Regarding "curing," the GEII is actually a caulk that requires curing rather than drying. By allowing it to cure in a "controlled environment," the seal will be more stable. It is similar to concrete needing to cure rather than dry. If you'd let it cure outdoors in a hot, sunny location, it is possible the seal adhering the pieces won't be fully stable and could eventually fall apart. If you have ever seen concrete that wasn't properly cured, it crumbles and cracks. The GEII would do something similar. I did find the lady's shop on Etsy. She does have some pretty pieces. Click on the link below to see her shop. Here is a link that might be useful: Gardens and Crafts Shop on Etsy

Tony, the neonicotinoid class of pesticides are systemic insecticides, so it would be extremely unlikely if they did NOT kill honeybees. In fact, it would be pretty much impossible for them not to do so. The question is, how much of this stuff is being sprayed, and how long does it survive in the environment? Well, the answer to the first part is that tons (literally) of the stuff is being sprayed because it is highly effective, and the answer to the second part is that it is most likely it breaks down very slowly because it is a systemic. I have heard similar reports that neoticotinoids aren't responsible for CCD. In fact, the professor I spoke to from UC Davis reported in a lecture that the French banned this class of pesticide, and the loss of bees continued. Unfortunately, this does NOT mean that these pesticides are harmless. It just means that there are other factors ALSO at work which are contributing to CCD, and now we know that the IAPV (Israeli Acute Paralytic Virus) is the main culprit, or one of the main culprits. The best we can figure right now is that honeybees are under attack from multiple sources, and the only way to effectively bring back the honeybees is to address as many of the factors as we can. One of the observations made about bees that were affected by CCD, ones that actually made it back to their hives, was that they were absolutely loaded with every conceivable pathogen---tracheal mites, varroa mites, several types of RNA viruses, including IAPV, and even bacterial pathogens as well. Ergo, the bees were highly stressed and their immune systems were severely weakened. This suggests multiple pathogenic agents rather than a single source.

The AEG oven itself looks good...online, i went out the the shops today, no one had it. One place said they are trying to get a display. They could not tell me anything about it. One guy compared it to steam assist by whirlpool. No one had the new Miele either, just the steam only models...no discounts on them yet. Saw the Wolf, its nice. The AEG: 2.6 cubic feet The manual Says 25% 50% and 100% steam modes. Four paned cool touch glass door. (some models) Has a convection Fan and convection element. Has a Broil Element Has a Steam generator. you can see it in this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKMVTrDR5E4 (which has info text in German). Seems to also function as a bake element when not water is present. (Probably a mint to replace it it goes) Other notable modes. Proofing Bake, Broil and/or Convection Drying Warming Steam Reheating Steam Baking A Third bigger than wolf at less than half the price. There are a few add ons for those that want them...oven racks and glides ect. Wolf seems easier to control, at least initially. Mind you, this is with out playing with the AEG so its tough to say for sure. Looks like AEG does not heat left overs as well, it probably does not preheat as fast either due to size. If i go this way it will be easier to talk the wife into a Speed oven. Bonus Video of AEG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ166Xe2m78 If any one has this I would like to see your contribution to the potato race. I don't think it would beat a steam oven but would be interested to know the time.

time to move down