Ask KQ Claus

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Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark

KQ: Recommendation for a nice bath towel? I'm not a robe guy.

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Whoo boy, bath towels. I tell you what, it seems like finding good towels at a good price is a tall order anymore. I recently got some wonderful towels from Costco that were labeled "Loft". Big fluffy towels. Washed up nice. Didn't pick and believe me I tried with my fingernails. Price was good too. Bath towels were sold individually, hand towels and wash clothes in sets of two. Looks like BB&B has them too if Costco is out.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Mzc1WDUwMA..._id=8800005007

Costco also had a line called "Spa" that looked nice too. I went with the Loft because of color.

If you can't find those. A slightly pricier towel but also nice is Kenneth Cole available at BB&B. I also have some C2B (Crate & Barrel partner) towels that I like - a lot thinner than the Loft or Kenneth Cole but still nice.

Re: Towel reviews. I never know what to think when I read those reviews online. I've had great luck with my KC towels and a while back I had another brand (Elizabeth Arden) that did well by me but the reviews were really mixed. I don't know what to think sometimes about some of the stuff people complain about but I will say one thing - those people who complain about spotting, I wonder if they aren't using a product with peroxide in it. I had a GF who ruined all my Elizabeth Arden guest towels with her facial product. Looked like bleach had been spattered all over the bath and hand towel and the washcloth was totally white (started out as sky blue). It was crazy.

Would this make a good gift? http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Natura.../dp/B005MR3IVO

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Originally Posted by riser3

Would this make a good gift? http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Natura.../dp/B005MR3IVO

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Maybe if your wife is Blue from old school

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Originally Posted by KQ

Sure why not but really what you two need to do is stop the nonsense and just start buying for yourselves which is what I do (I even wrap it and put it under the tree). I bought myself this:

Bread Proofer

http://cdn-us-ec.yottaa.net/55b635db...ocs=_&yoloc=us

sooooooo tired of my bread not rising (open house - hard to find a good warm spot). Got myself some sourdough starter too. Luv me some sourdough!

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Oven doesn't work? I set it to 150 with a pizza stone on one rack then turn it off, put the dough in on another rack and let it sit. Most of the time I don't need to use the oven anyway.

Do you think there's that much advantage to a proofer?

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Originally Posted by riser3

Would this make a good gift? http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Natura.../dp/B005MR3IVO

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I'm not asking questions or passing judgment on what people put on their lists. :D

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Originally Posted by ghosthop

conveniently skipped, is KQ Claus even real? or just a farm of elves in Walla Walla furiously typing?

KQ Claus, should I rehash thanksgiving and make another loaf of cranberry nut bread or branch out for Christmas dinner?

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Wait, what? I thought I got it, didn't I?

We need to dredge up the old thread for the December holidays. Either that or just add on to one of these:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...re-you-cooking

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...-Watcha-cookin

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Originally Posted by abraham

Oven doesn't work? I set it to 150 with a pizza stone on one rack then turn it off, put the dough in on another rack and let it sit. Most of the time I don't need to use the oven anyway.

Do you think there's that much advantage to a proofer?

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I like to keep the oven free and not have to juggle things. I've not used a proofer before but it has been on my wish list for two years now. Reviews are good. Decided to go for it this year. Hopefully it will be all that. I guess you can make yogurt in it too - haven't delved into that aspect and don't really understand yogurt making but maybe I try it and see.

I just thought of a really good random gift that I got once to add here
- a car detailing.

it's soo nice to get into a car that's been totally dialed inside and I think it's around a $100

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Originally Posted by baby bear

I just thought of a really good random gift that I got once to add here
- a car detailing.

it's soo nice to get into a car that's been totally dialed inside and I think it's around a $100

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That's a cheap detail....

KQ is the Martha Freud of TGR.

Jer and Hugh wanted it bad but they could not hang.

Awesome job!

A few things...
Things are good when you need stuff, most people don't need stuff.

Go experiences.

Or stuff for experiences.

I think I found good tickets
To a cool show.. We have a baby due this week so I was looking March -ish...
Not sure if that's too far out.


Gift cards sometimes get a bad rap, but some can be used wisely:

A gift card to the local spa/ hot springs and the time off child duty to enjoy it is always on the list.

One to a store in a mall 3 hours away (we don't have much reasonable shopping in the roaring fork valley). Wife loves to go down to Denver to visit friends.

I wish you could help me but I think I'm beyond help. I've tried jewelry a few times --but I don't think I spent enough. She did like a silver navajo bracelet I bought but now it hurts her wrist (arthritis). She does anything around the house that requires a ladder so I got a really good one with a leg leveler--house is on a hill--I thought being concerned with her safety was romantic but apparently not. Ditto the really good knee pads. OK, those were a joke--I got her something nice too and the knee pads were really for me (no not for that, for working under the sink, etc). Our friends play mandolin and I play guitar and the three of us would get together and play. My wife wanted a mandolin so I got her that but the friends moved back to Ohio, my wife decided learning the mandolin was hard, I got her lessons but it's been a year and she hasn't taken them--I was hoping we could play together but I guess not. She wanted to snowshoe with her friend so I got her snowshoes but she used them once and never went with the friend. She's into fitness now so I'm getting her a fitbit but I don't have big hopes.

I think the ability to give good gifts is a sign of empathy and concern for other people which is why gift giving should be taken seriously. Fortunately my kids do very well at it.

Edit: I did get her one good gift--a cockapoo--that she loves when it isn't peeing on the carpet (it's 5) or eating the comforter. BTW my dogs love xmas presents. The cockapoo loves squeaky toys and the cocker doesn't care what she gets but she loves to rip off the wrapping paper.

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Originally Posted by old goat

I think the ability to give good gifts is a sign of empathy and concern for other people which is why gift giving should be taken seriously.

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I totally agree!

It is def. hard to buy for people when they get older and become less active/less likely to learn something new. My grandmother used to say "If I can't eat it, drink it or wear it I don't want it". I'm getting to that place. Though I might add "read it" to that list and maybe "use it in the garden" too.... and..... and.... okay, maybe I'm not there quite yet. :smile:

My mother is always a challenge. On a whim I bought her some spices from Chefs (BTW they are going out of business the end of January) and it turned out to be her favorite gift. She still raves about it. Unfortunately I can't do a repeat this year because she ordered more for herself last week.

Have you looked through Gump's? They have some interesting stuff and I do mean stuff. Wow.

The art museums MOMA and Art Institute of Chicago actually have things you can use. I got some cutting boards from one of them a couple years back and they get used everyday.

I get a ton of catalogs - something for every interest. Never have to leave the farm and sometimes, after looking through them, I feel like I've already had Christmas. LOL!

Wind & Weather

Plow & Hearth

Bits & Pieces

Garrett Wade

Edit: Sometimes I think gift giving should be about silly little things that make you smile just because (like the Gene Simmons ornament mentioned earlier). Not some serious big gift that is supposed to prove something. Check this out from Garrett Wade - kind of trippy. Watch the video on how it works

The Acrobat

http://youtu.be/qzknJhgMkRA

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Originally Posted by riser3

For the love of all that is good, do not get her clothing!

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If the stripper doesn't have clothes...she's just a freaky nudist neighbor. NTTAWWT....

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Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark

Central Colorado.

And a follow up, what do you think of these?:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Lickstarte...shop-info-name

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Some of these could work...or get a custom design.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MountainMetalsmith

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Originally Posted by MARSHALL TUCKER

A year ago july I drug my wife to a KISS concert becuase I got the tickets on groupon for $20 and my inner 13 year old really needed it. I didn't check the fine print and it was on her birthday. And she went like a trooper, and to remind me got me a Gene Simmons xmas ornament for christmas in full pimp gear with the scaled 7 inch tongue sticking out. It was hystrical unwrapping it, I mean nothing says yuletide more than Gene Simmons.

And I'm deadly serious when i say it was the best gift she's gotten me. maybe ever. Laugh everytime i think of it.

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Had a joke with a friend about South Park's Christmas Special - we both thought it was pretty gross but hysterical just the same. I came across a Christmas ornament of Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo and I knew I had to get it for her. She still hangs it on her tree every year. She was with her family when she opened it and had to explain to them what/who Mr. Hankey was - priceless!

http://images.urbanoutfitters.com/is...&defaultImage=

[QUOTE=KQ;4606977]Had a joke with a friend about South Park's Christmas Special

This cracks me up. While touring Yellowstone etc this summer we took the NE exit and went up through into Montana...saw an old guy at one of the overlooks wearing a Mr. Hankey hat...I should have asked him about it. Not sure if he actually knew what it was or not.

Just to throw something into the gift idea mix, the gift that I pat myself on the back for the most was for a gf that loved Corona, so I bought her a lime tree so she always had some just outside of her apartment. Bitch let it die so I broke up with her.

Body Souffle has been purchased! Thanks Santa KQ!

How about something for a lounging reader? She has a tablet that I bought a few years back that she likes to read from. I can't buy the books as she jumps from author to author without much preference (trashy style romance novels). We have plenty of soft throw blankets on the couch, by maybe something nicer along those lines? Gift card for the e-reader? I'm sure that I'm missing something obvious, but as a guy that is normal.

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Originally Posted by Iowagriz

Body Souffle has been purchased! Thanks Santa KQ!

How about something for a lounging reader? She has a tablet that I bought a few years back that she likes to read from. I can't buy the books as she jumps from author to author without much preference (trashy style romance novels). We have plenty of soft throw blankets on the couch, by maybe something nicer along those lines? Gift card for the e-reader? I'm sure that I'm missing something obvious, but as a guy that is normal.

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Awesome - I hope you both like the souffle

Most e-reader accessories center around covers (there are some cool ones here), gift certificates, keyboards, stylus or headphones but what about a nice hammock to lounge in on a warm summer day? Maybe a hammock for two?

For a winter option I think maybe something snuggley to wear while she reads. I got this for Christmas last year and love it!

Women's Ribbed Sleep Cardigan Sweater

It was paired with these pants:

Women's Waffle Sleep Pants - Print

and some of these socks:

Acorn VERSAFIT Socks

When I come in from evening chores I change right into my snuggley clothes - warms me right up. Great for lounging. (I think the t-shirt the model below is wearing is one of their "Favorite" tees. I have many of them and love them too)

http://eddiebauer.scene7.com/is/imag...158A1?$xlarge$

Do you go to the post office, bank or corner store dressed like that?

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Originally Posted by DJSapp

The latest fashions from www.yandy.com [NRSFW]

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now i've got their ads following me and i only clicked to look at what that was...

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Originally Posted by riser3

Do you go to the post office, bank or corner store dressed like that?

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In black face?

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Originally Posted by PNWbrit

In black face?

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POTD.

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Originally Posted by KQ

I totally agree!

It is def. hard to buy for people when they get older and become less active/less likely to learn something new. My grandmother used to say "If I can't eat it, drink it or wear it I don't want it". I'm getting to that place. Though I might add "read it" to that list and maybe "use it in the garden" too.... and..... and.... okay, maybe I'm not there quite yet. :smile:

My mother is always a challenge. On a whim I bought her some spices from Chefs (BTW they are going out of business the end of January) and it turned out to be her favorite gift. She still raves about it. Unfortunately I can't do a repeat this year because she ordered more for herself last week.

Have you looked through Gump's? They have some interesting stuff and I do mean stuff. Wow.

The art museums MOMA and Art Institute of Chicago actually have things you can use. I got some cutting boards from one of them a couple years back and they get used everyday.

I get a ton of catalogs - something for every interest. Never have to leave the farm and sometimes, after looking through them, I feel like I've already had Christmas. LOL!

Wind & Weather

Plow & Hearth

Bits & Pieces

Garrett Wade

Edit: Sometimes I think gift giving should be about silly little things that make you smile just because (like the Gene Simmons ornament mentioned earlier). Not some serious big gift that is supposed to prove something. Check this out from Garrett Wade - kind of trippy. Watch the video on how it works

The Acrobat

http://youtu.be/qzknJhgMkRA

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I'll have to check out those sites. Her favorite things are gardening and museums (she paints too but I wouldn't try to buy something that technical--just like it's best if she doesn't buy me woodworking tools, guitars, or skis [but no chance on the second two anyway.]) How'd you figure her out so quickly--yer awesome. Seems like you have more empathy for my wife than I do. Thanks.

(BTW I've tried making her stuff--the bootjack doesn't get used. The mahogany Queen Ann dressing table and matching stool get used every day. Probably my biggest success.)