Granite Countertops—Spotlight On Edge Shaping
Most customers know they have a choice to make when it comes to edge profiles for their countertops. Many customers however, often have questions in regards to the process. Straight line edges such as an eased edge, bevel, half bullnose, bullnose, and ogee are fabricated using our Pro-Edge machine.
Cut pieces are loaded on the Pro-Edge, where an operator then sets the parameters to the run the piece. When the program is set, a water-fed polishing arm passes continuously over the piece to achieve the polished edge. Backsplash pieces are also loaded on the Pro-Edge for edge finishing.
Following are a few photos of the Pro Edge I wanted to share:
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite on October 19th, 2009 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Chops
Here’s another good fall recipe to try. It is easy to make and is delicious, especially if you like sauerkraut.
Crock Pot Pork Chops
1 can sauerkraut (14 oz.)
4 pork chops
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion
1 large green apple
1 cup beer, or chicken broth
Place sauerkraut in crock pot. Brown the pork chops in the the oil. Cut the onion in half and slice to 1/4″ thick. Place the pork chops in the crock pot when browned. Add the onion to the skillet and brown about 5 minutes. Core the apple and scatter over the pork chops. Add the onion over the apple when finished browning. Add the beer, or chicken broth to the pan and heat to high. Stir to loosen the onions, etc. Pour over the stuff in the crock pot. Cook for 4-5 hours on high, or 7-8 hours on low.
Enjoy!
Barb
Posted in Cooking in your kitchen on October 16th, 2009 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Go Ahead—Laugh!
Most of us have heard at sometime or another, the saying, “laughter is the best medicine.” While this may be true, many people don’t take enough time every day to really laugh. The other day, while I was paging through my August 2009 issue of Ode magazine, I came across an article titled, “Migrate Toward The Merriment,” that caught my eye. According to the article, “Children at the age of 5 giggle or laugh between 20 and 100 times a day.” That’s quite a bit, but isn’t it funny how when we get older, our laughter somehow just seems to slow down?
Most people tend to want to be around those people that make them laugh. That’s because laughter works like a magnet, and naturally attracts others. Laughter also creates a physical response in our bodies. “Numerous studies have shown that our blood pressure falls, blood and oxygen pass more easily through our coronary arteries, the two branches of our autonomous nervous system return to a better balance, and our immune cells become more active against viruses and cancer.”
Wow—That sounds like a good reason to laugh to me.
How are you creating more laughter in your life?
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized on October 14th, 2009 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Granite Countertops: Spotlight On Honing
While a polished finish is by far the most popular choice when it comes to finish options for granite countertops, we do get a fair amount of requests for a honed finish. So what, some may ask, is the difference?
A polished finish offers a reflective, mirror gloss finish. It is the best choice for granite countertops in regards to staining and scratching factors. A honed finish offers a matte, dull look and is non-reflective in nature. It is also fairly popular for granite countertops, but the honing process does make the material more susceptible to staining and scratching.
While there are several select colors that we can order from our suppliers as “honed,” most slabs ordered, arrive with a polished finish. For the most part, when a customer requests a honed finish, we have to hone the material ourselves. This honing process is done with our “Wizard,” (honing machine).
Most granite slabs are polished using a series of diamond grit wheels that are run continuously over the material to achieve approximately an 8000 grit polish finish. In order for a polished slab to become honed, the polished material needs to be taken down in finish using a 250 grit wheel, and then slowly brought back up to between 800—1000 grit, using different grit wheels.
No matter what type of finish you are looking for your countertops, we are here to help. Please feel free to stop by our showroom, or give us a call.
Following are a few photos I wanted to share:
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite on October 8th, 2009 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Oh YEAH…Division Champs!
Well, Monday night I had this AWESOME opportunity land in my lap! My brother had bought 4 tickets for the tie-breaking MLB American League Central Division Champion at the Metrodome between the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers. He had one extra ticket…with my name written all over it! Thank goodness PGC let me leave early, so that I was able to go.
The energy at the Metrodome was indescribable. The comradery and pure excitement is not seen or experienced very often. From the ceremonial first pitch by former Twin, Jacque Jones, to the final RBI by Alexi Casilla, there was not a dull moment. There was chanting…MVP, MVP, MVP when Joe Mauer was up to bat, and KKKKKKKUUUUUUUUUBBBBBBBB when Jason Kubel was up to bat, it was just AWESOME! It was the best baseball game I have ever seen at the Dome, which will more than likely be my last!
Up next…the New York Yankees, lets hope the Twins can pull it off! Even more exciting is the anticipation of opening day at Target Field next Spring, April 12th, 2010!
Below are some photos from Monday night!
Gretchen and I had our faces painted...GO TWINS!
Scott, Chad & Gretchen getting ready for the game
Joe Mauer (my fav) running to 2nd base!
- Joe Mauer
Jason Kubel home run
Team meeting on the mound
Team celebration!
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Uncategorized on October 8th, 2009 by Angie | | 1 Comments
