A Tree Grows in Stollen

Many "birch" trees actually. Beleive it or not, these 4" high trees (on the left in the photograph) are sold as cake decorations by the Oasis Supply Comapny of Bensalem, Pensylvania, USA -- www.oasissupply.com -- 72 per bag for the insane price of US$8.95! Yes, you heard right. US$8.95!

As you see in the photo, they work fine with the Zvezda fir trees (on the right), so large copses and forests in Stollen and Zichenau are now possible. Eventually, I will fashion various irregulalrly shaped bases and affix several trees to each. These can then be arranged singly or in groups to form small or LARGE wooded areas, representing firs, birches, aspens, or similar kinds of vegetation.

Old School definitely, but for the price, who cares? I like them. The new trees actually remind me of those pictures in the illustrations contained within H.G. Wells' wonderful Little Wars. Do you know the one in particular I mean? The sketch of Wells and another guy moving their troops while crawling around on their knees in a large, comfortable looking parlor. And a third man keeps track of the time on his pocket watch from a nearby chair. That's what these Oasis "cake decorations" bring to mind for me!

Comments

Captain Nolan said…

Sadly the trees are now $18.99 per 72.

1:22 AM

Here's an RSM Painting Update

Here's a picture illustrating my (S-L-O-W) progress with the second company of Stollen's Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers. You can see I'm doing things a bit differently this time, altering the painting process to keep it interesting basically. This evening, I'll do the white gaiters and, if that goes reasonably quickly, and time allows, the red breeches. Still lots to do, but I like the way these fine fellows are shaping up along side the completed 1st company that's standing in formation just off camera, to the left here. Until tonight then!

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!

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...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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