Skip to main content

A Quiet Sunday. . .

Yet another old-fashioned image of St. Nick, this time in the more usual red that we typically associate with him.


Not a whole lot to report for this, the 700th posting to the Grand Duchy of Stollen blog. It's a cold, quiet Sunday morning, and we have about 1" (25mm) of snow on the ground -- NOT part of the massive storm that hit the northeastern United States yesterday. So, it feels suitably Christmasy today. I accomplished nothing yesterday. Nada. Zip. Zilch. And it felt great. The Grand Duchess did finish a few real-life things in her office on the second floor of the house, and she later bundled up and went running, but yours truly managed to let the entire day slip by with nary a paintbrush applied to figures or anything else of consequence achieved. Of course, I'd intended to work on some painting after dinner, but I felt so pleasantly tired and full of nice food that those plans went by the wayside. Ah well! Maybe this afternoon or evening? In the meantime, here are a few more suitably seasonal images for your viewing pleasure. I'm off to make a big Sunday breakfast for us!


Here is a photograph of our slightly smaller Christmas tree in the dining room on which the Grand Duchess has hung many family ornaments from her childhood along with a few newer ornaments from yours truly, given to her during more recent Christmastimes.



And last, but not least, here is the big Christmas tree right next door in the library (A bit pretentious, yes. We Actually have more books on shelves in the living room). This tree features an array of shiny, colorful, and even quirky ornaments and docorations, for instance the red jalpeno pepper, a Mexican cat wearing a sombrero, and the German pickle, which you can see more easily if you click on the photo.

Comments

Martin said…
Hello Stokes!

That's a very festive Christmas display for this year. Have you given any thought about "Baby-proofing" it for next year when "Litle Nimbus" is going to be a lot more mobile? You'll be amazed how fast he'll be able to get around, either on all fours or walking!

I hope you enjoy the "downtime" with your family. Rest, relax, and recharge!

Martin
Bluebear Jeff said…
Come on, Stokes, you can admit to us . . . have you hefted various wrapped objects to see if they are suspiciosly heavy for their size?

I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and that your new year is a happy, healthy and prosperous one.


-- Jeff

PS, Thanks for the tree photos, both trees are great!
tidders2 said…
Stokes

what lovely Xmas trees

-- ALlan

Popular posts from this blog

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