Roughing out the size with some 2x4's

Finally settled on this location/angle

Figuring out placement of pier blocks 

And the digging begins

4 corners! Had to create a "tenon" if you really wanna call it that, on the posts to make them fit in the brackets on the pier blocks 

Using 2x4's to keep things square

Placing pier blocks for the entryway 

Entry way and lower beams in place

Cross-bracing with angled half lap joints.  After this point the whole thing became solid as a rock

Mocking up the roof structure 

Skip ahead a few steps and the roof cladding is on

Finally got around to finishing the roof. First layer of felt to go under the Cedar shakes 

First row of shakes plus felt interlay 

Doubling up the first row

Solid progress on the back side. I went with a 7' exposure to save some time and money. Technically should've been more like 5" but it's not like it's the roof of my house 

All done! At some point I'll probably put a ridge cap on

Threw in a paper lantern to fit the aesthetic 

Final product 

Not as good of a view, but you can actually see the lantern