How to Have Fun at 11 Degrees Fahrenheit

Totally unconnected to the Grand Duchy of Stollen. But as the Duke of Saxe-Bearstein -- Mr. Jeff Hudelson -- has proven during his stage career (he's acted for about 40 years and appeared in more than 200 productions), there is indeed a connection between skiing and the 18th century! Anyway, Sonja's and my jaunt earlier this afternoon was too much fun not to share a few photographs of our ski tour around the Illinois State University golfcourse in Normal, Illinois. 4"-5" of fresh, cold powder fell today, and it's supposed to remain cold through at least the weekend, which means more Nordic skiing later in the week. It doesn't get much better than that.

Comments

marinergrim said…

we expecting a cold snap over here too with temperatures as low as -8°C in Scotland and snow across the UK. Somehow I don't expect to be having much fun with the weather though - work gets in the way! And when it does get cold and snow and after you've built the snowman what's better than a warm room overlooking the garden with a hot mug of chocolate and marshmallows whilst painting toy soldiers?

2:01 AM

Bluebear Jeff said…

Just to let you know, it wasn't just a "one-time acting career".

I've been acting (on stage -- not film) for almost 40 years (well over 200 productions).

On another matter, do my eyes deceive me? or is that figure in dark teal the delightful Lady Sonja?

-- Jeff

3:26 AM

WSTKS-FM Worldwide said…

Jeff,

I stand corrected. Please excuse my oversight. And yes, the teal-coated figure is The Grand Duchess Sonja herself.

Best Regards,

Stokes

5:12 AM

Giles said…

Indeed, we will be seeing snow in London tomorrow; second time this year which doesn't happen often. We won't be able to ski though, just watch the public transport system grind to a halt...

8:47 AM

The Eventual Anhalt-Zerbst Regiment. . .

The Anhalt-Zerbst regiment musters in the drill square to sort themselves into platoons and companies during the coming weeks Fall maneuvers if you will. A large dose of real life the last few days with the start of classes next Monday, various preparatory meetings, and finishing up a few other things this week. But, I managed to sort out 60 or so Minden Austrian infantry from the pile and get 'em stuck to temporary painting bases. Must carefully drill out the hands of several NCOs for flagpoles and pole arms this weekend before the usual basecoat. I'm thinking of mixing the usual white gesso with the usual light gray to kill two birds with one stone so to speak. Applying both base- and undercoat in one fell swoop as my grandmother used to say. In the meantime, the recently finished squadron of Saxon cuirassiers has been placed carefully in one of the clear acrylic boxes on my shelves until I have the suitable flag to affix. -- Sto...

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!

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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