How It Came To Be

The slab built by Abe Bryant and Glenn Drake in 2004.

It was late spring in 2004.  We were in our 5th year of living in Clara and ready to run cement on the patio under the back porch.  As usual our family and friend were here when the cement was delivered.  Abe, Jim, Kirk, and Glenn.  Since we had cement left over the truck driver asked if we wanted to build a form somewhere for the extra.  Glenn and Abe got right on that!  They had a form built in a matter of minutes, the cement was poured and I had a huge cement slab just off the patio.  I kept looking at it and thinking....what the hell will it ever be useful for?  Every summer I would put our picnic table on it, much easier than having it in the grass and moving the 10-ton table when I wanted to mow.  Still I wasn't crazy about that slab until the summer of 2014.  If you have ever been on Pinterest you will understand what I am about to say.  I spend most of my free time in the winter on Pinterest getting ideas for summer projects, paint colors, knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc.  It was winter 2014 and there it was..............an outdoor pizza oven and I knew just the spot for it!

When I have an idea or plan it must be presented to the husband just right.  Otherwise all is lost in presentation.  I would slide little hints in like, hey have you heard of outdoor ovens?  He also likes Pinterest only for gardening and yes recipes for me to try.  Well, a few days later he said, maybe we should build a pizza oven...............on the cement slab!  Thank you Glenn and Abe, you made it all possible back in 2004.

When Dick started the plans they were a combination of many put into one.  Just like the final finished oven itself.  It is a combination of many people, family and friends. Our son in law provided the fire brick and cement mixer.  Our grandson Kirk, the high heat insulation, our grandson Kent for some of the field stones and Diane Surra for the elastomeric tip, it is a special paint that dries like rubber and takes heat and cold with a high expansion without cracking. It was used over the stucco on the dome.  Again our friend Glenn Drake for supplying more fieldstone.  Then there is Bob Pratt, he gave Dick some beautiful hand hewn beams from his parents original farm house in 2006.  The beams trim the opening that stores the wood under the dome and the doors were also made from  farm house planks. Our nephew, Chris Amidon gave us the red brick that is the framework for the dome door and chimney.

 Dick and I picked up driftwood on our tent camping trip to the Oregon Pacific Northwest in 2010.  We were fascinated by the wood and picked up a plastic bag full of our favorite pieces.  Finishing the doors yesterday I had mentioned buying a latch.  Lucky for me Dick already had a "latch plan" that put the finishing touches over the top for our Pizza Oven made from the love of friends and family.  I have walked by it in amazement as to what it means to me.  Is it perfect?   No but it is made with love and dedication by many.  Dick has worked for two years this month and just keeps saying.....I can't believe it is finished.  It makes me a little sad,  lots of praise and yes, fights (or maybe I should say, getting owly) went into this project.  All in all it couldn't be more perfect. 

Every piece of wood is the driftwood we picked up, even the little curly piece
that holds the latch.

Soon we will have family here for brick oven pizza and the dedication of the oven.....yes, to Dick's brother Abe.  I plan to make a handmade plaque and have a special spot waiting for it.  Abe as many have been curious and faithful followers on the quest of our Pizza Oven.  Thank you all for encouragement, support and patiently waiting for pizza "Clara Style".  We will "pass it on" for all, fresh pizza!

Tonight we sat out by our little bonfire watching the clouds, they were beautiful and so different than what we usually see.  Two little birds were fluttering and flying around.  I was amazed to see they flew side by side and landed on the same branch like they were dancing and it was all planned.  Did they tell each other, let's stop at this branch?   Seemed quite systematical to me.  The sunset was also breath taking tonight.  I'm hoping to check out face book to see if there are some good pictures of the sunset posted.  I just enjoyed looking at it and never thought to take a picture or maybe I am just to lazy and ready to relax.  After all the next Cook'n by the Creek project will begin tomorrow getting the lot cleaned up and ready to set foundation for the cabin to be built.  I don't like to put a time frame on any project we do but..............I would like the cabin up and ready by June of 2017.  If it is, it is.  If not that's ok too.