and we're back

We've been slightly more productive than it seems here on the blog. Sorry about the lack of posting; I was surprised to find out how many of you are checking back frequently. Thanks. We do have a good excuse - unfortunately, I don't think I can muster up the enthusiasm to talk about it here. Instead, I'll post this picture we got today.

Project Rowhouse has the porch light on.

Back to the renovation -

The brick-exposing is a multiple step job. We are now scrubbing the bits of plaster that were left clinging to the brick. This is the messy, labor intensive part. The original plan was to use variously sized wire brushes - imagine much stronger versions of the brush you use to clean your grill after making kabobs. The pros to using this brush is control and precision, the cons are that it sucks in many different ways. Speeding this up was imperative. I knew I could find a more productive tool.

This drill attachment did the job amazingly well. I was initially nervous that it would tear through the mortar. While I managed to gouge a few areas slightly, it's very easy to control once you get the hang of it.
A tip: as you switch arms, hands, kneeling positions - always keep in mind the direction the drill is spinning. Switch it up so that it's shooting the brick shrapnel away from you.
We're thrilled with the results - the portion on the left is before the scrubbing.

To keep the dust down as much as possible, I hung walls of dropcloth from ceiling to floor creating impressively thick dust clouds. I highly suggest this - along with well-fitting goggles and dust mask. Anyone familiar with this process knows I am not exaggerating here.

We also:
hung a new porch light (and allowed that hanging plant to barely hold onto life):


painted the doors (a darker blue than the back door... I like this one better); and removed the cover that used to be above the salleyway door:



Ta-Dah.

The Simple Ubiquitous Vengaya Rava Upma or Flavoured Semolina with Onion?

THE SIMPLE UBIQUITOUS VENGAYA RAVA UPMA (or FLAVOURED SEMOLINA with ONION ?!)

'Upma' stems from 'uppu' or salt and 'maav' meaning flour. In most South Indian languages upma stems from 'salt & flour' -- 'Uppu-maavu', 'Uppu-Pindi', 'Uppu-hittu'. One of the easiest and quick breakfasts to make, rava or semolina upma is very healthy and rich in iron content. Homes and restaurants are ever ready to serve this simple delicious dish at any time of the day. There are hoards of variations to this simple recipe by changing the vegetables and spices – add tomatoes, carrots and peas; use Bisibele masala, or Sambar powder; emphasize any spice; include some grated coconut …the possibilities are endless.

Upma traditionally made with semolina, is now being made with a number of other cereals. It’s quite common these days to see upma made with broken wheat, rice flakes, oats, and even bread. My children overseas use Cous Cous, Polenta, Quinoa and a variety of Pastas as well to make upma. With some imagination you can come out with many more.

A copious amount of good quality ghee added to upma is key to making it really tasty, although not a healthy option. Given below is a very simple and basic upma recipe, without ghee.

SIMPLE VENGAYA RAVA UPMA

INGREDIENTS:
Semolina – 1 cup
Onion – 1
Green chilly -1
Ginger – 1 inch piece
Curry leaves – a few
Salt -1 tsp
Cooking oil – 3 tbsp
Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
Black gram dal -1 tsp
Bengal gram dal – 1 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1 pinch
Lime – 1
Coriander leaves – a few

METHOD:
1. Chop onion, ginger and green chilly finely and keep aside.
2. Set 3 cups of water along with salt to boil on one flame.
3. Meanwhile heat oil in a wok and add mustard seeds.
4. When it splutters add black gram dal and Bengal gram dal and roast till they are golden in colour.
5. Add green chilly, ginger and curry leaves and sauté.
6. Add chopped onion and sauté till it is pink in colour.
7. Add the turmeric powder and the semolina and roast till it gives out a pleasant aroma.
8. Now pour the boiling water into the rava mixture, stirring continuously, and blend well. Note: If you do not stir, you will end up with a lumpy texture, and sometimes the rava inside the lumps will not even be cooked.
9. Cook on low flame until all the water is absorbed and the upma starts leaving the sides of the wok.
10. Squeeze out the lime juice into the upma, while it is still hot and pliable and blend well.
11. Switch off the flame and leave it covered for a few minutes.

If you don’t mind adding ghee, then you can add it in Step 2, and boil along with the water, or add it in step 8 while stirring the upma.

Decorate with coriander leaves and enjoy with chutney or a cup of curd.

Formaldehyde Reduction by 1/1/09 in CA

I received this notice from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) today.

Looks like a lot of building products will be healthier after that.

Manufacturers took the toxics out of cabinetry years ago because of the public's concerns, so the new law won't impact manufactured cabinets much at all...But locally made custom will definitely be impacted, and imports as well.

Peggy

California Airborne Toxic Control Measures To Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions From Composite Wood Products Effective January 2009.

Beginning January 1, 2009 any composite wood product, or finished good containing composite wood products (a.k.a. finished goods such as furniture, cabinets, etc.), intended for the California market, must meet California's clean air emission standards limiting formaldehyde emissions. The regulation addresses three types of commonly used composite wood products- hardwood plywood, particleboard and medium-density fiberboard.
In 1992, formaldehyde was identified by the California Air Resources Board as a toxic air contaminant and state law requires that the public's exposure be reduced. Sufficient evidence existed for the California Air Resources Board, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer to conclude that formaldehyde causes cancer in humans.

This regulation will be implemented in two phases requiring increasingly stringent emissions reductions. Phase 1 emission standards will be effective on January 1, 2009, and Phase 2 emission standards will be implemented between 2010 and 2012.

Responsibility for compliance is imposed through the entire commercial product-distribution chain. The manufacturers of composite wood products, third party certifiers, fabricators, distributors, importers and retailers of composite wood products and finished goods must collectively assure that the composite wood products and finished goods manufactured for sale in California are compliant in commerce. This will require that each recognizes and clearly understands the California's composite wood product regulation.

California's composite wood product regulation contains sell-through provisions which are explained in more detail on the California Air Resources Board website. More detailed information can be obtained by clicking this link .

A chart listing the sell-through dates for manufacturers, distributors, importers and fabricators may be viewed by clicking this link.