smearing on the icing. Have a great New Years.
They are so cute!
All of them are winners to me and what a fun family event.
I love the whole idea you guys got going.
Happy New Year!
Obviously creativity genes abound in your family! What a great set of gingerbread houses. I don’t think I could pick a “best”, they’re just all so good!
Those gingerbread houses are amazing! Love the clothesline, and the jump school is great. I can see why your sister won with the garden shed– it’s adorable. Gosh, I agree with you about wanting (needing) to slow down next year. It’s been wonderful being home this week and having lots of time to do things like cook and read and knit and take walks. Happy new year to you, Anna! I’ve so enjoyed reading your blog this year and look forward to more in 2010.
OMG what an amazing village of houses – love all the details – what a creative bunch you are!
Best wishes for 2010 Anna!
Wow!!! So much creativity there!!
I do love your log cabin!!!
Happy New Year Anna!!
next year, WE get to vote, then YOU win!!!
SB got master gardener?
I want to be master something…. hmm… i’ll have to think on that.
“master procrastinator”
“master fabric stash builder”
i’m sure we could come up with SOMETHING.
i’m scheduling in all the stuff i WANT to do and squeezing in the garbage, that’s my plan for 2010.
oh, and there is that tiara class, would you take up a blog collection for me, so i can go and take that class please, thanks.
happy new year.
you’re the best.
:waves madly from the other side of the country!!
Happy New Year, Anna! Hope you have a good one.
Those gingerbread houses are just beautiful. We did one last year, but I didn’t get my ar$e in gear to get a kit this year. Pah … next time!
x
I love the gingerbread houses.That is so neat that you all do that together. In my family there would be icing flying. lolol Wonder if I could get my boys to do that next year? It looks like so much fun.
Happy New Year to you and your family Anna.
This is the best post I’ve read all year. I think there is a lot of competitive spirit in your family which makes for a whole lot of fun. I can remember my family competing to dress a Barbie and Ken and it was not clean after we had been drinking, lol. This reminded me of those fun times.
Now if time slows down, it’ll be beacuse your bored and we can’t have that. Here’s to the happy healthy Nwe Year.
Oh Anna, the gingerbread houses are wonderful. The Jump House was our family’s favourite :o) Miss Nineteen is still laughing at last year’s strip bar :o) Happy New Year to you all! toni xxx
We did a few too but nothing as creative as your lot! Very clever! Love that garden shed!
Happy New Year to all in Thimbleannaland!
Happy New Year, wow, those are some amazing houses (gosh our are sooo boring) You and your family I can tell know how to make the most of a celebration. I look forward to see what you are up to this year xoxoxo Clarice
Happy New Year to you and your family! Is it really a year since the last batch of gingerbread houses? You are absolutely right, wouldn’t it be wonderful if time slowed down a bit… Hope you’re having a fabulous New Year’s Day, do you get to eat the gingerbread houses… (I hope they’re not glued together with mashed potato!)
Kimx
I wish you a very happy year in the months to come. Mine has started peacefully which is exactly what I wanted. My Christmas plans were carefully minimized so I could relax this year and it was the best decision I’ve made in a long time. This past week has been the most restful I can recall and I’ve not done a lot — just enjoyed the moments and kept it all stress-free. This has resulted in my ability to embrace this new year with a happy and peaceful heart. I love that and wish the same for you.
Happy New Year, Anna! I’m not partial or anything…but my vote is for your log cabin :) Have a beautiful weekend.
Love,
Amy
What a fun family you have! I like your log cabin. Happy New Year, Anna!
Happy New Year!
Yes, I’m wondering also, do you all eat your beautiful creations? What fun. I also wish that time would start slowing down–the years really do go by faster! I guess that the only thing we can do about it is to try and appreciate each day and “be present” rather than thinking about a million things at once–how’s that for some new age philosophy for the New Year?
Oh, I have been waiting very patiently to see these houses. I think they are all darling, your log cabin was a cute idea. I really think though that Sweetie Pie and husband did a really creative take on it this year….they were robbed. Pass that along to them. :) Perhaps she should go into cake decorating, she has a real talent for the piping, I agree.
Ooh, Anna! I love them!
Yup I think there was some chit chatting early on and it was rigged. They are all adorable and very well thought out – but I missed seeing a “naughty one” – is that wrong, LOL.
Hugs and Happy New Year – Mrs. Farmhouse
Happy New Year Anna. Time slowing down would be great!
Wonderful gingerbread creations Anna – I just love the sleigh wash!
I know just what you mean about time flying. At the millenium we were celebrating with our six week old baby boy. Tonight, he’s out on a sleepover with his little sister!
Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2010.
xxx
I would have voted for you, Anna! I mean really, a clothesline? Perfect! I loved every single gingerbread house. You are a very clever lot. :)
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Well, I would have voted for your lovely gingerbread house. The clothesline was priceless! :)
I just love your new little puppy. He is adorable. I saw a goldendoodle once in the pet store. His name was Lenny and was HUGE! (just a warning!) We have 2 labs and have discussed getting a Labradoodle. I will be watching to see how little Teddy grows!
Those are all awesome. What a talented family you have. :) I especially like the “log cabin” looking house.
Happy New Year!
They are all wonderful but I too have quite a soft spot for the log cabin and clothes line – it’s beautiful!
Wow, amazing entries as always!! They are all winners and sweetiepie definitely has a nice touch with the icing.
Happy 2010!!!
Awesome houses! Many happy wishes going out to you and your family for 2010! Glad to have found you in Blog Land!
They all look amazing. Well done to all the competitors! (I hope they all cleaned up their own mess after they’d finished!)
Happy New Year to you and all your family, Anna.
Happy New Year Anna, tot you and your family!
The gingerbread pictures are fantabulous!!!
They are all absolutely brilliant! And I love your washing line! I would have voted for it I’m sure!
Happy New Year! Lucy x
Hi Anna, loved Sweet Pie’s and hubby’s house! Thanks so much for sharing all the great photos! Just had to come by and let you know that Cath Kidston’s Make is finally on sale at Amazon US, starting from Jan. 5th in case you and friends want to check it out :-)
Here is the URL:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312596863/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
I can’t believe it, your house didn’t get a vote? The log cabin and shingled roof is so cute! Although I, too, have fallen for the flower pots and the candy trees. Yours should’ve easily been in the top three. Either way, they’re all fab! Next year I’ll get us a kit, for the kid to play with. Happy New Year!
It is a tradition that fascinates me. We dont have it here, but I love seeing pics of yours.
As for Teddy Rose…just takes my breath away with his utter gorgeousness! I hope his sisters soon adopt him into the fold… and dont teach him the Yap tradition! I am afraid our Honey taught our Leo that nasty tradition, & it is taking years to break him!! LOL.
Happiest of Years for 2010, for you & yours Anna, & thanks for being a constant loyal friendXX
Those are amazing houses…I think you should run your own poll on your blog for an unbiased winner ;oP (I’d vote for yours…it was the best) LOL
I hadn’t really hit me that we were ending a decade until they started showing Top 50 shows for the noughties! Has it really been 10 years since Y2K? Wow that’s gone fast!
oh my oh my oh my….
I’m completely speechless!!! they are all soooo completely amazing.
wow.
Oh Anna this might be the most amazing thing I have ever seen! You guys are totally awesome! I bet that was insanely FUN! Do you have pics from last year??? I gotta see what you guys did with the ummm yeah. I just gotta see that!
Well, those turned out nice! What do you do with them afterwards? I never know what to do with the ones dd made. I guess after they’v been sitting around long enough, I just toss them by accident! lol Love the idea of a contest! Happy New Year! Cheers!
Wow! These are amazing – what fun!! My girls would love to do this! I don’t think I’d have the energy… :>)
oh i do so love how you have so much fun together as a family and i just loved all the houses , fantastic ideas from everyone. My sis bought Milo a gingerbread train for christmas , haven;t got around to doing it yet probably this weekend ..
Wow, you were busy! Hope you have a great 2010 and I so look forward to visiting as much as I can. It’s back to work for me tomorrow, sigh….I am so sad. I love being at home.
Wow, each one is great! I want time to slow down too only it can slow down after our son gets back from deployment.
Hi Anna!
You have been awarded the Beautiful Bloggers Award!
Congratulations! Come visit to read about it:
http://wendysbees.blogspot.com/2010/01/just-let-me-catch-my-breath.html
WendyBee
What fun and what memories you’re creating. I won’t say you were robbed because the garden shed is darling, but maybe it should have been a tie, ha, ha. Thanks for sharing your family’s wonderful tradition.
holy gingerbread houses! will your family adopt me! you bake cookies together, gingerbread houses, what a family! the family that bakes together stays together????
lovely as usual!
happy new year!
Corrie:)
Great Hats! I love the snow covered thimbles as a banner along with my favorite blue and white polka-dot side panels, but I have to say that the red and white sure was nice! Really cheerful, but then again, everything always looks great on your blog!
S.W.A.K.
Hey!
If you figure out how to make time slow down, kindly send along the recipe.
:)
WOW. You are ALL so creative! I love your use of the pretzel sticks. I may have to steal that idea for my own gingerbread houes this(!) year!
Happy New Year, Anna! I hope 2010 is a good one for you.
no.way Anna! Those are some awesome gingerbread houses!! I love your little clothesline, too cute!
WOW!!!!