The Table Has Been Set. . .

The field of battle, basically laid out, though I need to add a small river and mill run for the mill.

Spent a pleasant few hours yesterday evening, after the usual post-dinner long walk around the neighborhood, applying acrylic gloss to some cavalry figures until about 10pm. I then thought it was time to set the table for the planned Action at Sägemühledorf, aka Sawmill Village. So, here is what we have minus a few forthcoming last-minute details.

Since each side will have an element of light infantry added to its order of battle this time around, it made sense to have a slightly larger playing area available. What you see above is a 6'x8' surface covered with a single Hotz matt. Atop that are roads and fields, also by Eric Hotz. The trees are cake decorations that I've had since 2006, affixed to Litko terrain bases back in 2016 with The Young Master's help. The various houses were scratch-built at different times by yours truly. The mill is the most recent model added to the collection.

In any case, all of the houses are based on existing structures across the northeast of Germany and Northern Poland, and a slice of Lithuania, which is to say Pomerania, Brandenburg, and ex-East Prussia. Nothing helps set the scene better than model structures that reflect the actual architecture of a particular place and time.

A cool, sunny Saturday here today, and following some morning errands, I must mow the now beautifully green and tall grass, thanks to recent rains and organic fertilizer, before I can get down to wargaming business. The game will either take place this evening, or Sunday. Stay tuned.

-- Stokes

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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