Butcher block counters

First, let me thank all of you for your wonderful comments on our

 kitchen remodel. I never expected so many people to "walk through" my kitchen over the last few days. I had 91 guests on Thursday, had just enough time to mop the floor from the first group before the next 285 guests showed up Friday! How fun is that?  If I would have known I was going to have so many visitors, I would have prepared a little coffee and dessert.

A few of you had asked for more detail on the counter tops.

We actually did this remodel in 2006 and the above picture was taken today.

They still look pretty much the same as they did back in 2006.

They have been extremely durable.

The only thing I don't do is sit a hot pot off the stove directly on them or chop directly on it. My husband made cutting boards from the section he cut out for the sink.

As you can see, there is a difference between the look of the counter top and the cutting board. The cutting board is rubbed with mineral oil as needed; the counter top has about 8 to 10 thin coats of polyurethane on them. The counters are not stained; it is the polyurethane which brought out the rich color of the wood. He first laminated (glued) strips of red oak and white oak together, sanded until smooth and then started brushing on the polyurethane - sanding in between each coat. The counter tops themselves actually took a few months to complete.

I think it was worth the wait, I love them!

Thanks again, and...
 "Y'all come back now, Ya hear!"