Betcha thought I'd forget!

This Santa Claus wears the red robes and white beard we've come to expect, but the small jewel box with shiny things inside is an unusual touch.

Oh, no, no, no! I've not forgotten the seasonal images for today. But I did return to bed for about three hours since Young Master Paul's 4am feeding made me unable to fall back to sleep for a few hours. But anyhow, here are a couple of bright, cheerful Victorian-era images of Ol' Saint Nick. And now it's time to head out and purchase my last few gifts for the Grand Duchess and Paul. No time to waste!

I think this old Christmas card must be my favorite from this year's pre-Christmas season since it features, to my eyes, just the right blend of simplicity and opulence. . . if such a things were possible. And I'm a huge fan of holly, which my family used to have a lot of when I was a boy. But in the U.S., you don't seem to see it used in homes for a seasonal decoration as much as once was the case. Of course, that might have to do with the fact that dry holly is like razor wire, so it requires extrememly careful handling once the Christmas and New Year's season is over!

Comments

Bluebear Jeff said…

The house where I grew up had a big holly tree in the back yard . . . and if I had a nickle for every skin puncture I got from its leaves, I could buy a wonderful lot of little metal men.

Holly is great to look at, but nasty to handle.

-- Jeff

2:35 PM

Prince Lupus said…

Merry Christmas to the Archduke, Grand Duchess and Master Paul.

Many thanks for the Stollen advent calendar.

3:38 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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