Gingerbread Houses

It's been a long week this week. We are all anxious and ready for Christmas.
The kids are out of school, Chris has been at work all week. Most of our family is out of town.
We are in the middle of stomach flu passing through the family - Of course! Like clockwork it came again for our Christmas festivities.  Why can't it come in February? Why every year at Christmastime? So strange, so strange.  Stomach Flu means we are mostly indoors, not able to do much, and mostly alone (Nobody wants to come near.)

It's been a long week.

We did manage Gingerbread houses earlier in the week.

I like to do graham cracker ones.

I use this frosting/glue recipe:
3 egg whites at room temp.
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. cream of tartar.
Combine all ingredients and beat for 7-10 min.* The beating for 10 min.+ seems to get it to right consistency. If you want it thicker add more sugar.

I find it better with kids to make the house - then let it sit overnight and decorate the next day.
It makes for sturdier houses, instead of falling apart, slipping everywhere, kids crying, and complaining.
You can also make houses in morning and decorate in late afternoon or evening - the houses are dry and sturdy by then.