It is not the weekend, but since it is a public holiday (Finnish Independence Day) it is close enough, so counts as a weekend. And, since I took most of Monday off as well, it double counts.
And you can see what we did.
Gingerbread.
Best time of year.
Though, this is Gluten-free ready-mix, so it isn't the greatest to eat, but fun to make together and decorate together.
I took a few photos, but with my wife having a broken finger on her dominant hand, I didn't have much of a chance to se anything up, as I was doing the messy stuff.
Which is also the fun stuff.
We used the cookie cutters on a cutting board, because while it is pretty sure cutting onto the stone surface will be fine, due to the price just recently paid, we are not willing to take the risk. Better safe than sorry, right?
Foxes, stars, hearts and bears.
The fox had a bit of a story too it, as when I used to travel for work, I would ask Smallsteps what she would like as a gift and instead of making it easy, she would give "prompts" instead. The fox was from a trip to Vienna - from a Christmas Market, where I also enjoyed a little Gluhwein.
After Vienna Christmas markets, the local ones don't stack up.
After about 5 minutes in the oven (we made 6 trays full), it was time to let them cool a little abd start decorating with sugar... and a little more sugar.
While Smallsteps was able to cut properly for the first time, the tube of sugar was still a little hard for her to squeeze out cleanly. Though, that could be because the temperature in our house is unfortunately quite cool, as we haven't had the chance to put insulation against the ceiling of the basement, so the cold is pouring through the floor. It is not going to be great when the real winter arrives.
.
While this wasn't the most difficult thing to do, it was nice to use the kitchen together as a family. Now, while a bit cold inside, the entire house smells like gingerbread, so it isn't all bad.
And of course, every year, my wife just can't help herself...
So immature.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
If the bear continues, maybe an Onlyfans for smutty gingerbread scenes can keep the wolves from the door.
There must be a nude baking channel there or something, right?
These minutes are very valuable, these minutes on the days before Christmas will forever remain in the memory of the child. Joint creativity.
Recently I gave my son a meat grinder to spin, which I used to spin in my school years, in the 80s. I told my son - this thing will live for a long time, perhaps your children and grandchildren will use it.
I think these are the best things to do around this time of year. I am also going to probably try to make my own homemade Gluhwein at some point too (Glögi in Finnish), as I hear it is pretty easy :)
This is cool! I like the idea of some continuity across the generations, rather than buying into the constant consumerism of use and throw away. I wish I had some of the things I grew up with.
Very nice activity for the whole family. The memory of this is priceless.
Yeah, it is always fun to cook together. :)
The pictures (a beauty) show the preferences of the baby making the figures in those delicious cookies.
Little steps you have wonderful parents, and she recognizes them for the great treasure they represent in her life. These family photos are a great gift to you as a family this Christmas 2022.
Beautiful moment Mr Taraz, you're always making a difference 👏👏
Have a great Christmas yourself!
Thanks the same to you and family in the way of a Merry Christmas
Hey buddy.
I was promised some bread but only got to find out that you're getting some pipari.
Thankfully, no bun in the oven.
What the... how did you know I just now took a set of (sourdough) korvapuusti from the oven?
I mean, it seems neither you or we have a bun in the oven.
Edit: added a comment about the korvapuusti being sourdough korvapuusti.
Good job from Smallsteps. The kitchen looks dark, I think it is not a good light to cook something, but eating :)
The lights were dimmed and I flattened the images a bit more - I don't like it too bright in there so we barely have the lights up unless "serious cooking" :)
What a way to spend the "weekend": there sure isn't a better way to do so than with family.
I have never made cookies myself, but it sure looks fun. I see Smallsteps is having fun making her foxies.
And for the photos, they look so nice! I love the tone to the color grading. And sorry about your wife's broken finger. I do hope it gets better for her quicker. She still managed to make really nice cookies.
She was really enjoying both the making and decoration - plus, she got to eat one or two as well, so it made it all worthwhile.
You should give cookies of some kind a go - though, it is probably better to give them as presents, than eat too many of them :)
I am sure my friends will eat whatever it is I bake as cookies. They'll have no choice. 😅
Hahah that’s awesome your wife sounds like a hot shit, cock gingerbreads and all.
With the lack of insulation in the basement - you could put up the plastic sheeting and staple it to the boards. It’s not as strong as insulation but it’s easy and should provide some barrier. You just need an air gap between the plastic sheet and the actual floor and that acts as enough of an insulation barrier to provide extra warmth. They do it in Alaska with their walls. I may watch a little too much homestead rescue and Alaska shows lol. The walls in Alaska have insulation in them of course but the plastic sheet with the air gap is a great technique since it’s very cost effective. Should work with 4 mil or 6 mil plastic. 10 mil would be great but not sure how hard it is to find. You should be able to insulate the basement enough for maybe 100$ for staples and plastic. We did it on our shitty Windows and it makes a difference to block out the worst of the cold.
That’s a nice and fun family activity for sure! We did gingerbread turkeys the other day for thanksgiving and it was fun. The black frosting ended up being poop and the kids had more fun with that than anything 😝
Unfortunately, the ceiling in the basement is concrete, so it holds the cold very well. It is nice in the Summer! :D
We will have someone come in and have a look at what can be done as a stop-gap measure in a couple weeks I hope. The plan is to put in these thin insulating bats, but they have to be drilled into the concrete, so takes some effort and, they are not the cheapest. However, +100K to heat the basement, they would be there a while....
Gingerbread turkeys?
Bloody awesome...That smile on her face in the third last image. Cheeky monkey.
I'm going to be making gingerbread men with our little bonkers nephew when he gets here later in December...We'll do a video chat with y'all and show you.
That sounds great!
Make sure they are not gluten free ones though!
Lol, yeah only full gluten around here man!
Do you remember the Pizza Hut gingerbread men?
Oh yeah, they were good. Back in the old days of being able to eat in their restaurants before the all closed down. They used to give the kids a colouring in page and coloured pencils, remember? They also used to give service with a smile. All a thing if the past now.
Mmhmm, yep, your wife just can't help herself, sure XP
What did she do to her finger? D:
I swear...trust me.... ;D
Got it jammed in the door. Her own fault really...
We got something different, like a loaf of bread with nuts, chocolate, and Turkish delight. I will get a picture for you when is ready.
I love Turkish delight! But I am the only one in my family who does....
I know. Me too, my wife says that it is too sweet. Even the pistachio with coconut shaves one. Crazy!
Your wife is still taking photos, supervising, and isn’t there a photo of her doing it? Can’t help it?
Back in the days we turned the cookies into ornaments.
She is terrible with the camera and rarely takes photos because of it, but unless I force her, I will look like an absent father looking back.
We made three hearts for the tree too :)
We won't get the tree until just before Christmas though. Will you have a real tree?
No real tree. I have been reusing the same plastic tree for a while now 😁
That is a wonderful experience for your daughter to have... and gingerbread is so tasty!!! Happy independence day!
Gingerbread is the best!
Would love to try and make the german kind, it is fantastic.
That’s some quality family time there. And Smallsteps is doing so well
Yeah, it was nice.
Seeing Small steps doing this by herself is encouraging. It's a pity your wife had a cut on her finger. Getting the insulator won't be a bad idea. I don't like it too cold either. Father daughter baking. Mother I'm sure enjoyed watching you both.
Everyone enjoyed it :)
Really brother you are a good worker at hive and best writer
I also think every holiday is weekend. I am happy to see your with your family. Family is everything. Your kid decorat this food nicely. I will be there and eat this yummy food. I also think every hunband helps his wife in the kitchen. Thanks for sharing this experience with us.
Small steps is a fast learner and always willing to learn which is very good at that age to learn.
happy holiday to you sir i love those amazing pictures