I love my husband. I mean, I really, really love him.
This year, I (insert adverb – Foolishly? Stupidly? Naively? Your pick) decided to create and enter a gingerbread house into the annual Ballantyne Hotel Gingerbread Lane competition. I can’t say that I wasn’t warned, because I was. Despite this, in what turned into a classic case of “it sounded like a good idea at the time,” I spent the past six weeks planning, preparing and creating my masterpiece – a fairy winter wonderland. The last two weeks have been a full-on flurry of Santa’s elf-like activity, with me ignoring just about every other aspect of my work and family life to obsess over the completion of this gargantuan task.
And, while my “Fairy Merry Christmas” creation didn’t place in the competition, I’d still like to read my acceptance speech…
I’d like to start by thanking my wonderful husband, who has cooked our meals, bathed our children, cleaned up our messes and made several late-night runs to the grocery store for more powdered sugar…I thank God for you every day...
I’d like to thank my Mom and my sisters for their ideas and support…if your Mom doesn’t say to you “Well, now that’s just sure to win the grand prize,” who will?
I’d also like to thank my Dad, who, intercepting a brainstorm call with my Mom, took it upon himself to offer some of his own creative input…despite the fact that he hasn’t stepped foot into a grocery store in about 10 years, and his food universe consists of what he finds in my Mom’s pantry…
I’d like to thank my kids for being hilarious, especially my 8-year old son, who told me the day before the entry, “Well, Mom, you’re probably not going to win, but I’m proud of you for seeing this through.” And, my 6-year old daughter who sounded the alarm bell every time our 3-year old went near the house. And, our 3-year old who looked me in the eye and said “I’m not touching it,” as he was, indeed, touching it.
And also, so many friends and neighbors for their high-fives, words of encouragement and praise…you guys rock.
If you take a walk down Gingerbread Lane (and, you really should), look closely and feel the love. Every house and structure has a visionary behind it, with food coloring stained fingertips and cramped hands from holding a pastry bag. They also have a team of loved ones cheering them over the finish line. What an amazing gift.
Gingerbread Lane at the Ballantyne Hotel kicks off December 13 and runs through December 25, from 9-5 daily. Admission is free, but you can make a donation and vote for your favorite in the “People’s Choice” category. All proceeds go to benefit Levine Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit http://www.theballantynehotel.com/EO_overview.cfm.
Wishing you a "Fairy Merry Christmas"!
