We put in a black granite composite top-mount sink with Formica countertops about two years ago, and I love it. I didn't think it was any heavier than the double cast iron sink I took out of my old house. It is easy to clean, and very sturdy. I did damage it a little bit with a scorched pot, so they are not 100% heat proof, but you can easily set a pot of boiling water in/on it with no problems. The scorch mark is pretty minimal, and I only notice it because I know it's there. Overall, I'd definitely consider a granite sink on our next, not-too-distant kitchen reno.

It's copper plumbing... and it's funky wiring. There's no excuse for that connection not to be in the disposal and and not having a romex clamp on there. What's more... unless I'm not seeing something... the garbage disposal isn't grounded. That's something that you should take care of ASAP.

"I am leaning toward Silgranit" I think that's a great choice, but color choice is key to the level of maintenance needed on a Silgranit sink. I have a Silgranit sink in anthracite (black). It's actually my second one in my second kitchen. I loved it so much, I bought it twice! It is easy care and shows nothing. The black is dramatic too, and looks great with my faucet and counters. Because I think it's the easiest sink I've ever had, I recommended it to my friend. She heard my enthusiasm, and bought one for her kitchen, but she bought it in the white color. She finds it very hard to keep looking clean. She showed me how easily it stains from coffee and wine, and also how difficult it is to keep looking clean and get those stains out. I feel terribly guilty. I had no idea the white color would behave so differently from the anthracite. After seeing first-hand my friend demonstrate the easy staining and the difficult cleaning of the white color, I cannot recommend it. I would absolutely though buy another in anthracite, or one of the other darker colors like café brown or gray, without hesitation. Single bowl sink gets my vote. And what's more, love that the BlancoDiamond Silgranit has the corner drain. Corner drain allows you to set pans down in the sink without covering the drain, and to have a disposal that is in the corner so doesn't crowd storage in cabinet under the sink. As to sinks with accessories - you have to look at your personal style in the kitchen. I love my large thick cutting board on my counter. I prefer my separate RSVP Precision Colander to drain pasta and wash veggies. I have no use for other accessories, and don't need those two accessories I mentioned to be part of my sink. But that is how I operate in the kitchen, and everyone is different. Consider this carefully before you decide what sink you want.

Looks like one of the many kinds of what are called 'grass spiders', perhaps an Angelenopsis species. They make the small sheets of webs you see on top of the lawn and shrubs after a heavy dew.