Theme: Confectionery Fixes - The ends of the starred clues answers are ways to get your cacao bean fix. What's your favorite?
18A. *Chicken soup dumpling: MATZO BALL. Image. A dumpling made from matzah meal of white plain flour and water.
35A. *Paleontologist's lucky find: DINOSAUR EGG. Image. Mere coincidence they look like matzo balls.
43A. *Cappuccino seller: ESPRESSO BAR. Image. Espresso Bar in Melbourne.
61A. Confection that can start the ends of the answers to starred clues: CHOCOLATE
3D. *Basic computer component: SILICON CHIP. Image. Mere coincidence they look like matzo crackers.
27D. *Parting smooch: GOODBYE KISS. Clip.(0:35) Warning: Equal Opportunity Kisser.
Argyle here. Oh my, you should have a cup of hot cocoa instead of coffee this morning.
Ambitious lay-out for a Tuesday with the crossing of the long theme entries twice. Visually appealing but not affecting the solving, which was quite easy with some new cluing.
Across:
1. Cold shower reactions : GASPS
6. Chicken or turkey : FOWL
10. Hair tamers : GELS
14. Sacro- ending : ILIAC
15. Athletic shoe brand : AVIA. It isn't Latin for "fly". Right, Bob?
16. Stratford's river : AVON. Stratford-on-Avon is a popular tourist destination owing to its status as birthplace of William Shakespeare.
17. Seward's Alaska purchase, to some : FOLLY. At the time, 1867, but they changed their tune when gold was discovered there, 1896.
20. National flower of Scotland : THISTLE. Image
22. Neophyte : TYRO. Beginner
23. Anatomical bag : SAC
24. Zeus' wife : HERA
26. Fight-or-flight response generator : DANGER
30. Ajar, say : OPEN
32. Atop : UPON
34. Typical studio apartment room count : ONE
38. Punch-in-the-gut grunt : "OOF!"
39. "Batt. not __" : INCL. "Batteries not included."
40. Bon __: witticism : MOT. French for 'good word'.
41. Sit in traffic : IDLE
42. Utmost degree : NTH
47. Baseball's Diamondbacks, on scoreboards : ARI. Arizona
48. Apollo program org. : NASA. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
49. Wee : TINY
50. Bunny or kangaroo : HOPPER
52. Came out with : SAID
54. Recede : EBB
57. Ahmadinejad's land : IRAN. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the sixth and current President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
59. Body surfer's ride : BREAKER
65. Come up : ARISE
66. Crest : PEAK
67. Coup d'__ : ÉTAT. French, overthrow of the state.
68. Correct, as a stitch : RESEW
69. Torah holders : ARKS
70. Geologic stretches : EONS. Should this be ERAS?
71. A barque has at least three : MASTS. This image may clear up your questions about what a barque is.
Down:
1. Birthday buys : GIFTS
2. Hawaii hi : "ALOHA"
4. Buddies : PALS
5. Grain-cutting tools : SCYTHES. It is an art to swing a scythe and this painting shows a very important part of it. It is nigh on impossible to cut without a razor sharp blade. Windhover, do you swing one?
6. Hall of __: athletic standout : FAMER
7. Breakfast for Brutus? : OVA. The old Roman is having eggs for breakfast.
8. Two-time 1980s skating gold medalist Katarina : WITT
9. Quick brown fox's obstacle? : LAZY DOG. "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" is an English-language pangram, used in typing lessons.
10. Cameroon neighbor : GABON. Africa Map.
11. "The Loco-Motion" singer Little __ : EVA. Clip.(1:16) On Shindig 1965.
12. Texter's guffaw : LOL
13. Tina Fey was its first female head writer, briefly : SNL
19. Asian ape : ORANG
21. Singer Horne : LENA. One of the greats.
25. Sky lights : AURORAS
28. __ Gay : ENOLA
29. Send for consultation : REFER
31. D.C. go-getter : POL. Yes, but is he just going to get our money?
33. Tennis's Sampras : PETE
35. Shore of Hollywood : DINAH
36. Words before the talk show guest enters : INTRO
37. Masked men at home? : UMPS
41. Charged particle : ION
43. Diciembre follower : ENERO. Spanish December / January
44. Frozen cake maker : SARA LEE
45. Recipe direction : STIR
46. Holstered pistol, e.g. : SIDEARM
51. Selections : PICKS
53. Looks out for, as a partner in crime : ABETS
55. Plague : BESET
56. Beer and ale : BREWS
58. Belg.-based peacekeeping gp. : NATO. The NATO headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium.
60. Place : AREA
61. Tax pro : CPA
62. "I've Grown Accustomed to __ Face" : HER
63. Wine barrel wood : OAK
64. Brown shade : TAN
Answer grid.
Here are a few wonderful photos of the Lopez family making & enjoying traditional tamales. Click here (2:35pm) to see Lucina's secret recipe.
Argyle
18A. *Chicken soup dumpling: MATZO BALL. Image. A dumpling made from matzah meal of white plain flour and water.
35A. *Paleontologist's lucky find: DINOSAUR EGG. Image. Mere coincidence they look like matzo balls.
43A. *Cappuccino seller: ESPRESSO BAR. Image. Espresso Bar in Melbourne.
61A. Confection that can start the ends of the answers to starred clues: CHOCOLATE
3D. *Basic computer component: SILICON CHIP. Image. Mere coincidence they look like matzo crackers.
27D. *Parting smooch: GOODBYE KISS. Clip.(0:35) Warning: Equal Opportunity Kisser.
Argyle here. Oh my, you should have a cup of hot cocoa instead of coffee this morning.
Ambitious lay-out for a Tuesday with the crossing of the long theme entries twice. Visually appealing but not affecting the solving, which was quite easy with some new cluing.
Across:
1. Cold shower reactions : GASPS
6. Chicken or turkey : FOWL
10. Hair tamers : GELS
14. Sacro- ending : ILIAC
15. Athletic shoe brand : AVIA. It isn't Latin for "fly". Right, Bob?
16. Stratford's river : AVON. Stratford-on-Avon is a popular tourist destination owing to its status as birthplace of William Shakespeare.
17. Seward's Alaska purchase, to some : FOLLY. At the time, 1867, but they changed their tune when gold was discovered there, 1896.
20. National flower of Scotland : THISTLE. Image
22. Neophyte : TYRO. Beginner
23. Anatomical bag : SAC
24. Zeus' wife : HERA
26. Fight-or-flight response generator : DANGER
30. Ajar, say : OPEN
32. Atop : UPON
34. Typical studio apartment room count : ONE
38. Punch-in-the-gut grunt : "OOF!"
39. "Batt. not __" : INCL. "Batteries not included."
40. Bon __: witticism : MOT. French for 'good word'.
41. Sit in traffic : IDLE
42. Utmost degree : NTH
47. Baseball's Diamondbacks, on scoreboards : ARI. Arizona
48. Apollo program org. : NASA. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
49. Wee : TINY
50. Bunny or kangaroo : HOPPER
52. Came out with : SAID
54. Recede : EBB
57. Ahmadinejad's land : IRAN. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the sixth and current President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
59. Body surfer's ride : BREAKER
65. Come up : ARISE
66. Crest : PEAK
67. Coup d'__ : ÉTAT. French, overthrow of the state.
68. Correct, as a stitch : RESEW
69. Torah holders : ARKS
70. Geologic stretches : EONS. Should this be ERAS?
71. A barque has at least three : MASTS. This image may clear up your questions about what a barque is.
Down:
1. Birthday buys : GIFTS
2. Hawaii hi : "ALOHA"
4. Buddies : PALS
5. Grain-cutting tools : SCYTHES. It is an art to swing a scythe and this painting shows a very important part of it. It is nigh on impossible to cut without a razor sharp blade. Windhover, do you swing one?
6. Hall of __: athletic standout : FAMER
7. Breakfast for Brutus? : OVA. The old Roman is having eggs for breakfast.
8. Two-time 1980s skating gold medalist Katarina : WITT
9. Quick brown fox's obstacle? : LAZY DOG. "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" is an English-language pangram, used in typing lessons.
10. Cameroon neighbor : GABON. Africa Map.
11. "The Loco-Motion" singer Little __ : EVA. Clip.(1:16) On Shindig 1965.
12. Texter's guffaw : LOL
13. Tina Fey was its first female head writer, briefly : SNL
19. Asian ape : ORANG
21. Singer Horne : LENA. One of the greats.
25. Sky lights : AURORAS
28. __ Gay : ENOLA
29. Send for consultation : REFER
31. D.C. go-getter : POL. Yes, but is he just going to get our money?
33. Tennis's Sampras : PETE
35. Shore of Hollywood : DINAH
36. Words before the talk show guest enters : INTRO
37. Masked men at home? : UMPS
41. Charged particle : ION
43. Diciembre follower : ENERO. Spanish December / January
44. Frozen cake maker : SARA LEE
45. Recipe direction : STIR
46. Holstered pistol, e.g. : SIDEARM
51. Selections : PICKS
53. Looks out for, as a partner in crime : ABETS
55. Plague : BESET
56. Beer and ale : BREWS
58. Belg.-based peacekeeping gp. : NATO. The NATO headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium.
60. Place : AREA
61. Tax pro : CPA
62. "I've Grown Accustomed to __ Face" : HER
63. Wine barrel wood : OAK
64. Brown shade : TAN
Answer grid.
Here are a few wonderful photos of the Lopez family making & enjoying traditional tamales. Click here (2:35pm) to see Lucina's secret recipe.
Argyle
Good morning, Argyle, C.C. and gang - gotta love any puzzle with this much chocolate in it.
ReplyDeleteSmooth sailing with this one, although I didn't have a clue what the theme was until the unifier. Again as with yesterday, lots of fresh clues in a relatively easy puzzle. Favorite clue by far was 'Masked men at home?'. Loved seeing 'Loco-Motion' -- a great dance song back in the day.
Argyle, nice job, and I agree with you - 70A, 'Geological stretches' - 'eras' seems more appropriate than 'eons'. And my favorite chocolate among the ones listed? The chocolate kisses, especially the new ones, chocolate/caramel and chocolate/cherry.
Lucina, great pictures; that's one happy-looking group.
Today is Button Day and Have a Party With Your Bear Day. Since that's my nickname (Bear, not button), I'll be sure to pass that on.
Did You Know?:
- The United States bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for 2 cents an acre. (See 17A)
- An estimated 16 million tons of rain falls to earth every second.
- The average American eats the equivalent of 28 pigs in his or her lifetime. No comment.
Morning, all!
ReplyDeleteAside from a bit of confusion where I put in SANCT instead if ILIAC at 14D, this was a smooth and rather innocuous puzzle for me today. Enjoyable, but not particularly stimulating.
EON has two basic meanings. In general terms, it just means "a really long time." To a geologist, however, it specifically means "one billion years." I've seen it defined the latter way enough times that seeing ERA clued as a "geological stretch" just seems wrong to me now.
Oh -- and I like my chocolate either pure and very dark or else mixed with caramel and nuts...
A follow-up to my EON comment...
ReplyDeleteNot too long ago I solved a puzzle (can't remember if it was the L.A. Times or elsewhere) where EON was clued as "a dog's age." I really had trouble accepting that since, even though both terms can colloquially mean "a long time," that's like using "light years" to mean "a long day's drive."
Again, though, it's just because I'm used to EON being defined specifically as a billion years and tend to forget it can just mean "a long time."
Good Morning, Argyle and friends. This puzzle certainly made me crave some CHOCOLATE this morning. (Not cold enough here for the cup of cocoa, though, Argyle).
ReplyDeleteToo bad Brutus' Breakfast couldn't cross with the DINOSAUR EGG.
This may be a LAZY DOG, but the fox isn't Quick.
Glad to see Tina Fey today, since yesterday, Jeannie was reminding us how funny she is.
My favorite clue was Masked Men at Home = UMPS.
QOD: You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Re: 70. Geologic stretches : EONS
ReplyDeleteFound this site; more confused than ever. Looks like we have to wait on the perps to decide which one to use.
Good morning Argyle and all, another easy puzzle, but with some fresh cluing. No paper today so I had to work on line which I don’t like to do. I much prefer pencil and paper when doing puzzles.
ReplyDeleteNot a whole lot to comment on, but I did study the cross of umps and mot for a while before Carol’s V8 can slapped me in the face. At the same moment I was not seeing auroras so the V8 can had to slap me twice. Oh well, I did manage to finish with out help.
@ Argyle, my grandfather was so astute at swinging a scythe that he could cut weeds or grain all day. It seemed like he was always sharpening the blade with a whet stone and I was never sure if it was to sharpen the blade or have a rest. He did teach me to swing the scythe, but I never became proficient at the process. I still have a scythe at my camp, but never use it anymore. The weed whacker is far easier.
Hope you all have a great Tuesday.
Morning Argyle, CC and All,
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a fun one especially since I blew through it. No hiccups whatsoever. Umps was my favorite and Eon was my first thought for 70A. I can thank that to a geology class in college. Argyle, your last link brought back horrible memories of the exams where we had to regurgitate all of that stuff. I actually enjoyed the professor and the class.
Don't eat sweets as I'm sweet enough! Just ask my wife!!?
Have a good Tuesday!
Hi, another pretty straight forward puzzle, with some new clues. Thanks for sussing the secret matzo theme, A. You made it all fit together so well.
ReplyDeleteI think we have had it before, but I really like: Masked men at home? : UMPS
My favorite AURORA .
Speaking of WEATHER I do remember seeing this before.
Lena really did have a memorable FACE
When I graduated high school, before starting college, I worked for the city parks and recreation department. It was nothing like the TV show, just a bunch of old guys who smoked a lot. I was 16 and the only one who had graduated high school. I did, however, learn to use a scythe, keeping the town all pretty, as we used it on weeds, not grain. It is not as easy to use as it looks. I also made park benches. Sadly, I also started smoking.
You all take some lovely pics, thanks Lucina.
Nice experience, like the puzzle the other day said, “Some times you feel like a Nutt.”
Those stills are great but you need to see the Aurora Borealis in motion.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Argyle, C.C. et al.
ReplyDeleteI was in the Finger Lakes over the weekend, and had a pile on my desk when I returned. So no time for fun and games until today. Thanks for the write-up and the link to "EONS", Argyle. So as I understand it, this is the breakdown of the time spans?
EONS
L Eras
L Periods
L Epochs
L Ages
I liked this puzzle and the rich theme fill, for a Tuesday. I'm not a big chocolate fan, and really don''t eat many sweets at all. I'm a salty / sour fan: Just give me a bag of Salt and Vinegar potato chips, and I'm in heaven !
Lucina, thanks for sharing those great pictures with us. And from yesterday, CA your pics were awesome, too! It is wonderful to connect faces with names on this blog.
Dennis, if I just sit here and contemplate my naval, would that count for Button Day?
Have a good one, everybody!
Good day folks,
ReplyDeleteRelatively easy ride with the only slowdowns caused by my spelling errors. I always want to use Expresso instead of Espresso and matza instead of matzo. Orang and Saralee quickly corrected the errors of my ways.
Don't remember ever hearing of Gabon.
Always liked Dinah Shore's singing. Wonder if that is what attracted Burt Reynolds to her?
Dreary, rainy day in CT. Sort of Blah! Like my spelling.
Enjoy your Tuesday.
Hondo
Speaking of the aurora borealis, here's a picture I took on November 8, 1991:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.barrygoldberg.net/photos/aurora.jpg
It's not a particularly spectacular photo, I admit, but it was taken in Provo, Utah (which is normally too low of a latitude to see the aurora). For a long time I had trouble convincing anybody I had seen what I had seen (especially since it was cloudy most of the night and I just happened to look outside right as the clouds cleared momentarily). With the advent of the internet and Google, however, I finally discovered that I was witness to what has come to be called "The great auroral display of November 8, 1991."
Good morning Argyle and the gang. Gee, two Mondays in one week? It sure seemed like a Monday. especially with the discussion of Tina and SNL. Then the echo from Sunday of "Orang". Other clues... I guess I was just on the constructor's wavelength as I just flew through this one. "Sometimes you feel like a Nutt..."
ReplyDeleteHand up for fave clue "masked men at home?"
Now I have to go find my stash of foil wrapped chocolates that I have left from our last cruise.
Good morning all!
ReplyDeleteMy only real pause today was also starting with SANCT for ILIAC--what is sacroiliac? I've never heard the term. Anyway, other than that I skimmed through easily, totally missing even seeing the clues for INCL, ARI or UMPS, the latter two of which I wouldn't have had a "clue" about.
Lucina,
That looks like a whole lot more of an operation than my making 5 whole wheat bread loaves at a time! They must be good!
Argyle,
I enjoyed seeing the northern lights in motion. We had hoped to see them in AK but it was never clear enough.
Argyle, Wonderful write-up.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the images and the links (esp. liked that you gave the "run" time!).
What a fun Tuesday. Liked the themes and having my "real" initials, ARI, in the grid.
Plus BREWS, not just beer or ale.
Along with Avatar, I've encountered many, many BREWS. Loved them all!
Thought that was what a THISILE looked like.
C.A. Thanks for the NZ photos yesterday. (Just saw them)
According to Bender Mag. the # 1 song from 25 years ago today, "We Build This City" by Jefferson Starship IS the "worst Rock-n-Roll song" of all time ... wish I knew how to embed it ... I always thought it had a nice beat, the kids like to dance to it ... Dick, I rate it a 93.
Toasts to all at Sunset.
Good morning Argyle and all.
ReplyDeleteNot much new to add. Easy one-pass puzzle; the only slowdowns were spelling of MATZO and ESPRESSO. Some fresh fill, and the 11 letter downs helped make the solve interesting. Argyle, Thanks for clearing up the 'era' stuff. HERA was easier.
SCYTHES - My dad would use one to cut a few sheaves of succulent grass from a hayfield near the barn to give the heifers a "snack". As a 6 yr old, I would try it. Not easy. (Of course, we had a mowing machine for the regular haying.)
Have a good day.
Good Morning All, I had the same experience as yesterday. Pretty much breezed through it and had to go back to look at the completed perps, so I knew what they were.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem was the grokking of the theme. Like Dennis, I didn't get it until (61) CHOCOLATE filled. Chocolate eggs and chocolate bars are common, but chocolate balls didn't sink in at first. After Jeannie's prophetic SNL link last night, I should have understood it easily. (BTW, thanks Jeannie, always a funny clip!)
I prefer CHOCOLATE with nuts, although I do love dark chocolate Cella's Cherries. I don't like many cream filled bonbon type candy. I was always one of those bad kids who squished the bottoms of the candies to see what the filling was.
Great photos Lucina. You all look like you are having a terrific time.
Barry G. A wonderful aurora photo. Good thing you finally had some scientific backup for your sighting.
Keep feeling better, both fermatprime and MH.
@ Lucia, I would like to put my legs under your dinner table anytime. The pics were inviting.
ReplyDeleteHi gang -
ReplyDeleteExcellent puzzle today, very rich themage.
I like dark chocolate, but will settle for anything. Here's a plug for trader Joe's dark chocolate covered blue berries - YUM!
Love the Lena Horne clip. She was beautiful, and a great singer.
Did that equal opportunity kiss video elicit many GASPS? That guy would have gotten along well with Edna from yesterday.
Those old 3-masted sailing ships had no computers. They were all barque and no byte.
Cheers!
JzB
Hi all:
ReplyDeleteArgyle, thanks for the Aurora clips..I wonder what primitive man must have thought seeing that in the sky! I'd have run for my life!
I whipped through this puzzle fairly fast (never time myself though).
I got 13D just because we just had her name in a puzzle..otherwise I would not have known it.
37D MASKED MEN AT HOME had me smiling, and stumped for a few minutes too.
Lucina, thank you for sharing your happy family with us!
Barry G, great picture of the Aurora, looks almost like a forest fire.
CA: your comment about squishing the bottoms of the candies brought back memories. I used to do that too, my Mom would get so mad at me, but I figured it was better than taking a 'test bite' and putting the candy I didn't like back in the box.
I don't know where in my misty brain GABON came from but I wrote it in without hesitation. Wild huh? Maybe I still have some of my 'buttons'!
More about SCYTHE: it can be a noun or a verb. It can do a better job than any string trimmer could hope to do.
ReplyDeleteI found this fascinating clip(4:22) of a group (mostly women) cleaning up an abandon farm. You will notice they use scythes with different lenght chines(blades), long for field work and short for close in work.
There are other clips showing scything competitions.
Another easy puzzle (11 minutes). I've been knocked out with a very bad cold for the last three days, and the head isn't working just right, so I'm grateful for the easy ones yesterday and today.
ReplyDeleteHello, Argyle, C.C. and all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great clips, Santa.
This one almost filled itself; it went so fast. Didn't realize the theme until the unifier and I LOVE chocolate, with nuts, with fruit, without any. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I do not like dark chocolate, too bitter.
Two givens today, ARIzona Diamondbacks and AURORA, my grandmother's name.
Apparently Tina Fey's talents lie in writing. She received the Mark Twain award on Sunday.
According to Webster, the SACROILIAC is the juncture of the sacrum and the iliac, that is the last bone of the vertebra. It can be a source of pain for many.
I'm glad if you enjoyed out pictures. The final count was 72 dozen tamales.
As you can see many of the younger generation joined us.
Again, Jazz, you are in fine form. Funny!
I hope you are having a fabulous Tuesday!
Here's a map showing where Gabon is:
ReplyDeleteGABON
This week I've worked two new countries in Africa (ham radio)--Mozambique a couple of nights ago on phone and Zambia last night on morse code, and I've still got a number of African countries to go--including Gabon.
Another easy-to-solve puzzle this morning! Maybe because I'm doing the puzzles on-line instead of in the newspaper they are easier but I flew through again in less than 10 minutes.
ReplyDeleteThanks again to all who wished me well - I am about to be released from the hospital after a 5-night stay. The only good thing about this particular disease is that you feel well immediately once the intestinal blockage is cleared up.
This was my first experience with MRI - quite an ordeal. I have a better comprehension of what torture must be like. The isolation and not being able to move for an hour ore more are quite difficult especially when you are not feeling well.
MH: so glad to hear your ordeal is almost over. Can you prevent these obstructions or are they just part of the disease?
ReplyDeleteGood Day Argyle and Sputniks, I am writing this while presiding over a study hall of seniors. It is quite a contrast to being in middle school for 42 years. They are either gainfully employed or listening to an iPod. Life is good although it is 52 and beautiful outside and a golf course across the road. This may have been my last chance. I bought a $700 Sears snowblower yesterday as my little 20 year-old Toro was no match for last year's record white stuff!
ReplyDeleteMusings -
I enjoyed Masked man at home and didn't think it would be kinky!
THISTLE is a weed in bean fields here.
My Africa geography is as bad as everyone's but GHANA didn't fit.
The Hiroshima B29 Enola Gay was built here in Omaha where SAC is now located.
One D.C. go-getter is now on trial in the house for going and getting too much! Sorry Charlie, you got caught!
MH, great news that you're finally getting out.
ReplyDeleteMy secretary of some 12 years, back in the corporate world, suffered from Crohn's disease, and I do mean suffered. It really is a devastating disease when it flairs up, and she continues to be hospitalized off and on to this day. I hope yours isn't as bad.
Argyle, I tried my hand at scything back in the early 60's when I was a counselor at a YMCA camp in northern Georgia (can you imagine how messed up those kids were with me as a counselor), and if the blade was anything less than razor-sharp, it was a bitch. All you'd end up doing was push stuff over. Not a good time. Little did I know I'd be doing the same thing 4 years later with a machete in Vietnam...
Hello everyone!
ReplyDeleteGreat going, Argyle, CC!
Nice puzzle, Jennifer!
Never had a chocolate ball. Am chocoholic though
(just the really dark kind). Have any of you tried Dr. Mercola's COCOA CASSAVA bars? They are "scrumicious."
My gratitude to many of you who sent salutations! Especially GRUMPY! Your suggestion helps!
MH--Does not sound like fun. (Have had diverticulitis for eons, but reading about Crohn's disease made me realize that I have had it easy.) Feel better soon!
You might want to look at Chron's disease.
CA--Loved the pictures. You are very pretty!
Lucina--have searched high and low for your photos. What am I missing
That's all, folks!
Fermatprime, just scroll down to the very end of Argyle's write-up today; they're at the bottom.
ReplyDeleteWho doesn’t like a puzzle built around chocolate? Incidentally, I didn’t suss out the theme until I got the unifier. The only chocolate ball I can come up with is those chocolate “oranges” you see around the holidays. I did need some perp and red letter help with iliac, Hera, and mot. Being a sailing enthusiast I knew what a barque was so that caused no trouble. How ironic to see Tina Fey in the puzzle after yesterday’s blog. My favorite like most of you was “masked men at home”-umps.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the northern lights many times up in the U.P. of Michigan. They can take your breath away.
Lucina, love your pictures. I just love getting together and cooking up something special. Fermatprime, the link to them is underneath Argyle’s blog today on the main page.
MH, good to hear you are back home again.
My favorite chocolates are those white chocolate Lindt’s truffles. MMMMM…
I got my car back yesterday so gladfully said goodbye to the rent-a-wreck I was saddled with.
Thanks DENNIS! I figured this out right after I stuck proverbial foot in mouth! It was the label LUCIA FAMILY that threw me! (I was doing a FIND on Lucina.)
ReplyDeleteWhich lady is Lucina?
Fun pics!
This is where my nephew is attending college.
ReplyDeleteI'm at home and resting - thanks again to everyone for their good wishes and good info. I've suffered with this disease since 1970 and compared to most people I've had it pretty easy with only a few flare-ups in the intervening 40 years. It is quite debilitating for many people and there is no known cause or cure or even a way to predict the course of the disease. Fortunately they are learning a lot more about it and may someday be able to deal with it more effectively. Fermataprime, thanks for the link - I'll check it out. I tried joining a support group a few years back but everyone else in the group was so much worse off than I that I decided it was more of a downer than anything else. Anyway, thanks again everyone and Hot August Nights is still on for 2011.
ReplyDeleteJeannie:
ReplyDeleteThank you for the links to the Aurora Borealis. It has long been on my bucket list to see that phenomenon. I've not visited the northern states but hope to do so.
Fermatprime:
I'm not in the pics because I was taking them. If you care to see more and go on Facebook, look for my niece, Karyn Marks. She posted many of them.
Re: Lucia, I think C.C. has me confused with someone else! LOL.
MH,
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly glad to hear of your return home. It must be a real relief!
CA,
Thanks for answering my question about Lake Tekapo. I have forgotten so much of my 1966 trip there, and I'm sure a lot has changed. Even when DH and I went through in '74, there was so much that was totally different. At least that one thing is still the same!
Jeannie,
I know what you mean about having your own vehicle back. It must feel like being home again.
Hola Everyone, I had my chocolate fix for today. But will have to go out and actually buy some now!
ReplyDeleteA See's Candy e-mail popped up on my screen as I am typing this. I like dark chocolate See's (Our West Coast brand) truffles.
This was an exceptionally easy puzzle for me today, and I only had one hangup in the SW corner. I couldn't think of what kind of gun a Holstered pistol could be. Six Shooter--wouldn't fit, Colt--too short! Once I figured out Sidearm, things were a lot easier.
I also didn't know that a Barque has at least three masts. this was my learning moment for today.
My favorite clue today: Masked men at home?/Umps.
Good job today, Argyle.
Lucina, No wonder your family likes to get together for their Tamale making. It looks like fun--though I know a lot of work.
Jeannie:
ReplyDeleteI'm just now catching up on links and saw your post from last night, "Schweddy Balls"; it's hilarious!
Chickie:
You're right and that is one of the main reasons this tradition has survived. It's great fun for members of all ages.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteI haven't posted for over a week because I never seem to get thru the Newspaper and the puzzle until 9 or 10 at night. I found all of last weeks puzzles a little bit hard, fairly hard and very hard.
On yesterday's puzzle, Hahtool, I really appreciated the " Leaving oh a Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul and Mary. We saw them a few years ago at a theatre up in the Wisconson Dells area and I love their music. It is sad to realize that Mary is no longer living.
I also put wow first yesterday before I realized it was I Do.
Todays puzzle wasn't too bad but I had to look up several things. Saturday we got the AARP Bulletin they send out and inside the back page was a map of the world (you could recognize it, it was spread out sidewise) listing all the names of newly named countrys since 1960. There are 103 of them. I was able to find Cameroon (it was the 1st one in 1960) and Gabon next to it. It was number 15.
I didn't like sidearm. A few weeks ago 5 men with holstered guns very much om display, walked into a Culver's restaurant. One of the customers became frightened and called the police. Of course there were opinions all over the place about the ethics and/or rights of the five men vs.the other customers. What was their point anyway?
Have a good evening !
Marge
Good Day C.C.,Argyle and all,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun write-up,Argyle.
You're right the Aurora Borealis should be viewed while moving, although my hats off to Barry for his historic photo.Glad I got to see it,too.
The puzzle was easy, but interesting. Some long fresh theme fills.I never thought that dinosaur egg would lead to chocolate. But then. in my world anything can lead to chocolate.
'Masked men at home' would have been clearer to me if it had not been plural. The perps landed it, and I got it- fav.
You go for it ,Jennifer. We feel like a Nutt.
Lucina, Loved your pics - really studied the makings, and I am overwhelmed with the visual amounts. The family fun is very apparent. I had hoped to see you at least once. Was your 'quality control' sister in the picture?
I think she's in the white tee shirt with sleeves- right?
Jeannie,Glad you got your car back!
The chocolate balls that I thought of are wrapped in colored
foil,like Hershey's Kisses. Like
the link to your nephew's college. Some interesting stuff- going to go back to it later.
Fermatprime, Glad that little by little, you are coming around. keep it up.
MH, I have never known anyone with that disease.So sorry you have to suffer with it,even though you say you have it easier than most.It sounds dreadfully painful. Glad you're at home now.
I'm late with the blog today. Had a late celebration of 'clean out refrigerator day'. It's so rainy and gloomy here; now I can stick my nose in the fridge and see a sunny view.
Have a pleasant evening everyone.
Hello everybody. Good puzzles yesterday and today. Both easy and yet fun and satisfying. I can understand how much work it must be to construct them.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading all of your comments. Never TMI.
Best wishes to you all.
Thanks, Creature.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is the "Captain" in white t-shirt, second photo. We look somewhat alike, so you have an idea of me.
MH:
I'm so glad your ailment is improving. That sounds like a painful thing to endure for 40 years!
Marge, thanks for the tip on the AARP map. It's hard to believe all the changes, yet I'm used to hearing most of the names on the news. Remember the song,"Istanbul was Constantinople"? That's all I remember. What is Istanbul,now? Anybody? I certainly have no idea.
ReplyDeletecreature, surprisingly, Istanbul is still Istanbul.
ReplyDeleteMarge: Glad you liked the Peter, Paul and Mary version of Leaving on a Jet Plane.
ReplyDeleteCreature: Istanbul is the only city to span two continents ~ Asia and Europe. It is a very beautiful city. They Might Be Giants also wondered why the name change. Ankara is the capital of Turkey.
Hahtool....They Might Be Giants??..LOL, maybe creature@6:26 is more up to date than I am, but I remember the song "Istanbul" as the Four Lads 1953 version.
ReplyDeleteWow, did that make feel ancient! I loved the Four Lads. In their biggest hits year, 1956, I was 14 years old. "Moments to Remember", "No, Not Much" and "Standing On The Corner" were all unforgettable. Really, unforgettable...I can still remember the melodies and the lyrics to all three. (My brain must be tossing out a lot of valuable information in favor of Oldies retention!)
Clear Ayes, didn't they do 'Love is a Many Splendored Thing'? I used to love that song back in the day.
ReplyDeleteClear Ayes: Your version had prettier pictures. Istanbul is really a very beautiful city. I had an opportunity to visit Turkey a few years ago with a group of Muslim students.
ReplyDeleteCA, You are right on target - Four Lads, it was.
ReplyDeleteDennis, thanks
Hahtool, thanks for info and effort.
Ye Gods, its been a while!
Dennis, :o), I admit it....I knew The Four Aces sang Love Is A Many Splendored Thing. And yes, my brain cells have taken a hit on that one too. (Oops, there went E = mc2 in favor of "Three Coins In The Fountain".)
ReplyDeleteCA: I am with you on your 'oldies' journey. The last 3 songs you mentioned brought back memories of the old TV show "Your Hit Parade" with Gisele MacKenzie, Snooky Lanson, Dorothy Collins and Russell Arms. My folks watched it every week so we kids did too. Mom made pop corn by putting oil in a large cast iron frying pan, pouring the kernels in when the oil got hot, putting a cover on the pan and shaking it across the burner (electric stove) until it all popped and put in a large bowl. We loved it, with melted butter (the real thing) drizzled over the top. :)
ReplyDeleteCarol, I still have the skillet, but can't use it on top of the stove. Your minds are like steel traps. I can't believe you remembered all those names, and CA rattled off the Four Aces like it was today!.What fun from a crazy song going round in my head from the AARP map changes. Maybe we should have a slumber party! I'll never be able to sleep tonight anyway!Dennis can come too!
ReplyDeleteYeah, but then it wouldn't be a slumber party...
ReplyDeleteThree Coins in the Fountain - Gisele MacKenzie
ReplyDeleteHahtool, I'm envious of your trip to Turkey. It must have been fascinating to share views with the Muslim students.
ReplyDeleteCarol and creature....and Dennis too. LOL Sneaking into a slumber party was every teenage boy's dream!
This was a quickie today,and fun until I discovered that empressober wasn't a cappuccino seller(could be a co. from Gabon).And,I wondered why I had never heard of the cake maker MARALGE..thought it was an eastern outfit. Why a G you ask (or not)? I had coup d'Gras. I am making myself laugh. I quickly did this before the kids came in the room, put it away and just checked.
ReplyDeleteAll else was good. Saw thistle burst forth, but couldn't quite believe that it would be a national flower.
Lucina, such a great family activity!! How much wine was consumed? Lovely pictures.
Argyle, so many terrific clips. Between you, Lemonade, and "Barry's Beauty" you have stirred up our desires to see one somewhere, sometime....
Stratford-on-Avon is very quaint and full of historical places to visit.It looks like a picture book with swans posing in the river. Henley Street(where Shakespeare was born) has kept up their old (1500's) wooden houses.It was amazing to me because nothing in CA is considered ancient; our missions are only 200 yrs old.
Chickie, a See's dark chocolate truffle would be my favorite also. Have actually lost my taste for candy bars, but Trader Joe's has a "trail mix" that has dark chocolate kisses. Yum!
BTW, I am icing my sacroiliac as I write.Need to do some stretching.
MH, so glad you are home.Hot August Nights is calendarized, and we will be coming down the mountain to see you.Will need to e-mail when the time comes.
Good night all.
ReplyDeleteBob, DH was stationed in Thule in the late 50s and the only way the GIs could call home was that a ham radio operator set up a time every Thursday and relayed, somehow, so they could talk to their families. It was very much appreciated.
So glad you're home MH, and that your version isn't as bad as some. Wow!
Enjoyed the puzzle.
Creature & CA, you know you cannot have Dennis at a 'slumber' party, we'd never sleep but who would want to? There is also the side benefit of watching him check the weather conditions - he's famous now for his 'wind directional' expertise.
ReplyDeleteWow! You all have razor sharp memories! There is no way I would recall Giselle Mackenzie, Snooky Lanson, Dorothy Collins, Russel Arms, The Four Lads. My goodness, they have been long buried in my memory. But I did love the Hit Parade.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can attest to Istanbul being a beautiful city. In fact all of Turkey is amazingly interesting.
As for wine at the tamale making: the Captain has a rule, strictly enforced, no more than one glass or one beer. Break it and you're out.
Good night Group. Have a restful sleep.
Hi, puzzlers,
ReplyDeleteWow, two nights of great pix! Fun, fun!
CA, I didn't post yesterday, but I did see your terrific pictures. Great ones of you and GAH and what gorgeous scenery. I have heard from my parapetetic daughter that NZ is beautiful, and those pix confirmed it! It looks like a wonderful trip! Puts me in mind of all those Ngaio Marsh mysteries. I was so sorry when I had finished reading them all.And Kiri Te Kanawa is my all time favorite soprano! What a place!
And Lucina! What fun! I'd love to be involved in that kind of fun! You are lucky to have your large, happy family so close! Nice to see the young ones there, too. They'll carry on the tradition for sure! Only problem: you aren't in any of them. You do look a lot like your sis, tho. That was quite an undertaking, 72 tamales! How many will that be per family member?
Barry, how unusual to see the Northern Lights as far south as Utah! We used to see them fairly often in winter when I was growing up in N. Dak. Never saw the gorgeous colors, though, that I remember. I do remember the shifting light, though. Such an interesting phenomeno! I didn't know they appeared in summer.
Not much to say about the puzzle. It was pretty fast and easy. A good Tuesday solve!
C.C. What a great group you have put together here!
Oh and thanks, Argyle, for the writeup. As usual, great!
JD (and anyone interested in Hot August Nights). I'm happy to share my email address: mike@harrigan.com. I think this is already in my profile which you can view if logged on to blogger.com. When the time comes we should also exchange cell phone numbers so that we can hook up. Oh well, August is a ways off so we can worry about that later.
ReplyDeleteGood morning all.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best-named puzzle ever.
I am in awe of anyone who got close to finishing it.
Good write up, Jazz, for such a Wednesday puzzle. Should have been a Saturday, IMHO.
End of rant. Off to get a pedicure to make me feel more cheerful.