Last Saturday was the annual Candy Town in Vancouver's Yaletown. In previous years, the event has been larger and had a better feel. They would close down the street and season revellers could walk freely among a dozen or more stalls and attractions. This year we had to crowd on the sidewalk and the stalls were limited. The same stalls we might see at any open air market all crowded into a side block.

There was a hasty set up tent to write letters to Santa, but no actual Santa. Maybe he was running late.

The band ... admittedly a very good band ... showed up looking disheveled and worse for wear. They had performed the night before at the Tree lighting festival. Vancouver only has one band. Apparently. If you are sensing some bitterness and sarcasm ... just wait. There is more.

The main draw of the event is the horse drawn carriage, which is also a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital. In past years, we have thoroughly enjoyed the ride. It would have been a nice activity this year too, but after making us wait twenty minutes to get started, a couple city councillors swanned in like it was their birthday party and took the front seat ... to be clear ... the councillors had us wait on them, costing the fundraiser money while they waited. They then forced us all into a photo-op. The rest of us had waited in line and contributed to the fund. Minime and I had gotten there extra early with hopes of sitting front row. It wasn't a total tragedy. There was some justice when one of the horses released a tremendous burst of gas. It was bad. Real bad. LOL. Front-row Flatulence delivered the karma.

The day wasn't all bad. It was mostly good. Really. We ran into the wind and got the horse and politico stink of us. Not really. After the horse carriage ride, we headed over to the Roundhouse Community Center where they house Steam Engine 374.

A visit to the train is always an event in itself for Minime. He is a train guy. They had the place decked out for the Holiday and visitors could enter the train and ring its antique bell. Every Victoria Day ... yes Canadians celebrate a dead English Queen's birthday ... around the third weekend in May ... they roll the engine out of its roundhouse and into the sunshine for all the city folks to get nostalgic.

Right across from the Roundhouse is the Yaletown Urbanfare. Their restaurant isn't as homey feeling as the Alberni location, but the food just as good ... maybe better. We didn't get anything to eat but just took a nosey. It is a beautiful store.

The bakery counter had some truly beautiful cakes. You know I don't eat much in the way of sugar, but I can still admire the creativity and artistry of a gifted pastry chef.

And to be super clear ... I am in no way above stealing some decorating ideas. I loved the berries, chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, and mini gingerbread men topping off these tiramisu slices. I think if one landed on my plate, even I would try a forkful or two. Three.

Gingerbread Cookies

After looking all this sugary splendour, I had to make something for the house.

We are hosting a small tree trimming party tomorrow and some cookies and nog should hit the spot. I cheated just a little today on my low-carb ways and added some molasses.

You really can't get an authentic-type gingerbread cookie without some molasses. I pilfered a recipe online and jigged it some to cut the carbs.

Ingredients

2 cups ground chaffles
1/4 whey powder
1/2 powdered collage
1/2 cup butter softened
1/4 cup molasses
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground anise/cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg

1. Mix the ingredients well at a low speed
2. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour
3. Preheat oven to 325°F
4. On parchment, roll dough 1/8 inch thick.
5. Cut dough into shapes.
6. Using a spatula, place cookies 1/2 inch apart on a parchment lined cookie sheet
7. Bake for 10 minutes, or until very lightly browned
8. Transfer cookies to racks to cool completely