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Welsh Crossword Week 2: ANSWERS


By gaabi, 2010-12-13

Ok, here are the answers to last weeks' puzzle. I did add one word which wasn't on the geriadur.net and I apologize, I really wanted to use it - microwave or "popty ping" - and forgot to say that wasn't where it came from. I very heartily apologize and will continue to strive to improve myself.

This week, I rendered "table" as "bord" as that was what was on the geridaur.net but on some other sites I also found "table" as "tabl" and "bwrdd". Also, I had "painting" as "paentiad" and I'm not sure that was right, I also found "peintio" for that.

Where I could find them, here are links to audio files to hear some of the words, or other versions of them, being spoken. I'm sticking to www.geriadur.net as much as possible but there are also some google translator audibles below:

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New Ratings Widget


For some time we have lacked the ability to rate blog posts, forum discusiions etc. This is now possible with the new Outbrain widget which has been added to the right hand column below the search engine --------

The widget provides recommendations for other ( related ) content that 'you might like' on the site. There are also external sponsored recommendations. So if you have written a post you might want to rate it and encourage others to do so. The more ratings you get the more likely it is that Outbrain will feature your content on other site pages ( currently more than 13000 ). The more its read, the more likely you are to attract comments and win the monthly 'Top Blogger' competition.

New Text Editor

We have recently installed a new text editor on the site. This editor will be standard for blog posts, comments, forum discussions etc. It will appear anywhere where you might want to add text. It has a number of capabilities which were lacking in the old editor/s e.g. colored text but it may take some getting used to. If anyone has problems with it please let us know by commenting on this post. As with any new release there will be some bugs and if you come across one we want to get it ironed out as quickly as possible.

As an example you may notice that smiley's do not display in the normal way. There is a work around for this. When in visual mode ( does not work in html mode ) simply drag and drop the smileys from the display below into the editor window and they will appear thus:-

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A Winter's Tale (with apologies to G.C.)


By mona everett, 2010-12-12
Dec. 11 It begins....
It was raining, now there is slush everywhere and it's snowing--we expect 8-12 inches of snow as it will snow for about 24 hours non-stop. Then it will be 9 below (F) on Monday and we'll be treated to high winds! Red Wing (Minnesota--one state to the west, where most of my in-laws live) already has about 10-12 inches and they are having the winds.
They just closed I-90 (major freeway/dual carriageway) from Tomah to Hudson (a bit east and north of here--where the storm is coming from) and are telling everyone here (statewide) to stay home tomorrow. The city snow plow just went down our street for the first time, too.
Our regular snowplow guy went back to work (he was retired) so I called someone new--sure hope he is reliable! We have to have the sidewalks cleared within 24 hours of the last snowflake falling or face a stiff fine.
Bah humbug!
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Amazon UK needs a lesson in Welsh Geography!


By mona everett, 2010-12-10
LOL! Someone should let Amazon UK know where Holyhead is and what the Menai Straits are for! I just ordered a gift for a friend in Holyhead (definitely Anglesey, NOT Gwynedd) and got this message from Amazon UK before they would process my order. I stuck to my guns and had it sent to the proper county! (I've x'd out the personal info.)
Verify your delivery addressmona everett, there's a problem with the address provided - we've marked our suggestions in red below. Please choose which version of the address you want to use, or click Edit next to the address you want to change.
Select an address from these alternatives:
Original address:Gxx Lxxx, xxx Lxxx Road, Holyhead, Anglesey, LL65 2RB, United Kingdom
Suggested Address:Gxx Lxxx, xxx Loxxx Road, HOLYHEAD, Gwynedd , LL65 2RB, United Kingdom
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New Album "Lilium"


By Siobhan Owen, 2010-12-10

My new album "Lilium" is now available to purchase online from my website at www.siobhanowen.com

My Previous albums "Celestial Echoes" and "Purely Celtic" also still available. (See website for details)

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From Philanthropy Today:

December 9, 2010, 11:54 am

Britains top arts official announced on Wednesday a five-year, $120-million government fund to match private gifts to cultural organizations, Bloomberg writes.

The move comes as Britains government starts a review of its policies on promoting philanthropy with a goal of encouraging the countrys wealthy to give away 10 percent of their assets.

Jeremy Hunt, Britains culture secretary, said the funds goal was not to substitute for sweeping cuts in government arts grants or to import a U.S. model wholesale into the U.K. But, he added, Surely we must ask ourselves what we can learn from America, where per-capita cultural giving is six times that of Britain.

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HOLIDAY EATING TIPS


By mona everett, 2010-12-10

A Public Service Announcement (pay attention)

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It will soon be Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat. 4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog. (Actually, all that circling and carrying sounds suspiciously like exercise.)
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again. 8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, please, have some standards! 10. One final tip: Wear sweatpants/loose fitting clothing. If you are leaving the party and you can walk without help from a construction forklift, "you haven't been paying attention, people!" Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body (no worries THERE!), but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine/whisky/beer (or all 3) in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Have a great holiday season!!

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NAFOW 2011 HOTEL INFO!


By mona everett, 2010-12-10


2011 North American Festival of Wales, including the 80th National Welsh Gymanfa Ganu
September 1st - 4th
Cleveland, Ohio
Stay at the Festival Headquarters
Crowne Plaza Hotel Cleveland City Centre
777 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114

Reserve Your Accommodations now!
Take advantage of our special NAFOW room rates and amenities.
Single and double rates are $115.00 + tax per night;
Triples are $129.00 + tax/night;
Quads are $139.00 + tax/night.
All rooms are Non Smoking
Some wheelchair accessible rooms available.
Free in-room wi-fi for Festival goers
Reduced parking of $10/day (normally $18/day) when their rooms are reserved as above.
Extend your stay! These special room rates are offered from August 26th thru September 9th
(with check-out on Sept. 10th) as long as rooms are available.
Make your room reservations early.
To reserve on-line click here ; or call toll-free 1-877-208-2519
and mention Festival of Wales or use the code WNQ

Remember, when you choose to stay at the Festival hotel you will be in the middle of the
action and are helping the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association meet its
contractual obligation to fill the room block specially reserved for all festival attendees.

More info will be posted with regular updates at:
http://www.nafow.org

If you experience any difficulty making a room reservation, please contact
president@wngga.org for assistance.

Read more: http://americymru.ning.com/events/north-american-festival-of#ixzz17fFRRMgX

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A new law to promote the Welsh language has been unanimously passed by the Welsh Assembly.

The measure makes Welsh an official language in Wales, and obliges public bodies and some private companies to provide services in it. ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11934239 )

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Yes, Our dogs celebrate all the holidays!


By mona everett, 2010-12-09

Please "like" our photo here: ! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1923311&id=1275731595# !/pages/Tabby-Jacks/174180668626 We might win something!

Thanks!

Also, note the 3rd dachshund has a solidly-Welsh name (that just happens to rhyme with the American pronounciation of "dachshund". :)

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

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