I love going to the lumber store and buying a big stack of lumber. Nothing screams awesomeness and potential like a pile of rough cut walnut in the shop.
I also like putting on the very first coat of finish, it’s the first time that you really get to see the wood grain and see how the finished project will look; it is a bit of a relief too, finally all the joinery/glueing sanding is done.

Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario