One of the many Krieg family traditions is our annual decoration of The Candy House. While many would find connection, companionship, and cheer in this seemingly friendly act, our family takes it hostile - divvying up each side and turning sibling against sibling for a full-out battle in culinary confection.
The rules are simple:
Each child (Gretchen, Sam, Me) gets one of the four sides with one rotating guest artist landing the fourth. We are each allowed to join Mom at the store to make our candy selections - any confectionery sweet is fair game with other commonly found kitchen extras available for assistance on game night (think: toothpicks, aluminium foil, knives). Before frost-off, we arrange all the goods around The House and take our seats.
When Mom gives the signal (popping open that first jar of Betty Crocker glaze), we attack - spreading on that white sugar coating and slapping on our first bonbons.
Each architect is given as long as needed to complete their side, but most grow weary after a few hours or so. Once fully furnished, the house is placed at the center of our dining room table on display for the participants to argue over whose side will reign supreme - but no debate can determine a victor. The gold medalist isn't determined until The House is judged by a cardinal family authority. The winner then receives complete and full adoration and bragging rights until the following year.
Post competition 2009
This year, the competition rules were no different.
The teams were:
- Me and Stefan
- Sam
- Gretchen
- Mom and Dad
Since he is an avid reader of this blog (or so I like to think even though he recently called my past potty humor sophomoric and told me to get an editor: him), I thought I could introduce you all to each of the sides so you can help him make his final decision.
SIDE 1:
Note the Christmas tree, bubbling brook, door side lanterns, and...
...Harley Davidson motorcycle.
SIDE 2:
Note the sheer blitzkrieg of color, the black
smoke pouring from the chimney,
the pink shutters, and wooden fence.
SIDE 3:
Note the small skating pond, wooden water-side bench,
Christmas colored wreath, brick roof, and stone walkway.
SIDE 4:
Note the ceremoniously decorated roof (WE <3 DICK),
yellow brick road, flower boxes...
...gravestone for the dog, roaring fire pit,
and small little vineyard not yet blossomed.
As soon as the winner is determined (Dickie - we're counting on you!), I'll be back to reveal who lays claim to each side of this fine edifice and unveil our CANDY CHAMPION!
xoxo
KK
PS. I know you're all uber curious about where to get yourself one of these fine structures so you can start the battle roaring in your household. Unfortunately, this wooden antique was inherited by my mom from her grandmother and the Krieg children have already called dibs on acquiring it - we've agreed that whoever ends up having the first of the next generation (yes, a child) gets it. BRING IT ON SAM!
The Serrano has studied theses pictures and have concluded.......(WAIT FOR IT!!!) 2 votes Jack and Sam for side 1 (The Harley was the best!!) and 1 vote (mine) for side 3...although I do really like Auggie's grave!!! Ho-Ho-Ho and stay safe Stefan we will miss you...espically for the tennis tournamentxoxoxoxxoxo
ReplyDeletejust so you know that Im still breathing and am also taking the time to judge your work (some of which is atrocious) I am signing in here. But you should know that I am deeply offended at your giving away my secret skills at scrabble. I did not wish to have this type of "Columbus Egg" skill divulged to the world.
ReplyDeleteNow as to the Candy House. First you need to know that it was my own mother who built this house, using her personal Jigsaw to cut the pieces for its construction. The date of this work was 1942 and the house has been in use for all of these intervening years. Second, either the candy was better in the old days, the artists who decorated were more skillful or my eyes have become jaded with age. Third, the judging will be completed today and the official scores posted soon and finally there will be a deduction for outrageous sychophantry and or pandering.
As to the final judgement: 10 being the perfect score based on the epitome of beauty, a Billy Gallun house, and 1 being de minimus or what Todd would produce without his eternal helpmate.
We (as in the royal we) find that side 2 is the clear loser with a score of 2 and 1/2, those points being awarded mostly out of sympathy together with a recognition of creative dissonance and disharmony, qualities which are admirable in the proper context. 4th place
Side 1 gets points for special imagination in creating, out of candy, that artful motorcycle but the total composition lacks unity. It looks somewhat as if it were created by a committee. Not quite up to Billy's standards; 6 posits overall.3rd place.
The runner up was hard to pick what with the appropriate sentimental comment on the roof.The Swiss input is clear and I really wanted to make this one the winner. But with the deduction for pandering I just couldn't push this score above7and1/2 despite its international integrity and integrated culture.2nd place
So that leaves us with the winner at nine points. This side shows organization, organization, skillful juxtaposition of color and while not really getting close, most nearly approaches the uncanny beauty which your grandmother was able to deliver year after year. Congratulations to the winner. Perhaps she should do the whole house next year.