Happy New Year from the Grand Duchy of Stollen!

It’s hard to believe that 2007 is almost history! Where did the year go? My grandmother always told me that the older one becomes, the faster time seems to pass by. I think she was right.

With that in mind, what has that rapidly dissolving time been used for during the last twelve months here at Stollen central? Well, let's pause and reflect a bit. It's ben a pretty good year here in Stollen I think.

First, there has been painting, and a lot of it apparently, including Revell dragoons (30), RSM95 grenadiers (63), a monster-sized Revell infantry regiment (80), plus some Revell artillery and MiniFig cannon (13+2), RSM95 generals (2), and Spencer Smith/Holger Eriksson cavalry most recently (12). Total of painted figures for 2007? 200+! That’s a record for me.

Next, let’s not forget that there was lots of real estate constructed early in 2007 too. Many townhouses, a bridge, town gate, and etc. were featured right here a year or so ago. Several of these were again seen only a few days ago. There is still a church awaiting its coat of paint. And yesterday, I finished painting the two Magister Millitum round pavilion tents in (more or less) the national colors of Stollen and Zichenau plus another hill -- this time three layers. Photos to follow on January 1st!

Finally, there was lots of fun "contextual narrative" (Geeze, can you tell I endured graduate school?), focusing on a bizarre cast of characters like Oberfeldwebel Klatschen, Heinrich- Schatzi von Pelznikkel, poor, old Irwin-Amadeus II and the their fellows. Who could forget when the Grand Duke refused to remove his gamey lobster costume at the height of the Stollenian summer? And let's not forget the duel between Klatschen and the arrogant and foppish colonel of the 4th (Trakehnen) Dragoons late last winter. Why, Stollen even had its first battle against the Electorate of Zichenau late last week in the Action at Zollamtstadt. Unfortunately, the latter won the field that day.

Despite these setbacks,however, the Grand Duke somehow manages to keep his good humor. He wishes each and every one of you a Happy New Year and good gaming/painting/collecting in 2008!!!

P.S.
It began snowing steadily at about 3PM this afternoon and is laying all over the ground. We already have about an inch and the forecast calls for 5-6"" total!!! And the expected high temperature for tomorrow? Only 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Could be the Grand Duchess and I ring in the new year by skiing tomorrow morning.

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 a

Keepin' an Eye on the World Going By My Window . .

'The Nap at the Palace' by Jose Triado Mayol N ot much in the way of hobby-related activity happening here in the Grand Duchy lately. Sigh. And no surprise there really since there are only so many hours in the day, only so much mental and physical energy to spare, and you sometimes simply just have to give in and know when to say, um, "When!" A glass of wine and/or evening yoga by the hearth with the Grand Duchess (who has practiced for over 20 years), and then off into la-la land. Zzzzzzzzz. More immediately, I'm recovering, mentally speaking, from a grueling Friday in which I was involved with three (online) conference sessions, one right after the other, followed by a 90-minute meeting at the end of the day. Also virtual. My brain has been mush ever since, so an easy, completely unproductive Saturday watching intermittent snow fall outside (no accumulation however) and drinking coffee while the visiting handymen completed some repair work down her

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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