Skip to main content

Happy Feast of Stephen!


A lovely, quiet Christmas Day here at Stollen Central yesterday, which included a couple of very interesting books for yours truly.  The first is a history of the military kriegspiel, both the serious, non-recreational kind as well as the somewhat more recreational variety entitled War Games and Their History (2012) by C. G. Lewin.  The second beneath tree was Armies of Bismark's Wars: Prussia 1860-67 (2013) by Bruce Bassett-Powell.  I discuss these in a bit more detail here once I've had time to look them over more closely.  The Young Master and Grand Duchess also presented me with some much needed Minden pioneers and Uhlans de Saxe as well as a few additional Austrian and Prussian limber horse riders for several additional planned wagons and ammunition carts.

The Young Master, for his part, had what I believe was a smashing time although the sugar and excitement of the day became to much in the end, and he had to be excused from the dinner table and put to bed early.  A tired, overstimulated small child, who is hopped up on too much chocolate and other kinds of candy, does not a pleasant dining companion make.  A much calmer day today, and our small, blonde progeny is building with some new Lego bricks in his bedroom and listening to one of his two new Diana Krall CD's.  Hey, he's a young jazz cat, and who can find fault in that?  Like, crazy man. . .  Crazy!  He still has a few gifts left to open beneath the tree today, so we'll do that with some eggnog and pumpkin (the Young Master's favorite) or cherry pie after supper this evening. 

Today's vintage Christmas illustration is an old Swedish greeting card depicting, as you can see, boys and girls sledding in the snow.  Since an old Scandinavian/Nordic tradition involved going for a sleighride on Saint Stephen's Day, December 26th.  I lacked a suitable image though, so it seems like a nice idea to share this one instead.  Since this year we have had no appreciable snow to speak of yet (the ground had been covered for two weeks by this time last year), we are going to take the Young Master to a local park that he likes for a long amble around the various paths and through the woods today.

I wish you a peaceful and quiet day of continued Christmas celebration in your part of the world.  As my maternal grandfather used to toast us -- on the afternoon of the 26th, invariably with a scotch and water in hand, as we convened in the living room with the Christmas tree and a wood fire in the fireplace -- Happy Day After!

-- Stokes


Comments

Fitz-Badger said…
Happy Feast of Stephen! No much snow here in southern California (although the mountains do get Winter snow). Here's wishing you some recreational snow. I think you all like to do a bit of winter recreations, such as Nordic skiing or cross-country skiing?
Oh, yes! If the snow and Mother Nature cooperate, we're big on cross-country skiing and tobogganing. Last winter was amazing for about three months as far as snowfall and snow cover went. This year? No more than dusting at Thanksgiving a month ago.

Best Regards,

Stokes
Phil said…
Compliments of the season Stokes, and to your family.
Warmest festive wishes.
Phil
Thank you,, Phil! Likewise. A slightly belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Best Regards,

Stokes

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