Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cookie Cutter Architecture

I have never in my life attempted to make gingerbread because of other people's horrifying stories of broken houses, gooey icing, and cookies taste anything but Christmas-y... But that doesn't mean I don't wish every year to make an attempt which fades away quickly when I see what others can achieve with this dough!


The tradition of gingerbread dates back to the times when the Crusaders came back from the Middle East bringing with them exotic spices. The countries where it became most popular where Germany, England and France where towns celebrated fairs and people demonstrated their gingerbread creations and later spread to America during Colonial times.

Life size house in Stockholm part of a margarine brand advertisement {Image Credit}

In Sweden the Stockholm City Welfare Mission along with the Swedish Museum of Architecture organize a charity to collect funds and call attention to different topics and this year's was called “Pride and Prejudice: Bake your own pride and burn a few nasty prejudices!” The museum has chosen this theme in support of efforts to prevent bullying and alienation, which are important elements in a socially sustainable society {click HERE for more info}. Everyone from small children to professional bakers are invited to participate... and the results are amazing!





Have a sweet day my friends!
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40 comments:

  1. MelissahNovember 30, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    I've made a gingerbread house and it wasn't all that tricky - just time consuming ..it took all day but you've got to give it a go at least once!
    x
    Melissah

    PS I have set up a new blog http://countrystylechic.blogspot.com if you feel like popping by!

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  2. Kellie CollisNovember 30, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    These are wonderful! It looks like fun! Enjoy the gorgeous day, Kellie xx

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  3. Selvaggia CapizziNovember 30, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    This is a very nice initiative!

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  4. JosieNovember 30, 2011 at 3:50 AM

    I'm a sucker for gingerbread -- YUM!
    xo Josie
    www.winksmilestyle.com

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  5. Blonde hair, Blue jeansNovember 30, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    love the first ones! such a good idea!

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  6. UnknownNovember 30, 2011 at 4:37 AM

    I've never made a gingerbread house but used to make a gooey ginger bread that was fabulous--maybe this will be the year that I make another! It's so yummy warmed up on a cold day with coffee. Hope you are having a wonderful week!

    xo Mary Jo

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  7. JillianNovember 30, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    These are amazing! I always admire people who can make food look like a work of art. It almost looks too good to eat! Almost.

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  8. Chronicles of DolliedaydreamNovember 30, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    oooh these look brilliant! I love the little ones perched on the coffee cups, so cute for Christmas drinks x

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  9. AlysonNovember 30, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    YUM! Love all the gingerbread houses. Great to discover your blog... I'm also a south florida blogger.

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  10. Kristin HNovember 30, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    My mother used to make the most fabulous gingerbread houses... big castles that we were allowed to break 1st. New Years day. Now I am only doing the simple ones... we did them this weekend and will decorate them today. Ah, I enjoy the Christmas time so much:) Have a lovely afternoon!

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  11. roothNovember 30, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    We decorated a zombie gingerbread house two years ago - awesome and scary at the same time!

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  12. little luxury listNovember 30, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    How sweet (in every sense!)

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  13. FashionJazzNovember 30, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    These are super cute!! :) xx

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  14. {The Perfect Palette}November 30, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    so fun :)

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  15. Hilliary MeisnerNovember 30, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    These are so neat! I really want to make a gingerbread house this year! Last year my boyfriend and I bought a kit and all the gingerbread was broken!

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  16. Tiffany KadaniNovember 30, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Love them all! I especially love that last scene. too cute!

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  17. GloriaNovember 30, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    I've never made a gingerbread house from scratch before - it seems way too hard! Those little ones that hang on the rim of your mug are TOO CUTE

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  18. A Crimson KissNovember 30, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    HA-love the houses perched on mugs!

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  19. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I have tried to make a gingerbread house and it was sooo much fun! You have to try it! Whole foods sells almost pre-assembled kits that you decorate...I think I might try it for this year.

    xx

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  20. MariaNovember 30, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    You've inspired me to try making a gingerbread house this year!

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  21. JoNovember 30, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Amaaaazing! I'm tempted to make an attempt at those gingerbread houses on the rims of mugs. Hmmm....

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  22. MarissaNovember 30, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    Do you ever see a post on someone else's blog and wish that you'd thought of it first? Well, you got me with this one! I love it. :)

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  23. UnknownNovember 30, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    I haven't made one since 3rd grade. And I kind of want to make one - but only if we have a kid around to enjoy doing it with me. ANd that is not the case so I guess I'll keep waiting. My niece made one last year and ended up dropping it immediately. She cried pretty hard, poor thing :(

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  24. A Life Un-StyledNovember 30, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    I've not made anything like this ever....and I think I'm too clumsy to start! Love it.

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  25. A Very Sweet BlogNovember 30, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Wow!!! This is an awesome post! I did not know the history behind it. I love the cause and like that everyone participates. I love looking at gingerbread houses. I just don't know if I have the patience to put one together. HAHAHA Thanks for sharing this.
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  26. BonnieNovember 30, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    That life-sized picture is insane!! I can't imagine seeing it in person. I want to visit it now!

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKItten88

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  27. MimiNovember 30, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    i've never tried to make gingerbread houses before, and i probably won't anytime soon, haha! i like looking at professionally-made ones though. ;)

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
    $100 Shopbop Gift Card Giveaway

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  28. UnknownNovember 30, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    this is actually adorable

    raspberrykitsch.blogspot.com

    xx

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  29. Alena: Oh, Its Just Perfect!November 30, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    So amazing!! Growing up, we always made a gingerbread house, but I don't quite remember them looking this pretty :) Oh, and the gingerbread houses on the mugs?!? I want someone to invite me to a party and serve those. You interested? Haha.

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  30. NikkiNovember 30, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    I feel the same way. In fact I had a disasterous time last year...I'll never be Martha.

    That life size one is awesome!

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  31. Jennifer FabulousNovember 30, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    Omg these are AWESOME! I especially love the coffee mug ones and the gingerbread city. Yummy and fascinating. :P I've always wanted to built a gingerbread house, but I always get so overloaded with work around the holidays. I never get around to it. Sigh.

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  32. MoniqueDecember 1, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    thanks for the history and that life size one is awesome!

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  33. Popcorn, Pugs & PeoniesDecember 1, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    I am always in awe of the amazing gingerbread creations that people come up with. I love these pictures (and it was nice learning a little history too).

    *Erin

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  34. Julie and LaurenDecember 1, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    I want to try those mug gingerbread cookies! This post made me hungry and super excited for Xmas!

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  35. AnonymousDecember 1, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    I am definitely going to attempt the mug ones! They are fantastic thanks for this post!!

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  36. SusanDecember 3, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    what clever and festive ideas!

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  37. The Foolish AestheteDecember 3, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    I can't wait for Christmas either and we love gingerbread houses. We traditionally host a small Christmas gathering for my family & cousins and their kids, and we have all the children decorate gingerbread houses. Even our bigger nephews still enjoy the creativity!

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  38. bbDecember 4, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    I am totally stealing that gingerbread mug idea! So cute.

    x. jill
    those ghosts

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  39. HollyDecember 4, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    yah i havent made one for probably 15 years or something. some of those are too cute.

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  40. The Cheese ThiefDecember 19, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    I love all these pictures. Thanks for sharing. I have never made a gingerbread house either. I too always think about making one every year.

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