Liebster Blog Award

Thank you Jennifer. I was a little surprised and blessed on Tuesday morning when I got a message and note from Jennifer over at Little Homeschool on The Prairie conferring the Liebster Blog award to me. 

Jennifer started her blog back in April this year and has just written a book.  I love taking a look at her Craft Monday's posts she has some great ideas for super easy crafts to enjoy with your children.

About the award

Liebster is German and translated means ‘dearest’ or ‘valued’ but it can also mean ‘favourite’ The award is given to talented bloggers who have 200 followers or less, it is a way to show appreciation for other blogs, bring attention to their work and encourage new connections.

This is what is needed to accept the award:

• Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
• Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
• Give your top 5 picks for the award (I need to cheat on this one sorry)
• Inform your top 5 by leaving a comment on their blog.
• Post the award on your blog.

I would like to confer this award to:
I’d love to pass this honor on to some great blogs I've found that embody that description.  Will you join me in encouraging these homeschool moms and bloggers?

• Chelle from Last in Line.I really enjoy Chelle's blog posts, she loves to share her experiences and encourage other homeschool moms in the process.
• Nadene from Practical Pages Nadene has a heart for the homeschool comunity.  She is creative and loves to find beautiy in the world around her and encourages you to enjoy your family in your journey of homeschooling.  Nadene also has some great free resources available on her blog.
• Alecat from Serenades and Solace.Alecat is an encourager at heart and shares her journey with her two children and life at home..
• Erin at Seven Little Australians and Counting  I enjoy visiting Erin for her encouraging posts. Erin has practical advice and encouraging posts.
• Vicky over at Creating with Wisdom. Vicki's thoughts and insights encourage and inspire me daily.
• Collette over at The Art of Being Mama.  I first discovered Collette's blog via Pinterest.  I love her photographs and gentle words.  She shares some really practical ideas and encourages you as Mom and home educator.

Blessings to you all

Gingerbread House - Part III Construction

Part One - Making Gingerbread.

Part Two- Royal Icing

The number one rule is: PATIENCE  Allow ample time between each step to allow the icing to completely dry.  This will give your house the best possible structural integrity and help prevent collapses.

• Place a thick line of royal icing along each side of each side wall.
• Press sides together
• Hold up with tins from your pantry
• Wait till dry.  Approximately 2 hours 

• Fill the center of your house with something.  I filled this one with some little toys for the family.
• Place a thick line of icing along the roof line of the house.
• Place something to support the roof along the side of the house until the roof glue has set. I am using two Tupperware mini tumblers.
• Place the roof in place resting on the supports.
•  Do the same for the other side.
• Allow at least two hours to dry and set.

Completed House

To make the grass look I mixed some coconut with green food colouring and sprinkled it around the base.

Trouble Shooting

• I had a problem with a house roof collapsing and the cause was the environment was too humid. The gingerbread pieces had absorbed water and softened.  To correct the issue I put the pieces back in a cool oven (the lowest temperature my oven would go to) and dried the pieces out.  I then put a thin layer of icing on the back of the roof to fortify it before constructing the house.
• I had walls collapse once too.  I had used water icing to glue the grass (green coloured coconut) in place and the liquid had absorbed up the walls.  I now place a line of royal icing along the complete base of my house and use a runny royal icing to glue the coconut grass. 

If you have made a gingerbread house and blogged about it please leave a link in the comments section as I would love to see what you made.

Blessings

Gingerbread House Tutorial - Royal Icing.

Part One - Making Gingerbread.

Part Three - Construction

Patience and more patience is the key to making gingerbread houses.  Give yourself a generous amount of time to allow the royal icing (the glue) to set.

Making Royal Icing.

Ingredients.

• 1 Large Egg White
• 450 grams / 1 lb PURE icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
• glycerin (I don't use this)

** Make sure you use PURE icing sugar and NOT a icing mix.  Icing sugar mixes contain other ingredients and when used wont set.

Method:

• Make sure your bowl and utensils are dry
• Separate the egg.
• Beat egg white till soft
• Slowly add icing sugar and beat well between each addition.
• When you have a thick mix
• Add in the Lemon juice.
• Continue adding sugar until your icing holds it's peak.  It should be quite thick but not dry.  It needs to hold a stiff peak.

Next 

• Gather your ideas.  I have kept photo's of past houses, magazine cut outs, Christmas cards, Advertising mailers etc and Google has some great images.

Ready to decorate

• I used to use a material icing bag but don't anymore.  The egg white tends to ooze through the material and make your hands very sticky.  I now use a plastic icing bag with my icing nozzle.  
• When setting icing aside cover it with a damp tea towel or else it will dry and set.

Making roof tiles.

• 1 pack of wafer biscuits.
• Cut the wafer in half 
• Separate the wafer to make thinner tiles.

• Cover the roof section with a thick coat of icing.
• Stagger the tiles on the roof section.

Completed roof sections

Decorate:

• Stock up on lollies and decorate the side panels
• I used mini M & M's

Now wait for the icing to set rock hard.

Blessings