Making Sweet Memories!

Thanks to the Genschal Family for sharing the video of their family Gingerbread House day! What a sweet way to make memories! Their video captures the day from the beginning assembly to the finished product. Your house looks great!

Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen

and Rudolph of course!  Marshmallows make great reindeer.  All you need is large marshmallows, pretzel sticks, mini pretzels, icing, and m&m's.  Simply break your mini pretzels into antlers and stick into the top of a large marshmallow.  Add pretzel sticks for legs, and use a dab of icing to adhere your nose (m&m).  You could always add eyes using mini m&m's or mini chocolate chips.  Have fun making Christmas memories and let your imaginations run wild! 

Food Allergies?

Candy Cottage is a great way for children with food allergies to share in the holiday fun! Traditional gingerbread houses can present problems for those with allergies to eggs, gluten, wheat, or a number of other items. With the Candy Cottage, you can create a safe environment for a child to make wonderful Christmas memories!

It's Beginning to Look...

Yea, I know, it is not Christmas yet, but I am beginning to see the decorations, the lights, the trees... I am thankful for my family, and can't wait to celebrate on Thursday.  I do love, however, the whole month of December!

Candy Corn on the Cob

So I hope you saved your extra candy corn, because I have an adorable use for the leftover goodies..."Candy" Corn on the Cob! I know, I know, its almost too much.  I first saw the idea on an Instructables blog.  I decided to make my cob completely edible. Rather than using raw sugar cookie dough, I bought marzipan, which you can find in the baking aisle.  The cob didn't take long, and was very cute.  I can't wait to add it to my Thanksgiving Candy Cottage.  

Candy Corn on the Cob

-Marzipan

-Candy Corn

Microwave your marzipan just long to soften it a tad, 20 seconds or so.  After it is softened, simply add your candy corn.  Continue to shape your marzipan into a cob shape as you press your candy.  My cob took less than 5 minutes to make.  Enjoy!

Harvest Flowers

Inspired by all of the beautiful colors outside, I made Harvest Flowers to celebrate Fall.  These tasty flowers are easy to make, would look great decorating any Thanksgiving Cottage, and leftovers would look lovely on a dessert table.  Once again, get the kids involved in helping you.  Little hands can easily sort your M&M's in search of fall colors. 

Harvest Flowers

-M&M's sorted into fall colors of your choice

-Melting chocolate

-Pretzel snaps

Melt your chocolate according to directions.Spread a thin amount of chocolate on your pretzel snap, and set on a wax paper covered surface.

 I learned that less chocolate is more the hard way.  I then placed my M&M's in a circular pattern around a center candy.  Simply wait for your flowers to harden.  Yes, they are that easy!!!

Stock up!

Halloween might be over, but candy corn and pumpkin season isn't! Stock up for a Thanksgiving Cottage! What better way to spend Thanksgiving than making memories with your family?! (After napping, of course!)