Gingerbread. . .

Gingerbread

And An Architectural Recipe. . .

When I initially read about the July 2021 AR Challenge - Savory Stories, I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to participate.  Share recipes?   Well, that’s not exactly a big part of my life but, hey, I could certainly read what others might share.  And that’s okay too.  

Then as those things sometimes seem to happen(at least with me) my mind wandered.  With the challenge no longer floating amidst the gray matter in my head, I found other things that caught my attention while I wandered.   And, of course, I still wondered.

I remembered some articles from the past about an phenomenon-of-sorts from the 1950s named Cinderella Homes.  It was a storybook-themed residential architectural style which was in evidence in many areas around the country and especially in Southern California.  

And associated with that style was the use of embellishments which I remember as being identified as gingerbread trim.  And just like that - a connection with the challenge was made.

Diamond-shaped window designs and pitched roofs added a certain ambiance to these homes.   A July 4th visit to the home of my youth, reminded me of the abundance of such homes in the area and many more that adapted the almost-fantasy-like design trend that was once very popular.  

Unfortunately my attempt at capturing some photography examples proved unsuccessful that day so, like many recipes - improversation was brought from the pantry(err my brain).

The feature image in this post is from canstockphoto.com.

The above photo is from a neighborhood spotlight I wrote years ago. Although not from the same era as the previously mentioned Cinderella Homes, I think there is a fantasy-like feel to it. Imagine this one with some frosting and and some candy - wouldn't it be sweet especially in an area that craves additional inventory of properties for sale? After all finding homes made from gingerbread are not easily found - not even in Southern California.

The other photo is from a post about the little free libraries we see in many communities. While it is not edible, there is the food for thought component. And that's important in my opinion.

Now for the recipe portion of the challenge - take an interest in real estate then combine that with some local flavor and you can almost magically create any post.  No bake.  No fuss.  Sounds ideal for beating the summertime heat if you ask me.   And like food, the subject of architecture, design and life continues to fascinate me. 

Want to know more about Cinderella Homes? The following article might interest you as well as this one which I found interesting.  This post is an entry(in a decidedly roundabout way) for the challenge hosted by Rocky Dickerson.  Now please pass the gingerbread. . .

Posted: July 15, 2021