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"Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon"-"A nation without a language is a nation without a heart" Welsh Proverb

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Friday, December 28, 2012

Welsh Cakes!


Traditional Welsh Recipes: Welsh Cakes
Welsh cakes or welshcakes (Welsh: picau ar y maen, pice bach, cacen gri or teisen radell) are traditional Welsh snacks.
The cakes are also known as bakestones within Wales because they are traditionally cooked on a bakestone (Welsh: maen), a cast iron griddle about 1.5 cm or more thick which is placed on the fire or cooker; on rare occasions, people may refer to them as griddle scones.
... Welsh cakes are made from flour, sultanas, raisins, and/or currants, and may also include such spices as cinnamon and nutmeg. They are roughly circular, a couple of inches (4–6 cm) in diameter and about half an inch (1–1.5 cm) thick.
Welsh cakes are served hot or cold dusted with caster sugar. Unlike scones, they are not usually eaten with an accompaniment, though they are sometimes sold ready split and spread with jam, and they are sometimes buttered.
Ingredients
225g/8oz self-raising flour, sieved
110g/4oz (preferably Welsh) salted butter
1 egg
handful of sultanas
milk, if needed
85g/3oz caster sugar
extra butter, for greasing
Preparation method
Rub the fat into the sieved flour to make breadcrumbs. Add the sugar, dried fruit and then the egg. Mix to combine, then form a ball of dough, using a splash of milk if needed.
Roll out the pastry until it is a 5mm/¼in thick and cut into rounds with a 7.5-10cm/3-4in fluted cutter.
You now need a bakestone or a heavy iron griddle. (My Gran used a dry frying pan) Rub it with butter and wipe the excess away. Put it on to a direct heat and wait until it heats up, place the Welsh cakes on the griddle, turning once. They need about 2-3 minutes each side. Each side needs to be caramel brown before turning although some people I know like them almost burnt.
Remove from the pan and dust with caster sugar while still warm. Some people leave out the dried fruit, and split them when cool and sandwich them together with jam.See more
Traditional Welsh Recipes: Welsh Cakes<br /><br />Welsh cakes or welshcakes (Welsh: picau ar y maen, pice bach, cacen gri or teisen radell) are traditional Welsh snacks.<br />The cakes are also known as bakestones within Wales because they are traditionally cooked on a bakestone (Welsh: maen), a cast iron griddle about 1.5 cm or more thick which is placed on the fire or cooker; on rare occasions, people may refer to them as griddle scones.<br /><br />Welsh cakes are made from flour, sultanas, raisins, and/or currants, and may also include such spices as cinnamon and nutmeg. They are roughly circular, a couple of inches (46 cm) in diameter and about half an inch (11.5 cm) thick.<br /><br />Welsh cakes are served hot or cold dusted with caster sugar. Unlike scones, they are not usually eaten with an accompaniment, though they are sometimes sold ready split and spread with jam, and they are sometimes buttered.<br /><br />Ingredients<br />225g/8oz self-raising flour, sieved<br />110g/4oz (preferably Welsh) salted butter<br />1 egg<br />handful of sultanas<br />milk, if needed<br />85g/3oz caster sugar<br />extra butter, for greasing<br /><br />Preparation method<br /><br />Rub the fat into the sieved flour to make breadcrumbs. Add the sugar, dried fruit and then the egg. Mix to combine, then form a ball of dough, using a splash of milk if needed.<br /><br />Roll out the pastry until it is a 5mm/in thick and cut into rounds with a 7.5-10cm/3-4in fluted cutter.<br /><br />You now need a bakestone or a heavy iron griddle. (My Gran used a dry frying pan) Rub it with butter and wipe the excess away. Put it on to a direct heat and wait until it heats up, place the Welsh cakes on the griddle, turning once. They need about 2-3 minutes each side. Each side needs to be caramel brown before turning although some people I know like them almost burnt.<br /><br />Remove from the pan and dust with caster sugar while still warm. Some people leave out the dried fruit, and split them when cool and sandwich them together with jam.
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Wednesday, November 14, 2012


                                                                   

The Dragon Wakes www.amazon.com Wales in the 14th Century was a country in ruins. After a hundred years of English occupation, famine, plague and oppression the country exploded into revolt led by the mysterious Owain Glyndwr. Owain was a successful member of the Anglo-Welsh aristocracy and seemed the model of the new Welshman ...



Friday, November 9, 2012

urgent!

Kathryn Pritchard Gibson www.garthcelyn.org
www.garthcelyn.org
Garth Celyn - the medieval home of the Welsh princes of Wales.
  • Earl T. Williams Jr 29 acres of land containing priceless archaeology surrounding Garth Celyn has come onto the market for sale. The Trustees of Ymddiriedolaeth Garth Celyn are urgently raising funds to purchase this land to save it from falling into the clutches of developers. The Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones has made a generous donation towards the appeal and is taking a personal interest in the project
  • Kathryn Pritchard Gibson At this moment all donations of any amount count and the Trustees welcome them all. A developer has put in an offer and everything is on a knife edge.
  •  
  • Thursday, November 1, 2012

    Plaid Cymru

     

                                                                                                                                                   Photo

    Sunday, October 28, 2012

    The Electoral Collage comes up in the election of President!

         Many feel that the Electoral Collage is one of the most controversial parts of the American Constitution! It has been a problem in the elections of 1876, 1888, and 2000 where Presidents lost the popular vote but won the presidency by the Electoral College. It is said that the Electoral College has created what we now call "swing states." In effect with some states with few Electoral College votes get little attention during the campaigns.
         The Electoral Collage represents the great philosophy of the founding fathers and their intent with the American Constitution. If you remember in school the teachers like me talking about the concern for "Checks and Balances." It gives what one might say compromise or interests! But one must look at the onset of a new nation the colonists had little opportunity to vote for their leaders as they were appointed by the crown. In eight of the thirteen colonies at the time of the Constitution the legislature appointed governors! Many felt that the country was too large to elect a president and in the south 2/3 of a person counting slaves presented a problem. states did not want to be outdone by bigger states. This produced also the equal number of senators from each state.
           The Congressional idea of selecting a President opened the appointment for conflicts of interest and limiting the Presidency! The electoral College became an alternate of the Congress. The idea to prevent conflict is again a question in election of 2012 being so close! It will present again a river of complaints!
           Lets look at the Electoral College so their are less questions on Nov. 6th. The Electoral College is a process, not a place. The founding fathers established it in the Constitution. It was a compromise between election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of "qualified citizens." (men) The Electoral College consists of five hundred and thirty eight  electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. each states entitled allotment of electors equals the number of members in its Congressional delegation: one for each member in the House of Representatives plus two for your Senators. (Under the 23rd Amendment of the Constitution, the District of Columbia is allocated 3 electors and treated like a state)  Each candidate running for President in your state has his or her own group of electors. The electors are generally chosen by the candidate’s political party, but state laws vary on how the electors are selected and what their responsibilities are.. The presidential election is held every four years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. You choose your state’s electors when you vote for President because when you vote for your candidate you are actually voting for your candidate’s electors. Most states are winner take all with the exception of Maine and Nebraska each have a variation of “proportional representation.” Following the election each governor prepares a “Certificate of Ascertainment” listing all of the candidates who ran for President in your state along with the names of their respective electors. The Certificate of Ascertainment also declares the winning presidential candidate in your state and shows which electors will represent your state at the meeting of the electors in December of the election year. Your state’s Certificates of Ascertainment's are sent to the Congress and the National Archives as part of the official records of the presidential election. This meeting of the electors takes place on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in Dec. after the presidential election. The electors meet in their respective states, where they cast their votes for President and Vice President on separate ballots. Your state’s electors’ votes are recorded on a “Certificate of Vote,” which is prepared at the meeting by the electors. Your state’s Certificates of Votes are sent to the Congress and the National Archives as part of the official records of the presidential election. Each state’s electoral votes are counted in a joint session of Congress on the 6th of January in the year following the meeting of the electors. Members of the House and Senate meet in the House chamber to conduct the official tally of electoral votes. The Vice President, as President of the Senate, presides over the count and announces the results of the vote. The President of the Senate then declares which persons, if any, have been elected President and Vice President of the United States. Then the President-Elect takes the oath of office and is sworn in as President of the United States on January 20th in the year following the Presidential election.

    See also: 
    Romney-Biden May Be Winning Ticket in Unlikely Voting Tie www.bloomberg.com On Jan. 20, Mitt Romney takes the presidential oath of office. Standing close by is his new vice president, Joe Biden.

    Saturday, October 13, 2012

    BBC News - Churches and chapels in Wales 'may unite'

     

    13 October 2012

    Churches and chapels in Wales 'may unite'

    Church window

    Congregations are falling and resources are tight for many churches and chapels

    Churches and chapels in Wales are being asked to discuss radical proposals which could result in closer unity.

    Five denominations - including the Church in Wales, Presbyterians and Methodists - could ultimately share bishops, ministers and buildings.

    The proposed Church Uniting in Wales would also include Presbyterians and some Baptists.

    A conference in Aberystwyth will discuss the plans in response to declining funds and congregations.

    The event on Saturday, called The Gathering, brings together five denominations known as the five Covenanted Churches in Wales.

    The group - which together have 2,500 churches - was set up in the 1970s with the aim of working more closely together.

    But economic concerns are prompting discussions of even closer unity to share resources and governance at a time when many congregations are dwindling and money is tight.

    The proposal is also aimed at giving the churches a stronger shared voice in the political arena.

    “Our lack of unity does not help our message of reconciliation”

    Dr Barry Morgan Archbishop of Wales

    If given the go-ahead, a new breed of bishops would be created and be interchangeable between all denominations in the united group.

    Ordained ministers would also be free to serve in all churches and chapels in the Church Uniting in Wales.

    Under the plans to share resources and buildings, however, no church or chapel would be forced to close or merge and there would be no obligation to take part in the sharing of clergy.

    Also, within the group, the individual denominations would remain.

    A spokeswoman for the Presbyterian Church of Wales said the plans were "quite new and quite radical".

    "All the denominations are realising we are getting smaller numbers but we do have strengths and resources remaining so it's a case of working out how best to use the resources," she said.

    "For example, in some towns you might have two churches and a chapel. They might have a vicar but no-one in the chapel.

    "If the churches united, the vicar could also serve the chapel."

    She added that it was "important" for the churches to be seen to be working together and that united they would have a "stronger voice".

    'A way forward'

    The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said Saturday's conference would see the "largest ecumenical gathering in Wales for many years".

    "Our lack of unity does not help our message of reconciliation," he said.

    "I hope that we can find a way forward together as churches in Wales."

    The Rev Gethin Abraham-Williams, chair of the Commission of Covenanted Churches, added that he hoped the conference would lead to the creation of a new "ecclesial community committed to common mission in the world'."

    A set of reports outlining the plans for more unity will be launched at The Gathering on Saturday.

    Official representatives from each of the five Covenanted Churches will then take them back to their local churches and will respond to the recommendations.

    In July, a report said that the Church in Wales needed to reform and modernise to secure its future and one of the recommendations was for it to work more closely with other denominations.

    The study by three leading Anglicans highlighted "very low morale" in some parishes and said the situation was one of "dire seriousness".

    It looked at how the church could adapt to cope with the decline in clergy, falling congregations, a surplus number of churches and a large repair bill for its buildings.

    Wednesday, October 3, 2012

         Well tonite is the first Presidential debate. It will be the fist time that Romney and Obama debate live. To me it is the fist time that Obama can not hide behind his misleading ads to avoid his dismal economic situation over the last four years.
          Obama attacked on Romney taxes and the IRS showed that yes he did pay more than people making $50,000! The question is should we judge a person running for the White House on a level that is higher than what we do. I do not now one person that will try to lower his/her taxes by using reductions and loop holes. How many people that are rich would not place money in off shore accounts. On top of going at Romney for being rich which he earned why is it that no one looks at how rich Obama, Reid and Pelosi  are and what they do with their money.
           I predicted by this blog religion is playing again in the political arena! Black Ministers and Churches Association have asked their members not to vote for Obama because of his stance on marriage! Catholics are upset with position on contraceptives and today actually saying Catholic policy is actually just the opinion of the Pope! Questions have arisen again about Obamas relationship with his radical minister's positions. Obama people have called to tell Christian's not to vote for a Mormon as he is not Christian. This either is a lack of knowledge by those followers or they are playing on Christians not understanding Mormonism.
            Age old questions also arise. The vote just because you are a Republican or Democratic! I have heard again the age old saying "I have voted Democratic all my life and so did my parents." Why should I change? That is an interesting thought when the parties have changed over the years. Democrats were the party of the south advocating KKK and slavery, but now the party of the blacks. Racism is a common word around these days. It seems that anyone that opposes Obama is a racist. In some ways the meaning of the word has gone! Blacks will vote for Obama because he is black, just like republicans will vote republican because that is what we have always done. One wonders where the free thinking people have gone? Just like religion many go to the polls leaving their brains behind. They have fooled the liberal press and overlook things like the "Fast and Furious" that gave guns to drug lords. They overlook that it states on Obama's birth certificate that he was "Afro-American" in 1961 yet the term was not coined till the late 60s or early 70's. Strange is it not?
            My position is this it is not a Black or White situation the color of a mans skin is not the situation. It is not a Christian Muslim or Mormon question. It is who best can lead this country in the next four years. We have seen what Obama has done or not done and have seen that it has failed this country. I do not feel that he has brought change and there still is many questions about his Marxist and Socialist ideas, his background, His bowing to foreign heads of state etc. This evening we will see what is presented.  Will update this blog after the debate! Thanks!

    Update: Romney won the debate hands down!

     

                                         Photo: Check this out!  You can buy prints of my artwork at http://earl-williams-jr.fineartamerica.com

    Monday, September 3, 2012


    Welsh Fest ad This yearly celebration of all things Welsh, co-sponsored by the Welsh Society of Fredericksburg, returns to the 900 block of Charles Street, in front of the museum, on Saturday, September 22, from noon to 5 p.m. James Monroe had Welsh ancestry though his mother, Elizabeth Jones, making him one of many prominent Americans (including Meriwether Lewis, J.P. Morgan and Frank Lloyd Wright) to descend from this small corner of the British Isles.
    Join us for live music by national acts IONA and Jodee James and local group Moch Pryderi; traditional dancing; infamous Welsh cookies; mini history, genealogy, and language lessons; Celtic arts and crafts vendors; children's activities and much more!
    Admission is a suggested donation of $5/adult and $1/child. The festival is partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Fredericksburg Economic Authority JumpStart! program.
    Stay downtown after you visit the festival to check out the street art festival Via Colori, and come back that evening for the Fredericksburg Area Museum's Art Comes Alive program.
    James Monroe Museum September 2012 Newsletter

    Wednesday, August 1, 2012

    Doctor Shortage will be affected by Obamacare!

         Before I start this article I want to make it very clear that I am for Health Care reform, but I am very against the type of health care brought forth from the Obama administration and 79% of the people in the USA are behind that thought! As for those that doubt my sources this article is based on stories by the Los Angeles Times and Annie Lowrey and Robert Pear of the New York Time two well respected news papers.
         The articles question what the Obamacare policy will do to the actual care when it comes to Doctors ability or numbers to care for the people. In section of California known as the Inland Empire Obamacare is expected to extend coverage to 300000 people, but the question is will this actually bring a lift in care? Local Health in the area doubt that there will be enough Doctors to meet the needs of this number. This is not the only place that is worried the Mississippi Delta, Detroit and suburban Phoenix sees problems here also. The article shows that the Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that by the year 2015 the USA will have 62,900 fewer Doctors than needed! It is also noted that this number will double by 2025! To be fair even without the Obamacare by 2025 the shortage of Doctors will be 100,000! A government council has estimated that an area  of 100,000 people need 60 to 80 primary care doctors and 85 to 105 specialists.
           The article goes on to state that fewer than 50% of primary Doctors are not taking on Medicaid patients so even if people are entitled to care they will not be able to find it! over 1/3 of the coverage growth by Obamacare is medicaid.
            The Obamacare will be adding to an already strained situation of doctor shortage! Medicare is estimated to surge with the baby boomers to 73.2 Million by 2025. This is shown to be up 44% from this year! Experts have said that the pool of Doctors has not kept up and will not in the near future! To those who say this is Medical Schools fault it is shown that they have increased enrollment but not as fast as older people are coming on to the needs! There are not enough training places for Doctors and they are working less hours than in the past. To add to this dismal thought is the note that a third of the doctors we now have are 55 or older and they themselves will be nearing retirement and having health problems themselves!
              Living in one of the largest medical training areas with Duke UNC, Wake Forest and NC State this is a hard article to swallow but it needs to be said that Obamacare is not popular with Doctors I have talked with. One wonders if they were consulted along with the rest of the US Population when Obamacare was put forth! Just my opinion! I am always reminded of my Dad's statement that was meant to be funny, but something to think about...."did you know that 50% of Doctors graduated in the bottom half of their Medical Class." Can they cope with the increase?  So in all quality and numbers need to be looked at in the future!  

    Friday, July 27, 2012

     

    The permanent European settlement of the Chubut Valley and surrounding areas began on July 28th, 1865 when 153 Welsh settlers arrived aboard the converted tea-clipper Mimosa


    The permanent European settlement of the Chubut Valley and surrounding areas began on July 28th, 1865 when 153 Welsh settlers arrived aboard the converted tea-clipper Mimosa. The Mimosa had cost £2,500 to hire for the voyage and convert to passenger use, and the fare from Liverpool to Patagonia was £12 for adults and £6 for children, although anyone willing to travel was taken on the journey regardless of ability to pay.[9] The Mimosa settlers, including tailors, cobblers, carpenters, brick makers, and miners, comprised 56 married adults, 33 single or widowed men, 12 single women (usually sisters or servants of married emigrants), and 52 children. There were few farmers, which was rather unfortunate particularly when they discovered that the attractions of the area had been oversold and they had landed in an arid semi-desert with little food. They had been told that the area was like lowland Wales. At the coast there was little drinking water and the group embarked on a walk across the parched plain with a single wheelbarrow to carry their belongings. Some died and a baby was born on the march, called Mary Humphries. John Williams was the only colonist with any form of rudimentary medical skill.
    Once they reached the valley of the Chubut River, their first settlement was a small fortress on the site which later became the town of Rawson, now the capital of Chubut province. The first houses here were washed away by a flash flood in 1865, and new houses were constructed. The floods also washed away crops of potatoes and maize. The rainfall in the area was much less than the colonists had been led to expect, leading to crop failures.
    See more



    First settlers 1865 - Y Wladfa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    en.wikipedia.org
    The idea of a Welsh colony in South America was put forward by Professor Michael D. Jones, a Welsh nationalist

    Monday, July 9, 2012


    olympics
                                           Go USA and Welsh members of the British teams!

    Saturday, June 23, 2012

    BBC News - Medieval manuscript The Laws of Hywel Dda back from USA for auction


    Medieval manuscript The Laws of Hywel Dda back from USA for auction

    The Laws of Hywel Dda

    The Laws of Hywel Dda book was taken to America by Welsh settlers
    One of the first medieval manuscripts to be written in Welsh is going under the hammer in London, valued at between £500,000 and £700,000.
    It is believed the 14th Century pocket book, called The Laws of Hywel Dda, was taken to America by Welsh settlers in the 1700s.
    Sotheby's said the sale on 10 July marked its return to Britain for the first time in at least 150 years.
    It is being sold by the Massachusetts Historical Society of Boston.
    Tenth century Welsh ruler Hywel Dda created the country's first uniform legal system.
    A sense of fairness ran through the laws, including how they dealt with the rights of women.
    Dr Tim Bolton, a specialist in medieval manuscripts at Sotherby's, said the lot was the first of its kind to be auctioned for almost a century.
    Continue reading the main story

    “Start Quote

    This is the text that goes to the heart of Welsh identity”
    End Quote Dr Tim Bolton Sotherby's
    He described it as a "quite unassuming" pocket book reference for a medieval lawyer.
    "This is the text that goes to the heart of Welsh identity and I'm afraid, from my side and with some embarrassment, the somewhat stormy relationship with England in the Middle Ages.
    "I believe there are about 60 medieval copies of the law of Hywel Dda, but actually there is almost nothing, only fragments, before the year 1250 that survive.
    "And then there are only 80 books in medieval Welsh, or fragments of books, that survive for the whole of the Middle Ages. It's a tiny, tiny number."
    Dr Bolton said the story behind the pocket book was remarkable.
    "It first emerges in the library of William Phillips, who died in 1721, who coincidentally is a barrister. He's also a town official for Brecon.
    'Hoping'
    "It was seen there by the antiquarian Edward Llwyd and then William Wooton and then it just disappears.
    "We do know, after a great deal of research, that his daughter Anne inherited his books and they went to her husband William Scourfield.
    "We know that members of the Scourfield family are among the earliest settlers to the Pennsylvania Welsh community and it just must be that the book went out with them or their immediate descendants."
    Dr Bolton said the pocket book was being sold by the Massachusetts Historical Society, and he hoped it would return home to Wales.
    "After at least a century and a half away, and perhaps a leave of absence of almost three centuries, we're all rather hoping that the new buyer can carry it back to Wales," he said.
    BBC News - Medieval manuscript The Laws of Hywel Dda back from USA for auction

    Thursday, June 21, 2012

     GLYNDÅ´R'S CORONATION DAY
    Photo
    ITS 21 JUNE - GLYNDÅ´R'S CORONATION DAY AND PARLIAMENT AND CYMRIC SOVEREIGNTY DAY...TIME TO CELEBRATE AND TO RAISE A GLASS...OR TWO.

    Friday, June 8, 2012

    http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/earl-williams-jr.html here is where my photos are for sale USA and International orders .....also greeting cards of the photos. See photos on my facebook or Flicker pages as well. If you see a photo you like but not up on fineart write to me at celticpandc@mindspring.com and I will put it up for you to buy. I could use the money as I am in process of seeking a job!!!

    Thursday, May 31, 2012

    Llywelyn, tears of blood you'd weep,
    If you should see this from your sleep:
    Our heart in a foreigner's hand,
    Our ancient throne in a conqueror's land;
    A nation where the meek abound,
    ... Where once were men who stood their ground.

    We smile beneath the Royalty,
    Peasants are peasants, never free.
    We'll carry on our slavish way
    Content and happy come what may;
    Lost of roots, nothing to save,
    Without a care but to behave.

    We shall not be deceived for long
    By fables and historic song,
    For we, who now just count to ten,
    Are Wales' Rule-Britannia men.
    We are the patriots who lack fire,
    The headstrong international choir.

    In honour of your name, my land,
    I'll ride with reddened sword in hand,
    And nothing more than this is true:
    How I could spill this blood for you. (Lloyd Owen)

    Wednesday, May 9, 2012


    Saunders Lewis wrote..."Gwlad heb Iaith,gwlad heb Galon" - "A country without a language is a country without a heart."

    Wednesday, May 2, 2012

    Facebook


    Wall Photos
    by: Plaid Cymru
                                                  

    Sunday, April 29, 2012

    Bennitt Place where 80,000 Confederate Soldiers under gen. Joseph Johnson surrendered to Major Gen. William T. Sherman



     
    Bennitt Place where 80,000 Confederate Soldiers under General. Joseph Johnson surrendered to Major Gen. William T. Sherman. Bringing the Civil war to an end. It might be noted that General Robert E. Lee surrendered only 28,000 at Appomattox Court House on April 9th 1865. This took place in the latter part of April 27-29th 1865. (Photo taken from the News and Observer Paper and was taken by Chuck Liddy) today in Durham N.C. USA where the Bennitt Place is now a historical sight.See more
    by: Earl T. Williams Jr

    Wednesday, March 21, 2012



    1 Birds of North Carolina VOL 1 of 10 The Cardinal and more
    ‎"Morning Ya All!"-Male Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)-photo © 2012 Copyright ...by Earl T. Williams Jr. B.A., M.Div. on fence post. Northern Cardinals are a medium-sized songbird (approximately 8.75 inches in length) with short, rounded wings, a long tail, a heavy conical bill, and a crest. Males are nearly all brilliant red; brownish-gray-tinged scapular and back feathers give the upper parts a less colorful appearance. The coral red bill is surrounded by a mask of black that extends to a dark eye and includes the chin and throat. Legs and feet are dark red. The female is soft grayish brown on the back with variable areas of red on the tail, crest, and wings. The underparts are a warm pinkish brown. Her coral red bill is also surrounded by darker but not black feathers, so her mask is not as distinct as the male's. Females are slightly smaller than males. 


     
    Croeso/Welcome Spring! No copyright please share!

    Thursday, March 15, 2012


    Leanne Wood elected new Leader of Plaid 

    Plaid Cymru elect Leanne Wood as new leader (From BBC)


    Leanne Wood AM Wales needs 'real independence', says Leanne Wood


    Leanne Wood has been named the new leader of Plaid Cymru.

    Ms Wood won 55% of the vote, ahead of Elin Jones who came second with 41%.

    Lord Elis-Thomas was knocked out in the first round of counting as the least popular candidate, and the votes of supporters were redistributed according to their second preferences.

    Ms Wood, who is currently learning to speak Welsh, said she would be a "forward looking, positive and constructive" leader.
    'Stand tall'
    Speaking after the result was announced in Cardiff on Thursday, she paid tribute to her rival candidates and thanked the young party members who campaigned on her behalf.

    Leanne Wood Ms Wood is the ninth Plaid leader and first woman to hold the job

    "The young members are our future - they are an inspiration and source of hope for all of us," she said.

    "We may be a small party and a small country but we can stand tall if we stand together and stand up for our principles."

    Ms Wood inherits the leadership of the third largest party in the Welsh assembly behind the Labour government and Conservative opposition.

    Aged 40, she is the ninth leader in Plaid Cymru's 87-year history and the first woman to lead the party. Her election means Plaid now has female leader, chief executive, president and chair.

    In the first round of voting, Ms Wood won 2,879 votes to Ms Jones's 1,884 and Lord Elis-Thomas with 1,278.

    In the second and decisive round, Ms Wood beat Ms Jones by 3,326 votes to 2,494.  

    The women of Plaid;our President,Chair,Leader&Chief Executive!!!Great day for Wales,Welsh politics & Plaid!

    Monday, March 5, 2012


    Super Tuesday KO May Prove Elusive For Romney

    abcnews.go.com
    Four years ago, Sen. John McCain used a slew of victories on Super Tuesday to all but clinch the Republican nomination, but even though voters in 10 states will head to the polls Tuesday don’t expect such a decisive outcome this year.

    Friday, March 2, 2012

    We are proud to present the following guest post by my Friend, Peter Anthony Freeman!


    By:Peter Anthony Freeman

    Supervisor at Metro Los Angeles\Lives in Los Angeles, California From Llanelli, Cymru/Wales:

    The Legend of Bendigeidfran, (See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frlMIgOiuAI)
    the giant King who walked across to Ireland to confront the abuser of Branwen.
    There are three Cauldrons in Welsh Legends; The first, the cauldron of inspiration, is found in the tale of Taliesin.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvHYTxg9Zg4
    The tale of Bendigeidfran tells of the second, the cauldron of re-birth. It is a tale of a Giant who was a bridge to his people and a bridge between worlds. A tale of war, anger and the pain of the peacemakers.
    Please note if you would like a written form of this post please just ask! E-Mail Celticpandc@mindspring.com 

    Thursday, March 1, 2012

    St David's Day Recipes and Information, Dydd Gwyl Dewi



    Dydd Gŵyl Dewi (St David's Day) is the feast day of St David, celebrated on March 1st every year and this day was declared a national day of celebration within Wales in the 18th century. very year parades are held in Wales to commemorate St. David, with the largest of these being held in Cardiff.
    Typically on St David's day and children take part in school concerts or eisteddfodau, with recitation and singing being the main activities
    Many Welsh people wear one or both of the national emblems of Wales on their lapel to celebrate St. David: the daffodil (a generic Welsh symbol which is in season during March) or the leek (Saint David's personal symbol) on this day. (the association between leeks and daffodils makes more sense in Welsh where the leek is cenin and the daffodil is cenin Pedr [literally, 'St Peter's leek'].
    In south Wales males usually wear leeks while young girls wear daffodils; in the north the daffodil predominates. The younger girls sometimes wear traditional Welsh costumes to school. This costume consists of a long woollen skirt, white blouse, woollen shawl and a Welsh hat.
    One of the classic traditional dishes of St David's Day is cawl cenin (lek broth or stew) and below I provide links to a recipe for this as well as to other recipes from this site that you can use to put together a St David's day meal (all these recipes are derived from the Welsh Recipes section of this site.
    St David's Day Recipes:
    St David's Day Recipes and Information, Dydd Gwyl Dewi

     

    Monday, February 27, 2012

    My Little Welsh Home by Alison Hill: Welsh Guest Writer right here in North Carolina!


    Dolbadarn Castle in Llanberis, North Wales

               My Little Welsh Home
                    by Alison Hill
           Longing. Yearning. Homesickness. These are loose definitions of the Welsh word ‘hiraeth,’ which most ex-pats are sure to be familiar with. But there is no direct English translation, which makes me wonder if the Welsh experience a more intense pining. It’s not just ‘home’ we miss, we are saddened by our separation from a ‘feeling’ only Wales can offer, and that only our compatriots would truly understand. This is a magic that cannot be recreated abroad, no matter how many Welsh dragons we fly. We belong to a nation and culture steeped in history and myth, we share a powerful bond through our language, and our love of music and literature (the finer things in life) is innate. Where else would you grow up competing in the cultural Olympics that is the Eisteddfod? Children in Wales are encouraged to participate in the arts at a very young age, and this induces a lifelong interest in beautiful, meaningful things.

    Daffodil-Flower of Wales


         But nobody knows much about Wales. We are not one of the popular crowd. We are ‘the other’ Celtic nation, the forgotten one, the red-headed stepchild if you like.  Many people in America do not realize Wales is a country, with its own culture, customs, language, rich history and unique traditions. I’m often asked if the Welsh language is different from English, and I answer, politely, ‘yes, it’s...another language, far older than English, in fact one of the oldest spoken languages in Europe.’
          The Irish win hands down in the popularity contest stateside, and many equate the word ‘Celtic’ with Irish, whereas in reality Ireland is one of six Celtic nations. Scots are known here for their kilts and bagpipes, Braveheart and Highland Games. But what of the Welsh? What is our identity? We don’t need gimmicks. You don’t have to buy silly hats or color rivers green for us. But we would like some recognition please. So give us a moment to share with you who we are. Let us tell you some of our stories, myths, and legends, sing you some of our songs, show you some of the beautiful places we love to call home.
          Snowdon North Wales

         At this time of year, as St. David’s Day approaches, I reflect on what I miss most about Wales. The misty mountains of Snowdonia, the tranquil beauty of Pennant Valley, the windswept beaches of Anglesey. Lonely, winding roads lined with dry stone walls. Gentle rain. Castles around every corner, humped back bridges, fields lush and verdant. The culture, music, language and community. Hearing stories of the old times, Welsh spoken all around me. All of this and more. I miss my small village in the mountains, where I grew up knowing everyone, and where everyone knew me. What a sense of belonging and comfort. This is where I come from, and where I love to return. As time goes by, memories often hurt as much as they please. This is a feeling I’ll never outgrow or outlive. Wherever life takes me, Wales will always be my home, and the ‘hiraeth’ will never cease.

    Alison Hill
    Writer/Producer
    SEREN MEDIA

    serenmedia1@yahoo.com  http://www.mediaready-mediasavvy.com
    www.AlisonHillMedia.com

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    I Can’t Take It Anymore! When Will The Government Quit Putting Out Fraudulent Employment Statistics?

    www.mrconservative.com
    On Friday, the entire financial world celebrated when it was announced that the unemployment rate in the United States had fallen to 8.3 percent. That is the lowest it has been since February 2009, and it came as an unexpected surprise for financial markets that are hungry for some good news. Accor...

    Power of the Presidency! Ruler or Branch of Government!

         If you have been following the Republican run for the Presidency, talk of religion or actions by Obama in and outside the USA you might think back to your grade school History class and the checks and balances of power. That is the Administrative Branch, the Congressional Branch and the Judicial Branch. The question is have these branches evolved into different branches than the Founding Fathers intended or that the Constitution laid out.
          It might be noted that in the 1800's many people were suggested for a run for the Presidency, but declined as they felt that being a member of the House or Senate carried more power and fame than being President. That certainly is not the way it is today where being in the House or the Senate is seen as a stepping stone for the position toward a presidential run. Because of the easy of traveling both outside the USA and between states the Presidents role has changed in that he often REPRESENTS the nation in actions and dealings with other nations. Recently Obama made appointments and went around the Congress. This has been done throughout history, but wait a moment. In the early days of this country Article II of the Constitution provided the ability of the President to appoint while Congress was on recess and this was done out of need not to call back congress when they were off for some six to nine months. Today though that note is a bit blurred by politics and moving for political gain. Many say that this comes from the presidents moving toward being ruler. One must be reminded here that Washington refused to be King of the USA.
            Yes I am hinting here that the Presidency we see today often goes around Congress and overlooks the Constitution. I feel that unilateral actions by the President slashes to the very heart of the governing system and tips the very balance of power in the USA. The question here of declaring war comes to mind.  We were founded as a country that refused to have a ruler but we are coming close to that when the president does everything to go around the Constitution. That point was made clear in the move by the President and Government to make contraception available when it crossed religious lines. This is wrong and not the governments responsibility or ability. ( As a side point here people often are wrong when it comes to separation of Church and State. If one reads what the Constitution states about this is that the we have a freedom of religion but in saying that no religion nor any form of the government shall not prohibit each other. In other words religion can not go over government and government can not inhibit religion. Atheists in this country have read it to mean no religion in government happening. The Constitution does not say this. ) Another notion on this is that Obama recently said he was sorry for Koran burnings! Again he now represents a nation. Does the nation think this is wrong? Our flag is burned many times in protest and lives are lost....have the representatives of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan said they are sorry? Another subject comes to mind over Obama's bowing to the Emperor of Japan. As said he represents a Nation and NO OTHER PRESIDENT HAS BOWED TO ANOTHER NATION OR HEAD OF STATE. Obama were is the apology due to the many American Veterans of WWII that this action insulted? In this thought of the Federal Government ruling from the Administrative branch I am also reminded of states rights that have been burred in the past few years and one wonders of the Federal Government getting involved in Arizona illegal immigration legislation.
              If you are going to be the parent or president representing the nation please remember that what you do represents all of us. Saying "I am sorry" is something we all learn as children, but for the president it has far reaching complications and implications. In a nutshell if you are in the Oval office and say you messed up you now give the world the view that the USA is weak and did wrong. One wonders if saying we are wrong is all that bad. Saying you are sorry is a two action venture. First you say you are sorry and the further action taken to prevent it from happening again. the latter is often forgotten even by Presidents. But in thinking this out as the Republican candidates point out is taking action to prevent such things as Korans being burned is that bowing to the Islamic Nations. How about Va. notion not to mention God in funerals of American veterans which is an insult!
              In taking on this opinion article I feel that the Presidency is much like being a minister...you have to be a jack of all trades, sometimes you can not win. But then again there is political gain in mind. If you think about it the true faith full and common sense interpretation of the American Constitution seems to always arise only when it is somewhat politically important. What comes to mind here is OBAMACARE. It sticks a feather in the Presidents hat and rallies those that do not understand it but is it crossing lines that are laid out by the Constitution. (To be clear  here  to my Welsh-liberal friends I am for Heath care, but not the type of health care now pressed on us) Some here are afraid of Socialism which could destroy our democratic way!
                The question raised here remains is the Presidency in change.....is it growing too powerful....does it have a responsibility to the Constitution?

    P.S. In saying that the President has more powers than the Constitution gave it or it took on it seems to make one wonder why no seated President has said they were sorry for SLAVERY including our Black President at present!
           

    Sunday, February 26, 2012

    Religion again in the news of the run for 2012 President of the USA!



    ABC News also shared a a link                                                                                                                                           
    Santorum: Obama Wrong to Apologize for Koran Burning
    abcnews.go.com
    GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum slammed President Obama for apologizing to Afghans earlier this week for the recent burning of Korans at a U.S. military base this morning on “This Week.” “There was nothing deliberately done wrong here. This was something that happened as a mistake. Killing ...