Nutcrackers and No Days. . .

Finally! A couple of nutcrackers in three-cornered hats, most fitting for the Grand Duchy of Stollen, courtesy of some giftshop or other in Williamsburg, Virginia, which embraces and celebrates its colonial history.

Humph! Time for another one of those "no days" that I was going on about a few days ago. Lots going on today here at Stollen Central, including getting the Christmas trees, which we'll decorate tomorrow, and the final date of the year for my band The Indras this evening. Oh, and some final grades to tally and submit for one of my courses. Rats! It doesn't look good for getting to the painting table today. . . unless I feel particularly driven tonight once I am home again. There is, I suppose, always tomorrow morning and afternoon before we decorate the trees and living room in the evening. Oh, wait. The Grand Duchess and I have a childless date for some coffee at a local cafe tomorrow morning, and she's already arranged a babysitter for a couple of hours. Geeze! How did things get so busy so fast?

At least my shopping for gifts is all done save for two or three more small things that will be easy to pick up early next week, so perhaps I can get caught up with painting next week, but there's only a month left in our current painting challenge. The deadline is January 16th, 2012, and I'm not quite at the halfway point with those 60 RSM musketeers. It might be time for a No Day or two next week, so I can hit the painting table hard and wear out some brush bristles. As the old country and western song used to sing, "Make the world go away. . . "

I'm not sure sure how old this particular postcard image of Santa Claus/Father Christmas is, but it's certainly done in a classic style, and I like his kind face, warmed by the lantern light. The wreath of holly around his head is a nice touch too.

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

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Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

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And It's the End of September!!!

Saxony's Ploetz Cuirassiers, an illustration lifted from the Kronoskaf website, which has thus far guided my spectacularly glacial painting of 30 28mm Eureka Saxon cuirassiers purchased all the way back in October 2016. A gray, cool Saturday here in Mid-Michigan with rain in the forecast. The Grand Duchess is away at a conference, so it's just "The Boys" here at home. The Young Master (almost 15) has retreated to his room for something or other following breakfast while I have stolen back down here to Zum Stollenkeller (masquerading as my office) with a second mug of coffee and both cats comfortably ensconced nearby. Enjoying the late morning and still in my pajamas! Not much planned for today beyond designing a couple of promotional flyers for workshops my department is presenting (small parties we will throw?) in October and November. With maybe a bit of on the next podcast script. More important, I am toying with the idea of returning for an hour or...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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