Thanks, Julie; with some plants there are so many things to consider that I don't mind, "It depends..." It is So helpful to have the contingencies explained. Replanting in the current pot may well work, since it doesn't seem to be "busting out." In any case, I will have a slightly larger pot on hand and will remember to watch for a need for more water. (I'm a "stick your little finger down the side of the pot into the media" tester.) And Orrin, thank you, for anticipating my next question; I was concerned about getting the paph crown too far into the medium and setting up a situation where rot might occur. I'm in a semi-arid region of the Sierra Nevada foothills--not quite so dry as Tucson, but close. I have no greenhouse, but so far, with daily light misting, the paph seems to be doing well. The new growths are 2", 2 3/4", 3", and an almost hidden "nubbin" (very apt). I suspect that the longer ones already have their feet in the medium, but will check for roots when repotting and put the rest of your shared wisdom to work in the process (good sphagnum, too, if needed). Julie and Orrin, your generosity with helpful insights has changed my "repot avoidance" to anticipation. Thank you so much! SweetCicely

That should look great and opens the door for BS option. Pretty daughter- hope one of you licked that slab! Newbies- started out as a joke- if someone saw you "licking" the slab they would be too grossed out to consider your choice - not sure anyone has really truly licked it! Keep those pictures coming!

We are putting granite - Tropical Brown - in the kitchen in our new house. After having laminate counters for decades (ick), granite is going to be a new experience. I'm excited! Regarding heat resistance - I understand that while granite doesn't scorch, it is *possible* for it to crack. That could happen if you put a very hot pan on a previously undetected crack/weakened area. The extreme heat difference (very hot pan/cold counter) *could* cause the counter to crack - major damage. That sounds like it doesn't happen very often, but since it could happen - why take the risk? BUT - in my house, we microwave a fair amount. Would a dish coming from the MW to the countertop be hot enough to risk heat damage? Seems like dishes that have been in the MW, while hot, don't get as hot as a dish right from the oven/range. Or is it better to assume that if I don't want to touch something with my bare hands because it's too hot, that it shouldn't touch the granite, either? I've been told that Tropical Brown is practically bulletproof. Does that mean it's more heat resistant, or what?

Thanks again for the additional comments and suggestions! We already have the oven - it's a GE single/double model that my DH fell in love with and grabbed on major floor model sale. To be honest, it would not have been my first choice aesthetically, but he's the primary cook M-F and this was a big thing for him. So whatever we do, that oven has to work. mtnrdredux, I'm surprised at how much I like the turquoise - definitely going to get samples in that range and try them out! sophie123, your kitchen sounds beautiful! Dunsmore cream is a lovely shade, I can see that going well with the marine blue. Thanks for the heads-up about the paint. It's funny, I noticed that the marine blue was a little different to work with just when I was painting cardboard samples. I guess I'd call it a little streakier. I'll almost certainly be painting the cabinets myself, and although I have a great deal of experience refinishing and painting furniture, I don't want to make things more difficult for myself than they need to be.