The Grand Duchy of Stollen

  S till plugging away at the 60 or so Wied Infantry currently on the painting bench as and when work and family life permit. Using three different whites for the clothing, shoulder belts, and officers' wigs plus trying some Army Painter quick washes.   My friend and one-time online magazine co-editor Greg Horne (the man behind The Duchy of Alzheim , still one of my blog and hobby touchstones) suggested I give washes a try a month or two ago, and I think he might be onto something.  Admittedly, he suggested the Citadel contrast range, but what I purchased eventually is in that general direction.  I am especially pleased with the Army Painter flesh wash, which picks out the facial details on the Minden figures very nicely.  I've applied it on top of my usual Windsor & Newton alkyd oil fleshtone and then highlighted the brows, bridges of noses, cheeks, chins, lower lips, and knuckles/thumbs the next day with more of the fleshtone.   Suddenly, a...

    T he preparation of my late maternal grandfather's pulled pork BBQ and red slaw recipes.  The Grand Duchess, bless her, always whips up a large batch of hush-puppies to go with the dish, which is authentic.   The tangy sauce is created with, more or less, equal parts ketchup, sugar, and white vinegar with course ground black pepper and Worcestershire sauce added to taste.  I typically add another shot of white vinegar before kitchen clean-up to attenuate the tomato ketchup flavor a wee bit.  We enjoyed the dinner last evening on our screened porch and will do so again this evening. Afterwards, we will freeze the remaining meat (from a huge pork shoulder slow barbecued over indirect charcoal coals for about six hours in the Weber grill) for a few more dinners at different points this fall.   The slaw, thanks to the vinegar and sugar, keeps well for months and will live in several storage containers in the refrigerator.  I...