Cobbin' Fun

The farm is quiet now after a fun-filled, cob-stomping, very productive weekend at our Cob Oven workshop.

Friends in Mud

We never expected so many interesting, eager people to show up. There is no doubt we’ve just met some long-term friends. It seems that the kind of people willing to try their hand at natural building all care about many of the same things- health, caring for the earth, friends, family, and keeping that “kid inside” alive!

Since a picture says a thousand words, you can enjoy all the workshop photos here.

Many hands make light work

Talking, drinking a cup of coffee and cob dancing- now that's a multi-tasker!

All ages and abilities were right in there mixing, throwing cob balls up to the sculptors, digging sand, screening clay…  It was nice to know there is no pressure to be a workhorse. Some liked to keep a steady pace going, others preferred the sprint and rest method. It was important to us that people listened to their bodies- some of us need to sit more often than lift (could it be the over 50 factor?).

Taking a break and sharing stories.

We all took notes or photos throughout, so we wouldn’t forget the fascinating science involved- how clay, water and straw become a concrete-strong building medium; how the fire in a clay oven heats the thermal mass and the insulating layer with straw holds the heat in; how the shape and size effect efficiency and durability, etc..

Sigi explaining how to cut out the door

Sigi was an amazing teacher. Participants said- “Wonderful teacher. Easy to understand”, “Total hands-on and every question answered”, and “I appreciated how very knowledgeable she was and her relaxed, easy-going style”.  Sigi’s motto “no worries” was a keeper. Even as fissures appeared in the side of the wet oven, she smiled and said “No worries! It’s clay. We can fix it!’  We think we might need some “no worries” tee shirts next time- ha!

Chefs Extraordinairre

And, just when the cobbers were losing energy, Leenie and son Aren rang the dinner bell. What a treat! Everything homemade and local;  artisan breads, Amish wedding soup, salsa, apple pies, Greek roasted chicken, Wild Herb Spanakopita, Venison barbeque, wild flower teas, homemade Chai tea….   and on and on it went. A feast for the mud gods! The magic in the kitchen was just as amazing as the creative sculpting going on outside.

Pickin on the porch

Tired, satisfied cobbers relaxed on the porch or by the river listening to the wonderful impromtu “pickin” session by Pete and Andy. Nothing finer after a day in the sun and mud.

So what's the inside of a cob oven look like?

We’ll spend the next few weeks getting back to the garden to put in warm weather veggies, build the pig pen, welcome son Allen home from college and set up for the next workshop- ADOBE FLOOR on June 4-5.

Hope you’ll help us spread the word- we’ll need lots of feet and hands for that one.

Come meet new friends, enjoy the satisfaction of learning some sustainable-living skills, and have a bit of “inner child” fun!

Here’s the rest of the workshop schedule.