Hey everyone --

Thanks so much for the comments. A couple of you wondered about the appliance models (and the tile manufacturer) --
• Bosch dishwasher. It rocks (doubly, considering it’s the first dishwasher I’ve ever had as an adult, and developing recipes for a living, I generate a LOT of dishes)
• Kobe hood. (720 CFM)
• Fridge -- Samsung counter depth French door
• Range -- Frigidaire Gallery Dual Fuel (you called it, hardmar!) I agree that the fine control of the power burner leaves something to be desired, but we haven’t had any ignition problems (knock on wood). One thing I don’t understand about this, and in fact most of the stovetops I looked at, is the logic behind placing one of the more powerful burners at the back (on this one, the 15,000 BTU burner is the left rear). I’d prefer to have the two most powerful burners in front, where I want to do my searing/browning/sauteing/stir-frying -- all the stuff that requires monitoring and easy access to the pans. I figure there has to be some rationale behind the burner placement, but it eludes me.
• Glass tiles -- the manufacturer is Oceanside Glass Tile. To my eye, much of their stuff is gorgeous.

Maria, good point about buying appliances from independent retailers. I checked out a bunch of them in my area and the two I liked best didn’t carry the fridge I wanted. I generally prefer to buy from smaller, independent businesses, but this time I really lucked out at Lowe’s. Had very helpful sales people there, who worked with me to match prices and trigger the sale on a tax free weekend we have here in MA. In fact, Lowe’s was the only place I was able to “kick the tires”, so to speak, of the different fridges I was considering side by side.

I’m afraid not, nlaugust

If I’d had room for wall ovens I’d have gone that way, too. I didn’t even consider induction because I develop recipes for a living and few people have them at this point. What do you think of it?

Hey Anonymous --

Thanks so much for the kind thumbs up! It’s been too long since I posted last... I’d better get busy. Stay cool in AZ. An ice cream soda or float, or a shake, will help with that.

Hey hey -- I have a soda machine also and I LOVE it. Sooooooo nice to to schlepp bubbly water bottles any more. Been drinking maple-lemon spritzers all summer.... that probably wouldn’t make a bad ice cream soda. Double up on the maple syrup, and use both vanilla ice cream and lemon sorbet. Hmmmm... quick, while we still have some summer left!

Hey vintagejenta --

I agree wholeheartedly about the Polar Orange Dry. Love the stuff, and it would certainly make a dreamy orangesickle float. Double fudge soda?? About that I’m less sure. That said, a zillion years ago when I was a little kid growing up in the suburbs we used to have soda delivered to the house (like milk), and diet chocolate was one of the usual flavors.

Hey Caroline --

YOU BET we’ll have a hood over the stove. I certainly won’t miss the blaring smoke alarm every time I sear something.....