The setup is pretty cool. The lumber that I cut at home is airdried, but the lumber we mill back in NJ is kiln dried. The kiln can handle 4000 board feet at a time. It's a Nyle Kiln system. Drying wood in the kiln is very much like a science project. Different woods dry at different rates and temperatures. To kiln dry a load of oak takes about 35 days while a batch of pine only takes 21 days. Dry the wood to fast and the wood tends to bow and twist.

I do remember those slabs that you purchased, they should be fun to work with. When it comes to constructing something from wood, being creative when designing something can produce a one of a kind piece.

Purchasing a house in the near future, congratulations, that's a big deal.
Having an area that is dedicated to wood working, [wood shop] makes it possible to just drop the tool belt and clean up the mess whenever you want. 😁

That slab of Black Walnut is beautiful and I'm sure that you will fashion a spectacular piece from it.

Good luck with your closing.