The true artisans of Mission Birch Lane made their reputations making clay pots to be used for countless functions. The clay pots are perfect for today's rainy weather. They will dry and then be fired in a hot oven for daily use. Over in a far corner of the B.L. Mission in the Arboretum is found the candlery where the neophytes must walk and walk and walk while their candles cool and solidify. A hot fire and the good exercise keep up the spirits.
Candles are so much fun to make.
You dip the string like you were fishing for wax. Into the hot wax it goes and out it comes with a glob of wax that cools as we walk around a tree. Then we have to repeat the action again until our candle is large. Then it will light our way at night in the Mission. But everyone is getting hungry and the cooks are hard at work molding the tortillas and preparing the stew.