Und Eins, Zwei, Drei; Eins, Zwei, Drei; Eins, Zwei, Drei. . .

Prince von Boffke (Wrinkles nose) -- Oh, I say, who is that crass fellow, standing over by the punch bowl in a lobster costume? Duchess von Wenigermaedel (Rolls eyes) -- I know, my dear Prince B., I know. . . It's just dreadful! You wouldn't believe what he did a few moments ago as we were being introduced. (Lowers voice) I hear he's new money!

The Christmas Ball, held to honor to Family von Grandin, is in full swing at Krankenstadt Palace. As per Hives' suggestion, the Grand Duke Irwin-Amadeus II has appeared in full lobster regalia and is doing his best to alienate and offend those around him through various impolite, nay, even unspeakable actions best left to the imagination. Meanwhile, up in the private study, the first dozen of those miniature Swedish cavalry continue to receive their uniforms and equipment, almost as if by magic. Could the Christmas spirit somehow be at work in the Residenz?

Comments

abdul666 said…

Are you aware of the 'Menuetting Couples' just added to the Eureka100 list?

11:33 AM

A J said…

Hmm... I suspect Hives' head is "positively bulging at the back" for him to have come up with this idea. What lies behind the outward appearances of his scheme, though? ;)

11:37 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

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