What a difference a new day makes!

A new day dawned yesterday, and as I was putting our past week's experience in writing to you, good things were taking place! Tom went to the roofing manufacturer and they had the perfect flashing for the chimney. Tom worked until the sun set and got the job done!

As you can see, this flashing was made for this type of roof and just molded itself around the ridges in the roof panels.

Tom and I had a good laugh up on the roof. What is it about caulking, it's like icing a cake, you get it all over your hands and clothes no matter how careful you are!

Chimney is up and ready for firing. We'll give the caulk a chance to set and my next blog should show smoke billowing out the top! We can't wait to share it with you.

The other fantastic thing that happened yesterday was that next to the roofing company was a sheet metal shop! Why is this so exciting? We found someone to make the oven's door! And we should have it today!

This is a photo of our original oven's door. To insulate the door, left over pieces of Foamglas will be used! Having a sheet metal door insulated in this way makes it very light and easy to handle.

We're hoping the electrician will make it today. He was a no show yesterday, but he did call so that's encouraging. I couldn't wait to get you all this good new! Thanks for checking in. Thoughtfully, Kath.

Day 29 . . . Labor Pains!

"Hey Kath, how's it going with the BakeHouse project?"  "Like birthing an Elephant!"

Don't ask me where this response came from. I have absolutely no idea what birthing an elephant would be like! It just popped out of my mouth somewhat like the reaction you get when you pour a glass of milk, take a big gulp and realize - it's sour!

Yes folks, we are in the final stages of the rebirth of the BakeHouse and it's becoming a true labor of love and passion at this point. We take steps forward only to be knocked back a few steps. We're getting really good at giving each other pep talks. And the phrase - "Time out - let's take a deep breath" are now becoming common as we try and get the BakeHouse up and running!

With that said, I will introduce you to the culprit that was the straw that broke Tom's spirit Sunday afternoon.

Meet the chimney flashing. Yes it's true, this simple crack that appeared as Tom was shaping it over the roofing and around the first section of chimney is what brought our hero down. Tom was so disappointed that he could not finish the chimney so that we could light a small fire. No matter how I tried to encourage him, he was defeated. It took me several minutes to convince him to come down off the roof, out of the 95°+ heat and take a break. Once he got down, I knew he was done and needed to come inside and leave the project for another day.

It is amazing how something so small can totally make you blind to all that did get accomplished! The photos that we share on the blog help to remind us just how much has gotten done!

The beginning of the week, the proofing room framing was completed so that the electrician could run the needed wires. We also received the refrigeration unit that will be use. Basically Tom has created a custom walk in and we'll use a 3/4 Medium Temperature Single Phase Cooling Unit.

Then we had to get the siding on the side of the BakeHouse building that the refrigeration unit would be on so it would look neat and tidy once the electrician did his work for the unit. 

Before

After

It was so gratifying getting the siding painted and our first window installed! Isn't it funny how you find yourself standing back, looking at your work with a great sense of satisfaction - ahhhhh :) And then the next day, not even 24 hours later, something happens and it knocks the wind out of your sail. Along with being human, I suspect that fatigue had something to do with it too.

Tom tackling the roof on Saturday. There were some points where I think the roof tackled Tom.

Rolling out the felt.

The chimney opening.

The metal sheets next. 

The end of the week, Sunday. This is where we had to say goodnight. Tom got a good nights rest last night, is off to work and ready to tackle another week. The electrician is suppose to come later today and start all the wiring. It's been this on again off again nature of the last few days that is giving us the biggest challenge. We are getting a really good dose of practicing patience and being creative when our plans don't work out exactly as we want. Our Board of Health Inspection is scheduled for May 2nd, but I feel in my gut that I might have to call and schedule it for a later date and take some of the pressure off!

We can't wait to share with you the results of this coming week, so stay tuned and thanks for all the encouraging emails you've all sent us! We are blessed. Thoughtfully, Kath

Day 28

Tom's week off has come to an end and he headed off to work this morning. Last night we looked over what had taken place this past week and it seems like a blur! We lost the weekend due to tremendous winds and being just plain worn out. We enjoyed a day of rest on Sunday, spending time with our church family and then enjoying our Sunday nap :)

Tom worked on finishing the roof of the BakeHouse
on Thursday and Friday

Once the roof was complete, Tom could start the metal structure that would go around the body of the oven.

Tom contemplating his morning on Friday.

The metal studs seemed flimsy at first, but once they were screwed
together, the structure was extremely strong! 

With the structure around the oven is complete, it's ready for the
cement board and siding to be nailed on.

This week will be packed with things to do and places to go. Today I'll pick up what Tom needs to start framing out the proofing room that is inside the BakeHouse building. The electrician will need that wall up to run wires. Then the metal roof will be put on and then the chimney will go up. Everyone is so excited about when the bread will arrive and this will be the final part of the oven that needs to go up before we can start firing the oven. I'll be ordering firewood at the end of the week. Just a little bit more patience, it's going to happen, we promise!

So until later this week, thanks again for checking in on us - thoughtfully, Kath

Day 27 . . . The building goes up.

I've lost track of time! Tom has taken the week off from work and each day has so much packed in to it that I forget what day it was. Our focus this week has been getting the BakeHouse building up, and Tom's doing a fantastic job. We've been blessed with extremely nice days, not too hot yet.

Tom decided that he'd assemble a complete wall on the ground first and then we'd lift it in to place.

The heaviest wall, the back wall was assembled first.

The back wall complete.

This is the front wall which includes openings for two windows and the front door.

The side wall was assembled and then put in to place before the
sheathing was nailed on. 

A lovely view of the oven face from one of the windows.

We lost part of the working day on Tuesday since we had to have the power company come out and switch our supply. This meant that the power company crew came out at 9am, took us off the grid and then the electrician came to install a new panel. Once the new panel was in place we had to wait for the inspector to come. Once approved, then the power company was called back in to hook us back into the grid. This pretty much took up the day, so Tom and I got other odd ball stuff done and purchased the rest of the supplies we'd need for the week.

We had fun sharing this photo with Dad Hester, who spent many years
Jersey Central Power & Light  teaching guys how to climb poles!

The new panel going in.

The day's end on Wednesday. The walls were in place and Tom had started
the roof. Today the roof will be done for sure!

In closing it's with a heavy heart that Tom and I think about our friend Dave who lost his battle with cancer at 3:30 this morning. But it's not just Tom and I. Dave touched so many lives, and when he knew that he'd be called home to Heaven sooner than later, he chose to use his final days here on earth to encourage all of us with his faith and with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Dave ended his journey well. Thank you Dave, you'll be truly missed, but we're looking forward to our reunion in Heaven!

This photo shows Dave, in the red shirt, with all his friends from Mesilla Valley Disposal where Dave worked as a roll off driver along with Tom.

Day 26 . . . The Oven is Done!

Words cannot express the thrill and amazement we feel announcing this to all of you! The oven is officially complete. It was the final stretch that proved to throw the biggest challenge to us. The help of two very precious friends enabled us to finish the oven.

The oven at this point starts to take on a personality, and it seemed to be patiently waiting for Tom and I to recover from whatever this "flu" bug was so that it could have the rest of it's body completed. Ryan and Kaite came to the rescue. Kaite would be able to help me work the concrete into the spaces of the support cage that went over the baking chamber, and Ryan, with brute strength would be able to lift shovel fulls of the very heavy concrete up to us. Tom would be responsible for mixing the concrete.

The support structure gets it's final inspection by Tom.

Here we all are. Thanks to a little remote I purchased for the camera,
we were able to get this shot.

Happy Birthday BakeHouse Oven!

Ryan, Kaite, Me (& Bradley) & Tom

It's these moments that are treasured the most. We'll always remember this day. So when will there be bread you ask! Soon, very soon. We have to let the masonry mass dry out some more before we can even think about starting a small fire, otherwise, steam will be created and it will crack the mass.

Tom will now start building the BakeHouse building. I will be getting the room that will become our little commercial kitchen emptied and painted and El Paso Electric has been re scheduled to come on Tuesday. We're at a point now were things are starting to happen fast - it's a little overwhelming but very, very exciting. Thanks again for checking in and I'll be posting again very soon! Thoughtfully - Kath

Day 25 1/2

The calendar page has turned to April and it's proving to be the month that will challenge us the most. It seems that just about every day there is some aspect of the project that has an appointment with our lives. And then there is the real challenge, our health! With the tree pollen count in Las Cruces skyrocketing and various forms of sickness floating around, first I fell victim and now . . . . this morning . . . Tom! As he said to me this morning after he registered a fever on the thermometer, you can only cheer yourself on just so much when you're truly sick :( So it's my turn to return the nursing services he gave me. It's going to be ridiculously difficult for him to be laying in bed with visions of project tasks dancing in his head!

But the BakeHouse seems to have it's own agenda and while we take a break things are still happening. Yesterday the commercial kitchen equipment arrived!

Our 3 bay sink, hand sink and work table.

And in the beginning of the week, we prepared the oven for the concrete cladding that will be poured by the weekend.

A form is again build for the pouring of the cladding.

A re bar cage is fashioned to give strength and support.

The baking chamber is covered with foil to create a barrier between the
firebrick and the cladding. This is done since the baking chamber needs to
expand and contract with each firing.

We had to add a blanket to keep the wind from
blowing away the foil.

Today El Paso Electric is scheduled to come and change the supply to our home. We live in an older neighborhood and we only have 100 amp coming in from the street, so they are going to switch it out to 200 amp. The electrician has to then replace our panel. This is suppose to take up most of the day and we'll be without power for that time. The City is short an inspector today, so we're not sure if this is all going to take place until around 9am this morning when we'll receive a confirmation call.

Thanks again for taking time to visit with us and for all your kind words, it makes our journey so much more exciting. Thoughtfully - Kath

Day 25

This weekend found Tom multitasking like a champion! But by the end of Sunday, he was beat. Saturday morning started with Tom being my nurse. I had succumb to one of the many viruses that have been going around and it knocked me out. After making sure I was set for a few hours he headed to a local elementary school to assist in a bicycle safety event. Once back home, he tended to me and then headed out to the oven to finish the arch and brick face of the oven. I felt bad as he kept a sensitive ear for my hacking and choking - and tried to keep an eye on Bradley the puppy who was tormenting our two older dogs. NOT fun for Tom :( But he pushed forward and succeeded. We weren't able to make church on Sunday since I was still feverish and Tom was just plain wiped out, so we rested.

Ready for the home run stretch!

Spring arrives and our non bearing Mulberry now offer
wonderful shade in our backyard.

The final brick!

Day's end! 

The oven is actually at a point where it could be gently fired. We've chosen to let Las Cruces's dry, hot climate do some of the drying out for us before we encase the baking chamber with cladding. Our focus will now shift to the actual building that will house the oven and the proofing room. The electric company will come this week to switch out our supply to the house and we'll be getting all our building supplies ordered and ready for the start construction next week. During the week, I'll be moving things out of the room in our home that will be transformed in to a mini commercial kitchen so that we can install the equipment that will arrive on Tuesday. I'll need to paint and also install the cove base that is required by the Board of Health. So stay tuned and we'll keep the updates coming!

At the end of the weekend . . .
Petie our Jack Russell looks as though he's been traumatized,
Tom's weary body is slumped in the couch and
Bradley, well, he's sleeping like an Angel.