Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   5      cups          flour
   1      teaspoon      soda
   1      teaspoon      salt
   1      teaspoon      nutmeg
   3      teaspoons     ginger
   1      cup           shortening
   1      cup           sugar
   1      cup           unsulfured molasses
                        ***ORNAMENTAL FROSTING***
   2 2/3  cups          powdered
   4      teaspoons     cream of tartar
   2                    egg whites
   2      teaspoons     vanilla

Preparation:

Sift flour, soda, salt, nutmeg and ginger; set aside. Melt shortening in pan. Add sugar and molasses. Gradually stir in 4 C flour mixture. Work in remaining flour with hands. Bake at 375 for 13-15 minutes on sheet, remove when completely cold. Beat frosting ingredients until frosting holds shape. Cover with a damp cloth when not in use. Roof - 8 x 5" Sides - 5 3/4 x 4 4" Front and Back - 4 4 x 4 4 x 3 3/4" Put icing on tray where side and front meet. Ice sides and front where meet, let harden. Ice edges of other side and match with front, let harden. Continue with back and use ice sides. Once house frame is very hard, put roof on icing the sides that meet. When roof is hard, decorate with candy, cookies, etc.