And now, for something completely different. . .

As a pre-Christmas nod to my many years of undergraduate and graduate study of the Norwegian language and Scandinavian literature, not mention time spent living in Norway, here’s a picture of the Norwegian julenisse. He lives in the barn and brings toys and treats to all the good children on Christmas Eve while everyone is asleep.

Traditionally, Norwegians leave a bowl of porridge in the barn for the nisse to ensure that he is not displeased and doesn’t play nasty tricks. Anyway, I kind of liked this particular illustration. You’ll find many similar to it on Christmas postcards coming from Norway. It’s a nice image. "God Jul" as they say in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and those Swedish-speaking parts of Finland..

Comments

tradgardmastare said…

Do you know the book "The Tomten " by Astrid Lingred? The story is fun and the pictures are beautiful!

1:58 PM

Bluebear Jeff said…

It is a wonderful image. Please allow me to wish you and the Grand Duchess a "God Jul".

-- Jeff

7:04 PM

guy said…

Hi Stokes,

All the very best to you and Sonia for Christmas and the New Year. Thankfully I can escape from the office here in about an hour for the holiday period and then on the 26th we are off to the Switzerland for 10 days of skiing. The web cams in the resort show masses of snow so I am anticipating much fun with the family.

Regards,
Guy

6:34 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!

Taking Stock Part II: The (As Yet) Unpainted but Planned OOB. . .

Two companies of Reichsarmee grenadiers painted back in 2017 or 2018. Minden Austrians of course. A lovely early autumn day here in the grand duchy. Bright sunshine and a light breeze with cool temperatures will make for some very pleasant late afternoon lawn mowing in a little while. But first a bit more discussion of painting plans for the future. Last time, I looked back at the various and sundry units, support troops, and civilians that I've managed to paint in the last 17 years as the Grand Duchy of Stollen project has developed. So today, let's look into the seemingly bottomless Drawer 'o' Lead to my left for a clue to the new direction. Be forewarned, it's not going to be a quick job getting everything painted and based, but there we are. The following plans are based on the pile of unpainted figures already here. Any future purchases will be limited to small things that might be needed to fill out the envisioned units (the odd few officers mounted o

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 a

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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