I think we can all agree: a weekend spent outside is good for the soul. Whether the forest, desert, mountains, or beaches, spending a couple of days without walls restores a fellow. It can simultaneously energize and relax us. Just about everything John Muir ever said sums it up nicely. Here's a few: 

• Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.
• Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.
• Take a course in good water and air; and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own. Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you. 

And in order to make it happen safely while staying warm and dry, you need a bit of gear. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts have as serious a case of gear lust as any hobby I know of, but getting started and staying comfortable doesn't have to involve massive amounts of research or serious cash. Just focus on affordable essentials, and spend your energy using your gear, not researching it. 

IndefinitelyWild, a new column on Gizmodo, shares "A Basic Guide To Cheap Outdoors Gear For Broke Adventurers." The gear here seems to be intended for a short 2-3 backpacking trip, or base camping with day hikes. They include basic suggestions for tents, sleeping bags and pads, stoves, a knife and flashlight, a base layer, and outerwear.

The idea is summed up nicely here: 

Let's assemble a basic backpacking kit trying to combine high-value, lightweight items. The Boreas Buttermilks 55L (medium) pack weighs 2lbs 2oz, the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 bag (regular) weighs 2lbs 11oz, an Alps Mystique 1.0 tent weighs 3 lbs and the Nemo pad weighs 1lbs 3oz. Together, that's a total spend of $500, which sounds like a lot of money, but it nets you a combined weight of just 9 lbs. Add a 1oz cat food can, 8oz of denatured alcohol, a couple of plastic water bottles from a gas station, a first aid kit, appropriate clothes and your food situation of choice and you'll be as well equipped as anyone on the trail and be carrying nearly as light a weight as people spending big bucks on fancy ultralight stuff. You'll be equipped to go anywhere and do anything. That's good value.

To see their specific gear picks and the rationale for each, head to Gizmodo: A Basic Guide To Cheap Outdoors Gear For Broke Adventurers 

Perhaps you've heard - it's suuuuummmmmmeeeerrrr!!!! That means the evenings stretch out seemingly forever, and every dinnertime is an opportunity to get the grill going. I love it. But I got tired of trying to cook dinner for my family in a space that is, objectively speaking, not a kitchen. I mean, where am I supposed to set plates, cooking tools, and seasonings, fill pots, and chop veg and everything else I need to fashion a fantastic BBQ? 

So I finally decided to go for it, and build my own outdoor cooking space, complete with a durable concrete countertop, lots of storage, and a convenient outdoor sink. Here's how I did it:

This project was sponsored by mike's hard lemonade. mike's is made with all natural ingredients for a refreshing, flavorful alternative you can enjoy on a warm summer evening.

This little backyard adventure has been in the back of my mind for a while now, beginning when a perfectly good steak slid off a plate balanced on the ledge of my grill. I'm not above dusting a little dirt off my sirloin, but when your food is on the floor, it's a good sign you have a problem. So I started off with the objective of building the one thing every grilling area lacks: a countertop. Take a look at the steps I took (and you can follow) to make my own custom BBQ surround.

The Frame:

I started off with a sturdy base of 4x6 posts secured with 2x4 cross-members, because the concrete countertop would need something solid to support it. The wood came from the standard lumber yard, so to make it a bit more interesting, I roughed it up with a chainsaw, then charred it to add some weathered character, and finished with an outdoor stain.

The crossmembers were joined with rabbets in place to give the entire frame a bit more stability and strength (and also because the joinery is interesting and adds a bit more unique character to the project).

Rabbets were added to the legs to accept the crossmembers.

I cut the joinery with my oscillating saw and a plunge blade which took some time, but was much easier than a chisel and mallet.

The Backing:

The backing between the framing members provides lateral support, as well as a surface for the stone facing. For this I used a water-and-mold-resistant concrete board. This material is much more stable than wood and can withstand the weather much better over time. After I cut it to size and glued it in place, it also added some extra weight and structure to the frame.

The Stone:

The outer stonework on this project was a light, flat brick material that can be cut easily with a multi-tool. It secures in place with construction adhesive to the rough concrete board backing. This material is great for an outdoor application because it’s stable and won't get damaged by water.

The Concrete Mold:

Making a concrete top was a bit of a process ... but totally worth it. The countertop was poured upside-down, allowing me to get a really nice, smooth surface without having to trowel the face at all.

Using melamine sheet goods (smooth plastic layer on top of particle board), I made a mold with a cutout for the sink area. The construction of the mold took a bit of time, but wasn’t overly complicated.

Once the mold was finished, I added wire mesh and rebar, measured and cut to fit with about an inch room around the edge.

Pouring the Top:

This was the fun part. I mixed up a batch of standard, high-strength concrete, colored it, and then poured it into the mold. The first batch was wet enough to flow into all of the edges and corners, but it’s important to limit the water use to control cracking and surface bubbles.

After the first lift of concrete, I gently inserted the metal frame and tamped it into the wet material. Then the remaining concrete was added, screeded flat, and floated smooth.

It's important to vibrate the concrete really thoroughly with a sander and rubber mallet for about 30 minutes to bring most of the bubbles to the surface (what will be the bottom) and away from the finished side. After about 48 hours, it was ready to flip and secure in place with adhesive.

Finishing Touches:

To finish off the project, I applied a final stain and clear protectant layer. The concrete top was left mostly organic with just a bit of sanding on the edges to knock off and exposed surfaces. The stainless steel bar sink was plumbed, and simple door and hardware bolts were installed to bring together the pieces and provide a protected place to store outdoor supplies.

The sink was plumbed with a garden hose attached to the faucet via a splitter and a few brass pieces, and another short run of hose from the drain out into the shrubs. For now that will be good enough as long as I watch the usage and use biodegradable soap. In the future, I'm planning on adding a climbing vine to the trellis against the fence and I will route the  drain water through a reservoir in that planter.

This was a long project, taking about 40 hours to get fully right, but the results sure make it worth the effort.

Imagine the next outdoor party with food prep and cleanup all done without making a mess of the inside kitchen. And Mike’s Hard Lemonade is the perfect drink to enjoy while grilling in my new backyard -  it's light, flavorful, and refreshing.

Now that’s a successful barbecue!

This post was sponsored by mike's hard lemonade, but all opinions are mine alone. Thanks for supporting the brands that make ManMade possible.

Every great breakthrough has its "Eureka!" moment, whether we're talking the discovery of gravity or the founding of the world's largest shoe empire. In the latter's case, that happened while searching for a way to create cleats meant for a urethane track (meaning no more metal spikes on the bottom of running shoes), and it involved a household wafflemaker. The infamous wafflemaker was then lost for decades... and now found.   

The exact moment of discovery is described by Matt Blitz in his recent piece for Popular Mechanics: 

In late 1971, Bill and Barbara were sitting in the kitchen together on a Sunday morning. Normally at church on Sundays, Barbara decided to stay home that particular day to help Bill find an answer to this perplexing question. So she started making breakfast on an old waffle iron that was a wedding gift back in 1936, distinctive for its old-fashioned Art Deco design. The epiphany came as Barbara was serving her husband breakfast.

"As one of the waffles came out, he said, 'You know, by turning it upside down – where the waffle part would come in contact with the track – I think that might work,'" Barbara told Reames in a 2006 interview for the Department of Nike Archives, "So he got up from the table and went tearing into his lab and got two cans of whatever it is you pour together to make the urethane and poured them into the waffle iron." In his excitement, Bowerman forgot to spray a nonstick substance into the waffle iron. Unable to open the waffle iron back up, Bowerman abandoned it and went into town to fetch new waffle irons for his experiment. Barbara, meanwhile, threw out the now-ruined wedding gift.

However that thrown out waffle iron now sits in a glass case in Prefontaine Hall in Nike World Headquarters. How did it get there? Read the full story here.

For the last couple years, I've had a framed tattered page I tore out from an old book of poetry (pictured below) that I picked up at a garage sale in Minnesota when I was a boy. I've taken it with me wherever I've moved, usually displaying it on my desk, although occasionally on a shelf or bedside table. The poem is titled SEA-FEVER and came from a poetry collection called Salt-Water Poems and Ballads by John Masefield, first published in 1902.  The poem expresses the yearning for the grey seas from the perspective of a presumably landlocked rover, and was one of my initial inspirations for rafting the Mississippi River.

Next up is INVICTUS (Latin for "unconquered), a short Victorian poem written by the English poet William Ernest Henley in 1875 and publish in 1888. A poem about the indomitable spirit of humankind, it has served as a comfort for great men throughout history, most notably Nelson Mandela during his 27 year incarceration in the Robben Island prison. Ironically, the poem was composed from an infirmary while Henley was recovering from a recent leg amputation... 

PIONEERS! O PIONEERS is Walt Whitman's great ode to the swelling spirit of those who set out in search of a better life throughout the history of western expansion. Originally published in Leaves of Grass in 1865, the poem stresses perseverance, determination, and the strength of youth carving its own path in the face of elderly wisdom. Here are the first six stanzas.

COME, my tan-faced children,
Follow well in order, get your weapons ready;
Have you your pistols? have you your sharp edged axes? Pioneers! O pioneers!

For we cannot tarry here,
We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger, 5
We, the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend, Pioneers! O pioneers!

O you youths, western youths,
So impatient, full of action, full of manly pride and friendship,
Plain I see you, western youths, see you tramping with the foremost, Pioneers! O pioneers!

Have the elder races halted? 
Do they droop and end their lesson, wearied, over there beyond the seas?
We take up the task eternal, and the burden, and the lesson, Pioneers! O pioneers!

All the past we leave behind;
We debouch upon a newer, mightier world, varied world,
Fresh and strong the world we seize, world of labor and the march, Pioneers! O pioneers! 

We detachments steady throwing,
Down the edges, through the passes, up the mountains steep,
Conquering, holding, daring, venturing, as we go, the unknown ways, Pioneers! O pioneers!

A series of epic Levi's ads (directed by True Detective's Cary Fukunaga) featured excerpts of the poem, and you can also hear the entire poem performed by Will Greer here. 

ODE (commonly remembered as WE ARE THE MUSIC MAKERS) is a poem written by English poet Arthur O'Shaughnessy and published in 1873. ODE is an elegiac tale one might tell oneself in the quietness between creative projects. The poem has nine stanzas all together, however the opening three are often the only ones remembered. I used to recite the first two stanzas to myself before going onstage each night, when I performed The Cherry Orchard in NYC and it's one that I still love having with me. Also, the poem holds the origin of the phrase, "movers and shakers." And Willy Wonka quotes the opening lines in the 1971 film...so, points there. 

WE are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.

With wonderful deathless ditties
We build up the world's great cities, 
And out of a fabulous story
We fashion an empire's glory:
One man with a dream, at pleasure,
Shall go forth and conquer a crown;
And three with a new song's measure 
Can trample an empire down.

We, in the ages lying
In the buried past of the earth,
Built Nineveh with our sighing,
And Babel itself with our mirth;
And o'erthrew them with prophesying
To the old of the new world's worth;
For each age is a dream that is dying,
Or one that is coming to birth.

ULYSSES is one of my all-time favorite poems and one that I almost accidentally committed to memory simply by reading it so many times. Written from the perspective of the famously harried Ulysses (Latin for the Greek hero, Odysseus), the poem was hailed by T. S. Elliot as "a perfect poem." At once contemplative and restless, the poem takes the form of a blank verse dramatic monologue as the man of constant sorrow seeks to reconcile the conflicting aspects of his aspirational personality. It's SO GOOD. Written by Alfred Lord Tennyson in 1833 and published in 1842, the poem has had a lasting impact on pop culture and was featured in both the Dead Poet's Society and in this epic sequenceof James Bond running from 2012's Skyfall. 

This is the first section: 

Honorable Mention: THE MAN IN THE ARENA

This isn't a poem, per se, but still a masculine passage that has served me manyfold as a result of of committing it to memory. It's often referred to as "The Man in The Area" and is taken from Theodore Roosevelt's 1910 speech at the Sorbonne in Paris titled, "Citizenship in a Republic." The sentiment is one that he expressed a many different ways throughout his life, even repeating the metaphor in numerous ways, yet it is best expressed in the passage reproduced below:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

This ManMade post was originally published in December 2013. We're re-sharing it because poetry is still awesome. 

I don't think I've mentioned this on ManMade, but earlier this year, my wife and I bought our first (and hopefully last) home. It was a big deal, both emotionally and financially, and looking in one of the wildest and fastest changing real estate climates in the country, we got pretty lucky that our first offer was accepted. It's a solid home that we can afford, and it sits in a close-in neighborhood that's super liveable and great for walking, commuting by bike, and public transit. I totally love it. 

And...of course, when you own your own home, you get to mess with it. No more landlords to tell you what to do, no more wasting time and money investing in customizing a place that you'll only be in for a little while. And of course, as a DIY blogger, I had my sights set on the two most important spaces in the house: the garage and the basement.    Over the next year, I'll be "unfinishing" half of the basement to become my workshop, focusing mostly on woodworking and my other crafts and hobbies. That's my space (my wife gets the other half of the basement), and so the garage gets to be the house's shop. (We would never do something silly like store our car in it). The garage becomes the DIY center of the house: where we store our bikes and homebrew supplies, our gardening and landscaping tools, and our hardware and tools for working on projects around the house.

What's the point of all this? That our garage needed a work surface. A big, solid space to do everything from planting and potting to household repairs to tinkering on our bikes. Not a full-on woodworking bench with face vises and dog holes, but a nice, big work table which could handle any project we decide to take on.

Last weekend, I finally made time to put it together, with some help from True Value hardware. It's built from standard Doug fir construction lumber you can get at any hardware store or lumberyard, and is put together with a rock-solid bolt system that will allow it to be tightened up again, years after all the banging around.

I'm really happy with the results, and I wrote up the whole process, including downloadable plans, for ManMade's sister site, Curbly.

Check out the full tutorial there, and feel free to ask me any questions about the process. Go make one!

How to Make the Ultimate Garage Workbench [Curbly.com]

So, where did the high five come from?           

Turns out, it's not as old as you might think. And while it's probably not the first time two people decide to slap some elevated hands, it's certainly the first time it was recorded, and the man who made it happen has a story worth telling. 

Award-winning director Michael Jacobs created "The High Five" as part of the ESPN/Grantland 30 for 30 documentary short series. "When Dusty Baker hit his 30th home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977, the first man to greet him at home plate was his friend and teammate, rookie Glenn Burke. Overcome with happiness, Burke did the first thing that came to mind — he put his hand straight in the air and had Baker slap it. Welcome to the birth of the high five."

Watch Jacobs' film at Grantland – 30 for 30 Shorts: ‘The High Five’

On the side, my wife and I sell some of our handiwork at craft fairs, barn sales and vintage markets. When we got started, we had mostly folding plastic tables and white table cloths. And as you know, nothing, except maybe a grilled hot dog on a paper plate on the Fourth of July, looks its best on a folding plastic table and white table cloth.

I was noticing that a lot of the vendors carted in giant farm tables and fixtures to hold all their products, but real farm tables are heavy and I don't even have a truck to carry all of that! So, I got to thinking how could I have the same look and feel of a farmhouse while also being portable. This weekend I tried out an idea and it worked out really well for what we need and I thought I'd share it with you.

I can see this table being used as a portable bar or dinner table for an outdoor party. 

What you'll need:

1. Reclaimed flooring. You can also call your local hardwood flooring store and ask for discontinued boxes for a bargain. 
2. 4 Medium-sized ornamental gate hinges
3. 4 Spun legs. I bought mine at a big-box hardware store and removed the pre-installed leg screws.
4. A pocket hole drilling kit and screws
5. Wood Glue
6. Nail pullers—if your flooring still has nails in it.

One side of your table will have the groove and one will have the tongue, so we need to cut the tongue off, so lets start by removing that at the table saw.

Next, we'll start gluing up the pieces. I need my table to be about 48" long, so I dug through my pile for that length. To glue this table up properly, you can apply one of two ways. 1) you fill the groove joint with glue and hammer in the tongue joint. 2) coat the tongue joint on both sides of the tongue and hammer on the groove. 

If you're a slow gluer like me, you may have to clamp up each board as you go, otherwise the glue will start to dry on you and your joints wont be so tight. It's better to take your time than rush through it. Since this piece isn't fine woodworking, I'm not too worried about perfect.

Once you've glued up all of the boards you need, let it dry for a few hours. Then, it's time to cut the length to size. 

I set up a cross cut by clamping a long level and running my circular saw across. Do this for both sides.

Now it's ready for a skirt! I made one with more strips of flooring with the tongue removed. Measured two long pieces and two short pieces to make the rectangle that goes underneath the table. I wanted to make sure that every board was supported since this table will be on the road, so the skirt is wider in the pictures that a typical table skirt is. 

With your pocket hole jig, make holes to create 4 butt joints as well as holes to mount the skirt to the table.

Let's bring it in for a landing! I picked these up at the hardware store. Start by setting the legs on the table where you want them to land. Since this table is really short compared to most, I had to stager the width of the legs so they will fold flush to the table. When unfolded, you really can't tell too much.

One at a time, pick up each leg and set it flush against the skirt wall. Then, set one of the hinges up against the leg on the center line (Unlike in the picture, don't worry, I centered it before I screwed it in.).

There it is, Now all it needs is a coat of paint on the legs and skirt then it's ready for our next market!

I would imagine the larger the table you make and the larger the legs, the sturdier it will be. Once this table was fully set up on level ground I had pretty minimal wobbling. I think there are some improvements that could be made on that aspect. I'm going to research some folding table parts to see if I can get a hold of the folding arms that you pop into place to really add stability to each leg. I'll report back on my findings!

Happy building!

Here's another project that will go perfect with a long summer night at the beach. Make a portable campfire you can bring with you to light off wherever you need.   This variation of a swedish flame (make one of those here) is a bit different, as it produces a more compact flame. With a side hole that lets in oxygen, the light and heat are directed out the centralized hole at the top. This means less smoke but also a bit less "campfire" ambiance. But with a stable top, it's great for heating up an evening toddy, or hot chocolate, and the licking flames make quick work of those s'more ingredients. Adding a simple rope handle and it's easy to bring alone anywhere.

The Tools:

1. Chainsaw - Just about any chainsaw can be used to get a suitable log sized right and squared up. Make sure it's sharp.

2. Drill and Bits - Use something plugged in that can take a bit of torque, these are pretty deep holes. The bits should be large enough to let a good flame come out (1 3/4" or so).

The Steps:

Step 1: Pick the Wood- While most wood will burn well, use a sapwood for a faster, brighter flame. I had a few cuts of madrone and oak I needed to use, so this seemed like a perfect time to make them useful (See my lessons learned on this below). It is easier to use a single log as it's already round, but a larger cut can be cut down to a manageable size if you have large pieces around.

Step 2: Square it Up - Make the cuts needed to get the piece down to a manageable size, and stable enough to be used without falling over. Round or square isn't really an issue, as long as it's stable.

Step 3: Drill the Holes - This is where the fun comes in. Using large bits, carefully bore halfway through the side of the log about halfway from the top. Then, bore a hole through the top center to meet the side hole. This union point is where the fire will happen, and oxygen coming in from the side will turn into heat and light through the magic of fire.

Step 4: Attach a Handle - Adding a bit of rope as a handle makes it easy to transport and manage. Using staples, screws, or nails, attach a length of rope at each side as a simple handle to keep it mobile.

To light it, use a bit of fire starter (I use cotton-balls soaked in Vaseline) in the center of the log to get it warmed up. Blowing in the side hole to give a bit of extra oxygen will speed up the process. (Watch out for flying embers, as blowing in the side pushes them right out the top).

So, now there are a few more reasons to take that extra wood around the shop and turn it into something a bit more useful.

UPDATE AND LESSONS - So, I tried this out during a backyard cookout this weekend, and Madrone is a no-go. The fire took about 30 minutes to get going, and never really gave off much flame, but definitely smoked like crazy. In the end, it boiled water and got up to about 650 degrees in the center, but smoked way too much to be useful as a portable fire. The lesson? Use a soft sap wood like pine or fir to get the heat and flame without so much smoke, and to get up to speed faster. Also, make the side vent hole about 1/2 way from the top. At least I have a handle to carry it back over to my scrap pile.

There's something special about the printed word. As the digital age quietly kills those musty hardcovers, there is still a place where ink is alive. Watch it now.   If you're like me, you love books. It's the smell, the feeling and the experience that comes with holding a solid, well worn hardcover with the marks of countless readers along the way. Here's a story about the man who is still holding strong to the books we all love, and why he's doing it.

So, what are you doing to support the dying art of books? Do you love your digital formats or as you holding strong to a more tactile experience? I'd love to know!

The notion of a DIY hanging pot is nothing extraordinary - just do a Pinterest search and you'll find hundreds...maybe thousands.    But this project isn't about novelty - it's a demonstration of what it takes to take basic ideas, use high-quality materials and solid technique, to turn out something simple and handsome.

The how-to also includes a great technique for drilling into terra cotta (watering can!) and using Chicago screws for finishing projects (they look handsome and amazing).

See the full project: Simple Strap Planter [Wood & Faulk]

I'll admit it... applying a finish to a woodworking project is always the most intimidating part. Once you've spent hours or days designing, milling, measuring, cutting, joining, smoothing the wood, it's a bit scary to know that you can mess up all your work in the final step.   

Perhaps you've heard some of these myths about wood finishing, like you have to finish both sides to prevent warping, or that you must apply and wipe off stain with the grain. But even if they're new to you, expert and author Bob Flexner is ready to put them to rest, and have you turning out beautiful projects. So be brave, finish smartly, and get back to woodworking. 

 Check it out at PopularWoodworking.com: 6 Myths About Wood Finishing

I recently lost a beloved church pew to several years of rot and water damage. Totally my fault, I didn't seal it properly. But, that's ok! It gives me a reason to build something new! On top of that, I thought I'd challenge myself. I had a small get-together happening later that evening, so I needed to make a bench fast.  This bench was made, start to finish in less than 2 hours. That's enough time to knock out after dinner on a weekday! 

We'll be building this out of cedar, it's weather resistant and much more attractive than pressure treated lumber, in my opinion.

Here's what you'll need:

• One cedar 4x4, 8' long
• Two cedar 2x4s, 8' long
• 2 1/2" Deck Screws
• Five 1/2x4 cedar fence boards or reclaimed boards, 8' long
• Circular saw
• Speed Square and tape measure

Total Cost: About $50

Cut List

• Two 60" 2x4s
• Two 1' 2x4s
• Three 14" 2x4s
• Four 18" 4x4s
• Five seat planks - 4"x 1/2" x 6 1/2' 

Ready, set, start your clocks!

Let's start by chopping up all your boards. Cut your post into four 18" legs.

Next, chop your two long supports (60"), two shorter supports (12") and three inside studs (14").  Now that everything is cut, it's time to assemble. Grab your box of screws and drill and join together two legs and one shorter stud. What makes building this bench so fast is the softness of the cedar and the self-tapping screws. Fastening each joint of this bench doesn't require any pocket holes, pre-drilling or countersinking. Just angle each screw into each joint and drive it just below the surface.

Before you fasten your joints, center the 2x4 in the middle of the 4x4 flush the top of the 2x4 and the 4x4 as well. Drive screws in on three side of the 2x4. Leave the outward facing side of the wood empty.

Once you have you two sides assembled, fasten your longer supports in the same way. 

Next, fasten your center joists in the same way you did your outer supports. I will note here, in typical me-fashion, I cut some studs too short (See the center joist in the picture), so I screwed the two short ones together and compensated for my mess-ups with some scrap 2x4s I had. 

Now I'll rip my reclaimed painted boards for the benchtop. I ripped these three large pieces into 4" wide planks for my top. Once you've ripped your boards place them evenly on top of your bench. Leave a small gap between each board to allow drainage and prevent rot damage.

Fasten each plank along each vertical stud of your bench. I used 2 screws per board, per stud.

Because I used reclaimed boards, the boards varied in length and quality (some had rotten ends). Once I got the boards lined up the way I liked it, I drew a cut line and cross-cut the varied lengths into a nice straight end with my circular saw.

And you're done! Finish off everything with a decent amount of sanding to dull the sharp edges and give everything a softer appearance. Oh, and don't forget to stop your clock! Did you clock in under two hours? Let me know!

I actually don't remember a lot of the blur that of this exceptional decade in my life, but I do remember a few things I should have known. Here they are.   

1. It's worth it. Investing in yourself early in your 20's has huge advantages down the road. So, eating inexpensively everyday and suffering it out with a few roommates can free up some seed money to invest in a really bright tomorrow. It's much harder to scratch up some extra change to invest once there are kids, a mortgage and that unexpected car knocking noise. 

2. You have plenty of time. You always have time to live in the moment. The frantic way in which I approached every project, adventure, and relationship was because I felt like life was too short to miss out, or fall short on. Every moment was a fleeting one, so I seized the day and got busy enough to look up and years had passed. I got so busy trying to live, that I often missed to point of it.

3. Hustle. Have a big dream? A massive, earth shattering dream? Do it. Don't wait until the time is right, make it right. Stay up late, work nights and weekends (your body can handle this now). It might not work, but now is the time to find that out so you don't keep wondering forever. 

4. Kiss the girl. Getting caught up in the moment is what youth is for. I hesitated too often and can still remember a few times where not taking the leap left me wondering "what if?" It's not just about that few second pause when you should be leaning in, it's about being ready, and OK with putting yourself in situations where failure can be a bit embarrassing, but victory can be so much more. Be ready to take that leap. You'll never regret trying something; only missed opportunities. 

5. It's not that important. I distinctly remember moments in time when it felt like the current crisis was going to be the end of me. It was so dominating in thought that I lost sleep, I got angry with friends, and I just wasn't able to see the big picture. I know it sounds cliche to use words like that, but stepping back and realizing that any speed-bump in life is about as important as a picture window on a submarine in the long-run. This frees up a lot more time to focus on what's important, like friends and sleep. It won't be like this forever. 

What would you tell your 10-year younger self?

Mr. Lentz - the "modern cowboy of the creative revolution" - has created a very cool DIY project with very detailed steps to make a customized leather belt. Since it's made from scratch, you can rough it up just enough. Plus, once you learn how to make your own, you can whip one up for everyone you know

There are a few tools required for this project,  if you don't have them all, you can always visit your local craft store to get them or you can sometimes borrow them from a tool library or community workshops.

This belt is awesome because it's quite simple - no crazy patterns or embellishments. Less is always more (on that topic, how cool is this minimal wallet?)

For steps, materials and great photos, visit the full post on Mr. Lentz: How to Make a Leather Belt

Anyone who's ever concocted homemade ice cream knows the addictive joy that comes from originating new flavors for everyone to try. Heck, lately even standard ice cream manufacturers have expanded to include all sorts of weird flavors such as a peanut butter, jelly, and bacon ice cream I had the other day. If you want to try saving some money while expanding your palatte, then check out this BURNT HONEY AND BASIL ICE CREAM recipe from TheFoodInMyBeard.com...   

The toasted honey flavor adds a slight hint of bitterness to the otherwise sweet medley and the basil and graham crackers kick it into a whole new arena. 

Click here for the full recipe.

There are many reasons we DIY projects: saving money, customizing for the space, or to make something from quality materials without a particleboard heart. But never do we do it because we want it to look like a thrown-together project. 

I have had a corner of my yard that just feels like wasted space. It isn't horribly ugly, it just doesn't really do anything. That’s where the thought of a fire pit corner was born. It’s only a 10’x10’ area, but with some careful planning, the space could be transformed into an area that draws people in, that simply assumes a nightcap is in order.

This project was sponsored by mike's hard lemonade. mike's is made with all natural ingredients for a refreshing, flavorful alternative you can enjoy on a warm summer evening with friends, or around your very own DIY fire pit.

We’ve always had a cheap little fire pit in our yard, but it was cramped, unstable and not functional enough to accommodate friends. So I decided the first step would be to create some dedicated seating that’s functional, comfortable, and – of course – looks good. Read on to see how I did it (and how you can too!). 

This project is made from simple materials and has a simple design, but the finished project still looks polished enough to look like a custom build. First, the foundation of the bench is made from simple lumber finished with a bit of roughing and charring for character. Next, a bit of creative joinery turns ordinary boards into something a bit more interesting, with laps to provide a strong base that looks great. Then, the top is made from standard concrete formed up with a wood-grained top for an interesting look. Finally, I finish it all off with a smooth, durable outdoor protectant to make sure it keeps looking good well into the future. 

The Steps

1. Prep the area – A flat and stable base is important for this project, so take the time to make sure it’s leveled and compacted well. I added a good layer of gravel, for a solid base material that won’t move under any load and will drain well to keep wood from staying moist. At the same time I added an open, flat concrete patio area to make way for the fire pit itself. (I'll be blogging about that project soon, but I went ahead  I completed half of the patio now so I could get the benches in place.)

2. Make the frame – First, I used a technique similar to the one I used on my BBQ surround project to make the lumber look more rustic and reclaimed. 

Using a chainsaw, sander, bandsaw, or any other tool I could safely operate, I roughed up the wood. Then, a blowtorch was all it took to singe the surface and give a bit of aged color. A stiff wire brush took off the black char, leaving a well-worn finish. 

After the wood was sufficiently prepped, I notched out lap joints to connect the legs and cross-members for a solid base. Finishing touches included an outdoor wood finish to protect against the elements.

3. Make the top – The top of the bench needed to be durable enough to fend off the weather for years to come, so concrete was definitely the way to go. To give the tops a bit of character, I used textured siding boards as the forming base (which would eventually be the top).  

Using standard concrete mix with a bit of charcoal coloring and a metal mesh for inner support, I mixed and poured the tops on a flat, level surface then waited about 36 hours for them to cure enough to handle. 

The finished tops have a great natural wooden texture and a really unique look. If we ever decide to put cushions on them, they shouldn’t move around while sitting. I placed the tops and secured them with construction adhesive, then added a waterproof sealant to protect from spills and weather.

Wrapping it up

At this point, the benches are done and ready to fully cure over the next few weeks. As they harden, I’ll polish them with some concrete polishing compound and a buffer and then re-seal them within a few months. The next step in my big backyard makeover is building a corner table, and then I’ll finish the whole thing off with a solid fire pit. This is definitely the place where evenings with friends last late into the night.

This post was sponsored by mike's hard lemonade, but all opinions are mine alone. Thanks for supporting the brands that support ManMadeDIY.

Most adults find learning a new language to be particularly difficult. In fact studies show that the number one way to increase your odds of picking up a new language is to already speak a couple languages. But don't lose hope! There are still some streamlined ways to get yourself self off the ground and immerse in a new culture's way of communicating...   

Check out this article Becoming a Man of The World: How to Learn Another Language at the Art of Manliness. With the exception of one bizarre paragraph pointing out that most polyglots throughout history have been men (and skipping over the historically gendered gap in education and mobility), this is a great article with some key tips to examine before diving head-first into a new language-learning program. As a quasi-polyglot myself (I can read/write Latin and Ancient Greek, and can kiiiiiinda speak Spanish and Lakota), I can vouch for some the ideas and resources here that have helped me, since I grew up only knowing English. 

Have you ever learned a new language (particularly as an adult) in a short amount of time? If so, what language was it and what were the best resources you used?

Is the first thing your guests see when they walk up to your front door a worn-out welcome mat? Make a good impression with one of these DIY wooden front door mats. Take a look:   I've been meaning to toss the tattered rugs at my front door for a while now, but just could never find something that I wanted to replace it with. These great wooden mats still provide space for dirt and water to catch before walking into the house, but upgrades the space much more than another fuzzy rubber mat ever can:

1. Simple Wood and Rope Mat - Fast, easy, simple. That's the type of project you can work on in an afternoon and make one for each door to your house. While you're at it, make a few for housewarming gifts.

2. Lettered Mat - Why not personalize it up a bit with a custom message? This project adds a bit of personality with a slightly different design and a cool twist. 

3. Diagonal Wooden Mat - Adding some angles looks great, but adds a lot of work. This is a great design if you want to put in the time, and add a custom color for a really distinctive look.

4. Chevron Wooden Mat - Ok, here's the one for the really adventurous DIYers out there. Cutting this many angles with accuracy will take some time, but the outcome is pretty impressive. 

5. Wood and Rope Mat - There's so much going on here, and it's all pretty impressive. If the chevron design is a bit too complicated, add some customization with other items like rope, or a paint/stain pattern finish.

Now you're out of reasons for guests to walk into your house over a forgettable tattered welcome mat. Take the time to make a custom wood mat and you'll have them impressed before you even open that door.

If you've ever thought about making a leather wallet, but haven't for whatever reason, then here is the place to start. With a couple tools and about $10 in leather you'll lay the groundwork for greater leather-working projects and emerge with a stylish and minimalist wallet to boot.   

This also makes a great homemade and masculine gift to give to friends, especially if you engrave it with their initials or another simple message. 

 How to Make A Leather Wallet - via Primer Magazine

Five years ago I found a tiny grant through a journalism fellowship so that I could shoot a documentary short about sex-trafficking in South Africa during the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Four years ago I found some small financial aids to help me study the Lakota language, and three years ago my brother and I found a grant through his college that helped fund our dream of rafting the entire Mississippi River.  

I had very little experience in any of these fields beforehand, but in each case I was able to realize the dream through extensive research and grant applications. In that vein, here is a roundup of suggestions, travel grants, and links to help you plan your next adventure. 

Huckberry Explorer Grant - For the past two years, Huckberry has offered a cash prize of $1,000 along with tons of cool gear from their favorite suppliers to help applicants realize their dream adventure. The application for this year just closed, but it pretty much just consists of explaining what you want to do and why in a paragraph or two. Read about the application process or check out some previous winners.

Study Abroad - If you're still in school and your program is somewhat flexible, you should absolutely check out the study abroad or foreign exchange programs. Generally speaking, it's much cheaper to live abroad in student housing than as a normal traveller, and it's much easier to attain a visa. Not to mention you'll get a whole new perspective on education and you'll be able to absorb a new culture over many months. 

Wwoof it - TheWorld Wide Organization of Organic Farms is a loose association of national organizations that help place volunteers on organic farms and has been around for about 40 years now. Volunteers (often known as wwoofers) put in an average of 4-6 hours of farm work in exchange for a full day's worth of room and board. According to their website, "You may be asked to help with a variety of tasks like sowing seed, making compost, gardening, planting, cutting wood, weeding, harvesting, packing, milking, feeding, fencing, making mud-bricks, wine making, cheese making and bread making." It's an incredible way to see the world and work alongside locals in such a way that will cost you very little while you're doing it -- and you get to work with your hands. What's not to love? Most wwoofers stay an average of 1-2 weeks, although you work it out individually with your host and many people say as short as a few days or as a long as 6 months. While I've never done this personally, I have a number of friends who have, all with positive responses. Read more or sign up on their website.

Consider Teaching English Abroad - If you're ready for a more long-term adventure, there are so many organizations that facilitate this that it's hard to narrow down the list. Most programs don't require previous teaching experience, but of course require you to be in the country for at least a full school year. Good programs to check out include InterExchange, CIEE, Language Corps, or even something like a Fulbright Scholarship.

Road Trip Nation Travel Grants - Road Trip Nation offers two types of unique grants for people who wish to roadtrip across America, and a film crew tends to tag along. The Green RV Program places three people (either applying together or separately) in a structured summer roadtrip to interview a successful person about their journey to success. The Indie Program can be done any vehicle at other times throughout the year. The program tends to attract college age guys and post-grads, but are open to anyone of any age or level of education. 

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting - Don't discount yourself just because Pulitzer is in the title. The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting helps fund international trips generally between $2,000-$10,000 (but sometimes as much as $20,000) to report on issues of global importance. It's open to writers, photographers, journalists, videographers/filmmakers, and reporters. There's a hearty emphasis placed on multimedia reporting, so it might be worth talking to your artistic buddies and coming up with a group project.