This past weekend I held the last of the Gingerbread House Decorating Events….
It all started in Maja’s Kitchen ….on December 1st and 2nd, December 8 and 9 and this past weekend December 15 and 16. where the children and their adult companions decorated the pre-built Graham Cracker houses for about 2 hours….At that time everyone takes off their aprons and washes their hands and gather’s in the foyer….where I give them some instructions of how behave at Tea…
It is important that they understand that there is NO running, NO pushing, that the Ladies/girls go first and that it is most improper to fill one’s plate to the brim….and then leave half on the plate to be thrown away. I tell them that is an insult to the hostess….One needs to take three or four pieces from the buffet and go back as often as they like to take again only a very few pieces onto their plate.
Then I ask the littlest/youngest child to give his or her hand and we slowly go down some very dark stairs…and at the bottom of the stairs they have the first full view of the candles all glowing in their full splendor illuminating the buffet table.
It is with pleasure that I hear their outburst of surprise not only from the children but from the adults as well. This is the moment when my heart is full of pleasure and gratitude that I have a home where I can not only open my home to people but also my heart…
The photographs of the houses in this gallery
were decorated by children
ages 4 to 10 years old
with a little help from mom, dad or grand-mom….
and sometimes a grand-dad, aunt or even an uncle!
For all my friends
I wish a most Blessed Christmas
and
the Happiest New Year!
So good to see these faces, in light of the national news. Merry, merry Christmas
David….thank you for your very nice note and message….all the best wishes to you for a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a most fantastic 2013!
Another memorable year ! Everyone did a great job especiallyyou and Dale. Have a wonderful Christmas with your grandchildren:-))
Dear, dear Jill….thank you for your nice note….yes, it was great fun….we had over 70 children and that many adults come through our home these past three weekends….and every child left with sparkling eyes and a glow on their little faces……Wishing you and your whole family a most Happy and Blessed Christmas and a great 2013….love and hugs to you….
What a wonderful experience for the kids! Not only the making of their own gingerbread houses, but the magical moment when they see the candles and the beautiful table set before them. It will be a memory for a lifetime for them and their adult companions observing their joy. I’m sure that they felt that it was money well spent…and that they recieved much more than they had ever anticipated.
Hi Patti….what a nice note….thank you for your thoughtful words…it has been fun and so rewarding knowing that I have helped create memories for so many children and parents….as you are doing working with the children at St. Vincent’s….it is a gift that God has given us and we are using that gift as He intended….
Thank you for your Friendship…..
Wishing you a most Happy Christmas and a wonderful 2013!…..
such lovely pictures!! It looked like everyone REALLY enjoyed your workshop!!!
Renate….thank you for you nice note….we did have a great time these past three weekends…and hope to do it again next year…..
Wishing you and Fred a most Blessed and Merry Christmas, and best wishes for a wonderful 2013!
Love and hugs to you…..
Betty Ann Litvak …..via FB
You are amazing! Have a wonderful Christmas season!
Hugs, BA
from – Sheila Crye……via FB
Maria, thanks for sharing the beautiful photos of children (and some parents) beside the gingerbread houses they decorated.
Each picture is a story!
Wow! Just wow!!!
Thanks for the…”wow”….Melanie……wishing you a most wonderful Christmas and a very successful 2013….may all your dreams and wishes come true…
Hugs to you….
Thank you for bringing so much joy and unforgettable memories to so many! Judy Anderson, grandmother of Connor and Logan Cavey
Hi Judy…..thank you for your very nice comment……your daughter and her boys are very special to me….Becky is a wonderful mom….and a sweet friend….
it was great meeting you this past weekend….and am happy you were in town to be with your family decorating GH at Maja’s Kitchen…
Hope to see you here again next year.
Wishing you a most Wonderful and Blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Love, love, love the photos of the children with their houses! What a precious gift they are to this world.
from Phyllis Vendemia….via email!
so cute
have a happy holidays with family and friends
hope to SEE you in 2013
phyllis