mksmth: I'm trying to germinate a few tropicals, I don't think it's a problem planting a seedling into the gritty mix because not much roots are there yet. Were your citrus much older than seedlings? Were they about 5-gallon stage when you transplanted them? Did you remove all of the old soil, aka bare rooted them?

I've used Holland Bowl Mill Bee's Oil, which is a blend of natural beeswax and mineral oil. I bought an 8 oz. container 5 yrs. ago and still have 1/3 of it left. I also use it to condition my wood cutting boards. I used mineral oil once, and I found it to be runny and leave an oily residue. The Bee's Oil is a paste wax consistency. I scoop it out with a white cotton dishcloth (which I've dedicated for this use only) and just rub it on like a wax shoe polish. I clear the countertops & island, put on some good music and work at getting all the surfaces covered. When done, I take a clean cloth and buff it up. It was recommended to me to do at night when you can keep everything off the counters and allow it to air dry overnight. There is not much residue, once you buff it. And the color on mine deepens slightly for a while. I did it about once a month for the 1st three months after we had it installed. Otherwise, once a year. I like seeing the variations in the greys of my stone, instead of having an all-black shinier look. Our soapstone counters get a lot of use in a kitchen where there's year-round entertaining at our lake house. I bake a lot and roll dough directly on my island. The soapstone looks as nice as it did when installed - except for one "ding" when I dropped a glass on it when unloading the DW. I purchased my Holland Bowl product online on my soapstone fabricator's recommendation.

FWIW, I know how your wife feels about that fixture! I fell in love with the Kevin Reilly chandelier---the rectangular one with the fake candles--and have seen it at an aquaintenance's house and in a kitchen magazine. After much research a year ago, I found it for $13,000 at one of the Holly Hunt showrooms. But just now (after 15 more minutes looking...) I found an old eBay listing it for $5,800. Ugh. So Restoration Hardware is another budget way to go for a similar look. It is perfection isn't it?! Here is a link that might be useful: candle fixtures at Restoration Hardware

I have an entire houseful of woodwork to darken due to new wood floors. I have no cash left to pay a pro to redo everything or to replace all of the doors and trim in my home. Therefore, I am on my own. Everyone has said something true, and I have experienced it all. I am starting to get acceptable results now. Not acceptable to a "pro", but acceptable to folks I know who are aware, picky and share honest feedback. I've tried this and "Howards Restore-a-Finish". The Restore a finish is nice, but is not affecting the color much, and getting a redder hue is what I am after. I have a door and a cabinet I will lkely re0do. But the rest is turning out quite well. I will share what I have learned so far: - Experiment before starting the big job. I tried rubbing the minwax and brushing. Brushing is the best for me. - Clean your surface well (duh). I use a sponge with a ScotchBrite backing to gain surface grip for the minwax (I simply do not have the time to remove all doors and work them horizontally) - This stuff is too thick and sets too fast. To overcome this I work one thing at a time to "completion". Example: one cabinet door, one coat at a time. - I use small amounts in a separate container (don't paint directly out of the minwax can as I started doing. WRONG!!!). - Your brush will quickly become your worst enemy. Frequently clean your brush with paint thinner. - Find a brush you are comfortable with. I have settled into 1.5" width max. - I use thinner liberally and frequently on my brush. Keeping the brush cleared with thinner keeps the minwax flowing thinner, better, and more consistently; plus, it keeps the minwax wetter longer. I am able to easily work the surface (a vertical door jamb for example) top to bottom. - Don't stop to chat on the phone and then come back into your section you were working on. Guaranteed problems. You must your finish your section. - Last, but not least, take your time. The last thing I may try is actually thinning the minwax with thinner, but I don't know if I will go there now that my results are so much improved. Good luck!!