Calling all 2021 Pinkorama participants to take a bow!  Or curtsy.  Or, like my first grader, a twirl followed by a full split.  (I have no idea how she does that.)

After several days of superlative sugary creations, it’s time for the 2020 Pinkorama Round Up!  This year, we’ve got secret meetings in bookshops, Colin as Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins, the mad jam eating proclivities of Parsnip Fitzhugh, and a Smith College Repeep Unit wedding.

Before we go further– I know, I know, you’re waiting for the pretty pictures!– I just want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the Pinkorama participants.  Thank you for for being so generous with your time, your energy, your creativity.  In a time of so much uncertainty, it means so much to have these familiar traditions, to know that we can escape together into literary worlds, and to have the shared delight of marveling over these amazing scenes you’ve created.  Thank you for creating this oasis of sugary joy.

Every year, I wonder how you can possibly raise the bar even higher– but you always do.  It’s impossible to choose just one favorite out of so much gorgeousness– which is why I’m opening it up to voting!

Pick your favorite Pinkorama from the round-up below and post it in the Comments.  Voting closes next Saturday (5/22). Winners will be announced on Monday (5/24).

In the order in which I received them, I give you… the 2021 Pinkoramae!

1. “Peeping on the Princess of the Peepchritudinous Toes” by Carrie and Laura (from The Orchid Affair)

It’s never easy go to on assignment as a fledgling spy, even as assignment as simple as making contact at the local bookshop.  It’s even harder when you’re undercover as a governess and find yourself hampered by two adorable moppets, one prone poet (no one expects a prone poet), one stray member of the Bonaparte family, an unflappable spymaster, and Miss Gwen with her ubiquitous purple parasol.

Click here for a full description and more pictures of the scene.

2. “The Peepduction of the Crimson Rose” by Carla and Rowan (from The Seduction of the Crimson Rose)

American grad student Eloise Kelly is meant to be focusing on her research in the archives of that private Mayfair museum, the Vaughn collection, but instead keeps drifting into daydreams about her upcoming date with one Colin Selwick. Which is starting to look awfully like a scene from Mary Poppins complete with Dick Van Dyke as Colin and slightly skeptical dancing penguins….

Click here for a full description and more pictures of the scene.

3. “The Slaughter of the Peepocents” by Candace and Cassandra (from The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla)

As London is gripped with vampire mania and goes in fear of gore, Lucien, Duke of Belliston is absolutely horrified when confronted by a toddler covered in… jam? It looks like Parsnip Fitzhugh’s been at the raspberry tarts again. But what could one expect of a child of Turnip?

Click here for a full description and more pictures of the scene.

4. “The Peepwedding of Emmie and Captain DeWitt” by Debbi Olson (from Band of Sisters)

The Smith College RePeep Unit’s all here, from the stalwart assistant director to the goat Minerva, all in their grey uniforms in lieu of bridesmaids’ dresses (except Minerva, who would undoubtedly eat a uniform if she had one).  After trials and hardships aplenty, the Unit is gathered to celebrate, not losing a Unit member, but gaining a source of biscuits.  Just don’t call him Captain Biscuits!

Click here for a full description and more pictures of the scene.

So many kudos to everyone!  Carrie, Laura, Carla, Rowan, Candace, Cassandra, and Debbi I am so in awe of your craftsmanship and creativity.  It is astounding to me how much personality you can bring to marshmallow and sugar and how true to these models these scenes are.  Thank you for bringing these books so gloriously to life!  (To Peep?)

Now I’m handing it over to you, folks.  You know the drill.  Just vote for your favorite 2021 Pinkorama in the Comments section below!  Voting is open until next Saturday, 5/22.  I’ll tally up the votes and announce the winner(s) here on Monday, 5/24!  Although as far as I am concerned, these are ALL winners and I couldn’t possibly choose amongst them.  (Which is where you all come in!)

And now… over to the judges!