Hey, Counties (that's our nickname for our fans)!

How are you doing? How’s that isolation going? We hope you’re healthy and safe. Welcome to our official episode 1 of Counter Programming with Shira & Arielle. Last week, we released our intro episode. It was a chance to get to know us and why we're doing this Corona-inspired podcast. As always, each episode of Counter Programming will focus on a counter of some sort. In this episode, we're starting our series on counter*tops.* Today, we cover MARBLE.

Find out how we *really* feel about marble countertops -- hint: it ain't lookin' good for marble.

You can reach us by email to tell us how YOU feel about marble - [email protected]. You can also reach us on Instagram - @counterprogrammingpod.

SEND US PICTURES OF YOUR COUNTERTOPS! WE’LL SHARE THEM ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIAS!

In this episode, we share what we're up to during isolation. Arielle made avocado bread (which is apparently a thing). Shira and her roommate, Jenna, made steak tacos using a muffin tin(!) and finished off their tequila. Of course, Tiger King has been on our minds.

Background facts on countertops:

1. The first countertops were made of stone and wood

2. Soapstone and slate were abundant in the Northeast so they were brought into the kitchen to be used for counters

3. Marble was initially used because pastry chefs liked rolling their dough on it

4. Metals such as stainless steel and nickel were used starting in the early 1900s and then became more popular

5. Stainless steel and laminate became popular in the 1940s

Thank you oldhouseweb.com for these facts!

Let's marble at marble:

It's a metamorphic rock that's commonly used for sculpture and as a building material. 

Notable Landmarks Made with Marble:

1. Taj Mahal

2. The Pantheon

3. The Washington Monument

4. The Supreme Court Building

5. The Parthenon (sort of - the foundation is limestone but the tiles are marble)

Benefits of a marble countertop:

- The look - it's beautiful, it's warm

- Marble has a "nice character"

- Each piece is unique

- It has elegant veining and a sophisticated appearance

Disadvantages of a marble countertop:

- It's a porous material

- It can stain

- It's soft so it can chip and scratch

- It's expensive (more expensive than wood, laminate, and tile)

- Low resistance to heat

Would Shira and Arielle get marble in their future kitchens? NO.

Come back next week as we explore another countertop. 

Thanks for tuning in! Leave us a review on Apple or a comment on Castbox.

Thank you to Daniel Tureck, our engineer.

Thank you to Caio Slikta, our logo designer.

Our music is called Tennessee Hayride and it’s by Jason Shaw.