Merry Christmas from The Grand Duchy of Stollen. . .

A vintage feline-themed Christmas card that tickled my heart when I came across it two weeks or so ago.

Well, just over three hours left of Christmas Day. We had a delightful one with gifts (some new soldiers too), far too much food, treats, a dusting of new snow outside, telephone conversations with distant family members, and a long walk for the three of us around the neighborhood mid-afternoon.

The Young Master has been tucked in for the evening, the Grand Duchess is having a few minutes to herself, and I have brought my second mug of after dinner coffee down here to Zum Stollenkeller for a break before we reconvene in the living room a little later. There, The Grand Duchess and I will listen once again to this year's Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from the chapel at King's College Cambridge.

Before the day slips away, allow me to wish you a Merry Christmas! Wherever in the world you are, I hope you have enjoyed a day of calm, good company, and a light mood. Remember, the season lasts longer than one day. Let's say no to the cycle of hyper sales driven retail whatever and its after Christmas and New Year's sales. Instead, let's hang on to that spirit of good will just a little while longer. Surely, there can be no harm in that?

-- Stokes

Comments

Rob Young said…

It was an excellent Xmas for us too; to you, Merry Boxing Day.

3:00 AM

marinergrim said…

Hope you had a great day

3:58 AM

KEV. Robertson. said…

Merry Christmas to you Stokes and Family. I'd love to see that "Dusting" of light Snow...here in Sydney- Australia -out in the West some 60km from Sydney it will be 35Deg C to-day followed by a predicted 41Deg C tomorrow....yes, Snow and Cold Days sounds very appealing as I sit here in my Air-Conditioned Study typing away- hoping to get out into my Workshop for some modelling when things cool down a little. Cheers. KEV.

8:15 PM

Millsy said…

A Jolly Christmas to you too sir and all the best to you and the family for 2019.

4:15 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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