Decking The Halls With Soup, Stew and Ginger

Another Tour of Homes...though this time I am a day late. But that's o.k. Last night was our almost-annual "Soup & Stew" party combined with our almost-annual "Gingerhouse Decorating "Party," so I've been a little busy.

It was a really fun time, with 3 families from a previous church whom, together, I think made for a nice chemistry.

Husband made his incredible beef stew, and delicious corn chowder; Shelly brought tamales, and Sheryl and Terri brought fudge! Isn't Christmas-time delicious?

The night before, I stayed up until 1 a.m. constructing 18 little gingerbread (o.k...really graham cracker square) houses. Usually I would score and cut out triangles to fill in the roof, but this year *yawn* I decided that each house should have skylights instead, and I don't think it mattered much to the children. They were too busy with M&Ms, Necco wafers, Pez, and sesame bars to worry much about the houses.

I kept the houses refrigerated until the last minute, hoping the frosting would hold, but two houses collapsed anyway. Thankfully, the oldest girl volunteered hers as a replacement, and the two babies didn't make one after all, so we ended the evening with extras! The Lord is good...because, you know -- when you're under 12, and your house collapses at the Ginger Party -- it can be one of those devastating moments you'll remember forever.

Here's what it looked like 'round here last night after good food and multiple rounds of flashlight tag in the very dark backyard:

First, everybody went to the kitchen table and filled their bowl with various candies because...you know...I'm a germaphobe and kiddos can't help themselves but double-dip their saliva-covered fingertips in the candy bowls. After they had made their choices, they came to the dining room and were given a house and a bag of "glue" (frosting). They were welcome to eat or construct after that.

Some children did very elaborate work (below), while others (like Dumpling, above right) went to bed feeling rather ill, their houses looking a bit bare.

And then the Christmas carols....

Really good friends are the ones who will sing along to your 4-year old (who does not take violin lessons) accompanying on the violin, and playing everything on the E and A strings to the Suzuki rhythm, "Miss-iss-ippi-stop-stop." Thankfully, Fifi played a little louder!

And May God Bless Us...Every One!