I don't take any grief from my compost pile. I use it when I'm ready---not when it's ready. And I have never seen any evidence of nitrogen tie-up. Of course I use only briefly composted manure*, too, so... In a reasonably well-built pile, you should easily be able to have compost in six months in N.H. I go into winter with at least 6 fresh bins, and when I need compost in the spring, I start with the oldest. Anything too unbroken down, I toss back into the wire bin that I've set in its new position next to its old position. I use my chunkiest compost as a mulch, and I fork my most finished compost into my vegetable beds. The latest I have ever gotten steam from a compost pile in Maine was late-Dec, but I don't try very hard. Different story in my chicken house where I use a deep litter method, much of which is leaves. I flipped it once during a long spell of negative teen temps and it poured steam. I cooled it off, though, by flipping and it never recovered heat. * I used manures from 1974-2007 and only once had a problem (from overapplication) when I married a man with a dumptruck. kimmsr's got me scared now, though, so I'm composting this year's manure until fall.

It is said that as the last century was that of oil, this century will be that of natural gas. And the prophecy might indeed come true what with the latest discoveries of shale gas in many regions in the world, especially North America. For instance, let's look at this post on the shale gas race from the EAI Blog: "There is currently a shale gas mania, with analysts predicting that shale gas based natural gas could become the leading energy component in the US and perhaps in countries like India too, in a decade from now. Reliance obviously is not the first to make major acquisitions in this area. Dec 2009 � ExxonMobil bought shale gas assets of XTO Energy for $30 billion Jan 2010 � French oil company Total SA shale assets from Chesapeake Energy for $2.6 billion Apr 2010 � Reliance bought 40% stake in Atlas Energy�s shale gas field for $1.7 billion May 2010 � Royal Dutch Shell bought a majority stake in East Resources for $4.7 billion What are the Next Steps if I am Interested in the Solar PV Industry? Know more from the Solar PV Advisor June 2010 � Reliance buys a stake in Pioneer Natural Resources for $1.35 billion " That's a lot of acquisitions within just a year, for such a new area. It just points once again to the tremendous amount of excitement in the market regarding the potential of shale gas. At the same time, there are a few analysts and industry professionals who feel that the optimism for shale gas is exaggerated. They feel that all is not rosy for shale gas, and that it is quite likely that the costs of shale gas will be much than what are being projected. While that may well be the case, right now, there is no denying that shale gas (and natural gas in general) is having its finest moment and more acquisitions and investments can be expected for the next one year or so in this domain. Here is a link that might be useful: Shale Gas

I think that if I had seen that photo before we did our kitchen, I might have done the copper sink in the island. I really wanted to work in copper somewhere, but it didn't seem to fit anywhere else and I was picturing a green sink over time. Counters would not have worked for me, but I love the island idea. I wasn't trying to talk anyone out of copper -- just posing the likely questions and ones I wasn't able to resolve for myself. I also realized after I last posted that most of the things I was looking at trying to think about how copper would age were probably only thin copper plating -- like the roof of a bird feeder outside that quickly became pitted and yucky. You probably wind up with some rusting metal underneath rather than copper, and that's not a fair comparison. luvnola, I'm sorry you're not rebuilding in Nola, but glad you can recreate the charm you need wherever you are. I can asee copper like that adding to the charm, It is different, and that's what will make it what you love. That's what's really important -- making your kitchen nd your home what work for you -- functionally, of course, as well as some touches that feed the soul. I got flack for marble counters and for my three different cabinet finishes, but the end result just feels so right for me. I love many looks, but this is one I will alsways feel at home with. Enjoy! BTW, I did not find soapstone that would work for me and wound up with a brushed granite instead. Love it too, but I still love soapstone and may put it in our laundry room if I get a chance. The marble wsa less than my granite, and I would have thought copper would be more. The sinks and hoods are certainly pricey. You'll have everyone fooled. ;-)

Here's an idea for you: I moved the fridge closer to the DR so it's easier to grab milk or whatever else you need to grab to put on the table. It also means that anyone in the LR or DR won't have to traipse through the cooking zone to get to the fridge. The downside is that anyone coming from the FR will need to walk through the kitchen. If that's a concern, consider adding a bev fridge in the island facing the pantry. The fridge is a counter depth fridge. If you prefer a standard depth fridge, you should increase the aisle width and decrease the island's size accordingly. I moved the clean-up sink and DW to the windowless wall. That's the only wall where I put uppers. You could do uppers on each side of the range or you could enlarge the windows and bring more light into the kitchen (helps with your concerns about creating a dark kitchen). I put a prep sink in the island. I didn't realize until I drew it out and did the math, how large your island would be. You've more than enough room for a prep sink, plus it will come in handy whether you use the island for art projects (water for water colors) or for baking (water nearby to rinse sticky hands). I did not place the prep sink at the corner of the island on purpose. I wanted to keep that end clear to give you a place for putting bags of groceries carried in from the garage. There is a row of shallow (15") cabs beneath the island. Use these to store seldom used items. Or maybe kiddy art supplies. They won't object to climbing under the counter on a daily basis like us adults. ;-) The island is large enough to accommodate 5 seats. The post is at the edge of the island's counter, not part of the island, like this: [Modern Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by New York Architects & Designers Bates Masi Architects LLC Or this (less beefy support, of course) [Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Palo Alto Kitchen & Bath Designers European Cabinets & Design Studios Or this: [Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Traverse City Kitchen & Bath Designers Bay Cabinetry & Design Studio