Agree clearly this is a Harvest Forum post. Also sounds like a very weird recipe from a site that is well known for unsafe canning information. You've got some real mis-understandings of canning instructions going on. Relishes are NEVER pressure canned and green beans are only pressure canned for 20 min for pints and 25 mins for quarts. No idea what BBB recipe you are talking about that calls for cooking relish for 3 hours. Dave

Not that crazy over this one. Is there a reason that I missed that you want an overhang for sitting when you plan on having a table w/ seating so close? Reviewing some of your previous posts, it sounds like you are most fond of the galley layout. Why not stick w/ that one and try tweaking to the extent it will make you happy (after all, it IS your kitchen!). It also seemed like your SO/DH would get to keep his sunroom intact w/ that one so he should be willing to compromise on any plumbing & electrical work that would have to be done to make it work!

This is long, but has a lot of detail. I hope it helps-- Importing big stuff isn't for the faint at heart. If I was buying Gaggenau (or pushing my comfort zone) I'd probably use a group like Importappliances.com or buy from someplace in the UK, with no language barrier and an American-ish idea of customer service. If you have basic (and I mean VERY basic) German skills, my favorite site is… wait for it… Amazon… I've imported many things from them, from trash cans to appliances. Just type "Amazon.de" instead of .com in your browser. Your login is the same as your US login. Expedited 2 day shipping is a manageable up charge on accessories/parts. German Amazon has better kitchen stuff than British Amazon, by the way. I will say that the German site has weird "typos," so you want to make sure the item number matches the picture/discription before finalizing an order. For example, on Amazon.de, the Bosch Domino Lava-Grill (PKU375N14E) is listed. If you search for the grill, you'll get a picture of a 12" induction cooktop, and the product title-- Bosch "Warmeschublade." Unless you have good enough language skills to figure out which one is being sold, you might end up with something unexpected. I always double-check item numbers w the manufacturer. The only problems I have ever had is with packaging coming open in transit. Clearly, this is a bigger problem with a cooktop than a trash-can. UPS is pretty good, but inspect the item before accepting. I've never had to deal with a big return, but the process is the same as in the US. If you use Google Chrome, it can automatically translate the pages. The format is so similar that you can generally navigate, even without translation. The basic keywords to search w/o translation are "Induktions Kochfeld" (Induction Cooktop). Usually, searching in English works. 60cm = 24 inches… figure up or down from there. On the right side of the Amazon.de website, where you do filters like Prime, click the button for "AmazonGlobal Bestellbar" this means it is available to ship internationally, with minimal fuss. If you are lucky, you'll find something sold directly by Amazon, as they will subtract VAT, calculate reasonable shipping (including 2-3 day for a minimal up-charge!), and "pre-charge" duties. Basically, if you can get something from them, it is as easy as buying from them in the US. You can also filter by brand. Personally, I agree with Pillog that if you stick to brands sold in the US, you minimize potential issues… Some brands like AEG (Electrolux) have so many options for a low price that it is tempting. That said, a lot of brands (like Bosch) won't let Amazon sell to the US for obvious reasons. If Amazon doesn't ship to the US, under the product description, it says: Leider kann dieser Artikel nicht in die Vereinigten Staaten versendet werden However, under that, you can choose other Marketplace sellers besides Amazon. If there are other sellers, below the Amazon pricing, it usually says something like: "16 neu ab EUR 659,85" just like on the American site where it says "16 new from $659." If you click that, you'll get a list of several sellers. If the individual Marketplace retailers ship internationally (some do, some don't), it says: "Internationale und Inlandsversandkosten." If they only sell in Germany, it just says "Inlandsversandkosten." Add the item to your cart and go through the checkout process (without finalizing) to see shipping costs. If buying from Marketplace sellers, I look at feedback and go to their "normal" online store before buying through Amazon. You can always ask questions. If you write in English, 99% of the time, they can translate and reply. Thank them for that! Many Germans speak some English, and are happy to do so, but are annoyed that Americans ASSUME they speak English. If you thank them for the effort, they soften up. Make sure to figure out customs duties-- only Amazon (direct) calculates that in checkout. Also, you shouldn't have to pay the VAT (which is usually included in list prices) if the item is leaving the EU, but some sellers don't deduct it (or give you the paperwork for a refund.) I consider that a "red-flag" for shifty (or unsophisticated) sellers since they won't have to pay the VAT on their end. Depending on the country, the VAT can be over 20% so its a significant amount, often covering a good bit of shipping and customs costs. Another option for purchases is http://www.importappliances.com. I've never used them, but they look legit. Their prices are higher, but still MUCH less than USA and they can provide the kind of hand-holding that is reassuring. Most induction cooktops seem to be under 1000 EUR (about $1100 USD) My guess is that their business model is to buy appliances in Brussels (where they are based) for normal retail, then simply forward to customers in the North America and Australia. Their site is a good place for research, as they have downloads of product specs, etc. You can also get specs, installation guides, manuals, etc in English on the manufacturers European websites. Just go to the regular website and change your country. I know Bosch allows you to choose English as a default language, even on their German site, which is nice. Again, Google Chrome will translate… Generally, the European economies are hurting, so they are happy to "go the extra kilometer" to close an international sale. Still, be aware that Continental Europe has a different attitude about customer service than what we are used to in the US… Its a running joke that in Germany, "customer satisfaction" means that you should be satisfied that they allow you to be a customer… They are wonderful before a sale and will answer all sorts of questions, but if you are asking questions, it is assumed you are a serious buyer, not just "kicking tires." After the sale, they are polite & helpful, but the American expectation that they can return things "no questions asked" for cash refunds isn't the norm. Anyhoo, hope this helps.

NOOOOO, I still can't do it! UGH, so frustrating! However, I think I know the problem now, but don't know how to fix this. A lot of my photos are word docs (docx). I know crazy! But, when I see a picture on some website that I like for my house...which is most of my pictures...I just copy & paste on a word doc! It's easy & works for me. Until I want to upload it here! So, I'm dragging the picture on my desktop to iphoto, like a few of you have said to do. But, I get a message saying my picture is an unrecognized format. Which is probably why I can't upload from "Photo" below here, as well. I vaguely remember at one time a few yrs ago, I did convert my word doc pictures into a jpeg format. But, for the life of me, I cannot remember how I did that. Rococogurl, you mention jpeg....would you happen to know how I can convert the word docs to jpeg? Or, am I just out of luck? leela, how fun to go visit Alberene Soapstone. It is gorgeous stone! That picture of that building is beautiful! I'm glad you figured out how to post pictures! I'm keeping my fingers crossed someone will have pity on me & keep helping me!! :)