Prescott Arizona has an annual gingerbread village display during the holiday season. It's a pretty big hit and this is the 22nd year. Last year was the first time I entered. This was what my entry looked like.
This year I decided to go bigger than last year. Let me just say bigger is NOT always better. My inspiration for this house was Tara, the plantation home of Scarlet O'Hara from Gone with the Wind. I love Gone with the Wind! My husband and I read the book again over the summer. This year the movie is celebrating its 75 anniversary. Because of the movie milestone, at the beginning of October we were able to see the movie on the big screen in Phoenix. Then at the end of October as we drove home from Minnesota, we stopped in Austin, TX to see the making of Gone with the Wind exhibit. After all that Gone with the Wind, I had grand visions in my head.
My grand visions came crashing down fast. I admit I can decorate a cookie blindfolded with one hand tied behind my back, but I can't build a gingerbread house to save my life. The science of getting things square, level and all those measurements. I had one hell of time getting this house together. I didn't have a template to follow. I had to come up with all the dimensions and draw up my own template. This was the part that wasn't any fun. After cutting and baking the gingerbread, I was finally able to get to the fun part of decorating the house. To cover all the walls I used white fondant. I felt it would go quicker, and I would not have wait for drying time to put the windows and doors on. I went back and fourth on the roof, fondant vs royal icing. I finally landed on white royal icing and making it look like snow. The pillars are the only non-edible items on the house.
I will not be making another gingerbread house next year. My husband said to stick to what I'm good at. I'm happy I finished and that the house will be on display. I wish it could have been more grand then how it ended up.
If you are in the Prescott area head over to Prescott Resort for the grand opening of the gingerbread village tomorrow at 10am. They will have hot chocolate and Christmas carolers to get you in the holiday spirit.