More Oven Building...

Grace and Joe stopped by for a bit of clay stomping Sunday afternoon.


Then it was time to shape the dome, which is done with wet sand, and then covered with damp newspaper to keep the clay separate from the sand.


The next step involves mixing sand with clay which makes a sandy clay, of course. Grace and Joe were a big help. Grace was a bit reluctant at first-it is a squishy undertaking, but once she got started, there was no holding her back.


Finally our first layer is complete. Once it sets up a bit, we will dig the sand out from the interior, burnish the inside and build a fire. We will then continue adding layers of sandy clay, which will eventually go all the way to the exterior ring of brick. By building a fire and then adding more clay, it allows the layers to expand and contract without cracking-amazing, isn't it?

When reading the book on how to build this oven, it seems that one could do it over a long weekend. However, we have found that it is like trying to actually make a Rachel Ray meal in 30 minutes-a lovely idea, but usually it takes a bit longer.

Unexpected Perils of a Fruit Picker

Four years ago, we planted two peach trees. Because they are young trees, the yield has been rather small, and a cold snap last year blighted our blossoms resulting in no peaches at all. This year, the limbs were covered with hundreds of peaches. The branches were actually bent over from the weight of the fruit. I got busy planning all of the wonderful things I would do with my bumper crop, but then the rains came. It rained for several days in a row. While it worked to deter me from picking fruit, it did not deter the birds from munching away. Before I knew it, the peaches were falling off the tree, most of them with holes made from the birds and the flies and yellow jackets were in heaven. Finally, the rain stopped and I got to picking. First of all, stepping on over ripe peaches is a bit gross-the way they yield underfoot may remind you of stepping in something else...



Once the over ripe fruit was cleared from the walkway, it was time to fight the myriad of flying insects who were greedily seeking there bit of the pie. Any romantic notions I had about picking fruit in an orchard was put to rest and I have a much greater appreciation for migrant workers who must accept this as a normal part of a day at the office (or orchard). Let us give thanks to these hard workers.

Luckily, we had a family trip planned to Chicago, which got me out of country mode and into a city mindset. We took our son and his buddy to Rock the Bells, an all day hip hop concert. Before getting out of the car, they assured me this was going to be a life changing experience and at the end of the concert, they were planning a way to follow the show, which will travel coast to coast. Yes, it worked to jog my memory-I remember when...While the boys rocked out my husband and I enjoyed a George Gershwin concert at Millennium Park. We all got what we wanted and left in a happy mood.

Just to prove the oven is well underway, I will share a photo of the foundation and arch. Sunday at one, we plan to begin on the dome-if you're in town, stop on by...

Local Finds

Doesn't this garlic just call to you?

If you live in the Charleston area, you might want to pop by the farmer's market early Saturday morning, where you will find Julie Schaer, The Potager, and her ultra fresh organic produce. A potager is similar to the traditional English cottage garden, but is mainly based on vegetables and other edible plants and herbs, often incorporating some cutting flowers for the household.
The plants are chosen for their form, color and taste, with seasonality and continuity of fresh vegetables for the household in mind. These gardens are low maintenance and closely planted.
Julie also offers a "subscription" to her garden goods, which she will deliver to your door. Every week is a surprise and it keeps things fresh in the kitchen.

Another good find I just discovered can be found at Bailes Glass and Granite located at 1537 4th Avenue. Once there, you will spy a huge dumpster full of lovely pieces of marble and granite. I had been out gathering brick for the pizza oven when I spotted it. The Bailes guys were really friendly and even got the pieces I wanted out of the dumpster and put them in my vehicle. The plans for my outdoor kitchen is getting fancy! The arch went up last night, and pizza is truly in the near future.

Weekend in Syracuse and Beyond

Recently, I popped up to Syracuse for the weekend to attend the Everson Biennial Show: The Object and Beyond-the image above is of Errol Willett's stoneware vine. I met lots of interesting people and saw art of all sorts. Meeting Professor Olivia Robinson, a very tech savvy artist who describes herself as knowing what men know, in regard to electricity, computers, robots, manufacturing inflatable art and how to properly use a soldering iron, was one of the many highlights. Once you check out her website, you will agree she is a live wire-be sure to watch the video of her project, OBLIVIOUS.
I also had time to take in the International Fiber Collaborative, a project headed up by fiber artist, Jennifer Marsh. After putting out an international call for 3' X 3' crocheted cloth, she pieced the cloth together to make a slip cover for an entire abandoned gas station, including the pumps. Many of the fiber pieces included messages and thoughts on our nation's dependency on oil. I still do not know how she maintained the needed energy level to complete this project, but she did it and it is very impressive. The work will be in place through this fall. If you find yourself driving through the Syracuse area, you should definitely check it out.
Once home, it was time to get things together for the Farm Family Reunion. One of my dear NYC friends stopped by to spend the night on the way to the reunion. When I knew him, he was Dave, but in my absence he became a rabbi and I found myself addressing him as David-Dave just seemed too casual. By the time we left the reunion, he was just Dave again. Now it's time to turn attention to the 4th of July. Our peach trees are heavy with fruit and the oven building is well under way... Peach cobblers from the oven are in my future.