Ah, coffee and stollen. . . Does it get any better?

At the risk of sounding silly, I think the stollen that the Grand Duchess baked recently gets better everyday. It must be all of the butter and sugar in it. And combined with some fresh, strong coffee, well, it's just darn good. And apparently, cats think so too, or at least ours does!

Today's Christmas illustration is of uncertain origins, but it does date from the late 19th/early 20th century judging by appearances, and as all of you will know by now, I enjoy all of these old images of St. Nick, Christmas trees, and the like. Hard to believe that the big day is only about a week away now.

Good news! The Midwest here in the U.S. is supposed to have another big winter storm today. While we are probably going to have ice, or maybe a little snow here in Central Illinois, they are predicting about a foot of snow north of here in southern Wisconsin -- right smack over Delafield, where our Nordic skiing area -- Lapham Peak-- is located. So, the Grand Duchess Sonja and I will head up for a day of skiing on Saturday. By all accounts, conditions on the 25 miles of trails should be very good to excellent. Can't wait!

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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