The desk in Jacobhouse.

Galvalume trim (and BBQ sauce).

/ Jacobhouse / By

9/27/19

(Above: Jacoboffice.)

Building Summary: This morning’s activities consisted of three primary tasks: fastening in the turquoise galvalume trim, vacuuming up the resultant metallic shards/wooden splinters, and tending to what ended up being some delicious homemade BBQ short ribs (more in TIL). Due to the latter two tasks being somewhat self-explanatory, I will give a brief summary of the first task.

I brought the trim out to Jacobhouse via Segway a couple pieces at a time*. At the container, I then commenced to put up those pieces of trim via rivet – large rivets into the underlying plywood in places where wiring was not present and small rivets into the underlying (yet superficial) sheet metal when I did not want to risk some electrifying pokeage. This process of retrieval and attachment was repeated until there was no trim left at the haybarn, and it was all relatively simple except for drilling rivet holes in tighter spaces (e.g. beside the toilet).

(7:24 PM Update): This afternoon I retrieved my old writing desk (and with permission, stole a comfy chair) from the office near Oldhouse, and I commenced to place them in the office of Jacobhouse.

  • OFfice trim.
    Small pieces of galvalume trim can be seen to either side of the glass sliding doors (base).
  • Office trim.
    Wall #5 trimmed on office side.
  • Trim in the bedroom.
    Trim on the bedroom’s east side.
  • Trim on the bedroom's west side.
    Trim on the bedroom’s west side (and going down the hall).
  • Trim in the toilet room.
    Trim in the toilet room.
  • Trim in the shower room.
    Trim in the shower room.

TIL: Between this entry and the prior, I have learned how to make homemade BBQ sauce, and by association, homemade ketchup**. Of course, because ketchup is an ingredient in BBQ sauce, I will start with it first.

Ketchup Ingredients:

  • 28 oz can tomato sauce
  • 3/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • 3 teaspoons Kosher salt (or more to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon curing salt as preservative
  • 1/8 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 whole clove

Ketchup Method:

  1. Pour every ingredient into slow cooker, whisk until thoroughly combined.
  2. Set to highest temperature and allow to simmer vigorously (uncovered) for about an hour or two.
  3. Before heading to bed, set to 250 degrees F or slightly less on the slow-cooker – leave the lid askew so moisture can escape.
  4. In the morning, mix and taste the delectable ketchup. Allow to cool before storing. OR add BBQ ingredients and simmer for another hour or two on 250 – 300 degrees F.
Master Blend Angus shortribs doused
with homemade BBQ sauce.

BBQ Ingredients:

  • 2 cups ketchup (or the entire amount that the prior recipe produced)
  • 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar (or cider vinegar if available)
  • 5 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • (optional/not-optional) 2-3 teaspoon Cholula Hot Sauce or more to taste.
  • (optional/not-optional) 1 tbsp. Liquid Smoke

BBQ Method:

  1. Add to previous recipe in the morning and simmer for about 1-2 hours on low heat.
  2. Taste.
  3. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container (in fridge).

Commentary: I most certainly did not look forward to mucking about with galvalume again, but now it is all done and looks quite decent besides. Now, I know I’ve made a fuss about galvalume and how, perhaps, I would probably not use it again inside of a container home, but I’ve amended that opinion. The material is flexible, allowing it to conform to any sort of wall-unevenness that an old, battered container may possess. It is durable and easy to clean, and with rivets, easy to fasten in place. All that is difficult in regard to the material is the cutting, and that has been mostly solved by the use of a diamond-bladed skillsaw. As for the nibbler? I suppose the implement has its place, too, but not for the long cuts. No, in future projects the nibbler shall only be utilized for knocking holes into the galvalume sheets for various electrical switch / receptacle boxes.

No matter what my opinion of galvalume is, though, all the in-Jacobhouse sheet metal shenanigans are complete, and for that, I am glad!

(7:24 PM Update): I got to sit down at a desk in Jacobhouse’s office for the first time this afternoon. It was a tranquil and more-than-gratifying experience that has only increased my anticipation of the ‘big move’ that is soon-to-come.

A true morning glory.
Bonus Image: Is there no end to the various colors of early-morning glory?

Final Note: Tomorrow I intend to begin working on the spacer for the bathroom’s pocket door, and if there is still time*** I will begin the process of closing in Jacobhouse’s entrance (interior).

*Did not bring more because I didn’t want to scratch the relatively fresh paint… which did still happen later on due to the drillbit sometimes slipping, but at least they didn’t scratch in transit!

** This is what happens when one wants to make BBQ sauce but does not have any store-bought ketchup laying around. Ketchup is the base for many BBQ sauces, apparently.

*** I will also be venturing down to Harbison Farmers’ Market to procure some produce.