Day 19

No matter how well we laid out our plans for this weekend, no matter how many times we checked the weather on the computer, nothing was going to stop the very wet, cold and New Jersey like day we had on Saturday here in Las Cruces, NM! Tom and I are convinced that these days blow in to the sunny Mesilla Valley just to keep us both humble.

Tom was determined to work on the oven. I went out to check on him and it was obvious that having a conversation just wasn't an option. I decided that the best way I could help was to make sure that lunch and dinner were hot!

Saturday morning started out overcast and 40°. I know,  I know, all of our
New Jersey friends are laughing right now. We've become soft!

Then it started to rain. One look at Tom's face will reveal just how miserable he was.

Tom persevered and by the end of the afternoon decided that he'd accomplished all that he wanted by getting the firebricks that will act be the arch base in to place. 

The re bar that would need to be in the outer walls of the oven were also put in to place and wired together.

Sunday the bright blue sky was out and by the afternoon it was 70°! The forms that will be needed for outer walls were assembled. With the time change giving us more daylight in the evenings, we will be able to pour the walls that surround the baking chamber on Tuesday. Tom will then be ready to start the arches this coming Saturday.

The forms are now in place and held in place by the 2 x 4 bracing which is
screwed to the plywood. This will keep the walls rigid when we are
filling the space with concrete.

A view from the back.

So there you have it. Despite the chilly start to the weekend, we were able to make some good headway. Thanks for checking in, it's great to have all of you with us:) Kath