XWord Muggles Forum

Ahoy Muggles!

It's great to be back on MMM! So, Mrs. Cap'n (aka "The Admiral") and I recently embarked upon a complete kitchen renovation project here at the house. Our tired 1980's motif (complete with wall-mounted pushbutton phone!) was no longer cutting it around here and desperately needed an upgrade. Even though I personally only require a microwave and toaster for all of my culinary needs, in just "12 short weeks" we will have a full complement of state-of-the-art appliances including a fridge that dispenses ice cubes for our cocktails! Now that will certainly make a huge difference around here!

I'd like to thank @Abide, @Al Sisti, @boharr, @whimsy, @MarkWoychick, and @Joe Ross for pretesting and technical help.

The meta answer is a 7-letter word.

What A Difference! - Crosshare

What A Difference! - PUZ

What A Difference! - PDF

What A Difference! - Spreadsheet





Difficulty

Nudges are here.
Solution is here.

Good luck!
Cap'n Rick

Off the couch.
Thanks for the puzzle - good one!

OTC! And just in time to get ready for the work week.

Fun one - thanks!

That was fun. Nice start to the week.

Off the couch. Having bombed a bunch last week, nice to start this one with a win.

Thanks for the puzzle, Cap'n!
While filling out the grid I managed to spot what I needed to solve. It's funny that I usually do worse on these than the WSJCC, but have been doing better recently.

I was poised to make one of my obnoxiously picky editorial "suggestions" -- then realized that the "error" was done intentionally. Great job, as always, Cap'n Rick! And the kitchen renovation will be wonderful -- speaking as someone with a tired '80s kitchen myself.

OTC!

Thanks, Cap’n. Fun! Sadly, though, our own ‘80s-era kitchen, looking amazingly like your “before”, may need to stay that way for a few years more. By then, maybe the style will come back. Not!

Late start, but quick solve. Very fun, thanks.

ChrisKochmanski wrote: Mon Aug 21, 2023 1:13 pm OTC!

Thanks, Cap’n. Fun! Sadly, though, our own ‘80s-era kitchen, looking amazingly like your “before”, may need to stay that way for a few years more. By then, maybe the style will come back. Not!

Yeah, I tried using that "retro style" logic with the "Admiral" to no avail, Chris. Good luck to you when you're ready to reno!

OTC! Very fun Cap'n!

Off the couch, with a nice aha upon finding the path to the solution... Fun puzzle and impressive construction, Cap'n!

Off the couch! I loved this one. Very fun grid and solve.... and a nice boost after being at a total loss on the Gaffney puzzle. Thanks!!!

Off the couch! Fun one!

Ahoy! OTC. Fun puzzle, though it took a couple of looks to get where I needed to be.

Great! I've been in such a slump the last three weeks I needed a nudge free 10 minute-r.

Off the couch. But it did take me awhile.

Off the couch! Fun one! Thanks, Cap’n

Off the couch (again) - somehow an all-new experience and just as enjoyable the second time around! Thanks for the puzzle, @Cap'n Rick