Preparatory Baking

We spent most of today baking, having spent yesterday, the first day of our holiday, cleaning and tidying. I managed to break my bike (blown out rear wheel), so I've had to order a new wheel, but there you go. Today has been an extravaganza of cooking; stollen for breakfast on Boxing Day, gingerbread houses (presents), bread, mince pies, and muffins (as in breakfast muffins). The mince pies use mincemeat made on New Year's Eve last year, and is delicious.

Gingerbread Village (© Ian 2011)

The village is for the foster-children, hence there being three houses, and three figures (I'm particularly pleased with the reindeer, though I say so myself). Royal icing does make surprisingly good mortar...