Things I Love: Green Serpentine

When I asked for marble counters, everyone told me I was crazy.  "It will pit," they said, "it will stain."

But I didn't care. I'd always dreamed of marble counters to roll out my pie dough. I'd had granite before, and I didn't like it; such a cold, unforgiving stone.  I love the soft warmth of marble - and I kind of liked the idea that it would show wear, change over time.

So I got my green marble.  Or at least I thought I did.  It's lovely stone, and it's great for rolling out pastry, or kneading bread, or making pasta. But I've had it fifteen years now - and despite slamming burning hot pots onto it, slicing with sharp knives and spilling endless foods from coffee to red wine to beet juice - it looks as new now as it did when it was installed.

Turns out it's not marble after all.  It's Vermont green serpentine - and it is, without any doubt, my favorite thing about my kitchen.