ABC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

This month's topics are:  

AREA & ORIENTAL RUGS

                      Dosemealti Oriental Rugs

Hire a Carpet Pro

MISCELLANEOUS

Fire Prevention Week

Pumpkin Pie

Soul Cakes

OCTOBER SPECIALS

October Cleaning Specials

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 DOSEMEALTI ORIENTAL RUGS

LOCATION

Dosemealti oriental rugs are woven within a large region located in southern Anatolia, Turkey. Anatolia is the Turkish peninsula bound by the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Sea of Marmara.

The small town of Dosemealti is located about 4 miles north of the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Antalya.The large Dosemealti region consists of 23 villages and spans an area north of Antalya to the southern tip of the Taurus (Toros) mountains.

HISTORY

The first village in the Dosemealti region to weave rugs was the village of Kovanlik. The people of Kovanlik descended from the Karakoyunlu (Yoruk) Turkomans, nomads living in the plains in the winters and in the plateaus in the summers. (Yoruk is the Turkish word for nomad, especially those of Turkman origin.) They have woven their rugs in this area since the 15^th century.     

Yoruk tribes live in an area where the weather is cold. Their rugs have thick piles made of hand-spun wool and are used for floor coverings or hung on walls in order to keep homes warm when the weather gets too cold.  

The two main tribes that live in the Taurus Mountains are the Sari Kecili which means yellow goat and Karakoyunlu which means black sheep. They have been able to preserve their ancient heritage to this day.  

It is interesting to note that in these two tribes men assist women during the spinning process, an unusual thing in other parts of Turkey. They use goat and sheep wool that is provided by their large herds of livestock. They use vegetable dyes that provide vivid colors for their rugs such as dark blue, reds, and white, which are used for the creation of unique and rare patterns.  

The weaving products from this region became popular in the mid 1800s. Unfortunately, the majority of the Anatolian rug production underwent serious changes by the introduction of synthetic dyes from the last third of the 19th century onwards.The mass production of cheap rugs designed for commercial success had brought the ancient tradition close to extinction.  

In the late twentieth century, projects like the DOBAG Carpet Initiative (a Turkish acronym for Natural Dye Research and Development Project), have successfully revived the tradition of Anatolian rug weaving using hand-spun, naturally-dyed wool and traditional designs.  

Today, rug weaving still continues in villages in Anatolia, although the number of rugs being made has been reduced. The successful DOBAG project has produced superior carpets since 1981 with natural plant dyes and traditional Turkish motifs in the villages in northwestern Anatolia.  

Fortunately, the people of the Dosemealti region of southern Anatolia were able to keep their weaving heritage intact and have continued to make high quality rugs.

CONSTRUCTION OF DOSEMEALTI ORIENTAL RUGS

FOUNDATION  

The foundation of Dosemealti oriental rugs consists of wool warps (up and down cords) and wefts (side to side cords). The wool is from the sheep of the region and is of very high quality. The warps are natural-colored wool and the wefts are dark-colored consisting of 2 or more shoots. The pile is wool and is generally medium in length.  

KNOT

The knot is the symmetrical Turkish knot. Dosemealti oriental rugs usually have lower knotting fineness than most high-quality rugs. A lower knotting fineness can indicate irregular knotting that shifts over time as the rug ages.     However, the weavers of Dosemealti use thick wool which helps to hinder knot shifting and their high skill enables them to keep the knotting consistent throughout the rug.  

ENDS 

The ends feature a kilim (flatwoven area) with a braided fringe at one end and looped fringe at the other.  

SIDES 

The sides are overcast in wool with a double serge.

THE DESIGN OF DOSEMEALTI ORIENTAL RUGS

The rugs produced in the Dosemealti villages all reflect the nomadic character, expressed in geometric patterns. The Dosemealti rugs resemble those of another nomadic people, the Luri.  

FIELDS 

The dosemealti rugs generally use one of two field designs surrounded by borders with repeating geometric motifs: 

• A row of three cruciform motifs taking up a majority of the field:

Please continue reading here for more information and photos of Dosemealti Oriental Rugs.

HIRE A CARPET PRO

Why hire a carpet pro? Because whether you need an emergency cleaning to get rid of serious spots and stains, a thorough cleaning when moving out or moving in, or a thorough annual cleaning, there are at least 5 good reasons to hire a carpet pro for your wall-to-wall carpets.

5 GOOD REASONS TO HIRE A CARPET PRO

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1. Because When You Have Carpets, Carpet Cleaning is Unavoidable.

Studies have shown that a wall-to-wall carpet acts like a sink, trapping allergens so they do not become airborne. If the carpet is not thoroughly cleaned at least on an annual basis, it can become saturated and will begin to release those allergens.  

It helps to vacuum regularly but the amount of dirt and debris that can accumulate in the carpet fibers necessitates a thorough and professional carpet cleaning on a regular basis. It is important to hire a carpet pro for the job.

2. Because A Professional Carpet Cleaning Technician Knows Carpets.

There are many different types of carpet floor coverings available. The professionally trained carpet technician is schooled in all types of carpet textiles and has the knowledge necessary to know what cleaning method would be appropriate for each type.  

When you hire a carpet pro, the technician has acquired the ability to assess the situation and then take appropriate action. The goal is always to bring back the appearance of your carpet to as new as possible.

 3. Because A Professional Carpet Cleaning Technician Is Experienced In Dealing With All Types of  Spots and Stains.

The carpet cleaning technician has the education and the experience to understand all the different types of spots and stains that can appear on your carpet and the proper method for removing them.  

The technician will also be able to determine if spots or stains (and some odors) are permanent and may even suggest replacement.

4. Because A Carpet Professional Possesses and Uses  the Best Equipment.

A carpet cleaning company must acquire and maintain the latest high quality equipment that will easily and quickly do a thorough job.

With a high standard of equipment, the technician can then fully concentrate on doing the best job possible.

5. Because A Professional Carpet Cleaning Technician Can Assure Harmful Bacteria and Germs Will Be Removed From the Carpet.

This is one of the best reasons to hire a carpet pro. With top quality equipment, bacteria, dirt, and germs will be removed with powerful extraction and will dry as quickly as possible.  

This assures your carpets will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and the quick drying will assure all excess water will be removed, preventing the growth of mold or mildew.

BEFORE YOU HIRE A CARPET PRO, HERE IS WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

To find out what you should know, please continue reading here.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

OCTOBER 6-12, 2019

FIRE PREVENTION IN THE HOME

Fire prevention week is the perfect time to plan and practice escape from a home fire. More than a third of heads of households estimated they would have at least six minutes to escape a fire.

This is not so according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The time is often much less and survival may depend on your decision to get out of the home immediately.

TIPS FOR MAKING A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

NFPA suggests the following when making an escape plan for your family:

• Have two ways out of every room in your house.

• Establish a place outside for members of the family to meet outside.

• Make sure windows open easily for a possible escape route.

• Practice and establish that children can unlock doors and can open doors and windows with ease.

• Teach children how to escape if you can't help.

• Teach children not to delay.

• Test smoke alarms regularly and change the batteries at least once a year.

In the event of small fires, make sure there is a working fire extinguisher available and make sure everyone knows how to use it. 

To learn more about fire extinguishers and how to use them, please click here. 

EDITH or EXIT DRILLS IN THE HOME

For a short video on this matter, please click here.

FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS   and FIRE DRILLS in   OFFICE BUILDINGS and PLANTS

Because we are safety oriented, we have built our infrastructure and environments so that fire isn't an every day threat. That may be why fire drills can often seem to be an annoying interruption to a day's activities.  But ignoring the occasional, albeit annoying, fire drill can lead to catastrophic consequences. 

Regardless of where a fire starts, the key is knowing how to escape a building. In office buildings and plants it is essential to have open exits and essential that people know where they are. There are many tragic stories of locked doors, obstructed exits, and no fire plan.  

One example involved a food products company when oil from a hydraulic line leaked out a few feet from a natural gas-fired cooker. The blaze blew up instantly, trapping workers who could not get out of locked or obstructed doors. Out of 90 employees, 25 died and an additional 54 were injured. No fire suppression system was in place and exits were far from work stations.  

Although the above example was an exceptionally tragic case, blocked exits and locked doors are possible to find in any location. Usually,these situations are easy to remedy and all it takes is a fire-safety attitude which definitely includes regular fire drills.  

WHERE and WHEN IS THE THREAT OF FIRE

THE GREATEST?

It is possible to find formaldehyde in very old carpet or in household textiles that may have absorbed formaldehyde from other environmental sources. Formaldehyde is not used in the carpet manufacturing process in the United States.

To find the answer and for more information, please continue reading here. 

 PUMPKIN PIE

A UNIQUELY NORTH AMERICAN TREAT

Pumpkin pie, a fall specialty and a Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas staple, actually mystifies many people from other countries.  

As it turns out, the pumpkin pie is a uniquely North American treat. Those who have moved here, from the European continent especially, just don't understand the appeal of a vegetable-based pudding and many use butternut squash or sweet potatoes rather than pumpkin in their pies.

IS PUMPKIN PIE NUTRITIOUS? 

Oh, how we North Americans love our pumpkin pies! And not just because a slice of pumpkin pie satisfies the taste buds. Pumpkin wins big time for its nutritional values.

One slice of pumpkin pie has up to three times the recommended daily value of beta-carotene. The carotenoids in pumpkin neutralize harmful free radical molecules.  

Pumpkin also contains the phytonutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, known to be potent free radical scavengers found naturally in the lenses of the eyes. Studies suggest eating foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin may help block the formation of cataracts and decrease the risk of macular degeneration.

A diet that includes the above-mentioned carotenoids and phytonutrients can help prevent many of the diseases associated with aging, including heart disease and cancer.

Luckily, canned pumpkin has virtually the same nutritional value as fresh. And, it's far less work to prepare! A nutritious and delicious pumpkin pie can be made from one can of pumpkin (after adding eggs, sugar and spices.) And the recipe is on the can!

TIPS ABOUT PIE MADE FROM CANNED PUMPKIN

For these tips and more, please continue reading here.

 SOUL CAKES

Soul cakes have a very long and interesting history and may very well have been the precursors to our modern day trick-or-treating at Halloween. This is because the baking, as well as the collecting of soul cakes and singing songs (called 'souling'), took place around the end of October or early November, corresponding roughly to our traditional Halloween celebration of the last day of October.

Soul cakes may come in many different forms. They can be a type of bun adorned with currants and arranged in the shape of a cross. Some are flat and oval and others are plump. Some resemble a small fruit cake and others are just sweetened with spices. No really authentic recipe remains. (We have included a few easy recipes at the end of this article!)

Barmbrack, a dark tea cake with berries, dried fruits, and nuts, was also popular along with soul cakes. At one time, tokens such as rings, beans, and peas were baked inside the cake and a slice was given to each family member. A penny found meant riches while a pea meant a healthy future. A ring would mean an approaching marriage while a thimble would be for one who would never marry. A small piece of cloth meant the recipient would be poor.

THEORIES OF THE ORIGIN OF SOUL CAKES and SOULING

Many theories abound about the origin of soul cakes and souling. Below are some of the more interesting ones:

THE DRUID FESTIVAL OF SAMHAIN OR SUMMER'S END

One claim is that soul cakes were made during Samhain, the ancient Druid festival of the dying sun god. This festival featured bonfires to ward off evil spirits. It was also known as Summer's End, a celebration of the harvesting of nuts and berries. 

A rather morbid theory is that the cakes were used as part of a lottery. If you drew the one burnt cake in the pile, you got to be the human sacrifice for the coming year!

A variant of the above involved everyone throwing a stone into a bonfire which would burn all night. If a stone came up missing in the morning, it was believed the owner would die before the next year.

Another not so dire theory is that soul cakes were used as offerings to placate wandering angry ghosts. 

This pagan ceremony was replaced in the 4^th century with All Hallows, the mass for Christian saints.

BRITAIN'S ALL SAINTS' DAY and ALL SOULS' DAY 

Beggars in Britain would make their way from house to house on November 2nd. Their payment for the soul cake was a performance of some sort.  

Some theories suggest soul cakes were handed out to 'mummers,' costumed entertainers who would make their way around on the holiday.

SOUL CAKES ADOPTED BY THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

By the 8th century, soul cakes had been adopted by the Christian church. Consecrated and blessed, they were given to poor travelers who might approach a local monastery.

BEGGARS ON ALL SOULS' EVE

Another theory was soul cakes were used to pay beggars who came around on all Soul's Eve and offered to say prayers for the family's departed souls. A cake given was a soul saved!

IN IRELAND

Some say in Ireland, peasants would beg door-to-door on All Hallows' Eve for food. If the family had soul cakes to give them the household would be free from a prank and the cake recipients would then offer prayers for them to help them get into heaven.

SOUL PAPERS GIVEN WITH SOUL CAKES

Sometimes 'soul papers,' solicitations of prayers for the deceased, were given to the parish poor along with the cakes. They were often given as charity in behalf of a departed.

SOUL CAKES IN CATHOLIC CUISINE TODAY

Today, soul cakes are still a part of the Catholic cuisine and baked in celebration of All Hallows' Eve.

SOUL CAKES NOT THE ONLY GOODY PASSED OUT IN OLDEN TIMES!

 To read on and check out some recipes, please continue here.

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