Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

I too will be hiding in an air shaft until 2021.

This has been a heck of a year to say the least, so here’s hoping that today is a peaceful one filled with the spirit of the season!

Weihnachtszeit ist Erinnerungszeit

After my last post, it's nice to have something good to write about. Today we received a box of Springerle cookies from my mom and sister! These traditional anise-flavored cookies are a holiday tradition in Southern Germany, and Mom grew up with them thanks to Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Abel. She and my sister revived the tradition last year, and my wife and I are big fans!

One of the designs is of a German soldier (Picklehaube and all!) in the pre-1916 uniform. Mom bought the mold from a seller in the Bavarian town of Pleinfeld, Germany. She got it with me specifically in mind. 

As you can see (courtesy of Mom's blog...seriously please go check it out), the mold is made of wood and has some definite age to it. It's not made of plastic like a lot of modern ones seem to be. It was definitely quite a find! 

The rest of the cookies look really awesome too! As you can see, there's a wide variety of designs including Santa Claus (der Weihnachtsmann), Christmas trees, and snowmen. And they're all made from traditional wooden molds like the soldier. It's certainly gotten festive in the house all of a sudden! 

Thanks again, Mom and Jessie! This is exactly what Teresa and I needed right now. 😁

Is This Year Over Yet?

 

Due to an administrative snafu, my job at Castillo de San Marcos just fell through. 2020 is really going out with a bang, isn't it? Guess I should start unpacking my paints and supplies.

I'm still moving forward with my plans for a 28mm War of Jenkins' Ear army though. I'm all about those obscure conflicts. 

The Great Wargaming Survey 2020

It's that time of year again! The Great Wargaming Survey 2020 is up and it's time to let your voice be heard about the state of the hobby. I mean...it's not like we have much else to do what with the pandemic and all. 😑

Did I mention that they also give you a gift voucher for taking part? AND enter you into a raffle for some cool prizes?

 You can take the survey here!

* NOTE: I am not affiliated with the Great Wargaming Survey or WSS in any way, shape or form.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Here’s to 2020! May it be a good and happy year, and the start to a wonderful new decade. As is our tradition now, Teresa and I are toasting the year with a bottle of our favorite beer: Duchesse de Bourgogne.

My goal for 2020 is to finally finish many of the projects I’ve started over the years. Instead of saying just that  I’ll finish painting the figures that I have, I’ll pick up figures and whatnot only if they’re related to a project. Wish me luck!

Decade Challenge: 2009 vs 2019

With the new decade upon us (depending on where you fall in that debate), I thought it would be cool and appropriate to take part in the 2009 vs 2019 challenge that's been going on. I'm featuring two figures from very different games, and with very different sets of painting skills. 

Lt. Gyles Durfee was painted back in 2009 and was part of my old 32nd Praetorian Regiment from back in the day. He represents the Praetorian Mounted Police and was an old "Fingers" figure from the out of print Schaeffer's Last Chancers set.

Captain William Bradford was painted up only a few months ago, and is a Zulu War British officer from the 56th Foot. Nicknamed the "Pompadour," he serves on detached service in Zululand with a number of different regiments. He was actually my Zulu War test figure and came from the Warlord British Line Infantry set. 

Sometimes I don't think I've made much improvement in my painting skills (especially since I didn't even pick up a brush from 2017 to late 2018). When I see comparison photos like these, however, I'm pretty surprised. Thinning my paints has helped a lot, as has using washes. I'm much happier with my faces too. Of course, there's always room for improvement and I intend to continue on with that into the new decade. 

My biggest goals for 2020 are to finish up the vast array of projects that I've had sitting around my basement half-finished for the last few years and tidy up my basement War Room as well (especially since I've found out there are a number of wargamers in my neighborhood and am beginning to connect with them).