Monday, April 18, 2011

A gingerbread themed day

We kept Millie and Ben busy and entertained on a wet and windy day last week by having a themed day. First we had the story of the Gingerbread Man
Then we made some gingerbread people of our own:


And put them in the oven to cook. Please note the pinafore that Millie is wearing, a lovely gift from Jodi of Curious Acorn:
When they were cooked, there was the difficult decision about whether or not to eat them:
But when you are three there is no time for misplaced sympathy for a cookie's feelings!
And Ben joined in too:
Here is the recipe for the gingerbread dough:
Ingredients
4 oz/8tbsp soft brown sugar
4oz/half cup soft butter
6oz/one and a half cups flour
few drops vanilla extract
2 tspn ground ginger
a little milk

Mix all ingredients except the milk (I used a hand held electric mixer but you could use a wooden spoon and the creaming method if you have stronger wrists!). Add sufficient milk to bind the mixture into a soft dough.
Roll out the dough and cut out shapes.
We used chopped raisins for eyes and buttons.

Place cookies on a baking tray and cook in a medium oven (190C/375F/Gas 5) for 10 to 15 minutes.
Leave to cool on a wire rack and gobble up before they run away.

After the clearing up, we played this game:
And Millie had great fun with the little jigsaw fugures
Wind and rain provide great opportunities for staying indoors and having fun!

9 comments:

  1. That looks like an excellent day!!!

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  2. Crinny
    It's good to hear from you! Indeed, we had great creative days when A & T were little.

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  3. e and Val
    It is lovely to be able to spend days like this. The down side of this occasion was they sharing of the virus the children brought with them! It was worth it.

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  4. So delightful! Thanks for the pictures, Maureen. This is what I imagined when I mailed the pinafore. Both my girls had one and wore them for baking. I have a green one packed in my suitcase; I'm heading to Texas to kiss the cheeks of a certain grandbaby. Millie is adorable.

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  5. Jodi, have a wonderful visit with the baby.

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  6. Hi Mo, Having read the G'bread Man to Theo it's a wonder the children are not traumatised by the story - yet they enjoy it. Hope you are all well. It is typical that the sun is shining at home and I am here wrapped up against the cold and rain. Howver, looking forward to Easter weekend - very exciting. Love to all. J

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  7. Hello J
    I could hardly believe the weather reports today that we are having more sunshine than Greece! You'll be pleased to know the potatoes you planted are galloping along. With more sunny days forecast, it looks as if we might be eating some on Easter Sunday.

    Small children seem to enjoy stories that we find gruesome. That said, Millie did check that the gingerbread man she was about to eat wasn't real.

    Enjoy Easter. I'll be in touch.
    Mx

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I love to read your comments and promise that I will reply as soon as I can leave my garden, sewing room or kitchen!