I got samples of soapstone when we were deciding what countertops to get. My favorite one looked just like your light gray with dramatic veins. But, the testing I did on the sample with mustards, oils, etc. made me decide that variety was not for me. I still wanted soapstone, but couldn't afford it at the $120 sf installed price here in St. Louis. And they only had one variety. We ended up with Black Pearl granite which I like and it's been easy maintenance. We went to a remnant sale in April and they had one slab of a harder variety soapstone that we bought for our island countertop at a fraction of the price. It'll be installed in two weeks. I sure hope I like it. If not, at least I didn't pay $120 sf. :-) Too bad you can't reuse it in some way; i.e., table top, fireplace surround. If not, clean it up and sell it.

Im confused. In the pic of the two they are browning from the bottom. Doesnt this in and of itself (those werent grafted) say (most likely cause) they are getting toooo much water? Then in the bottom pic, all the "weeds" this also says to me "too wet"(ive got tons of those same weeds, they thrive in moist soil). I would think water/moisture is the primary issue and root stock is secondary. Im a newb just trying to learn. Im live on wetter than wet property and if there is one and only one thing I have learned it is that too much water and conifer=death. For example, I planted 6 small dwarf conifers last fall (I think they may have been norway spruce "elegans" but am not positive). During the winter/spring (which my entire 2 acres turns to quicksand, my vernal pools forms, the ducks come, and the spring peepers come out) the two that were not ppkanted on high enough/large enough mounds look like the last pic. The others are fine. Ive have planted 250+ conifers (conservative estimate) the past 3 years and the ones that die are.....akways planted too low. Nothing I have planted on sufficiently large mound has died. Yes I have loaded (from condo construction, basement clay) and emptied easily 4000+ 5 gallon buckets of clay in a honda accord to make mounds for planting trees. Ill be getting about 50 dump truck loads of fill dirt ( clay from basement of future business)in two weeks, mostly to raise up my future house(building a mound for my future house, already added 12 dump truck loads last fall) . After I tore down the old house(no basement), about 30 frogs living in the footprint of the house for the summer/ fall, thats how wet it is, dig up leeches and mole salamanders (vertical finned tails) when planting trees. The remainder of the fill dirt will be to add to my mounds that I must plant all my trees on or they die. My number one job that takes all my time is adding to and maintaining my mounds. I will be doing it until I die or cant do it anymore.

Hello Girls Yes it was on my porch after 6 last night. My package from Margo got me ready for fall. It had Bath and body works wallflowers holder with a caramel pumpkin swirl scent. French lavender and honey shower gel,. A beautiful blue butterfly canvas picture,solar dancing butterfly, insect repelling band{always use these} sour watermelon worms 2 cute bug rocks { I want to make these} poached egg seeds fleabane seeds dwarf toadflax seeds Mixed columbine seeds Margo I love all items Thank you for another great month in this friendly group.

And of course I couldn't leave well enough alone, I added finely chopped naraschino cherries & red coloring to part of the white dough to make the pinwheels. Here is the original recipe: 2 cups flour, sifted 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup shortening 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used Almond instead) Sift dry ingredients together, set aside. Cream shortening and both sugars well. Add egg and extract and beat until light and fluffy. Blend in dry ingredients just until well combined; will be a little crumbly, but will come together when you form the logs. Divide dough into 2 equal parts ( this is where I added the melted chocolate to half and chopped cherries to half of the white half.) Place on waxed paper and shape into rolls 1-1/2" in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper. Chill thoroughly several hours. Preheat oven to 425° Cut logs into slices about 1/8" thick and place on ungreased cookie sheets (I used Parchment Paper anyway.) Bake 6 - 8 minutes. Since the checkerboards were smaller they baked for 6 minutes, the cherry spirals baked for 7. Not the prettiest cookies I've ever made but they are rather tasty.