December 16, 2025

Title: GET ON WITH IT

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

• SPUMONI TRIFLE (19A: Layered dessert with cake, cream and fruit)
• ACTION ITEMS (37A: Concrete tasks to get done)
• NOT TO NITPICK (57A: "I hate to quibble, but..."

GET ON WITH IT: Each theme answer contains the word ON, immediately followed by the word IT: SPUMONI TRIFLE, ACTION ITEMS, and NOT TO NITPICK.

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• AGAVE (13A: Succulent that dies after blooming) I knew about the AGAVE plant, and I enjoyed learning this fascinating fact about it that was new to me. AGAVE are spiky-leaved succulents that grow in the hot and arid regions of the Americas and the Caribbean. AGAVE is the source of the alcoholic beverages mezcal and tequila. An AGAVE plant will grow for 10 to 15 years before it blooms. The plants are monocarpic, which means they flower and produce seeds only once before they die. This process is referred to as the "death bloom." In addition to seeds, the AGAVE plant produces "pups" or offshoots from its stalk that ensure its survival after the main plant dies.
• RED (36A: Color of gochutgaru) Gochutgaru is a variety of chili powder used in Korean cuisine. It has a vibrant RED color.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• SPUMONI TRIFLE (19A: Layered dessert with cake, cream and fruit) SPUMONI is a classic Italian dessert consisting of layers of gelato. It originated in Naples, Italy. The main flavors in SPUMONI are pistachio, cherry, and chocolate (or sometimes vanilla). A SPUMONI TRIFLE is a layered dessert inspired by the flavors of the classic dessert. In one recipe I saw, cubes of cake were layered with chocolate pudding, pistachio pudding, and cherry whipped cream.
• ELM (22A: Tree on North Dakota's state seal) Interestingly, the website of North Dakota's Secretary of State describes the state's seal as having a picture of "a tree in an open field," and describes it as "perhaps an American ELM." The American ELM is the state tree of North Dakota.
• OMAHA (31A: Nebraska city west of Council Bluffs) OMAHA, Nebraska is located on the eastern edge of the state, across the Missouri River from Council Bluffs, Iowa. OMAHA is Nebraska's largest city.
• PEOPLE (2D: THE "P" in PETA) PEOPLE for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980.
• MAINE (5D: State known for lobster rolls) The lobster is the state crustacean of MAINE, so it makes sense that the state is known for its lobster rolls. A lobster roll consists of lobster meat served on a hot-dog-style bun.
• CAT TOY (7D: Plaything in a meowbox) Meowbox is a company that specializes in subscription boxes for CATs. Meowbox will send a box to your cat filled with CAT TOYs and treats. The contents of each box are themed. My cat, Willow, does not have a meowbox subscription (please don't tell her such a thing exists!). She does, however, have a new crocheted animal toy – it's a caribou.

• AGE (10D: 90, for a new nonagenarian) A nonagenarian is a person whose AGE is in the nineties. This is a fun clue.
• ERIE (14D: Great Lake linked to the Welland Canal) The Welland Canal is located in Ontario, Canada. It connects Lake ERIE and Lake Ontario. The only natural waterway connecting these two Great Lakes is the Niagara River. Since ships cannot navigate the Niagara River because of Niagara Falls, the Welland Canal was built to enable ship traffic between Lake ERIE and Lake Ontario. Our crossword friend ERIE is making its second appearance of the month today. Will we see ERIE again before the end of the year?
• SALEM (15D: Oregon State Fair City) SALEM is the capital and second-largest city (after Portland) in Oregon. The Oregon State Fair is held in SALEM each year in August and September.
• ELI (30D: Actor Goree) ELI Goree's credits include the role of Muhammad Ali in the movie, One Night in Miami (2020) and the role of Munroe "Mad Dog" Moore in the TV show, Riverdale (2017-2023).
• NPR (39D: "Planet Money" network) Planet Money is an NPR podcast with the tagline "The Economy Explained." Since it was launched to cover the 2008 financial crisis, Planet Money has produced over 1000 episodes, ranging in length from six minutes to half an hour. Covering a wide range of economic topics, Planet Money episodes aim to make economic journalism understandable for those without an academic background in economics.

Without further ado, let's GET ON WITH IT! I enjoyed this clever theme. I had a pretty good idea of the theme from the title, and was pleased to see my guess prove correct as I got on with solving the puzzle. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this excellent puzzle.