A Stollen Moment on Christmas Eve. . .

The 2024 Stollen fresh from the oven, buttered generously by the Grand Duchess before the Young Masted dusted it liberally with confectioner's sugar.

My own contribution, a cherry pie, which is Sonja's favorite. Not as spectacular as her annual stollen, but I tried my hand at a woven upper crust this year, which worked out reasonably well I think.

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! And pardon the bad pun, Just a quick post before Young Master Paul joins me at the breakfast table for some Raisin Bran and cantaloupe (for him), and stollen with coffee (for me) while we listen to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge via BBC Radio Four online. How things have changed since I used to tune in to hear the service via BBC World Service on the shortwaves 20+ years ago!

A shower, shave, and dressing for the occasion will follow breakfast with Christmas dinner mid-afternoon, so we can attend Christmas Eve service at Saint Katherine's Episcopal Church just up the road from us. The fact that this particular church is less than five minutes from us was, possibly, a sign for us to purchase the house we did given my own long dormant Episcopalian background.

I would like to think my late maternal grandparents, both of whom were quite active for many years within their own congregation (Saint Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Douglasville, Pennsylvania) smile down on us when we attend. And possibly the rest of the time too.

Ok, much to do before dinner and church, so I will sign off for now. I bid you Merry Christmas however you might celebrate the occasion with possibly a few moments for peaceful contemplation.

Warmest Compliments of the Season,

Heinz-Ulrich

The Power of Ideas. . .

T he end is nigh! The autumn semester/term approaches. And while we still have almost two months of summer left according to the calendar, "Summer is over and gone," as the crickets sang in Charlotte's Web . At least for those of us who head back to the classroom in less than a month. In advance of a meeting with my program director late Monday morning, I spent about 40 minutes total during the weekend to jot down several ideas about planned workshops and related activities for the coming 2024-2025 academic year. At an opportune moment, I mentioned "I have a few ideas," and opened my leather portfolio. My director was highly receptive to almost everything I suggested, and we had a very productive planning session for just over 90 minutes. Just about everything I sketched out on Sunday aligns with his own ideas. It's nice when meetings go that well, and two related things occur to me in hindsight. One, it pays to exercise...

CSA Pick-Up Style. . .

I t's getting to be that time in the summer! Yep, the garden fresh vegetables are starting to come in. Picked up the first half-share of the Grand Duchess' Summer 2024 community supported agriculture allotment late yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. Some delicious looking items that will make a nice salad for dinner this evening. Meanwhile, the Grand Duchess and Young Master are across Lake Michigan in Wisconsin visiting cousins for the next several days and attending a large annual airshow. while yours truly holds down the fort. More of the usual summertime fare in the attire photos featured. This particular shirt, while it has not appeared here in quite some time, is one of my favorites. An item that has been in the seasonal rotation for a dozen years or more. It ironed up nicely before I put it on and tucked it in. The chino shorts (with a 6" inseam. . . I know, I know.) are one of many such khaki pairs currently occupying the bottom...

A Box of Mercer Goodness. . .

D uring a day already full of pleasant surprises, these arrived via UPS late this afternoon. About a month before I expected them. Yes! Looking very forward to their inaugural wearings in just a few weeks when we're back on campus. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Classic Style

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