Gingerbread

One of my passions is making gingerbread houses.  Several years ago I took a class at King Arthur Flour in Vermont with Roland Mesnier, a former White House Pastry Chef,who shared his secrets for great gingerbread construction.  My kitchen now boasts a band saw which I use exclusively for gingerbread. Over the years I've created a lighthouse, a log cabin, a church, a potato house and a saw mill for my folks.  My mom always asks what to do with it once Christmas is over and I tell her to throw it in the yard for the birds and squirrels to enjoy.  Inspired, I created small gingerbread birdhouses decorated with bird seed. They make great gifts for people who don't need anything.... they're pretty to look at and once the holidays are over, just throw them outdoors!.  No dust collectors here!