Ask KQ Claus

[riser4]

She may be fooling around with the local handyman when you're not home. Do you actually see her using the tools or just see sawdust on the floor and assume?

Bahaha. I actually see her using them. Still does not rule out the handyman.

[Supermoon]

Rabbit test?

Welp, just learned something new today. Medicine is weird.

[old goat]

Dear KQ Claus,

I travel a lot and my wife told me she would really like a rabbit for Xmas for those nights that I'm away. Our HOA does not allow animals. She knows this. Is this some kind of test?

My wife had a house rabbit--the thing shat and pissed all over the house, chewed expensive stuff, and bit me if she was away when I tried to feed it. And the damn thing lived 12 years which is the human equivalent of about 150. Maybe get her a rabbit fur coat.

[KQ]

Hey-hey! Just got this promo email from Duluth:

Ends Tonight - 25% OFF Souped-Up Sweats for Women!

SOUPED-UP SWEATS

Edit: You don't see the sale price on some of the items until you click on it


Socks are also on sale - These ski socks are cool! Price isn't bad either.



WOMEN'S SMARTWOOL SKI MEDIUM PATTERN KNEE HIGH SOCKS

[shirk]

Best non stick skillet?

[KQ]

Best non stick skillet?

I picked up this set (lid sold separately which I recommend you get at least one) and have found it to be everything I need. I use it for everything from crepes to omelets.

Calphalon® Contemporary Nonstick 10-Inch and 12-Inch Fry Pan Set

[MMP]

Dear KQC,

This question is NCR, but how much for a wedding gift when you didn't attend? Kids got married that we ski with at Magic. Nice kids so generous without going crazy is what we're after.

Thanks Merry Christmas,

MMP

[KQ]

Dear KQC,

This question is NCR, but how much for a wedding gift when you didn't attend? Kids got married that we ski with at Magic. Nice kids so generous without going crazy is what we're after.

Thanks Merry Christmas,

MMP

According to those who know... in 2016 the rule of thumb is:

Even if you aren't close to the couple, it's not very considerate to spend less than $50 on a gift. Typically, the amount spent on a gift for a coworker or a distant friend or family member is $50–$75. For a dear friend or a relative, the average jumps to $75–$150.

For ref: 5 Rules of Wedding Gift Giving

And from Vogue:

Do you buy a gift if you can’t attend the wedding?
This is where things get a bit murky. The old rule is that you should always buy a gift if you are invited to a wedding, even if you don’t attend. Instead, use your best judgment. If you’re very close with the couple, it’s probably best to send a gift. If your distant cousin invited 300 people to her wedding and you feel like you were invite number 299, perhaps a sweet note of congratulations on the RSVP card is sufficient. If you do decide to send a gift, feel free to spend less than you might spend if you were attending—that $30 wine opener is still a lovely token of congratulations that the couple will surely appreciate.

[MMP]

According to those who know... in 2016 the rule of thumb is:

Even if you aren't close to the couple, it's not very considerate to spend less than $50 on a gift. Typically, the amount spent on a gift for a coworker or a distant friend or family member is $50–$75. For a dear friend or a relative, the average jumps to $75–$150.

For ref: 5 Rules of Wedding Gift Giving

And from Vogue:

Do you buy a gift if you can’t attend the wedding?
This is where things get a bit murky. The old rule is that you should always buy a gift if you are invited to a wedding, even if you don’t attend. Instead, use your best judgment. If you’re very close with the couple, it’s probably best to send a gift. If your distant cousin invited 300 people to her wedding and you feel like you were invite number 299, perhaps a sweet note of congratulations on the RSVP card is sufficient. If you do decide to send a gift, feel free to spend less than you might spend if you were attending—that $30 wine opener is still a lovely token of congratulations that the couple will surely appreciate.

follow up, I want to give $1.00 more than the other Magic people that were invited, is it rude to ask the bride and groom what they got from the other losers?

[irul&ublo]

...And from Vogue....

Ha ha, you and digitaldeath read the same magazines!

[capulin overdrive]

Welp, just learned something new today. Medicine is weird.

Yup, pretty old thing. Learned about it in the 80's trying to figure out what Aerosmith was singing about.

[Pegleg]

Yup, pretty old thing. Learned about it in the 80's trying to figure out what Aerosmith was singing about.

I had a friend (female) in high school who had a pet rabbit that passed away. She had a story about how, when she reported this to her grandmother, the grandmother turned white and almost fainted. That's when I learned about the phrase "the rabbit died".

[KQ]

Ha ha, you and digitaldeath read the same magazines!

Silly, I don't read it, haven't since HS, I did a Google and it came up but I did figure if anyone was up on wedding etiquette it would be Vogue.

[shirk]

I picked up this set (lid sold separately which I recommend you get at least one) and have found it to be everything I need. I use it for everything from crepes to omelets.

Calphalon® Contemporary Nonstick 10-Inch and 12-Inch Fry Pan Set

We've got a Calphalon set that didn't hold up to the use. The coating has flaked off.

Cook Illustrated likes the OXO one.

https://www.cooksillustrated.com/equ...stick-skillets

[KQ]

We've got a Calphalon set that didn't hold up to the use. The coating has flaked off.

Cook Illustrated likes the OXO one.

https://www.cooksillustrated.com/equ...stick-skillets

Well you know I'm always a fan of CI reviews.

Funny about your Calphalon. Mine is going on 8 years and no flaking. Gets used almost every day.

[ianpnw]

If you have any tea drinkers on your gift list, there is nothing better than a bone china tea set. Elegant to drink from, and if you buy a tea set for one, it's a very personal gift which will make the recipient think of you every time they use it. Making and drinking a proper cup of tea (no tea bags!) provides a 10 minute break in the day which is relaxing and almost meditative. I've given this gift a few times - it's unexpected, and always really appreciated. You can get bone china widely - here's a place in Seattle which also ships....

https://queenmarytea.com/

[plugboots]

Well you know I'm always a fan of CI reviews.

Funny about your Calphalon. Mine is going on 8 years and no flaking. Gets used almost every day.

JHC, those OXO's are cheap. I had Calphalon and switched everything to Le Creuset. I thought the discount wasn't a bad deal:
http://www.lecreuset.com/nonstick-shallow-fry-pan

[riser4]

Yanno.. the gloves might not be too hard since she gave you a shopping location and a price. Does she have some old ones you can look at for ref?

If you don't want to get the gift pack and she has dry hand issues you can go with just the "Make A Difference Rejuvenating hand treatment". It is a bit pricey for hand lotion but it is seriously the bomb - works like nothing else on cracked skin.

No problem about the SA - any charity of your choice is fine. I also like to buy those pre-bagged groceries that some stores have for you to grab and buy for food bank donations and then of course there is Toys for Tots or local giving trees but hey.... Planned Parenthood in Pence's name would work too (ugh... if I hear that man say "we are blessed" one more time.........)

Origins lotion was the trick! Of course she used about $4 worth before I could suggest that she doesn't need as much of this as she is used to. LOL. Anyway, she was very happy. She has wicked dry hands. And as a potter, very much needs her fingers in working order. The lady deserves the best.

The gloves worked out too in a way. I got the closest thing I could figure out and saved the receipt. She will go get the right ones tomorrow...

[Supermoon]

Thanks for the slipper suggestions. Didn't end up with Uggs, but found a nice pair from J Crew that she loves. I consider that a win!

[BmillsSkier]

Re: Calphilon non-stick. We had a stovetop to oven large piece where the nonstick started to flake after about 4 years of solid use. Took it to Williams Sonoma to see if we could send it in for repair. They ended up warranting it and fixing it for free. No questions asked. Told this is common practice.

We're an All-Clad/Le Cruset/Staub family and this is our only Caphilon but after this we will definitely look to them in the future.

[Mazderati]

All the non-stick wears after a while regardless of brand.

[KQ]

Origins lotion was the trick! Of course she used about $4 worth before I could suggest that she doesn't need as much of this as she is used to. LOL. Anyway, she was very happy. She has wicked dry hands. And as a potter, very much needs her fingers in working order. The lady deserves the best.

The gloves worked out too in a way. I got the closest thing I could figure out and saved the receipt. She will go get the right ones tomorrow...

That's awesome - glad the hand lotion worked out! I need to get some more. This cold snowy weather combined with much cooking and cleaning over the holiday has left my hands rather parched. Nothing works like that lotion IMO.

Thanks for the slipper suggestions. Didn't end up with Uggs, but found a nice pair from J Crew that she loves. I consider that a win!

S'all good - don't have to be Uggs. Lots of great slippers out there to keep her lovely toes warm and toasty!

[frorider]

KQ, here's one you missed: http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee.../#5149535d40cf

[old goat]

That's awesome - glad the hand lotion worked out! I need to get some more. This cold snowy weather combined with much cooking and cleaning over the holiday has left my hands rather parched. Nothing works like that lotion IMO.

I would have thought you were a bag balm kind of gal.

[KQ]

KQ, here's one you missed: http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee.../#5149535d40cf

Yikes!

I would have thought you were a bag balm kind of gal.

Yanno, I've never like that stuff for my animals or self.