I've got to say this has been one of the most enjoyable things I have made in a long time. Everything I have done to it came to me sooo easily. Almost scarily so for me. At times I spend a great amount of time trying to figure what I am going to do with something but ideas for this were coming right and left.
I decided I wanted it to be a bit darker which is strange for me as I like all things natural. So I figured there must be a reason and stained it red oak and sanded and stained and sanded and again stained and sanded.
That's cool.
And staining being OK is great, I'll definitely do that.