It's not every day that your local post office smells like a mix between a bakery and candy shop.

Cheri Barnett, an employee with the Sequim Post Office, decided to make a gingerbread replica of the White House for the inauguration of Barack Obama.

"I think there is a really good movement going on right now," Barnett said.

A registry she put next to the White House has pages filled with positive comments.

"Wow, even a cake filled with pride of workmanship becomes a contribution to the change. Hooray!" wrote one anonymous comment.

"Whoever did this, I think it is so good that I give it a 100 percent," wrote Natalie, a third-grader.

"Let's take a bite out of the pillars," said a passer-by.

Barnett made the replica with her husband Brooks. He drew the pattern, and together they assembled it. She baked all the individual pieces.

"It makes me feel really proud," she said.

Everything in the house is edible except for the lights and flag. When looking through the gelatin windows, one can see pictures of 20 presidents and their terms of office.

"The flag was the last thing we put on, and I'll be honest, it was emotional," Barnett said.

Next year Barnett is hoping to make a replica of a famous building in Sequim. She wants it to be a surprise.

"The best part of all this has been the response from co-workers and the public," Barnett said.

The gingerbread house was donated to a co-worker, so that her grandchildren could enjoy it.



Reach Matthew Nash at

mnash@sequimgazette.com.