This is so weird now it is out of control. I put 2-3 tiny water lettuce from the main pond (with fish) to the little pond that I completely drained and scrubbed out this spring. There are no rocks or any places to hide, it's small, and I got everything out of it before I filled it. So last night I'm out with my flashlight to check the tadpole I put in there (who is fine BTW thanks, sprouting little legs too) and as I see the tadpole swim under some water lettuce for cover out swims another fish! He looks like the poor little fellow I found that morning, just maybe a little smaller. A bird may cough up one dead fish but not two and not still alive! I'm wondering what killed the other guy I saw. I don't tend that pond much beyond topping off the water (with treated water) and pumping air into it, the filter & pump never really filtered out anything just kept some water flowing down the rock cascade. I did treat the water with PraziPro (as I'm treating my pond and indoor tank too) on Saturday but that is supposed to be very safe stuff. Huh! jalal: Thanks for the compliment! I'll see if I can find out a name for the grass. We got it from a friend who was chopping huge pieces out of his garden. It will grow without bounds over the years. Very hardy and comes back like clockwork every spring. I even have one clump 2 years now growing only so-so but it isn't planted! The root ball is just sitting on the ground. sleeplessinftwayne: That's a funny story. I'd love to see the fish jump from pond to pond or tank to tank. I wonder how they know which way to jump?

Thanks all! I let little man read all your comments this morning. He was blushing and saying to himself, "I didn't cook this all by myself and I am not that good looking..." but I saw the sparks in his eyes and knew he secretly enjoyed the nice compliments. LOL I want to take advantage of his new found interest and run with it. We have decided that he would continue to make breakfast for his dad when he feels like it then dinner once a week, mostly Sunday. If he's up to it, maybe one easy dessert during the week. I got hubby hooked on bread making and now little man cooking, think I am ready to retire! LOL Pat, I guess the Xpress is sort of like a grill with much less capacity. We like it because it's small and very portable, just about the right size for a 7-year-old to handle. Karen, thanks for the link again. We have it bookmarked and have been checking it from time to time. We haven't tried out any of their recipes yet but I am sure we soon will. Rusty, I believe you're right about soda crackers = saltine crackers. Here in Canada (at least the part where we live) soda cracker is an ethnic food that has a different look and taste. They are bigger, fluffier and have no salt on the surface. The recipe definitely calls for saltine crackers because when little man finished crushing the crumbs, it turned out just the right amount. If we had used the "soda crackers" found in the Asian store, we would end up having way too much crumbs. Chase, I noticed the difference too! LOL Thanks again everyone. Your comments definitely reassure his positive experience at first attempt. I greatly appreciate it.

I do not have time to read all of this, but want to encourage you to peruse and search this site for lawsuit, shoddy cabinets, etc. There are quite a few of us that ended up in court because we hired the wrong person. Knowing all that I know now, and knowing how the courts operate, I would never give my good CASH money to any small business again. NEVER. Now, IF you use a credit card and have a GOOF-PROOF, most excellent contract with every dot and tittle expressed, numbered, named, excellent drawings and inspiration photos all signed by you AND the cabinet maker so there is no mistaking exactly what you want or expect at the end of the contract, and have a finished sample door style and color (usually half goes to you, half goes to the cabinet maker), THEN and only then would I consider doing business. The credit card company will do and CAN do what no court will ever do without it costing you big dollars, the CC Company can credit you back for bad cabinets or not being satisfied. You see, the small guy has a contract with the CC co. and he is not guaranteed money "no matter what" he does. My case in point is just as suggested you do above, however, I paid CASH. I won in court, but CabFiascoGuy (as I call him here on GW) was incorporated and changed his business name. I would have had to hire another company to chase down his assets. The judge just said to call it even and we both go our own way. I got shoddy cabinets with a hideous finish, not as I ordered, crappy paint job, appliances did not fit, etc. (research my name). I am almost THREE YEARS OUT and am just now finishing my kitchen. I have hired five people to help do different aspects. Repainted four times (another story, but I ended up finishing them myself). Had to have all cabinets taken down, modified, reinstalled. 34 or so new doors ordered (all with a profile I HATE and did not choose.) . So, knowing how crappy it is to get involved with a company with not much to lose except a business name...is not anything I will EVER do again. I will MAKE myself be happy with something from a big box store. An extra month to wait for cabinets should something have to be reordered??? PUH=LEEZE!!! I have the patience of a saint now. I'm so patient now, I haven't bought a new car in almost 7 years because I'm willing to wait until the new models come out...then for a spring sale...then year end...and so on. I was NEVER like this before this cabinet fiasco. Thanks for listening. Be cautious. Even "nice people" can end up in court. Desperate people can do despearate things. Promise you the moon for the right price and persuade you to do business. I cannot afford to ever make the same mistake twice. PS. If a local guy will do business with about 25% down (using cc still), then I would be willing to pay cash once the cabinets were installed and I was smiling. This is about the only scenario I could agree with using a small cabinet maker.

It sure looks healthy to me, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. I live in a state where Abies balsamea are as common as grass, but the cultivars I've chosen have done poorly. Granted, I'm outside their wheelhouse, which is the northern third of the state. Still, the grafts I've tried seem like weak plants that can't handle any winter sun. Or wind. Or people looking at them wrong. This species is a bit mysterious, and I wish I could offer some helpful advise. I do hope yours stays strong. It would be interesting to hear from others how their A. b. are doing.