woodburngirl, I did a serpentine walkway that leads from my front porch to my pond and rock garden area with the new rose/charcoal colored poured stepping stones that Lowe's started carrying last year (at least they had them in Auburn, WA). I love it. It's the stuff that is designed for 5 different shape steps to make a square pattern. Since my path was very curved, I simply placed them in such a way as to fit and be spaced not to break stride. I haven't planted my thyme or star creeper or whatever it is I decide to use yet but it really did turn out great. I've got a pic that is probably way too big to post here but I can e-mail it if you like. I think these were around 7.00 each. They fit my scheme perfectly because the walkway was formed with the same colored stackstone and lined on both sides with hinos.

Ok I can do that tomrrow night, my DH is coming home from a business trip tonight. Maybe you can tell me what style the house is. It has 3 floors and a flat roof, its painted brick (moss green with burgandy trim, a lovely wrap around porch, a porteco(I dont know its a roof attached the house to park your car under and a carriage house that use to be the stable for horses (which is now has apartments in it also) but it has cute port hole windows. Granted I just closed on it last week. Needs freshing up with paint on the outside but that'll have to wait until next spring. I will check the salvage companies and see what they say. Im sure Ill have to email them pictures too. Thanks again!!

Since other posters have already commented on the care/maintenance of these counters, I will comment on how, IMHO, they will look with the cabinet and flooring samples you show. The Purple Dunas does not look good in that combination. The Sandalus looks too much the same, there is no contrast, and the combination will be too monochromatic. The Typhoon Bordeaux has a nice contrast, as well as an interesting pattern. Since we can't see the rest of your kitchen, it is hard to tell if Typhoon Bordeaux would look good, but it looks like it would be very pretty, and by far the best of the 3 from what you've shown. I believe that Typhoon Bordeaux is one of the denser granites, needing sealant just once a year. Here is a link which shows a number of photos of this granite in different kitchens. http://www.minimalisti.com/kitchen/modern-kitchen/04/typhoon-bordeaux-granite-countertops-ideas.html P.S. Your fabricator who said to clean your granite counters with vinegar is wrong. I would never do that to my counters. You got lucky with your previous counters, but don't do that with your new counters, OK?

So, continuing with this meandering mumble, a dear friend visited last night. Yes, the first house guest we have had in over a year! Everyone is fully vaccinated (well, I have had one shot) and very careful so we decided to take this little step toward normalcy. Over dinner - pork ribs (pressure cooked in miso then broiled and sauced with sort-of-teriyaki), dry cooked green beans (parboiled then wok-cooked), green salad (with lightly sugared apple slices and apple cider-dijon mustard vinaigrette) we discussed my plan. My 3 to 5 Year Plan, as grandiose as that sounds - it’s like I’m the Politburo! - is, basically: 1. Buy a vacation place in Port Townsend WA. Start spending lots of time there. Assuming that nearly-living there for a year or two agrees with us, then 2. Move legal residence to P.T. (there are, ahem, tax reasons to do that). Keep current Portland house and spend a few months a year here, since my friends are here and it’s only a 4 hour drive. 3. Work from P.T., which basically means a home office and a fast internet connection. Keep some sort of Portland workspace (could be a co-working sort of place, where you call and reserve a desk when you need it), since the guy I plan to collaborate with on a biz project is here. 4. Start a jazz club in P.T. (as my side venture, not my day job!) The town’s jazz club closed due to a dispute with the landlord. There is an annual Port Townsend Jazz Festival, but a lack of good venues. My friend - who was visiting from P.T. - started the town’s radio station, and said I could get a jazz show on it, if I want to try my hand at D.J.’ing (not sure I do). I think/hope this is doable over the next five years. Or three. I’m excited! I’ll be in my early sixties by then, likely pretty ready for a change of scenery and less of the hustle-honk of city life.