I am sure  blogs across the East Coast are happily announcing the First Snow of the season.  We were a bit surprised here in VA to receive much more snow than anticipated! The timing couldn’t have been better.  We were on our way to a gingerbread house -decorating party given by the family of one of my son’s former classmates.

And what a setting for gingerbread decorating…Amphora Diner – a restaurant group known for their bakery.  We were greeted by Santa when we arrived (see, I told ya they had an amazing bakery….just look at that glass case).  Santa was so sweet and a modern guy at that…..he was snapping pictures too and handed out his email address so we could request copies of his pictures!

There were rows of perfect little gingerbread houses just waiting to take on a candy coating.  Just about every seat in the room was eventually filled.  It was like walking in to a candy shop with all of the confections set out… I think my sons were in heaven!    There was good old fashioned ribbon candy alongside penguin gummis.

The spirit of holiday traditions continued when we returned home.  My husband decided it would be the day to make the annual fruit cake.  There was talk of secret ingredients and how this little tradition started in the first place (my Grandmother).   We may not eat a lot of the fruitcake, but like life, it’s about the memories made a long the way!

And speaking of holiday cooking…thank you to all who have joined in the Artbeads gift certificate give away on my previous post.  I can’t wait to pick the winner/s!!