This may seem a little weird coming from a woman my age, but what comes to mind is a favorite song of mine from Van Halen's 5150 album..."Dreams". One of the lines from it says "we'll get higher and higher..." and that is what I envision my garden doing. The CD was released in 1986, the year I met my husband, and we used to listen to it on his boat. Mary

Clare, I have but only when it was a light sourdough, not one with a strong sour dough flavour. That wouldn't appeal to me. Annie1971, this is the recipe I used for the Chocolate Bread. Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Chocolate Cherry Bread ====================== Posted by Carol: Chocolate-Cherry Bread Recipe from: Chocolate! Good Housekeeping Favorite Recipes by The Editors of Good Housekeeping Cookbook Heaven A not-too-sweet bread studded with bits of bittersweet chocolate and (tried tart cherries. We use Dutch-process cocoa instead of the more usual natural cocoa to give the bread a richer brown color. Prep: 20 minutes plus rising Bake: 20 minutes Makes 2 loaves, 12 slices each 1/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F) 1 package active dry yeast 3 teaspoons granulated sugar about 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 3/4 teaspoons salt 1 cup freshly brewed coffee, cooled until warm (105 to 115 degrees F) * 4 tablespoons butter or margarine,softened 1 large egg, separated 3/4 cup dried tart cherries * 3 squares (3 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped * 1 teaspoon water In cup, combine warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; stir to dissolve. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, cocoa, brown sugar, and salt. With wooden spoon, stir warm coffee, butter, egg yolk (cover egg white and set aside in refrigerator), and yeast mixture into flour mixture. In bowl, with floured hands, knead several times to combine well. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, working in enough of remaining 1/2 cup flour just to keep dough from sticking. Knead in cherries and chocolate. Shape dough into ball; place in greased large bowl, turning dough to grease top. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place (80 to 85 degrees F) until doubled in volume, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Punch down dough.Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and cut in half; cover dough and let rest 15 minutes for easier shaping. Shape each dough half into 5-inch ball. Using the sides of your hands, tuck sides of dough under to meet in center. Rotate and repeat to form taut ball. Place balls, 3-inches apart, in opposite corners of ungreased large cookie sheet. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In cup, beat reserved egg white with water; use to brush tops of loaves. Sprinkle loaves with remaining 2 teaspoons granulated sugar. With serrated knife or single-edge razor blade, cut shallow X in top of each loaf. Bake until loaves are crusty, about 20 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Hi, Natal, it was this morning's Diane Rehm's show. I reread what I wrote and should have stated associated with the oil and gas industry as many suspect the correlation lies with the W VA gas extraction taking place near the epicenter of yesterday's quake. There are oil extraction problems as well, but I mistyped. Long before yesterday's rumble, there have been lots of concerns raised about the gas exploration/extraction fracking. Congressional hearings are underway because of the serious water depletion associated with the practice as well as the water, soil & air pollution from fracking, not to mention uranium and several hundred other toxins involved. I'm not very confident that our government will take appropriate measures at this juncture. WY, CO, NY, W VA, VA, AL, and LA are just some other states where the alarms are being sounded. Of course, TX where this practice originated is deeply affected though long controlled by big oil & gas as is our home state, LA. Lawsuits are being filed in several states, but this is a huge problem that by and large the public is not tuned into yet. It's frightening how short term big oil and gas interests might outweigh our preservation.

Another vote in favor of sticking with quartz. We are in love with our new Zodiaq "Nutmeg" color (which is NOT light, although it is cool, has sparkle, and adds a nice "pop" while remaining "calming".) I love not having to worry about the surface, and as many pretty granites as I saw in many granite yards, I just wasm't sure I wanted to come downstairs every morning to a busy surface. I couldn't be happier with our choice, and highly recommend taking a serious look at quartz. If our project was still in the planning stage, I would be looking seriously at the Cambria "Torquay" -- it was JUST released (via pictures online, not yet available) when we were picking our counters. It looks absolutely gorgeous, though -- and thanks to deeageaux for sharing that drool-worthy picture!! It sounds like it would be a perfect choice with your other selections. Good luck!!