Once a year....for a few weeks around Christmas, thousands of little spicy worlds get their one chance at living. Some are gorgeous and ornate, others resemble a cottage Hansel and Gretel would dig into.

Ours was made by giants with left thumbs and spatulas.

Most giants are content to create and watch their tiny decadent paradises, but El Schloss Dulce has a continuing problem with giants. Namely the three feet tall kind with curly blonde hair.

Santa and his dog sled had to make a dash for it.


Even bricks were being eaten...and not just by the three foot curly giant.

Saraphina and Marytoto were watching the ducks ice skating on the frozen blueberry pond and enjoying a bit of Christmas gossip when a giant hand reached down and stole half the strawberry pebble path.


The chocolate stallions in the royal stables kept an eye on the drawbridge and gate. They were fiercer than any mythical horse with half a body, horn or wings.


The goatherd watered the goats and gave Giant Curlyhead the stink eye whenever he came too close.

Widow Martini moved her house inside Schloss Dulce's walls...moving houses are convenient like that.


And El Schloss Dulce's gumdrop halls survive another day.