I don’t know what possessed me but I did it again. Bought an IKEA gingerbread house flatpack just like I did in December 2015.
Clearly, I had no recall of the promise I made myself not to revisit this particular venture.
(On a side note, that is why, I now remember, I wrote a Note to self on the meringue recipe.)
Last time, it was a construction DISASTER as you can see by the evidence.
I am happy to report that this year’s gingerbread house worked out. Obviously I had learnt some important construction lessons. TRH (The Retired Husband) was dubious. He was – justifiably – c0ncerned that I had yet again overloaded the roof. To the contrary, I assured him. It may look overloaded, but the ‘snow’ was made of teeny, tiny little marshmallows cut in half.
I completed most of the decorating prior to assembly, figuring this was the safest option. The less disturbance to the final product, the better seemed the wisest plan of action.
One of the neighbours kindly came over to help with the tricky bits of assembly. Namely the building itself. Much as it would be enormously useful in this part of the construction phase to have as many arms as an octopus, I am limited to two. TRH, I decided, was all thumbs. I needed dainty, delicate, hands.
I must add here that I had decided to ignore the construction glue recipe provided in the flatpack and bought some ready made stuff. That was the wrong thing to do. TRH offered to give me some proper glue. I declined. On the basis that it quite possibly is toxic and not designed for human consumption.
But it would hold it together, he said.
No doubt, I muttered, deep in the throes of problem solving.
Of course the solution was simple. Just use the recipe provided with the pack! So I did. It worked. Over a period of four days the house took shape. Slow and steady, letting each glued section dry before adding another.
The final laying on of the roof was a tense moment. I added one half. Propped it up. Left it for half an hour. Just as I noticed it was beginning to sag in the middle, TRH walked in.
Do you think I should add the other half, I asked anxiously?
Of course! he said looking at me as if I was mad. Otherwise it will collapse.
So I did. Here it is – finished.
Given the uncontrollable foibles of the weather, which contributed to the last disaster, I gifted the house to my youngest son for his upcoming Christmas party with his friends. It has left the building and is now entirely his responsibility.
© Raili Tanska
Steps for Peace
Celebrate challenges, success, learning. It’s all good. Me
Wow awesome, Raili and you have done a great job. Amazing thanks for share.
Thanks 🙂
Welcome.
If you completely fill it with chocolate there is no possibility of it collapsing!
Now why on earth didn’t I think of that !
Excellent idea!
I will have to remember that one if there is a next time 🙂
Wow, looked so good, well done 👍
Thanks 🙂 I was really please with this one
Very cute! I haven’t made a gingerbread house in years. I always found it a fun challenge, lol.
It is that – a fun challenge 🙂
It looks lovely, but a fun challenge? That’s not the way I would describe it; more of a brave (or do I mean foolish 🙂 ) venture. I made one once – it aged me by about 20 years 🙂
You’re right – I was pretending 🙂
Thought so…
you are brave! And to think it transported! wow! good for you-and the house is adorable!
Awww, thanks !
looks good Raili, well done.😊
Thanks !
It’s beautiful! Well done.
Marvellous job! Like Jane said, you are brave. This would have made me sprout several grey hairs 🙂
Luckily mine are hidden – I’m sure there’s more than several !
LOL! Even IKEA’s gingerbread houses are next to impossible to assemble 😂😂. You did a great job! It looks so cute!
Thanks! The flatpack furniture is a cinch in comparison 🙂
Lovely indeed. I’ve never taken on that challenge, and have explained far and wide, I never shall. lol. I do love seeing the results though. 🙂
A very wise decision 🙂
My grand kids did a lovely job of theirs without any assistance 🙂
Clever little vegemites !
lol, indeed! they are. lol