Theme: PEPPER (Word that can follow the first word of 17-, 25-, 39-, 47- or 60-Across)
17A: Beetle Bailey's boss: SERGEANT SNORKEL (Sergeant Pepper)
25A: Quasimodo's milieu: BELL TOWER (Bell Pepper)
39A: Swiss Miss, e.g.: HOT CHOCOLATE MIX (Hot Pepper)
47A: Physician of 1930s-'40s film: DR. KILDARE (Dr Pepper)
60A: German dessert, American-style: BLACK FOREST CAKE (Black Pepper)
I am used to the abbreviated "Sgt. Pepper". Wikipedia says Beatles originally named their album "Dr. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band". But they changed the title to "Sgt. Pepper... " after discovering that Dr Pepper was a trademarked American soft drink. Do you know why there is no dot between DR & PEPPER?
I am not familiar with the Beetle Bailey comic strip or DR. KILDARE. Love seeing BLACK FOREST CAKE as the last theme entry. Sweet dessert!
Heavy themage today, three grid-spanning 15 letter entries, and two 9-letter answer, plus a unifying PEPPER. Hot enough for the "Snottie Dottie" Pepper. I have never tried chocolate with chili pepper or chocolate-covered peppers, have you?
Neat to see KNAVE (49D: Rogue) and SCAMP (53D: Rogue) with the same clue. I started to develop a fondness for this kind of same-clue-different answer cluing. Would have loved to see SID (16A: Rocker Vicious) as "Caesar of comedy" to pair up with COCA (40D: Caesar's TV sidekick).
Across:
1A: Patches, as a lawn: RESODS. The letter O enabled me to get ORG (4D: URL ending) immediately.
7A: Grass houses: HUTS. Are straws grasses?
15A: Place serving links: IHOP. Why "links"? I like IHOP's crepes. Links made me think of golf courses.
20A: Fund for later yrs.: IRA. Looks like the market is on a steady recovery now.
21A: Puritanical: PRIM. PRIM? Hmmm, definitely not. Talk about pitchfork.
22A: Superman player: REEVE (Christopher)
23A: Migrant: NOMAD. Wrote now MOVER first.
28A: Kissers: LIPS
30A: Western treaty gp.: OAS (Organization of American States). Established in 1948. Cuba's membership has yet to be re-stated.
31A: Remove the chaff: THRESH. Nice word. Consonants heavy.
33A: Rd. or st.: RTE. And HOV (32D: Hwy. lane type)
34A: American __, North Dakota state tree: ELM. Oh, I did not know this trivia. MN's state tree is red pine. What's your state tree?
35A: "Yay me!": TADA. I've never said "Yay me!"
42A: Times to call, in ads: EVES. I wrote down NOWS. Call NOW.
44A: Horror film creature: ZOMBIE
45A: Nuclear agency estab. under Truman: AEC (1946-1975). I like this clue better than "NRC predecessor". Nice to learn some trivia.
46A: Sign of traffic impatience: BEEP. HONK does not fit.
52A: Puccini heroine: TOSCA. And "Verdi heroine" is AIDA. Learned both from doing Xword.
56A: Postage meter unit: OUNCE
59A: Fish oil source: COD. Salmon fish oil is equally good.
64A: Bk. before Numbers: LEV (Leviticus). After Exodus.
65A: Shaw's homeland: EIRE. No ERIN dilemma due to the crossing fills.
66A: Dorm cohort: ROOMIE. I shared a tiny dorm with 6 other girls in my college years.
67A: "... __the set of sun": "Macbeth": ERE. Stumped. I am used to the "Poet's before" clue.
68A: Will of "The Waltsons": GEER. Finally I remember him. He was the Grandpa Walton.
Down:
1D: Amber, e.g.: RESIN. Oh, I only know color amber. Had no idea that it's a resin.
2D: Juanita's January: ENERO. Another alliteration. This seems to appear with foreign words only.
3D: Ex-NFL coach Hank: STRAM. No idea. Wikipedia says Hank STRAM "is largely responsible for the introduction of Gatorade to the NFL due to his close association with Ray Graves, coach at the University of Florida during Gatorade's development and infancy".
5D: Like Chicago-style pizza: DEEP DISH. Have never had Chicago style pizza or Chicago style hot dog.
7D: "I'll take a card": HIT ME. No idea. Gambling term I suppose.
8D: Sounds of uncertainty: UHS
10D: Wears proudly: SPORTS. Fun to see the old jerseys and caps people SPORT at the ball park.
11D: Obliquely: ASKEW
12D: Utensil with a mesh bottom: SIEVE
13D: Freud contemporary: ADLER (Alfred). I forgot. He is the guy who coined "Inferiority Conplex". Brett Favre needs to be psychoanalyzed. He looks good in Viking's uniform (fake one). Or do you like the real Packers' photo?
18D: Penpoints: NIBS. NIB, neb, nab, nub. So confusing.
19D: Vintage wheels: REO. Another 20 years, the clue would be "Antique wheels". Antique has to be over 100 years old.
24D: Smart fellows?: ALECS. Smart ALEC. Stumped. The ? made me think of Agent Smart.
26D: Recline lazily: LOLL
27D: Birthday preparation class: LAMAZE. See Paul's Clever Clue of the Month (Jan). Very cool "Class that ends before labor day?" clue.
29D: Used one's cell: PHONED
31D: With 38-Down, employment termination: THE And AXE (38D: See 31-Down). Get THE AXE.
35D: Pace of a piece: TEMPO. Musical pace.
36D: UN delegate: AMB (Ambassador). Wrote down REP first.
37D: 502, to the Romans: DII
41D: In direct confrontation: TOE TO TOE
45D: Brew container: ALE KEG
46D: "I've Gotta __": 1969 hit: BE ME. Here is the clip. It's new to me. I like the song title.
47D: Paso __: two step: DOBLE. No idea. I don't speak Spanish. Is it literally "double pass"?
48D: Commander: RULER. Not fond of this clue.
50D: Former RR watchdog: ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission, 1887-1996)
54D: News analyst Roberts: COKIE. NPR's senior news analyst. Her name escaped me this morning.
55D: "Doe, __ ...": song lyric: A DEER. "Doe, A DEER, a female deer ...". From "The Sound of Music".
58D: Car sticker abbr.: MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). Looks like GM and Chrysler are going to file bankruptcy any day.
61D: Old annoyed cry: FIE
63D: One on a beat: COP. Here is a list of slang terms for cops. Pigs/Swine sound so rude.
Answer grid.
C.C.
17A: Beetle Bailey's boss: SERGEANT SNORKEL (Sergeant Pepper)
25A: Quasimodo's milieu: BELL TOWER (Bell Pepper)
39A: Swiss Miss, e.g.: HOT CHOCOLATE MIX (Hot Pepper)
47A: Physician of 1930s-'40s film: DR. KILDARE (Dr Pepper)
60A: German dessert, American-style: BLACK FOREST CAKE (Black Pepper)
I am used to the abbreviated "Sgt. Pepper". Wikipedia says Beatles originally named their album "Dr. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band". But they changed the title to "Sgt. Pepper... " after discovering that Dr Pepper was a trademarked American soft drink. Do you know why there is no dot between DR & PEPPER?
I am not familiar with the Beetle Bailey comic strip or DR. KILDARE. Love seeing BLACK FOREST CAKE as the last theme entry. Sweet dessert!
Heavy themage today, three grid-spanning 15 letter entries, and two 9-letter answer, plus a unifying PEPPER. Hot enough for the "Snottie Dottie" Pepper. I have never tried chocolate with chili pepper or chocolate-covered peppers, have you?
Neat to see KNAVE (49D: Rogue) and SCAMP (53D: Rogue) with the same clue. I started to develop a fondness for this kind of same-clue-different answer cluing. Would have loved to see SID (16A: Rocker Vicious) as "Caesar of comedy" to pair up with COCA (40D: Caesar's TV sidekick).
Across:
1A: Patches, as a lawn: RESODS. The letter O enabled me to get ORG (4D: URL ending) immediately.
7A: Grass houses: HUTS. Are straws grasses?
15A: Place serving links: IHOP. Why "links"? I like IHOP's crepes. Links made me think of golf courses.
20A: Fund for later yrs.: IRA. Looks like the market is on a steady recovery now.
21A: Puritanical: PRIM. PRIM? Hmmm, definitely not. Talk about pitchfork.
22A: Superman player: REEVE (Christopher)
23A: Migrant: NOMAD. Wrote now MOVER first.
28A: Kissers: LIPS
30A: Western treaty gp.: OAS (Organization of American States). Established in 1948. Cuba's membership has yet to be re-stated.
31A: Remove the chaff: THRESH. Nice word. Consonants heavy.
33A: Rd. or st.: RTE. And HOV (32D: Hwy. lane type)
34A: American __, North Dakota state tree: ELM. Oh, I did not know this trivia. MN's state tree is red pine. What's your state tree?
35A: "Yay me!": TADA. I've never said "Yay me!"
42A: Times to call, in ads: EVES. I wrote down NOWS. Call NOW.
44A: Horror film creature: ZOMBIE
45A: Nuclear agency estab. under Truman: AEC (1946-1975). I like this clue better than "NRC predecessor". Nice to learn some trivia.
46A: Sign of traffic impatience: BEEP. HONK does not fit.
52A: Puccini heroine: TOSCA. And "Verdi heroine" is AIDA. Learned both from doing Xword.
56A: Postage meter unit: OUNCE
59A: Fish oil source: COD. Salmon fish oil is equally good.
64A: Bk. before Numbers: LEV (Leviticus). After Exodus.
65A: Shaw's homeland: EIRE. No ERIN dilemma due to the crossing fills.
66A: Dorm cohort: ROOMIE. I shared a tiny dorm with 6 other girls in my college years.
67A: "... __the set of sun": "Macbeth": ERE. Stumped. I am used to the "Poet's before" clue.
68A: Will of "The Waltsons": GEER. Finally I remember him. He was the Grandpa Walton.
Down:
1D: Amber, e.g.: RESIN. Oh, I only know color amber. Had no idea that it's a resin.
2D: Juanita's January: ENERO. Another alliteration. This seems to appear with foreign words only.
3D: Ex-NFL coach Hank: STRAM. No idea. Wikipedia says Hank STRAM "is largely responsible for the introduction of Gatorade to the NFL due to his close association with Ray Graves, coach at the University of Florida during Gatorade's development and infancy".
5D: Like Chicago-style pizza: DEEP DISH. Have never had Chicago style pizza or Chicago style hot dog.
7D: "I'll take a card": HIT ME. No idea. Gambling term I suppose.
8D: Sounds of uncertainty: UHS
10D: Wears proudly: SPORTS. Fun to see the old jerseys and caps people SPORT at the ball park.
11D: Obliquely: ASKEW
12D: Utensil with a mesh bottom: SIEVE
13D: Freud contemporary: ADLER (Alfred). I forgot. He is the guy who coined "Inferiority Conplex". Brett Favre needs to be psychoanalyzed. He looks good in Viking's uniform (fake one). Or do you like the real Packers' photo?
18D: Penpoints: NIBS. NIB, neb, nab, nub. So confusing.
19D: Vintage wheels: REO. Another 20 years, the clue would be "Antique wheels". Antique has to be over 100 years old.
24D: Smart fellows?: ALECS. Smart ALEC. Stumped. The ? made me think of Agent Smart.
26D: Recline lazily: LOLL
27D: Birthday preparation class: LAMAZE. See Paul's Clever Clue of the Month (Jan). Very cool "Class that ends before labor day?" clue.
29D: Used one's cell: PHONED
31D: With 38-Down, employment termination: THE And AXE (38D: See 31-Down). Get THE AXE.
35D: Pace of a piece: TEMPO. Musical pace.
36D: UN delegate: AMB (Ambassador). Wrote down REP first.
37D: 502, to the Romans: DII
41D: In direct confrontation: TOE TO TOE
45D: Brew container: ALE KEG
46D: "I've Gotta __": 1969 hit: BE ME. Here is the clip. It's new to me. I like the song title.
47D: Paso __: two step: DOBLE. No idea. I don't speak Spanish. Is it literally "double pass"?
48D: Commander: RULER. Not fond of this clue.
50D: Former RR watchdog: ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission, 1887-1996)
54D: News analyst Roberts: COKIE. NPR's senior news analyst. Her name escaped me this morning.
55D: "Doe, __ ...": song lyric: A DEER. "Doe, A DEER, a female deer ...". From "The Sound of Music".
58D: Car sticker abbr.: MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). Looks like GM and Chrysler are going to file bankruptcy any day.
61D: Old annoyed cry: FIE
63D: One on a beat: COP. Here is a list of slang terms for cops. Pigs/Swine sound so rude.
Answer grid.
C.C.
Good morning, C.C. and gang - I was off and running at the top, but started slowing down in the middle and then was bouncing all over the place towards the end. But another really good puzzle; very refreshing.
ReplyDeleteFavorite clue was 'Birthday preparation class', although technically I think it should've been two words (birth day). Needed perp help for probably half a dozen answers, but no real unknowns.
Today is Leprechaun Day, Frog Jumping Day, and National Receptionist Day. Guys, do not get confused and jump your receptionist.
Today's Words of Wisdom: "What we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down." -- Actress Mary Pickford
And just one Fun Fact today:
- English expressions such as 'elbow room', 'love letter', 'marriage bed', 'puppy love', 'skim milk', 'wild goose chase' and 'what the dickens' first appeared in print in Shakespeare's works.
Last but not least, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jeannie, who's gotta be pushing 29 by now.
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteThe lower right corner crumbled very early for me. I got the defining PEPPER rather quickly for a change. But stumbled elsewhere. Skim milk already in Shakespeare's work? Must have different meaning I presume?
Vern,
Thanks for the additional tax exempt information on the MUNIS.
Kazie,
Thank you for Brass Razoo. What's the name of the delicious-looking German dessert you linked last time?
Clear Ayes,
I've enjoyed your paintings. But it's great to see those clear eyes again.
C.C., I don't know what clue you're referring to. Gotta get to the gym.
ReplyDeleteI managed to finish this one: I only had one 2-hour class this afternoon so I was able to go back and look at it a few times. For "Superman player" I didn't know if they wanted REEVE or ROUTH without help from the perps. For ELM I had OAK at first and for BEEP I had HONK, although road RAGE also occurred to me. For LOLL I had LOAF, for SPORTS I had STRUTS and for HOV I had EXP: I had never heard the expression High Occupancy Vehicle Lane; that would be the "carpool" lane.
ReplyDeleteC.C., you didn't mention that MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. It's funny: in the Philippines taxis have a sticker from the MTRP: Ministry of Transport, Republic of the Philippines. The sticker indicates that the car is authorized to be used as a taxi. :)
Martin
Good morning C.C. and all,..a very thoughtful puzzle today. I started the top half in a flurry and then almost stalled in the SE and SW corners. For some reason I entered MRSP in lieu of MSRP which did not help with that corner. I also had tramp for 53D so that entire corner was screwed up for awhile. I finally saw tosca which cleared that area.
ReplyDeleteC.C. I think you have a typo in your write-up. 25A is belltower not belltown.
Hope you all have a great Wednesday.
Good morning:
ReplyDeleteI agree this was a lot of fun, and thank you for the Clever Clue link, C.C. The theme was once again too late to help me, but maybe I need to run through the puzzle quickly and find the theme and work backwards. The top answers just flew in, but there were some really slow fills.
It was fun to see a new variation after the recent BEN CASEY, DR KILDARE discussion we had with VINCE EDWARDS the catalyst. The movies included some famous actors, starting with Lionel BARRYMORE of that acting family, as KILDARE's mentor, Dr. Gillespie. Dr. Kildare.
C.C., you need to watch the movie JURRASIC PARK which based its regeneration of dinosaurs on the capture of preserved mosquitoes which has sucked the blood of dinosaurs, and then became trapped in the resin, AMBER.
HIT ME is what you say when you want an additional card in Blackjack, also called Twenty One or Vingt-et-un.
Happy Birthday Lo-li-ta; what ever happened to our birthday list of the group? I forgot who was the compiler.
Good Morning,
ReplyDeleteI cruised along until the SW corner where I crashed and burned. DR. KILDARE, DOBLE, LEV and ERE sent me on line to see red. I also liked the LAMAZE clue. Fun puzzle.
Spring has sprung here. Tulips are in full bloom and the trees are about to pop their leaves. The biking temps are near perfect.
Have a great day!
Good morning, everyone.
ReplyDeleteThis puzzle was fun, a bit more difficult than yesterday's but still in the easy range.
I breezed through the top, hit a road block in the middle and went on to finish the bottom. I went back to pick at the center until it all fell. I was not familiar with HOV, and it took me a bit to work out HOT CHOCOLATE MIX and the end caps of THE AXE.
Odd that ALE KEG has appeared in several puzzles, and that we have BLACK FOREST CAKE so soon after our discussion of tortes and cakes.
Deep Dish Pizza makes for a nice change now and then, but it sits really heavy. That's definitely a Chicago hot dog you've linked to, C.C., but I prefer a Vienna red hot with just mustard.
The Illinois state tree is the White Oak. They're probably really enjoying our very rainy day.
Happy birthday, Jeannie.
"Neither rain nor sleet nor snow can keep"... me from exercise. Gotta go!
Good morning CC et al., Loved this puzzle. It was 'baby bear' perfect. Started getting excited when hot, lips and re-sin showed up. Then a little hostility came in w/ruler, toe to toe, hit me, thresh...then raising the 'tempo' we go to ammo, axe, and cop. Now I need a session of Adler's psychotherapy...or maybe just a trip to the 'bell tower'. Good stuff, Maynard!
ReplyDeleteCC: Brett Favre is just fine in either of those outfits...or in nothing at all.
Va State Tree = American Dogwood a pretty blossoming tree.
Enjoy your day.
Hi, C.C. & Gang,
ReplyDeleteGood puzzle today. Like others I started out fast and slowed down in the middle. Wanted polish for thresh and then used alist for smart guys which took ma while to straighten out. Also wanted lay off instead of the axe.
Jean is continuing to solve the puzzle ( I print separate copies) but needs lots of encouragement. She gets stumped and wants to quit way too early; IME, perserverence is a necessity for solving xwords.
A side note: the day after my new computer was installed, Time Warner Cable went on the blink for two days, so I had no internet. I am still having problems with my phone service, which is also TW. I think I have a bad modem, which they refuse to recognize.
Summer is here in S. Texas. 93 yesterday with a hot, dry wind. Our drought continues.
Happy birthday, Jeannie!
Y'all have a good day.
Good morning CC and all,
ReplyDeleteAs usual I get off to a rousing start, and slowed down to a pathetic putter. The abbreviations always slow me down: AEC,OAS,REO,AMB,MSRP, and I even put even. for eves.I do like the cluing though. Thought using the axe was clever.
I always thought amber was sap that hardened, but I see that sap and resin differ. Tree sap is in the vascular system of a plant, while resin is the organic substance secreted in the pockets and canals through the cells of a plant. It is soft and sticky and traps insects.
Our state tree is the Redwood, both the Coastal Redwood and its relative the Sierra Redwood, or Sequoia. The General Sherman Tree in Sequoia Nat. Park is considered to be the largest tree in the world by volume.
One of the elem. schools in our area will be having their big frog jumping contest/celebration today.Unfortunately, I will be at th middle school where the preteens act like frogs.Gotta love 'em!
My unknown today was STRAM, but with perp help I only got stuck for a while in the SW corner because I couldn't remember if DOBLE ended in A or O until I got RULER and KNAVE, showing the way for ERE. Favorite clue was LAMAZE.
ReplyDeleteI would guess PASA is step, since it's a dance. Would that make it a two-step, or a pas de deux?
Dennis, good WOW today!
Happy Birthday Jeannie! We miss you.
Wisconsin's favorite tree is the sugar maple--always so gorgeous in the fall.
c.c.,
The Black Forest cake is called Schwarzwälderkirschtorte, but the other one was Obsttorte--literally fruit tart/cake.
Kazie,
ReplyDeleteThe PASO DOBLE is the music they play when all the toreadors and matadors line up and march out at the beginning of a bullfight.
I'll bet you'd recognize the music if you heard it. I never realized that paso doble was its name, and I think it also means something else.
Here's a video of the paso doble dance. So exciting!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGeq1aA9ON0
Nice puzzle today. Started strong on the top, then slowed down in the middle. Took a little break to get breakfast for my daughter and father-in-law, and it all came together when I got back at it.
ReplyDeleteFavorite clue was birthday prep class. I was definitely thrown off track, as I'm finalizing the prep for my daughter's Dora birthday party Friday. Three years ago, I was taking the other prep class - hard to believe how quickly time has flown by!
It's hard for me to see Brett Favre in purple... Have always been such a huge fan, but the play/retire/play/retire thing is getting a bit old... But I will always prefer to think of him in Green and Gold. I met him once 10 years ago at a sales meeting for the company I was working for at the time. Have a great picture where he's doing bunny ears over my head, unbeknownst to me until I got the picture back. (This was way before digital cameras...)
Off to get sprinkles and other cupcake fixins.
Enjoy the day!
Jano,
ReplyDeleteThanks for that link. I did recognize the music, but don't relish the memory of my one and only bullfight as much as the dance! Fabulous excitement in that dance.
My "two step" comment was very tongue-in-cheek, but in a real sense, it is a pas de deux, which literally is a dance for two. I had seven years of ballet and theatrical dance as a kid, and found the commentator's "watch the feet" quip superfluous. I mean, what is more important to watch in a dance? I got to see flamenco danced in a club/bar in Madrid one night and this reminded me of the tension in that style of dancing too.
Hi all!
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem as Maniac and Kazie. The SW corner was my Waterloo. I tried to make a deux fit where doble should be. I also wanted to put R. Killdare for Dr. Kildare. Oh well, the rest of the puzzle was smooth sailing. I too enjoyed Lamaze as the answer to birthday prep.
The state tree for Oregon is the Douglas Fir.
Hasta luego!!
Dennis, kazie, Lemonade, KittyB, T. Frank, this old broad thanks you for the birthday wishes!
ReplyDeleteI didn't have too much trouble for a Wednesday. Was stuck on COKIE for a little while, even though I was listening to NPR while doing the puzzle. Guessed at TOSCA - I'm not an opera fan. Didn't know DOBLE, and the cross with OUNCE and ERE wasn't helping until the very end.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy dark chocolate with hot peppers. It is like a little fiesta in your mouth. Yum!
Yesterday I started to get phone calls for various services I had "requested" on the internet. It seems someone has my name, address and phone number and got a gmail account using my name for part of their user ID. I suspect this is the first step in ID theft, so last night I put freezes on my records with the credit reporting companies and today I will call them to be sure everything is okay. SIGH!!! Modern technology has its drawbacks.
Good Morning All, I worked this puzzle in one sitting, so I looked at the time which I don't usually do. Nine minutes, which is about as fast as I can read/think/type.
ReplyDeleteEverything went very easily and even though I didn't know STRAM, his name was filled in via the perps before I even started to check any down clues.
C.C. I say "Yay Me!" and TA DA, just about every Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning after I put in the last puzzle fill.
If you ever watch Dancing With The Stars you will eventually see them dance the PASO DOBLE. Yes, it is an occasional guilty pleasure. I've watched a few times toward the end of the seasons, when the contestants really can dance and not just plod around the floor.
I had a crush on Richard Chamberlain who played DR. KILDARE on the 1960's TV series. He was forced to date a lot of starlets to keep up appearances. He didn't come out as a gay man until many years later.
Happy Birthday, Jeannie.
It was time to go back to the photo avatar. I was starting to forget what I look like.
WM, Is that Lovely Lucy in the avatar? What a charmer!
Hi C.C. & ...
ReplyDeleteMy wife laughed at the links clue when I got IHOP right away.
This IHOP link
Shows some IHOP links in the top left picture of strawberry's, eggs (sunny side up) and pancakes.
Hi C.C. et al,
ReplyDeleteFound today to be a fun puzzle. Lots of help from perps.
C.C., sod grass houses were quite the fad in the 1800's in the mid west where trees were few and far between.
Good Morning C.C. and all.
ReplyDeleteDid this in one go-through. By the time I finished the down fills-all were completed. Hope the rest of my day goes as well. Have a Vet appt. for our dog (13 years old - trouble breathing). Don't know what I'll do without her.
C.C. - Links in 15 across is for sausage links at IHOP. Most breakfast restaurant give you your choice of sausage links or patties.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day.
What a nice challenging puzzle. I love Wednesday’s. I can’t say that I didn’t have to hit the g-spot though for Cokie. I also stared at the clue “remove the chaff” for the longest time thinking it was remove the “chafe”, which would bring out a whole different meaning. My favorite clues today were “time to call, in ads”-eve and “birthday preparation class” –lamaze.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure, but isn’t mole chocolate with peppers in it? I have tried it and found it interesting, but for my sweet tooth I prefer creamy milk chocolate.
Dennis, I liked your fun facts regarding the English expressions being started by Shakespeare. Did you all know that Dr. Seuss is the first one to use the term “nerd?”
Happy Birthday Jeannie….I just read your profile. I can only hope I look that great when I am 47. Oops, did I just let the cat out of the bag??
Gotta go as the receptionist just called and told me there is a small guy waiting in the lobby for me to jump.
CC: Got the theme of both puzzles early..took almost an hour for both...but needed no "peeping."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Brett Favre pix. Good eye candy!
Dennis: As with much of classic literature (including the Bard), the "marriage bed" phrase actually came from the Bible.
Hi C.C. and all: I started out with a bang and ended whimpering in the SW corner. I could not get 47,49 or 50D. 56,64, or 67A. Since they all crossed each other, there were no 'perps' to help me. sigh.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Jeannie! Good to see you again, stick around.
WM: Belated congrats on your art showings!
T.Frank, 93 degrees?? Wow, you can keep that temp all to yourself. I supposed you are used to it though.
Our weather is supposed to heat up this weekend: mid 70's to mid 80's. That is more enjoyable to me.
Morning all...Terrific puzzle no real hold ups except when I filled in HOT CHOCOLATE ??? took a bit to think of MIX...other than that...Yay Me...and I do say that along with "tada" on occasion.
ReplyDeleteC.C. Straw is essentially the dried stem of the grass...as in oat straw, etc...I have had Mexican style chocolate with peppers and, like Elissa said...yum. The pepper/chocolate mix was a specialty in the book/movie CHOCOLAT.
I believe the Paso Doble is also danced in some of the areas of Southern France where they have very close ties to Spain...i.e. The Camargue, where they raise black bulls for fighting, although I don't believe they kill the bulls in French fighting. I have been to that area and it has a very Spanish feel.
Happy 29th Jeannie and good to see you.
Carol...Thank you
CA...Good to "see" you again and yes, that is our Miss Lucy...love of our life and tiny charmer...we are very lucky that she only lives about 10 min. away so we can get our Lucy-fix with great frequency.
Dennis the Shakespeare words are terrific...that is one of the definitive aspects of his writing...the introduction of new word usage... and, even, new words.
Here's the answer I found for the absence of the dot in Dr Pepper - "The period (fullstop) after "Dr" was discarded for stylistic and legibility reasons in the 1950s. Dr Pepper's logo was redesigned and the text in this new logo was slanted. The period made "Dr." look like "Di:". After some debate, the period was removed for good (it had been used off and on in previous logos), as it would also help remove any medical connotation with the product."
ReplyDeleteJurassic Park - suggested by geneticists as a possibility, albeit a far-fetched one because the mosquito would have other creatures blood (including possibly it's own) besides the dinosaur. Picking out the DNA from just the dinosaur would be equivalent to solving the human genome problem.
Sausage links.
Have a good day.
Haven't tried peppers and chocolate but this is truly good. Jalapeno Jelly
ReplyDelete3 Of Four...I agree...seriously good stuff...I have made batches of it and it is really good with any of a number of rolled and fried tortilla recipes. Also...love your Garfield avatar.
ReplyDelete#2
Wm-I haven't tried making my own jalapeno jelly. Have them growing in the garden. May have to try if I can find a good recipe.
ReplyDeleteYes, Garfield's got quite the attitude.
Happy birthday Jeannie.
ReplyDeleteMaine's state tree is the Eastern White Pine. In the next few weeks they will be dropping yellow pollen all over the place. Some mornings you could vacuum it out of the bed of a pick-up truck.
ReplyDeleteHappy B-Day Jeannie. I'm already gearing up for mine next week! I celebrate Cinco de Mayo till we switch over to the Gemini season!
Adios
8:16 today. I didn't know ADLER and spelled the good sergeants name SNORKLE at first (our paper no longer carries the Beetle Bailey strip), so the NE was the final fill for me.
ReplyDeleteChicagoans call their DEEP DISH dish a pizza, but it's not really pizza (in the classic sense). It's a pasta pie, not a pizza. Doesn't mean it's not tasty, of course.
Those interested in state trees (and flowers) may be interested in the link at the National Arboretum State Trees and Flowers
For all of you non-football fans who had difficulty with HANK STRAM, he was the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who was miked during Super Bowl IV, when KC upset the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings (sorry to all you from Minnesota, C.C., Jeannie, and Tarrajo and others, as the Vikes are still waiting for the SB ring). KC had not even won its division, and Minnesota dominated the older NFL, with the highest scoring offense led by Joe Kapp, and the amazing Purple People Eater defense led by Carl Eller, Alan Page and Jim Marshall (who became famous for running fumble back 70 yards in the wrong direction to score a safety for the opposing team) but I digress. Stram kept talking about having his team move the ball, saying "That's it boys, keep matriculating the ball down the field." It is one of NFL films favorite clips.
ReplyDelete3 of four:Try this. Will need storage space in fridge.
ReplyDeleteIngredients
* 2 medium-sized green bell peppers, chopped
* 14 fresh jalapeño peppers (about 1/2 lb total), stems and seeds removed, chopped
* 7 cups sugar
* 1-1/4 cups apple cider vinegar
* 1/3 cup apple juice
* 1 package (6 ounces) liquid pectin
* 1/4 tsp green food color (optional)
Cooking Instructions
In a large pot, combine all the ingredients except the pectin and food color. Bring to a boil over medium heat and allow to boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the pectin, then return the mixture to a boil and boil for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and strain, discarding the pepper pieces. Place in a large bowl and add the food color, if desired; mix until well blended. Pour into airtight containers, cover, and allow to jell at room temperature. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. (note: Liquid pectin can be found in the supermarket produce or baking section, or near the jellies and jams. This can be stored in the refrigerator for several months.
I really hate that 55D song, and get to perform it in the Symphony concert Friday, as part of a "Sound of Music" suite. Last rehearsal tonight.
ReplyDelete5D is good stuff. Bring a big appetite.
Chocolate and hot pepper is a "WOW!" combination. That was the traditional Mayan way to indulge.
I filled the 34A answer into the 30A squares. That set me back a bit.
Lots of girls in my High School had that crush on Vince Edwards. Wow, that was a long time ago.
Good puzzle today. Strong theme and good execution. Liked the 31D - 38D combination (though not the concept.) Will forgive 2d and 47D, but not 50D.
Needed the lovely wife's help on 56A. All I could come up with was "stamp."
Stayed up late last night to watch the Wings lose. Now feel like a 44A. Pretty sure the Duck's were offside on the second goal. My comments had to be 46A-ed.
Ohio's state tree is the Buckeye.
Cheers!
@Clearayes, Carol, Wolfmom, Dick, Mainiac, and Tarrajo…..thanks for acknowledging my birthday. I appreciate it. I am planning on going out to dinner with friends tonight.
ReplyDelete@Tarrajo, you are a very pretty girl, I am sure you will age beautifully!
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteMy Skim Milk question is about your Shakespeare expressions.
Lemonade,
The DR. KILDARE discussion you mentioned must have escaped my notice. I can't remember anything. Thanks for HIT ME & HANK STRAM.
JD & Dr. Dad.
Thanks for sap/RESIN & the DR PEPPER dot omission.
Elissa & WM,
Yeah, "Chocolat". I actually liked the movie. Sorry to hear about your trouble, Elissa.
Warren & Cabrini,
But IHOP is not really famous for its links, is it?
Jeannie...have a wonderful time at dinner.
ReplyDeleteJust got back from a run to the paint store and art store with Lucy's mom while grandpa Lucysat...got Lucy hugs and kisses b-4 we left...
3 of Four...Linda's recipe looks very good. Mine is from an out of print Chevy's and Rio Bravo cook book.
Sweet Hot Jalapeno Jelly
3/4 c. chopped red bell peppers
3/4 c. chopped green bell peppers
1/3 c. seeded and diced jalapenos
2 3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
6 Tbsp Certo liquid pectin.
Combine the peppers, jalapenos, sugar, vinegar and lime juice in a large saucepan over medium heat. Heat until warm and sugar is dissolved. Pour mixture into a blender or food processor and blend for 5 secs. Return blended mixture to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Decrease heat to low and simmer for 5 min. Stir in pectin, increase heat to med high, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cool. The jelly will set as it cools down. When cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
#3
Hi C.C.
ReplyDeleteIHOP (International House of Pancakes) is know as a famous breakfast place. A standard breakfast includes either links or bacon in my neck of the woods.
;-)
Warren,
ReplyDeleteThanks. We seldom have meat/eggs for breakfast.
Lois,
"Good stuff, Maynard!" Who is Maynard?
Martin,
What are your Chinese test scores?
Linda & WM - Thank you for the recipes for the jelly. I've got both hot and sweet peppers growing. I will let you know how it goes when harvest gets here.
ReplyDeleteGuday, c.c. and all my comrades and comradettes. (Not the '50's comrades or -ettes.)
ReplyDeleteGreat puzzle. Finished it quickly, but as we all found, the middle was a "u-turn" so we wouldn't get cocky. I think most of us went top - skip- bottom- back to middle. I know I did. Liked the "Lamaze" (37d) clue and also 41d. "toe to toe." Liked seeing "rogue" as Knave. Haven't seen that in years. I think Wednesday's are my favorite puzzle days, but Thurs. and Fri. are becoming better for me.
I wrote to my rag and told the folks about the change in the puzzle situation. Hope they can "get it". I will follow up with your "blog", c.c., but I'm not really sure I want to. Too many cooks, spoil the broth. I think I would rather they find you out of curiosity and determination, rather than guidance.
I must be off!
As a relatively new participant, I really appreciate the assistance in figuring out those hard-to-get spots.
ReplyDeleteToday is my 77th birthday. I was born on Friday the 13th & I was married on a 13th which has fallen on Friday during many of our 53+ years.
Each of our 4 kids have 13 letters in their names so I guess I could be a candidate for the club that focuses on breaking superstition rules. My main problem with crosswords is that I know all the old actors, ballplayers, etc. but almost none of the under 25 group. I'll continue seek help on these.
COMMENTS.
ReplyDeletec.c. Links (sausage) came about because when produced, sausage was stuffed in a long intestine and then tied off. The tied off areas were called the "links" and were eventually severed from the rest of the sausage. They should be called "fingers" or something, but they were called links.
Strangely enough, the State Tree Of Ohio is the ....... It's a worthless nut, that's poisonous, and good for nothing but hitting opponents on the head, with obvious hurtitude (See Fred)...not that any Ohioan would do that.
Chicago hot dogs are noted for their bright green relish. I don't like sweet relish. My x-wife's family was from the Chicago area and insisted that I try the relish, because "it's different here". I can attest; it is different there; but it still SUCKS!
IMBO
Hi again C.C.
ReplyDeleteBreakfast:
During weekdays; I have cold cereal and a sliced banana, and my wife has a bowl of instant (hot) oatmeal she 'zaps'.
Weekends we splurge some and either have links or bacon with either an omelet or my signature pancake. The only time we eat out for breakfast is if we're traveling.
BTW, (in 1983) I took a cross country motorcycle trip from MN ~5500 mi total and during a breakfast stop in Kit Carson CO I ordered a pancake and what I got was 1 pancake the size of the plate (I think I only finished 1/2 of it).
From that experience I developed my signature pancake (the size of a plate) and my wife and I split it 30% (for her) 70% (for me).
The hardest thing to learn is how to flip a giant plate sized pancake.
;-)
Lemonade, I have the birthday list, although it's missing quite a few.
ReplyDeleteMainiac, you're right about biking temps; I get mine back from a tune-up this week and I can't wait. Hoping to do at least a 150 by the end of summer.
Lois, I suspect you'd have Adler on a couch before it was over.
T.Frank, 93?? Send it!
I'll take sausage patties over links any day.
Tarrajo, did I mention that I'm 4'2"?
Anybody heard from Melissa Bee and BarbB? One can only imagine the trouble they're causing...
DrDad, good to see you reappearing.
Warren, just how do you flip that sucker?
Jeannie. Happy 29th my butt. I know better. I met your great grand-daughter at a film fest in Sundance, and I know you're at least 37.
ReplyDeleteDennis: I loved your WOW, but it was the second time in three days that that quote was in our Quiptoquote. Our "rag" is the worst. I can find "Waldo" every day.
Back to c.c.; You need to watch both operas with the librettos; Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's Aida.
They are both fantastic. I will bet you money that you and Clearayes will like Tosca better. I, on the other hand, perfer Aida.
Finally, to Clearayes. You jumped me on Kildare and Chamberlain. I really liked him in the "Thorn Birds". Gay, not gay I don't give a poop, ( I'm being very discreet tonight), he did a very good job in that series.
I have now run the gamut and it's time to "stop and smell the scotchness!" I bid you all, fairweather and smoothe sails. "Tis a fine time wherein I leave thee. Rejoice!!!"
IMBO
I make whole wheat pancakes from scratch that can't be beat. This makes enough for a whole army, so for the two of us I divide it by three, and even that is too much.
ReplyDeleteWHOLE WHEAT PANCAKES
Sift together:
2 cups whole wheat flour
3 tsp (=1 Tbsp.) baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tbsp. brown sugar (or see below for honey)
Beat together with electric hand mixer:
2 cups milk
½ cup oil
3 eggs
(1 Tbsp. honey if using instead of sugar)
Add flour mixture to liquids, mix together until just blended and let sit a few minutes to fully meld. Cook on a hot skillet/griddle. I use a large electric skillet set at 350 degrees. So obviously, doing six at once, flipping is out of the question--I turn them with a spatula.
After being used to these, I find the regular flour or from-a-mix pancakes gluey.
Buckeye, we must do the same Cryptoquote. I used the one from yesterday, but the other one was pure coincidence.
ReplyDeleteKazie, I'll try that recipe this weekend; sounds delicious, thanks. And the hell with dividing by three...
Warren, your comment on the plate size pancake brought back a memory of a trip my husband & I were on and when he ordered a pancake breakfast that is exactly what he got...he couldn't finish it either, but said what he did eat was delicious! If I am out for breakfast I always order 2 eggs over gently, bacon, hash browns, toast w/butter on the side and coffee. Yummm.
ReplyDeleteLinda and WM: I will give my cousin your recipes for the hot pepper jelly, she LOVES spicy hot things!
Dennis, you are 42 what??? Inseam, belt size (keep eatin' those pancakes)- of course the biking should take care of that! LOL
ReplyDeleteTarajo, just watch out!
Happy Birthday Vern and Jeannie,
ReplyDeleteJeannie,your fortune cookie reads,"Let there be magic in your smile and firmness in your handshake." Hope you both have a great evening.
Today is also Arthur Sullivan's birthday, a British composer born in 1842, known for his light operas, like The Mikado. Gilbert wrote the tunes. Sullivan wrote the lyrics.
I know its only Wednesday but "I dood it". No help from Google. "Ta da"!!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite breakfast, which I enjoyed today, One egg over easy w/hashbrowns, wheat toast, crisp bacon and coffee.
Vaya con Dios
Waiting for paint to dry...literally...
ReplyDeleteI second Carol's beakfast 'zactly...I always stipulate crispy on the bacon...the only time I ever seem to have that kind of breakfast is if we eat out(rarely) or once every few months as dinner. Goat yogurt and homemade granola for me...
Kazie...I am copying off that pancake recipe...looks seriously yummy...Thanks.
Its always fun to see newbies...
C.C....glad you liked Chocolat...I seem to be collecting movies about food...HMMMMMM
Jimbo...WOOT! Congrats on completing the puzzle with no "G-ing"...makes us feel good to be slowly conquering these suckers! LOL
#4
Vern, Happy Birthday to you! Interesting about you and the number 13! Loved it.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle was born on 11/11/11 and he was the 11th child!!! Unusual too.
Jimbo and WM, you show such good taste in your breakfast choices...LOL
We also enjoy that 'breakfast' for dinner every several months too.
Kazie, that looks like a great recipe. Can't wait to make them. I'm sooo glad somebody else also uses an electric fry pan!
ReplyDeleteJimbo, I'm still G-ing on Wed., but I'm clean on Mon and Tues. Thurs and Friday aren't pretty! My Spanish and French are really improving.
Back from a long day of shopping and errands. Tomorrow will be the preliminary meeting day with our county Registrar of Voters for our California, May 19th election. It is strictly Proposition time, so I expect the 19th will be a long, slow day. That's what friends and cribbage boards are for.
ReplyDeleteCute comments, comrade, I mean brother Buckeye. You are always missed when you are away for a while.
What do they use to get that sweet relish so green? It can't be good for you.
JD, Don't mention Gilbert and Sullivan within Buckeye's hearing. Fingernails and blackboards, doncha know.
Jimbo, no wonder you are living a long and productive life. You are starting your day with a terrific breakfast.
Carol, I think Dennis meant 4 feet, 2 inches tall, in response to tarrajo's 10:20 comment.
Dennis:
ReplyDeleteWith our ever evolving band of bloggers, maybe it is time to update the bday list.
With Vern and Jeannie having the same birthday, it reminds me that back when I was in college, a psychology study found that if you have a group of people, invariably you will have a shared birthday.
The first time I fell in love in college, the girl refused to believe my birthday was the same day as hers, and since I was blind and could not drive, it took me a while to prove it. It keeps happening to me in my work life, any thoughts?
@Dennis...4'2"....now you tell me. Your receptionist failed to call me.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you I didn't previously thank for all the kind birthday wishes. I had a wonderful dinner with friends out tonight. A special Happy Birthday to Vern...we are exactly 30 years apart. I was born on Mother's Day. Any chance you were? I only hope that all my "clean" living will allow me to reach that age.
ReplyDeleteHello!!! crosswordcorner.blogspot.com is one of the most excellent informational websites of its kind. I enjoy reading it every day. crosswordcorner.blogspot.com rocks!
ReplyDelete