Wow, the NYT and the Stumper both went hard today. Look at all those scratch-outs. But I always enjoy some HOTCIDER (but please not from a K-Cup). No idea what DERNIERCRI is, either. I did love 51A in the Stumper, though; Jake is being ADORABLE and getting spoiled right now, in fact.

At least the Universal and LAT were easy today. Nice to see PANROMANTIC in a puzzle. And I'm hoping our landlord will be reasonable when we renew next year so no RENTSTRIKE will be required.

#crossword #NYTXword #UniversalXword #Stumper #LATXword

Today was for coincidental fill across the puzzles. With a MAI in the LAT, and TAIs in both the NYT and Universal, we've one-and-a-half MAITAIs for a Friday. And IDAHO is well-represented, spelled out in the NYT and abbreviated in the USAT.

#crosswords #NYTXword #LATXword #UniversalXword #USATXword

Stumper stumped me today. Had to give up and google for ASYNDETON to get going in the SE. I was not expecting the SHILLELAGH in the Celtics logo, but at least that I could get through crosses. ALABROCHE was new to me, too. At least SHIBBOLETH was easy, since that was one of my favorite Bible stories as a kid.

LAT had some fun answers with RAGTAGARMY and OCEANARIUM. I don't think I've ever had a CHELSEABUN, but they look yummy. Also please to see the Chicago representation, even if the MAGNIFICENTMILE was always one of my less favorite parts of town (too high rent for any of the good pizza places).

Universal continues their nice Saturday themelesses. PRDISASTER is a fun entry, and THATSAMORE was stuck in my head for a while after solving.

The NYT was solved after SLEEPINGIN until noon, and I approve of any puzzle with a CAT.

#crossword #NYTXword #LATXword #UniversalXword #SaturdayStumper