We followed this guide https://www.handymanwire.com/articles/gardenbenchplans.html. This is my first real project since moving out on my own, and my first time ever doing a (carpentry) joint. I’m overjoyed with the results!
I’m very ignorant with regards to lacquer, varnish, stain, sealant etc., any guidance in that area would be very helpful.
Let’s get the official moderator business out of the way first: Pictures of cats enjoying woodworking projects are welcome and encouraged in this community.
As for finishing recommendations, looks like yellow pine, maybe fir? For an outdoor project, the most protection you can give it is three coats of exterior latex house paint. If you want the wood grain to show, go with Thompson’s Waterseal or similar. No outdoor wooden furniture is eternal but with those coatings your enjoyment of your bench will be measured in decades.