Another New Look for the GD of S Blog. . .

Do children even send letters (or perhaps text messages by now) to Santa Claus and Father Christmas anymore? Or have we done our cynical best as a society to ruin that for them?

Well, I don't know about you, but I was not happy with yesterday's failed experiment with a more dynamic appearance for the Grand Duchy of Stollen blog, which also made blog administrations behind the scenes more difficult that necessary. So, back to the drawing board! However, on the suggestion of one commentator, I have found a nice image of 18th century damask wallpaper that I have set as the background of the blog. For the time being, we'll leave things as they are. I'm not 100% pleased with the blog's appearance, but I lack the time and inclination to get into learning HTML, which might permit easier manipulation/customization of things here.

No painting last night as I was simply too wiped out by evening to contemplate picking up a brush. I woke at 4am yesterday morning due to some noise on the street or something and was unable to fall back to sleep. Finally, I gave finally gave up the ghost a little over an hour later and rose just after 5am, operating yesterday on only about 4 hours of sleep. Sigh. Afternoon naps, sadly, are out of the question right now since we cannot get the Young Master to be quiet enough for Dad to remain asleep longer than 10 minutes or so. Oh, he has his afternoon quiet time, actual naps being relegated to the past at this point, but the concept of quiet reading, coloring, or contemplation for 2-3 hours in the late afternoons sometimes continues to elude him at only three+ years of age.

Anyway, I'd better get to that final stack of student papers in my briefcase now, so I can get that wrapped up and off my mind for a few weeks. After The Indras' final gig tonight, it's time for some pre-Christmas activities, a social occasion or two, final shopping errands next week, and some serious painting in the evenings. And then there is Neu Sittangbad to lay out and resume once again, General de Latte willing and permitting. A busy time indeed!

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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