Carissa's Christmas Crossword 2023

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Across
  1. 2. Summer book club has been running for four years – wow! This year, we read about the adventures of this son of Poseidon.
  2. 8. Carissa’s been a fan of this Led Zeppelin-esque rock band for a long time, but finally got to see them in concert for the first time this year.
  3. 11. Owning a home means more space for messy new hobbies! Carissa has enjoyed making a mess in her garage with her orbital sander as she learns to ______ wooden furniture.
  4. 12. When Carissa closed on her house in August, her moving plans were complicated when she discovered that the previous owner had left this behind in the basement!
  5. 13. A government shutdown certainly would have put a damper on the trip Carissa took with her friends to this city. Luckily a deal was reached just in time, and the trip was able to happen in early October without a hitch!
  6. 16. A Memorial Day weekend road trip with Dad included a stop at this state park in SW MN.
  7. 17. He was named Pet of the Month in November at Carissa’s workplace, giving her an excuse to email her coworkers all her favorite pictures of this handsome fellow.
Down
  1. 1. In her quest to watch all the movies that have won Best Picture, Carissa finally tackled this one in 2023. It’s the only best picture winner with no female speaking roles (but it still rules).
  2. 3. Carissa was pumped for this doubleheader summer movie event, dressing up with a Peaky Blinders-inspired hat and a pink watermelon skirt.
  3. 4. Attending the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is an annual tradition for Carissa and her friends. This year, she picked up this type of hat and is now constantly searching for occasions to show it off.
  4. 5. Highlights of Carissa’s state fair visit this year included seeing Brandi Carlile in concert (again) and eating pizza with this topping.
  5. 6. Carissa was honored to be asked to bake the cake for Jessica’s wedding – a red velvet cake with this type of frosting. CREAM CHEESE
  6. 7. The number of weddings Carissa attended this year.
  7. 9. One of the first house projects Carissa tackled was replacing the outlets in her bathroom and kitchen with this type of outlet to bring it up to code.
  8. 10. “I see you shiver with antici-____.” Carissa attended her first-ever showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show this Halloween
  9. 14. Carissa’s going to be an aunt! Jessica shared the news with her by giving her a coffee mug with this adorable little Star Wars character on it.
  10. 15. Carissa spent a weekend with Mom & sisters in this SE Minnesota city. The name of the city means “firstborn daughter” in the Dakota language and, no, it’s not named after the actress.