We steam mostly fresh vegetables–green beans, broccoli, artichokes, asparagus, corn on the cob, but also tamales, frozen or fresh, or fish. We’re in southern CA, so we have a year around garden. Our steam oven is over 10 years old, and I think there may be some more sophisticated steam/combo ovens out there that do more. It’s a really convenient oven.
I have a Milele steam oven! 
Mine is a newer version with lots of bells and whistles, but I mostly use the steam function to make ravioli and similar ethnic dumplings that require delicate boiling or a steam pot large enough to accommodate more than a few. I put the tray holding the food into the oven, press a few buttons, and go about my business. The oven starts heating up and generating steam, and the food is ready without me peeking at it every minute or two to make sure it does not ovecook.
When I am not using the steam, the oven can be used in any type of conventional or convection mode, like baking.
Wow! Not that I’m looking for anything to breakdown, but I think I would like that upgrade 
BB- I’m jealous!!! :((
We passed our first inspection today… the new 200amp meter is placed on the side of the house and is ready for SDGE now. Putting the meter on the side of the house is a big improvement because the main wires coming from the alley will now go down the side of the yard, instead of crossing over the yard. Now we just wait for SDGE to give us an appointment to connect/disconnect and we can start running all the power from the new meter and tearing out the old meter box.
We didn’t get done with much in our 7th week of progress because my laborer has been out sick all week and will not be returning until this Thursday. Just as well, less payroll cost.
New concrete walkway
Installed a transformer and ran low voltage wires out to pillars
New lighting on concrete pillars
Fireplace surround complete and drywall installed
Bathroom fan vent complete
Two new windows arrived (the vinyl or glass ones, still waiting on wood ones). The plain glass has been installed in dining room
More wiring completed
Connected the drain lines from hall bathroom to main sewer line to get ready for new toilet!!
Entry foyer light installed - our first light fixture!! I wanted to get one light working inside to keep on for security.
I loaded some photos into the Flickr group
Cb, I had a good laugh at your comment about the electrician/light install. Lol!! When our house was still at the sticks and roof stage, we went to “visit” and found our builder nailing electrical outlet boxes to the studs. He said that he always did the task himself because every electrician known to him would nail them crooked!
Yes, whenever I get organized enough… I always have my carpenter nail the blue boxes exactly where I want them to be
Just playing around looking at the living room and fireplace:
The fireplace looks great. Can’t wait to see it all finished.
Donny Osmond is hawking home supplies?!?
I actually love the Donny Osmond!! It’s very unusual and the right shape and size for the scale of the room. Dang it… it’s $800 Why does that always happen??
Nice dark brown cement walk and lovely fireplace!
The smaller Donny Osmond is much less expensive: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Capital-Lighting-Donny-Osmond-Alexander-Collection-6-light-Burnished-Bronze-Foyer-Fixture-Chandelier/10356580/product.html?recset=e289076c-3b1f-4b96-a7f0-4b08bcc1db45&refccid=X3SP4MYLCHAYA6SDCXWH5DNRTA&recalg=828,512&recidx=0
Some more ideas:
http://www.wayfair.com/Kichler-Monroe-8-Light-Foyer-Cage-Chandelier-43167NI-43167OZ-KI14999.html
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Corbeille-9-light-Stardust-Chandelier/8932640/product.html
fireplace looks great!
I cant remember the answer, but are the 2 windows on either side of it going to be replace with taller ones?
I strongly dislike the Donny Osmond fixture! It smells of Spanish inquisition, not warm, inviting Mediterranean house. That would be the first thing on my hit list to be replaced if I were buying the house. Sorry folks who loved it.
I don’t care for the Donny Osmond option, either.
I hate to say it…but if you buy the Donny Osmond light…I will just call this house the Donny Osmond house…you know…sort of like the Liberace House.
coralbrook, can you give us an idea of the size you want and budget? Some sites let you narrow things down by size.
Here are some (don’t judge me! I find it very hard to like chandeliers from a picture)
Too curvy and drippy?
http://qualitydiscountlighting.com/collections/chandeliers/products/trans-globe-lighting-9446-bb-six-light-chandelier-in-black-bronze-finish
Is this general shape in or out?
http://qualitydiscountlighting.com/collections/chandeliers/products/trans-globe-lighting-3765-bk-three-light-hanging-pendant-chandelier-in-black-finish
Even more curvy and drippy!
http://qualitydiscountlighting.com/collections/chandeliers/products/trans-globe-lighting-9448-bb-twelve-light-chandelier-in-black-bronze-finish
I like this one, even though it reminds me of a platter type bird feeder
http://qualitydiscountlighting.com/collections/chandeliers/products/kichler-lighting-34149-one-light-chandelier-in-black-wrought-iron-finish
A bit squid-like but I like it (is this the upper end of your budget?)
http://qualitydiscountlighting.com/collections/chandeliers/products/trans-globe-lighting-3995-bk-five-light-chandelier-in-black-finish
Here’s another one like the second one
http://qualitydiscountlighting.com/collections/chandeliers/products/trans-globe-lighting-3764-bk-three-light-hanging-pendant-chandelier-in-black-finish
The windows on the sides of the fireplace are going to be same size but are being custom made to match the original grid windows by front door
The windows on the sides of the fireplace are going to be same size but are being custom made to match the original grid windows by front door
Thank you everyone for the great lighting ideas. Due to the scale of the room I need something taller than wide. At least 30" tall and 24" wide. My dream would be under $500