i like to pick a spot that has 2 trees joined together on a hill and go tree bowling, i get masses of wood trying to get combos :P

There's always a 'grind'

i don't recall a boring way, so i can't help ya there :P
I was happy enough with the way things were made and upgraded, thought having to use more bench attachments for making and upgrading items a clever implementation and adds more depth to the game than a simple one shoe fits all.

depending on when you finished will change the 'stuffs' you've seen