How to Have Fun at 11 Degrees Fahrenheit

Totally unconnected to the Grand Duchy of Stollen. But as the Duke of Saxe-Bearstein -- Mr. Jeff Hudelson -- has proven during his stage career (he's acted for about 40 years and appeared in more than 200 productions), there is indeed a connection between skiing and the 18th century! Anyway, Sonja's and my jaunt earlier this afternoon was too much fun not to share a few photographs of our ski tour around the Illinois State University golfcourse in Normal, Illinois. 4"-5" of fresh, cold powder fell today, and it's supposed to remain cold through at least the weekend, which means more Nordic skiing later in the week. It doesn't get much better than that.

Comments

marinergrim said…

we expecting a cold snap over here too with temperatures as low as -8°C in Scotland and snow across the UK. Somehow I don't expect to be having much fun with the weather though - work gets in the way! And when it does get cold and snow and after you've built the snowman what's better than a warm room overlooking the garden with a hot mug of chocolate and marshmallows whilst painting toy soldiers?

2:01 AM

Bluebear Jeff said…

Just to let you know, it wasn't just a "one-time acting career".

I've been acting (on stage -- not film) for almost 40 years (well over 200 productions).

On another matter, do my eyes deceive me? or is that figure in dark teal the delightful Lady Sonja?

-- Jeff

3:26 AM

WSTKS-FM Worldwide said…

Jeff,

I stand corrected. Please excuse my oversight. And yes, the teal-coated figure is The Grand Duchess Sonja herself.

Best Regards,

Stokes

5:12 AM

Giles said…

Indeed, we will be seeing snow in London tomorrow; second time this year which doesn't happen often. We won't be able to ski though, just watch the public transport system grind to a halt...

8:47 AM

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Keepin' an Eye on the World Going By My Window . .

'The Nap at the Palace' by Jose Triado Mayol N ot much in the way of hobby-related activity happening here in the Grand Duchy lately. Sigh. And no surprise there really since there are only so many hours in the day, only so much mental and physical energy to spare, and you sometimes simply just have to give in and know when to say, um, "When!" A glass of wine and/or evening yoga by the hearth with the Grand Duchess (who has practiced for over 20 years), and then off into la-la land. Zzzzzzzzz. More immediately, I'm recovering, mentally speaking, from a grueling Friday in which I was involved with three (online) conference sessions, one right after the other, followed by a 90-minute meeting at the end of the day. Also virtual. My brain has been mush ever since, so an easy, completely unproductive Saturday watching intermittent snow fall outside (no accumulation however) and drinking coffee while the visiting handymen completed some repair work down h...

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

Search This Blog