京都の金閣寺 Kyoto’s Kinkakuji Temple by Night!

One of our festive traditions is baking gingerbread … lots and lots of gingerbread! Every year for many many years since my children were babies, we’ve made (in addition to the wee houses and not so wee houses we make as gifts) a collaborative architectural construction of sorts! We’ve conquered different French Châteaux (that phase lasted for about 5 years), mystical, imagined castles and more recently even the Eiffel Tower (shot in the 1920’s at midnight at some moment in time!✨)!

Well, this year, as a nod to our love of all things Japanese, my children and I sculpted Kyoto’s Kinkakuji temple complete with edible gold lustre powder and sour cola strap roof shingles! (Photos in Portfolio).

We always have so much fun: we pour lemonade (and perhaps another kind of bubbles for me!🥂); play Christmas carols and simply lose ourselves in the other little world we’re creating!

We celebrated Christmas at home with our families this year and everyone enjoyed some gingerbread … even some mashed ‘cold rock’ style through vanilla ice cream!

This is one of the ways I like to make this time of year just a little bit magical ✨ and in the process, hopefully, also, make many special Christmas memories for my children. 🎄✨❤️