Inner Chimney Mortaring Fun

In preparation for the wood stove installation, which is due in the beginning of October per my Gantt Chart, I wanted to touch up the mortar near the insertion point. First I wanted to round off the corners to make insulating a little easier, then I wanted to slap some mortar on the other side of the chimney where there's an additional insert in the kitchen. I just wasn't sure how the cover in the kitchen would handle the heat. So I thought it best to just use up the remaining mortar that's been sitting in the pantry room corner for awhile. It only took about 45 minutes to do, and the mess I made wasn't too bad. Believe it or don't.