This year I made it my goal, nay, my quest to build a tiki style gingerbread house.

First I made my pattern out of construction paper, a 3-D model to figure out weather not I was capable of such a task. When everything was tickety boo I went ahead with the plan. I baked, I whipped, I bought candy I wasn't allowed to eat. Finally, when it was all over I was tired and the house smelled fantastic.

I cleared off the top shelf of my liquor cabinet(I know, I should be shot) to make a nice safe spot for it. With a large dog and two cats around I want this thing to last at least until after Christmas dinner. I chose a classic A-frame model with dual pointy roofs and a puffer fish suspended underneath the main peak.

I'm happy with my creation, and content with knowing that after 10 years I can still create something that will stand up to a magnitude 5 earthquake.

Here it is in full colour.