Maggie, maybe she and I have stoves made of different material; I've tried what she suggested. I've also tried virtually every solution known to humankind... Nothing works. Especially vis a vis the rapid accumulation of crumbs et al. I suspect that happens with wry stove -- it's simply that black tends to show EVERYTHING. I've even considered painting it, with a Giani-type system. I used their stainless steel paint system on my dishwasher and on the oven hood with great success; the reason I didn't try it with the stove top had more to do with numerous reviews noting the rapid deterioration of the paint around the burners. Naturally, that's to be expected -- high heat and constant use with the dragging of pots and pans would result in a far less pristine surface that the dishwasher, which has remained perfect. I figured, why bother, it'll only need re-doing every 6 months... But now, having tolerated this black stovetop's weaknesses, I'm leaning closer and closer to painting it anyway and just DEALING with the need to repaint...

If it's not I don't want to socialize with you thing, then it's just general laziness and lack of social graces. I have a similar thing with my family. I have a couple of cousins that I was close with growing up and that now live 2 hours away. I send them Christmas cards every year, graduation announcements, party invites and I never hear boo from them. 6 months ago, I get an invite to a baby shower for the daughter of my cousin. Didn't even know she was pregnant, hoped she hadn't gotten married and I didn't get an invite! Turns out she wasn't married but was having a baby. So, I decided to drive up the two hours that Sunday and attend - mostly just to see everyone and hear what's new. They were all thrilled to see me and we had a great visit. I took a number of pictures of the mother to be and my cousin and other family members at the shower. Plus some of her opening gifts etc. I sent copies of all the photos to my cousin. Never got a thank you for my gift, an acknowledgement of sending the photos. No baby announcement. Nada. I know they like me, they like me coming to their events on the rare occasions they have them, but have no interest in making the drive to attend any of my events or interact with my kids or hubby. So it is what it is. I accept them, as they are, but definitely don't invite them to events anymore other than those that I consider life milestones like graduation parties or weddings my kids will have in the future. They probably won't come, but at least I invited them!

This is an entertaining thread. I've read all the way through, and realize that dh and I are extremely fortunate in that our tastes coincide on so many levels, and he's very agreeable after I spend hours researching agonizing over selections. What I have learned though, after we built a home 10 years ago, is that it all needs to be done at the outset. Because after the initial construction is finished he is extremely resistant to more construction mess. I had FREE labor offering to help me finish my sewing studio - no go. And the backsplash that we were going to finish after we moved in and lived with a kitchen for awhile - never happened. We sold the house 7 years later, and it was still ABB. So this house, my studio has been an integral part of the plan, AND I just found my perfect backsplash. I can't join the ABB club, or I will forever be without a backsplash. It's all just knowing your own particular dynamic. I'm agonizing right now over which sink to put into the kitchen. I've asked his opinion - he said "get whatever you want" We've gone over our plans with a fine tooth comb in the last week, and I found a few places where we could change selections or leave off, and he pretty much added everything back in.

I always thought these plants grew like weeds. No special attention needed. I have very little experience with these types of Senecios. I have other types of Senecios, but none of the ones you stated. I live in a little town called Martinez. Im about 30-40 mins east of SF. So where I live it's hotter in the summers, and cooler in the winters by about 5-10 degrees. Just trying to paint you a picture:). I had a tiny little cutting of S. vitalis and I put it in a pot. I did nothing special to this cutting. Gets almost all day sun. It's fully exposed to all the elements. This thing has grown at least 10 times the size of the little cutting it once was. This was in a year. It's no longer a cutting it is a plant now. In the summer it gets watered every 7 days or so. Sorry I don't have much experience with these species of Senecios, but I thought I would give you info on the little bit I've had. Honestly by the looks of your pics I wouldn't worry to much. Yours are nice and big, and well established. In the summer I would water yours every 7-10 days and that's about it. Goodluck:).