If the dealer ordered everything for a rush December delivery, and now won't be able to deliver the goods until February through no fault of his own, it seems to me that he's hardly being unfair to expect payment now. It's a sure bet he had to pay his distributor promptly. Seems to me that he's doing you a favour by holding the stuff until you're ready for a much delayed delivery. I'd sure want to remain in his good graces. Besides, if he's a reputable dealer, he'll want to make sure that you're satisfied customer, too. I deal with a small Mom & Pop appliance dealer when I have to replace appliances in various rental properties that I own (most of the local builders buy from him too). The dealer has been around forever, he doesn't run a fancy showroom, he's very honest, and he doesn't take credit cards. I wish he did, just because it would simplify things for me, but I'm not going to switch to another dealer over that. When he says he'll do something, I don't have to worry about it. He's always as good as his word. There really are trustworthy and honest merchants out there.

Cathy, the best part was seeing your face when I gave you teh gift bag. That was priceless. Here we were in our jammies talking about the swap when I mentioned that mine was being delivered that day! I also told Cathy that this was a tough one as she had been sucha good freind to me over the years, but I stuck to my kitchen favorites. The everyday pan is just that, you use it everyday. No more turning the pan to get the long handle out of the way, easy to put inthe sink to clean and in a pinch it can go right to the table like a paella pan. When my first cheapy one died, I had a new one ordered in 24 hours, I knew I could not be without one. And do we ever have enough spatulas? Or just the right platter for that certain something? Enjoy as I did choosing it for you.I hope my favorites become yours.

The counter space along the wall adjacent to the peninsula doesn't look like it will get much use while prepping/cooking so why not put the wall oven on the end in a tall cabinet. This will provide wonderful storage above the oven for trays/roasting tins/platters and tall pots as well as a few nice size drawers underneath. It leaves you with an 18" landing space, and I really don't think it will cramp your breakfast bar at all. You could place your coffee maker next to the oven and pour your second cup without having to get up (my idea of heaven). I wouldn't worry about having the tall cabinet next to the doorway. I have my fridge in the same spot and it's doesn't feel too narrow You mentioned storing dishes under the oven; I wouldn't sacrifice counter height dish storage for a counter height oven. You'll be bending way over to get dishes many more times a day than you'll be bending over to get into the oven. I'm not sure why you don't like your SIL's super susan, I love mine but I can promise you that you will hate shelves even more. The recycling station isn't a bad idea, but in such a samll kitchen, I think it may take up too much valuable space (unless it went in the peninsula corner) I think you'd be better off leaving the corner unused. You could make the pantry 6" smaller, then shift the fridge down. You now have space for two good sized drawer banks on either side of your cooktop and a big bank of drawers next to the sink. Or if you don't like the idea of a smaller panty, put a pull out cabinet (great for holding spices, oils etc) between the cooktop and corner. Just remember, if you do go with adjacent drawer banks instead of a corner cabinet, you have to have 2" fillers on each side of the corner to give the drawers room to clear the knobs/pulls of the adjacent cabinet. Keep in mind that only one or two 30" induction cooktops will fit in a 30" cabinet (same goes for 36" cooktops in 36" cabinets) and those models just barely fit. You may need to go with a larger cabinet or notch out the sides of a 30" one (not sure how practical that would be with a cooktop though I know it's easily done for a sink). There are some very useful discussions in the appliance forum on how to achieve the minimum necessary clearance under the cooktop too.

Thanks! Owning on Maui is often a challenge, but, yes, it's Maui! Sorry to be slow replying. May I ask what size mini-split I would need? It's 849 sq ft interior, basically a LR/Kitchen (300 sq ft) plus a BR/bath (250 sq ft), connected by a long hallway with louver closets, one with washer/dryer, and a second bathroom. I suppose the outside unit would go into the courtyard off the BR (SE); the lanai off the LR (NW) faces the ocean. We are ground floor on a slight rise. Above is a townhouse-style unit. Our neighbor has been happy with Mitsubishi. His condo is slightly larger than ours and faces due West.