The big house in my village is Waddesdon Manor, a magnificent French chateau nestled in the fields of Buckinghamshire, built for Baron Ferdinand de Rotschild in the 1890s. The Manor and its contents were gifted to the National Trust in 1957 by James de Rothschild. Every year they decorate parts of the house for Christmas and host art installations. This year, alongside Bruce Munro’s Fields of Light, they also have a gingerbread house unlike any other. I am not at all convinced that this is the best or most appropriate use for foodstuff when so many are hungry in the world, but the craftsmanship is undeniable.
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Sue Vincent is a Yorkshire-born writer and one of the Directors of The Silent Eye, a modern Mystery School. She writes alone and with Stuart France, exploring ancient myths, the mysterious landscape of Albion and the inner journey of the soul. Find out more at France and Vincent. She is owned by a small dog who also blogs.
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The stuff they sell here for building gingerbread houses is really a building material, not food. Even the dogs won’t touch it and they will eat anything that doesn’t eat them first.
I do agree with you, Sue re: “I am not at all convinced that this is the best or most appropriate use for foodstuff when so many are hungry in the world” (the eggs alone would be most welcome as breakfast or dinner, I’m sure) — but at least it helps some baking craftspeople keep food on their family tables. They are truly artists.
NOW, if Waddesdon Manor would charge admission to see it and donate a good chunk of the revenue to an organization that feeds the hungry – or (even better) to stock a soup kitchen run primarily by volunteers – EVERYONE could feel great about this amazing project.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
To be fair to the Manor and the Trust that runs it on behalf of the National Trust, they do a good deal to help in the area and many of the locals are, or have been, employed there.
I made personalized gingerbread people one year (only – never again!), and I can attest to the amount of work involved. My mind boggles when I think of the time these food artists must dedicate. Truly amazing accomplishment.
xx,
mgh
I can certainly attest to the amount of work that goes into making a gingerbread house. I make most of mine as raffles for a charity I support. I may give the tiny furniture idea a go in 2017!
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Most remarkable
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It is. Beautifully done.
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Totally fabulous. The eye to detail, patience and dedication is overwhelming.
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Wedding ccakes are time consuming enough and I’ve done a few of those. This is amazing…if outrageous.
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Extraordinary! A work of art!
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And patience!
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At least it doesn’t have a witch who bakes children as in Hansel and Gretel. Quite an undertaking.
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There are stranger things than witches in this village, Bob 😉 Being a newcomer of a mere 16 years standing, I’m probably still one of them 😉
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The stuff they sell here for building gingerbread houses is really a building material, not food. Even the dogs won’t touch it and they will eat anything that doesn’t eat them first.
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I always made my own, but never to this standard.
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Really great stuff. Thx for sharing!
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🙂
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Wow that is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
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A real piece of work 🙂
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I do agree with you, Sue re: “I am not at all convinced that this is the best or most appropriate use for foodstuff when so many are hungry in the world” (the eggs alone would be most welcome as breakfast or dinner, I’m sure) — but at least it helps some baking craftspeople keep food on their family tables. They are truly artists.
NOW, if Waddesdon Manor would charge admission to see it and donate a good chunk of the revenue to an organization that feeds the hungry – or (even better) to stock a soup kitchen run primarily by volunteers – EVERYONE could feel great about this amazing project.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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To be fair to the Manor and the Trust that runs it on behalf of the National Trust, they do a good deal to help in the area and many of the locals are, or have been, employed there.
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It’s still a marvel! I’ll be linking shortly.
xx, mgh
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It is…a fabulous piece of craftsmanship. x
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I made personalized gingerbread people one year (only – never again!), and I can attest to the amount of work involved. My mind boggles when I think of the time these food artists must dedicate. Truly amazing accomplishment.
xx,
mgh
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500 hours for this one, I believe. xx
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OMG – and I’m complaining about 24. They are surely made of different stuff than I.
xx,
mgh
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I can certainly attest to the amount of work that goes into making a gingerbread house. I make most of mine as raffles for a charity I support. I may give the tiny furniture idea a go in 2017!
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I had a feeling you would like this, Robbie 🙂
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Good Lord – time for lunch. It’s wonderful!
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It is a surprising creation 🙂
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Wow I live just down the road and didn’t realise they did this at Christmas!!
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