Some of you all who visit my Instagram page will already have realized that I have been on a brief, but very enjoyable, U.K. holiday. Yesterday was devoted to getting over my jet lag, and now I want to show you all some photographs that I took on my last full day in London.
By chance, I walked by a Museum of Architecture exhibit called Gingerbread City. I truly urge of you who may live within reach of London to visit this exhibit which will be open daily through December 22. You can find more information about the show at the above link.
When one enters the exhibit, delightful city views appear, each designed by an architect or architectural firm.
It is a delight for children and adults. On the lower floor of the exhibition space, workshops are being held for children, so that they may learn about gingerbread building construction.
My photographs are an attempt to tempt you all to see the show. Not every creation appears in my photographs.
A lovely gingerbread scent wafts up from the workshop area.
I plan to create at least one more post about my holiday, but thought that these views deserved priority treatment.
Now that I am home, I am once again spending many hours in Santa's workshop. Seeing the Gingerbread City definitely enhanced my Christmas spirit!
I took a few pictures that show some of the room beyond the tabletops that house the city.
I've now added my name to the Museum of Architecture mailing list in order to keep up with the organization's future exhibits and plans.
I have never made a gingerbread house myself. I have made gingerbread men. Playing with food was not encouraged during my childhood. Somehow, even now, I think I might still be able to give this construction experience a go.
Have any of you all made gingerbread houses? Maybe this year?
Thank you all so much for visiting and for taking time to leave comments. I truly missed visiting your blogs while on holiday. I've got lots of catching up to do. See you soon.
Marvelous!
ReplyDeleteI have made feeble attempts making gingerbread houses with my grandchildren. They did not come out bad but oh, what a mess we made.
This show is dazzling...I am wondering how many attempts were needed to have each little building turn out so well. xo
DeleteWhat a wonderful time you must have had. A gingerbread city - that must have been impressive. We used to make houses and the kids loved it. I taught art classes once at an alternative school program, another story, and showed them how to make them with little milk cartons. Using royal icing, candies and graham crackers, they were miniature gingerbread houses. I'm certain it was the first time they'd ever done anything like that as most of them were foster kids. You could start small so you don't have to make the whole pans of gingerbread.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I appreciate your advice. The milk carton base sounds like a great method. I have a feeling that any gingerbread baking might have to wait until after Dec 25. The workshop is pretty booked up around here! xo
DeleteWhat an amazing exhibition, I can imagine the lovely spicy smells around the rooms.
ReplyDeleteIt was so full of Christmas spirit...the children I saw getting ready for their workshops looked enchanted by the possibilities. xo
DeleteThis looks absolutely amazing Frances. I never go to London these days - it is just too far from up here and my mobility is not good enough to get around, but how tempting it looks.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that I good so many photographs, Pat. Once I got started, I just couldn't stop. I wanted to be able to let folks have an idea of what was going on in that space. xo
DeleteDear Frances, Oh what fun! And Oh to be a kid again and be part of that experience. And thank you for taking such great photographs. It's almost like being there. Definitely gets me into the Christmas spirit.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I was always part of constructing a Gingerbread House but never made one myself. Those at the Museum are absolutely fantastic.
Gina, there was such a wide range of design approaches on display. Lots of imagination had gone into each edifice. Really fun to see. xo
DeleteWelcome home Frances,
ReplyDeleteLast year Kitt and myself noticed G.B house kits in many stores in North Carolina ,our great grand niece made a glorious mess decorating one of those .
Kitt & Michael
Thanks for the welcome, K & M! Looking forward to seeing you all soon so i can tell you all more about my trip. xo
DeleteLooks wondrous, bet it smelled wonderful too!!
ReplyDeleteIt was pure serendipity to pass by this exhibit while walking back to my hotel. it will be fun to see what other sorts of exhibits the Museum has planned for 2017. xo
DeleteA magical exhibit! Thanks for all the enticing photos.
ReplyDeleteWilma, it's my pleasure to share these delicious city views. The exhibit has a clever concept...and the creations were so great and varied. xo
DeleteI am just enthralled by this exhibit. I like gingerbread and I would be so tempted.
ReplyDeleteI have been studying every photo and I am having a hard time picking my favorite.
One year I went to Cambridge at Christmas time, to pick up my son and take him back home after he was through with classes. I lived out my tourist fantasies walking around Cambridge, driving all around Yorkshire and London. Seeing all the holly at the flower stands, the butcher windows and the bakeries. I loved every second. It was cold a bit snowy and so much fun. I came home full of Christmas cheer. I will never forget it.
I can not wait to see more photos.
cheers, parsnip
Parsnip, I enjoyed reading your comment so much. I wish that I could have taken photographs of every single part of the gingerbread city...the way in which the "neighborhoods" were arranged was very artful and witty, too.
DeleteCambridge is a lovely place at any time of the years, but around Christmastime it's truly special. And, to be able to walk around with folks who live in the area makes it even more special.
I will be sprinkling some more posts about my travels soon. Meanwhile, do have a look at my Instagram pix and videos if you find the time. xo
How I wish I had time to visit that gingerbread creation. I have made gingerbread houses in the past but certainly nothing on that scale. It was lovely to see you on your UK visit Frances. Xx
ReplyDeleteI know that you would have Loved the exhibit! It was splendid on so many levels, and yet had a sweet naive component, too. I signed up for the organization's mailing list because I suspect that they have more delights planned. xo
DeleteOh Frances, so you swapped one city for the other. Sorry, I missed that you were away but it was so secretive ;-). I am sure you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteDear Bayou, when I realized how brief my UK visit would be, I decided not to mention it in the blog before I took off for Heathrow. I was not sure how I would be able to get together with many folks whom I would so like to see.
DeleteThere is always another opportunity...I am already looking forward to 2017...maybe springtime. xo
What a wonderful time to visit London! I'll have to pop over to your instagram (for the first time) to see what else you took in. Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteOver the decades, I've visited London all around the year, but truly do love it in December. (May is another favorite.)
DeleteThanks so much for your comment, Shawn. I'll be doing some more London posts this week.
Truly spectacular!
ReplyDeleteAs were your delicious Christmas cookies!
Elizabeth, you would have loved this show. The display table was a height that also allowed young children to see everything.
DeleteGlad you liked the cookies...baking season has begun. xo
Thank you so much Frances for the link it looks wonderful. I am planning on going to the V & A this week to see the Christmas tree also Harrods windows so will definitely go and see it. The photos are brilliant and reminder me of when my Daughter took me to New York 2 years ago and my grand daughter brought tickets for us to go to the Botanical Gardens to see the American buildings in miniature it was a beautiful evening.
ReplyDeleteThank you once again.
Enjoy your week.
Hazel c uk
Hazel, I'm so glad you liked this post, and also glad that you'll be visiting the V&A as well as the Gingerbread City.
Delete(I admit being just a tad disappointed in the Harrods windows, having really enjoyed some of their displays in past years. Same for Peter Jones at Sloane Sq. The Liberty and Fortnam's windows had lots of charm.)
The Botanical Gardens train display with the NYC buildings built from plants is amazing!
Please do visit again.
I hope you had a wonderful visit to London, Frances, and thank you for sharing this - I hadn't heard about it. It looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteI used to make gingerbread shapes for the Christmas tree when my sons lived at home, and there were always lots left over for eating straight away. The scent is delicious. Looking forward to more posts about London xx
Dear Marianne, London was fun as it always is for me. Hoping my next trip will be a longer one, because it would be great to meet you.
Deletexo
Sometimes the intensity of short trips results in the best memories! I have never made a gingerbread house, but I used to make gingerbread cookies every Christmas. I made them in the shape of hearts, and frosted them with pink almond flavored frosting. Perfect with a cup of tea in the afternoon. That gingerbread city was magical! So glad you got to see it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your own gingerbread memories, Carol. I am beginning to think that I might be baking some gingerbread soon myself. Quite inspired...although I won't be building a house. xo
DeleteYou seem skilled at sniffing out fascinating exhibits! I've never constructed a gingerbread house but while in Yorkshire at the weekend we visited Nostell Priory which is beautifully decorated for Christmas with many gingerbread decorations including a gingerbread village, each house had its own individual style and charm and some where surrounded with snowy hedges/walls made of marsh mallows. I think that white marsh mallows could be used to construct very convincing igloos in a snowy winter scene.
ReplyDeleteHope you are cosy and warm in your apartment, we are now home from our short vacation 'up north' and feeling Christmassy.
Love C xx
Celia, as I was knitting away this afternoon hoping to finish another Christmas gift, I was thinking about my visit to Cambridge just a week ago, on that misty day.
DeleteNostell Priory sounds like a perfect destination for mid-December. I will add a note to my little travel journal.
I really enjoyed your reporting about your visit to the sculpture garden's exhibits.
Yes, it's quite cosy in my apartment...so cosy that I almost feel asleep sitting up this afternoon. It's about time for me to start addressing envelopes for Christmas cards...I hear there might be a Postal strike in the UK, so want to get my mail on the move soon. xo
Oh, these are wonderful! I've always wanted to make a gingerbread house but get way too busy at this time.
ReplyDeleteVicki, the news in your current post is so fabulous.
DeleteI know that you would have enjoyed seeing the Gingerbread City...it was inspired! I am going to take a break from immersion in Santa's workshop to post some more pictures from London, while I am still full of travel joy.
xo
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