I think we will just let it weather by itself. We do get an inch of snow every year, and some very hot sun, so it should soon go from redwood to gray in a year or two. We have opted for a design that has the benches separate so we can use them elsewhere on the property when nobody is using the table.

Bird droppings won't bother me. I plan to use an oil cloth tablecloth when the table is in use. The design we like is for a 5' table, but DH is going to make it 6.' He is sure he won't need to change the braces for an extra foot.

So the original plans stated cutting the legs at 38 degrees, and hubby did it. When it crossed it should have been x inches tall. NOT! The instructions were bad. Even I could see the slant was off. Then I reminded hubby he got A+ in Geometry. So he came in and re-thank the thing. Did drawings, and it should have been a 60 degree angle to get the height needed for the table top. Why don't they give proper instructions? Anyway, he figured it out and is down there under the deck trying to make it work. I do not think Picnic Table building is a walk in the park!!

We are finally done! He made one picnic table, two benches and two Leopold chairs that we will place on our property and use them at the ends of the table as needed. Next big job is to build a propane fire pit so there are no sparks ever.

Looks great and so cozy, well done! Now I want to go on a picnic too and have good rest and relax at last:) because your photos captivated me! I'll be waiting for your next photos!

Thanks Alan! We are so happy with it. We ended up buying a propane fire pit. It was only $99.00 and puts out 50,000 BTU of heat. The slant of the rock picks up the heat and directs it to the picnic table. Very cozy.

Since you asked, here is one more photo. Next job is to turn some boulders into a waterfall...