Cooking up a storm

With only 4 more sleeps until Christmas I find myself elbows deep in the kitchen in an effort to create some culinary masterpieces for the 'season'.  So after a disappointing batch of rum balls, not enough rum, I have raided the cupboard to find a bottle of OP rum that should do the job sufficiently. I can't wait to try them!!

Okay so you can only have so much success in the kitchen before a monumental flop occurs.  Mine took place this afternoon when my son and I decided to make our own gingerbread house by scratch.   Needless to say a SOS trip to Wholefoods early tomorrow is planned to buy a ready made kit. I just had to include a photo. Yes, it tasted as bad as it looked.  Do you think I was aiming too high using the Gourmet Traveller recipe?  It didn't come with any warnings about novice gingerbread house chefs...

Wish me better luck with the fruit mince pies.  I have found a delicious Donna Hay recipe and have made the filling.  Now for the shortbread pastry......