This thing is actually starting to come together

Sometimes I amaze myself - of course, without Nick's help this project wouldn't even have started. Come to think of it, I'd be done as I would've gone with a wood mantel and granite/marble hearth. But this is going to be super suh-weet when it is all said and done. Here is the mantle with the form stripped off:

Memo to self - when trying to turn over something that weighs close to 300 lbs. by yourself, make sure you remove your fingers out from under the wood supporting it. Sweet mother of pearl that hurt. Do you need every knuckle to be functional anyhow?