Your kerrii looks nice in a hanging basket. I think I'm going to grow mine this way, too. I've been keeping it SO close to the lights so maybe the growth would stay more compact, but idk how well it's working... Sorry to hear about your grandmother carnosa burn, but it looks like it's in good shape now. (Nice save.) I bet it reaches the original size in a couple years, growing outdoors in such a good spot.

Thanks for the kind words! :) Yes, I imagine given what you've said, that you can approximate what I see in the picture. Sometimes what people are looking for is more of a feeling. What you've also implied is that you really want the look of the best ever inspiration picture. If you're doing a version of that island, I think you really need light, but you can approximate it with granite or quartzite if you're looking more for edgy guy rather than a real break-your-heart bad boy. You could definitely go darker on the perimeter. Regarding soapstone, you might look for one of the harder varieties. Try scratching it with something pointy like a screw or nail. If it's hard to make a mark, you should be able to live with it, even if you're not big into patina. I think unoiled soapstone would give you the kind of color you're looking for, it looks great with light marbles, and is very functional. If you get oil spots on unoiled soapstone you can use a grease cutting detergent like Dawn dish liquid. It's really not that much maintenance. If you go with soapstone, however, do get installers who really know soapstone. It's different from granite or marble, and has different requirements (though simpler tools). As to patterns of stones, it really depends on the exact slabs you choose, but you should be fine doing veins with veins or spots with spots but not veins with spots. Similarly, it's nice if one has more and one has fewer veins, but you want the veins to be not too dissimilar in size. A little difference is contrast. A big difference is just busy. This works best when the stones can be read as inverses of each other, so a white marble with gray veins might work with a brown granite with white or gray veins, but not so much with a brown granite with black or red veins. These are just generalities, however. It really depends on the exact slabs and how you template them and fit them together. Taking away that whole question, could make your life a lot easier. Have you considered quartz for the perimeter? One of the ones that reads solid?

Hi all... clergychick..Now that's what I'm talking about! Thank you for taking the time to take and share your photos. I'm glad that those who weren't familiar with your kitchen can now see why I was inspired. Love this view of your kitchen...specifically the dishtowels hanging, the decor on your window, and your RED granite..(that was such a perfect choice by the way!) I want to get those garlic/potato cannisters too someday. I'm waiting for my daughter to come home from college to decorate for Christmas. It will not be as detailed as yours, I can say that for sure...but your pictures have put me in the spirit! Thanks for the kind words flwrs and theresse.. Hoping for more pictures from other GW kitchen people...(shelayne..got anything to share yet?) KA:)

While I was out watering my vast plantation (smile) at 06:00 am this morning, I decided to take a closer look at my huge Glenn tree again. First off, I noticed the 11 slightly brown-leaved branches that succumbed to the 3 or so ultra cold nights we experienced over the last 2 months...naturally they were panicle-less. Then, poking in deeper I saw a few...very few... branches that actually were a healthy looking green, but without a panicle!! Didn't pursue this venture further...5 minutes was enough. Just let me say that to be as accurate as possible... and diffuse any doubters - recalling my angelic youth ( was a good pal of Babe Ruth's, but that's for another post ! )...I am guessing there must be 200 + branches ready to explode ! Easy to see I didn't have anything urgent to do today...Super Bowl doesn't start till much later. ( smile ) OK, so only about 98 % of the Glenn mango tree branches are loaded up,..will still be a bonanza like I haven't experienced before. Must be 200 + branches all ready to explode ! Bring it on,..I'm ready !! LOL