It's Almost Christmas in The Grand Duchy. . .

A suitably snowy vista across part of the capital city Krankenstadt of the Grand Duchy of Stollen, a place which bares a striking resemblance to Riga, Latvia.

Things are busier than I would like here in the Grand Duchy at the moment, further early brushwork on the first 16 Eureka Saxon cavalry has been put on a back burner, and a slight cold for a few days threw a wrench into the works. Grrrr.

But I am on the mend now and steaming full ahead with the few last minute details and errands out ahead of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and our December 27th departure for a week of cross-country skiing in Canada through the new year. In the meantime, it seems like a nice idea to share a few of our favorite traditional carols here in the Grand Duchy of Stollen.

Given the many traditional carols out there, this has been a tough call to make since there are some truly beuatiful pieces, but his long-suffering manservant Hives and I have managed to narrow the list to Grand Duke Irwin-Amadeus' Top 10. No doubt, you will recognize many. Now, we are not certain, but witnesses tell us that these particular carols, and one more modern jazzy piece, always bring a tear to Grand Duke's eye through the beauty of their melodies, lyrics, and quiet sentiment. Here they are in no particular order:

Stille Nacht (Silent Night)

Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen

Es Wird Schon Glei Dumpa

O Tannenbaum

Ding-Dong Merrily on High

The Holly and the Ivy

Once in David's Royal City

In the Bleak Midwinter

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Here We Come a Wassailing

Christmastime Is Here (Honorable Mention)

In the meantime, there will be one more post here before Christmas Day. If you have a few spare moments, please be sure to drop by for a figurative cup of seasonal cheer.

-- Stokes

Comments

Andy McMaster said…

Frohe Weihnachten und Schöne Feiertage!

3:30 PM

The Good Soldier Svjek said…

A Merry Christmas to you all , Tony

11:49 PM

tradgardmastare said…

God Jul from all in the Duchy of Tradgardland!

1:33 AM

Duke of Baylen said…

I'll look out for that next post too.
Merry Christmas
Stphen

2:29 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!

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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