Well the time has arrived . I have been doing slab work and cinder block support structure , perlcrete hearth , stuff like that and asking lots of questions and reading all the build threads I can . Yesterday I laid down the hearth bricks and put up 4 courses to form the box of the oven . Today I am starting the dome . I have dry stacked it ( first row ) to make sure the form is correct and things do what they are supposed to . I think I am going to just leave it dry stacked and push the mortar down in the joints with a trowel . My adventure has begun !!! thanks everybody for all the input and answers so far , I am sure there will be plenty more.