FĂ ilt [Welcome]! Ciamar a tha thu [How are you]?

• The Fiery Cross Sign-up runs through March 1, 2011 [CLOSED]
• The Fiery Cross Clan Assignments & partners posted March 15, 2011
• Sporrans mailed by May 15, 2011

Outlandish Swap V: The Fiery Cross

Scottish clans were originally a Highland way of life. The Highland clan was, above all things, a family; a family in which everybody believed they were all, from chief to blacksmith, descended from one founder or progenitor. They regarded themselves as very close kinsmen. This Swap is dedicated to such clan families and will be organized into four clans.


Friday, July 9, 2010

Fraser Challenge

Je Suis Prest! Are you? We sure hope so!!

Your challenge is brought to you in 3 parts, and you may pick and choose which to complete to earn your 10 points. All information will be in Section 7 of the book.

Part 1: Jeopardy
each question worth 1 point - 6 points possible

The answers are below. Please submit the "question" for each.

1. The way you lose owl.

2. The mysterious half-light at dawn and dusk when some animals feed.

3. A bag ornamented with a rough green stone and the spotted tail-feathers of a woodpecker hung around this person’s neck.

4. Fiend defying poet with a calm mind.

5. Cack-handed father and son.

6. “Don’t be too aggressive” is advice from this source.


Part 2: Word Search
every word is worth 1/2 of a point - 6 points possible

There are 12 names in the word search below, but you shall have to work this without a word list. They are all found in Chapters 19 & 20 of Section 7. The last name is attached, even if it is not that way in the book (i.e. you would not just find "frank" but "frankrandall"). Two of the people do not have last names. One is actually not a character in the book, but the "person" is named (and yes, the use of quotes just there is a hint for you!). An additional help is that all words are front or backwards, up or down. No diagonals!

To submit, simply send a list of the names you find.

(click on word search to enlarge)

Part 3: Word Sudoku
6 possible points. 1 point deducted for each incomplete or incorrect row...you will not receive negative points, although there are 9 rows...

(Number) Sudoku explanation: Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square. Here is a link that contains tutorials of how to play (look in the left-hand column).

However, today we are playing WORD Sudoku. instead of 9 different digits, there are 9 different letters. What letters? Well...you must solve this bitty clue to find out:

Clue:
a boy and his "dog..."

Answer:
_____ _____ & _____

Look at the letters from these 3 words -- after you remove all the duplicate letters, there are 9 different ones left. Use these 9 to solve the sudoku below.

To submit, send the 9 letters (in the correct order) for each ROW:

Example below (x being the letters you have yet to discover -- obviously yours will have the "real" letters in there):

row 1: xRxxOxxIx
row 2: xxLIYRNxx
(all the way through row 9, of course)

(click on puzzle to enlarge)

As always, please submit your answers to highlandergames at ymail dot com. Include "Fraser Challenge" in the subject line, and your swap name, ravelry name, and clan affiliation in the body of the email.

Deadline is July 14th at midnight, EST.
-Fiona Fraser

Beauchamp Challenge Revealed

Thank ye ladies for taking time from a busy week and the excruciating heat to partake of our wee challenge.  Entries were received from 25 lasses out of a total 45 possible participants (Beauchamps got to sit this one out).  We hope you all enjoyed a little peek at Claire's letters home to Bree.

ANSWERS
LETTER 1: Word Search Forever
1. ADAM
2. BRIANNA
3. CLAIRE
4. DR RAWLINGS
5. DUNCAN
7. FIONA
8. FRANK RANDALL
9. IAN
10. JAMIE
11. JOCASTA
12. KING WILLIAM
13. LONGFELLOW (we didn't fool anyone; this is just one word)
14. MACBETH
15. MONSIEUR FRESELIERE
17. MR WAKEFIELD
18. MYERS
19. POLLYANNE
20. SASSENACH
21. SERGEANT MURCHINSON -- despite the spelling variations from the US and UK editions, everyone got this.

LETTER 2: Crosswords,  Je t’aime
ACROSS
5. Thermodynamics
7. Myers
9. Pollyanne
10. Gralloch
11. Saorsa
12. Mavis McDowell -- or Mavis MacDowell, the alternate spelling without the word space and NO, CurlyKat, it is not Mark Wahlberg, although he is better looking!

DOWN
1. Uncle Angus
2. Mohawk
3. Veil [Like St. Paul, we also accepted hair]
4. Faith
6. MacBeth
8. Gooseberry

SCORING
8 Frasers: 4 perfect scores were received from LCBraun, MsLilly, CurlyKat, Cinnamonamon. Additional responses were received from Anne, Orions1, Guinevere, BlueMoonranch.
7 Murrays: 5 perfect scores were received from VioletDawn, Abitknottie, MeredithParker, Tonilee, ImgonnaPurl. Additional responses were received from Cabrita, JustaJenJen.
10 Mackenzies: 4 perfect scores were received from CursedGreenSwtr, Neila, AnnaEd, BlackMoonDog. Additional responses were received from Jules1960, The KnitDr, StickPixie, SixGunSally, Esuzabeth, JPillsbury.

The ladies in blue italics each receive an extra point for being among the first 10 to submit a 10-point answer. If you sent in your challenge and dinna see your name above, please let us know so we can adjust your clan's scores.

Our Earlybird Award goes to VioletDawn of Clan Murray. Her response was received at 2:27 pm (and then again at 2:52 p.m.) on Friday, July 2nd. Well done, lass --both responses qualify for earlybird!  And our Sneaker Award goes to Cinnamonamon of Clan Fraser. Her response was received at 11:52 pm on Thursday, July 8th.  Both ladies have earned a point for their clans.

A special Perfect Score Award goes to VioletDawn, CursedGreenSwtr, AnnaEd, and ImGonnaPurl.  Each lady earns an extra point for their clan for answering all 33 questions correctly!  Way to go!

Final Results will be posted this weekend, once I wake up a couple of sleepy teens who have worked a Girl Scout camp for four days in 100 degree weather.

And the Winner is . . .

All sisters with a 10 or better score . . .

Went into a project bag (sorry, no hats out here in Manchester at the Knit and Crochet Show)

And the name pulled from the bag by youngest dear niece was:


Catriona Mackenzie!

Congratulations, Cat!  You have earned an additional 5 points for your clan.

The Final Score:

Fraser: 62 + 2 bonus + 1 sneaker = 65
Mackenzie: 59 + 3 bonus + 2 perfect scores + individual winner = 69
Murray: 52 + 5 bonus + 1 earlybird + 2 perfect scores = 60

CONGRATS to all our participants!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Beauchamp Challenge: Letters from Home


Haroo Sisters! 

A man in a black suit just made a special delivery of two very dusty letters.  He said they have been sitting in his firm’s vault for more than 200 years.  Of course, like our namesake, Claire, we Beauchamps were quite intrigued by the cryptic messages contained in the letters.  Although the Beauchamps are quite adept at solving puzzles, it looks like we won’t have time to solve these.  So, we call out to our Mackenzie, Murray, and Frazer sisters for a wee bit of help in deciphering these ancient letters. 

This challenge focuses on Parts 5 and 6 of Drums of Autumn.  As with all Highland Games challenges, the maximum possible points one can earn is 10.  But, ye can earn them by completing a combination of the following puzzles.

Letter One:  Word Search Forever
You get 1 point for every three words found, for a maximum of 7 points for this game.

August 1767

Dearest Bree-

You’ll love to know that I am doing fine.  Jamie and I have started to get settled.  We're in America now.  It is beautiful!  I wish you could see it.  Coming from the 20th century, we forget that there so many folks have tread the same soil before us.  Sorry dear, this is probably beginning to sound like a history lesson.  I
n the short weeks since our arrival, we have met many people, some of whom remind me so much of the lovely folks back in our your time.  I would love to list them by name here, but you remember your American history -– with my British accent, they likely think I am compiling a hit list of sorts.  So I will just list them with a few identifying letters and ask that you find them in the grid.

All my love, Momma.



People we have met:
1. A __ __ M
2. B __ __ __ N __ __
3. C __ __ __ R __
4. D __ R __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
5. __ __ N C __ __
6. __ __ __ Q U __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
7. __ I __ N __
8. __ R __ __ K __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
9. __ A __
10. __ A __ __ __
11. J __ __ __ S __ __
12. __ __ __ G W __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
13. __ __ __ G F __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
14. M A __ __ __ __ __ [Corrected - Should be 7 letters]

15. __ __ __ S __ __ __ __ __ __E __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
16. __ __ __ __ R A __ __ __ (2 words)
17. M R __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
18. __ Y __ __ __
19. __ __ L L __ __ __ __ __
20. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ C H
21. S __ __ __ E __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words) [Corrected - Should be 17 letters]



Click on the image to see the full Word Search for printing


Letter Two:  Crosswords,  Je T’aime
You get 1 point for every two words found, for a maximum of 6 points for this game. 

August 1767
Dearest Daughter-

Bree, darling (oh, how I miss saying that to you).  I hope you are doing fine and that you have continued to work hard at your studies.  I thought to tell you a bit about our travels, about the people we've met and the things we've seen.  You should see your Great Aunt Jocasta's place.  It is a wonder to behold.  I can only hope that it has been restored just like Mount Vernon, yet to be built, will be, so that you can see it.  Time is short and once again, I think it prudent to exercise some caution.  I do draw attention to myself just being me.  I do not need my words to add fuel to the fire.  With your methodical mind (so much like your father) I thought you would enjoy a bit of a crossword.  I've offered a few clues to the people and things we have seen and ask that you find them in the crossword grid.  Until I can write again.

Je t'aime, Momma 

ACROSS
5. This first law says nothing is lost only changed
7. A gentle giant
9. Claire's primitive "colleague"
10. What is the prayer Jamie said?
11. Freedom

12. A relative of the Planet of the Apes actor, perhaps? [2 words]
DOWN
1. This aged "Scottie" was given a renewed life [2 words]

2. No such thing as rape among them
3. Saint Paul's solution to unseemly lust
4. Nothing is lost, only changed
6. What is the postman's name?

8. Its green stage can "cramp" anyone's style

Click on the image to see the full crossword for printing


As with all the other challenges:
  • 1 bonus point goes to each of the first 10 perfect (i.e.m 10 points) submissions
  • 1 point each goes for the first submission (early bird) and the last before the deadline (sneaker)
  • 5 points to the winner 

We hope you enjoy the challenges.  Happy Independence Day! Remember, as Claire does with these letters to Bree, home is where the heart lies.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

MacKenzie Challenge - The Outcome!

Lasses! I am SO proud that so many of you participated in the MacKenzie challenge - WOW!! There were 45 lasses eligible to play (Clan MacKenzie issued the challenge, so we couldna play) and out of that group, 31 rose up to the challenge we issued. 18 of those 31 earned a perfect score. BRAW JOB, LASSES!!

The answers:

1. Jocasta Cameron

2. Governor Tryon

3. Edwin Murray

4. Phillip Wylie

5. Pollyanne

6. Ulysses

7. Lieutenant Wolff

8. Andrew MacNeill

9. Billy Murchison

BONUS: TULACH ARD!! (What else could it be?!)

Beauchamp: 6 perfect scores were received from Bree, Ealasaid, Eilis, Imogene, Muirne, and Sineag. Additional responses were received from Caroline, Elspeth, Isobel, Lady North Facing, Morven, Nemetona, and Siusan.

Fraser: 7 perfect scores were received from Fiona, Isla, Jeannette, Jocasta Walkley, Nannag, Phaedra, and Vika. Additional responses were received from Airlie and Julienne.

Murray: 5 perfect scores were received from Bea, Caireann, Mordag, Tammy, and Zella. Additional responses were received from Caena, Eileen, Marsali, and Toireassa.

If you sent in your challenge and dinna see your name above, please let us know so we can adjust your clan's scores.

Our earlybird award goes to Vika of Clan Fraser. Her response was received at 3:11am on Friday, June 25th. That was quickly done, lass! And our sneaker award goes to Elspeth of Clan Beauchamp. Her response was received at 11:58pm on Wednesday, June 30.

There are two special awards going to Nemetona Beauchamp and Jeannette Fraser for noting that TULACH ARD is the battle cry of Clan MacKenzie - LOL! You have both earned an extra point for your clan!

A bonus point also goes to Mordag Murray for lighting a fire under her clan and increasing clan participation by 50% in the last hour!!!

All sisters with a perfect score



went into the hat,


and the name that was pulled by DD was...




BREE BEAUCHAMP!!!


Congratulations, Bree! You have earned an additional 5 points for your clan!

The Score:
Beauchamp: 93 + 4 bonus + 1 sneaker + individual winner = 103
Fraser: 76 + 5 bonus + 1 earlybird = 82
Murray: 61 + 4 bonus = 65

Congrats to all of our participants - on to the next!


Respectfully submitted,
Seonag MacKenzie
ETA: changed scoring to reflect bonus points for first perfect 10 scores. Beauchamp received an additional 3 bonus points; Fraser received an additional 4 bonus points; and Murray received an additional 3 bonus points. The overall scores have been adjusted accordingly.
Apologies!!
~Seonag

Friday, June 25, 2010

And the Winner is...

Our Lady of the Blog is off, so I'm left to draw the lucky winner of the Murray challenge! Well, my sweet boy, actually... ;)

Lots of names this week:
All in the hat knit for him by his midwives 3 years ago:


Choosing carefully:


And here you go!


For those who canna read upside down, or turn their monitors on end easily, that is Caroline of Clan Beauchamp! Congrats, lassie!!

-Fiona Fraser