If you're dealing with a particular large group of stones on a bigger waterfall, don't be afraid to mortar them together into place. Mortaring larger stones will help stabilize them and ensure that none of them will tip over should the landscape shift slightly. This also gives the waterfall a more natural look, shielding eyes from unsightly liner material. Foam sealant works best on cool and damp stone surfaces, so mist your stream and waterfall if necessary beforehand. Start spraying only a little at a time as you begin; the foam may expand more than you anticipate, and once it's applied, it's harder to remove en masse.  Although other foam sealants can be used in place of specially-made waterfall sealants, they do contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to fish. So if you're planning on introducing fish into your pond, be sure to use one that's specifically designed for use alongside fish. Give the foam at least 30 minutes, and up to an hour, to dry completely. If you're ready to, you can finish foaming and start your waterfall easily in the same day. Consider sprinkling neutral-colored gravel or sediment on top of the drying foam. This will disguise the black foam and cause it to blend into the surroundings more. When foaming, wear gloves and be sure to wear something that wouldn't mind throwing away. If you accidentally get foam onto a boulder, you can easily wait for it to dry and then scrape it off. If you decide to have Koi in your pond, this is a good time to install a bacteria tank to help keep the Koi alive.   When the water begins running clear, move the pump over to the start of the waterfall and turn off the water from the garden hose. Make the pump less conspicuous by covering it with gravel or burying it in foliage. Your waterfall should now begin flowing without the help of a garden hose. Check to make sure that the liner levels are all correct and that any splashing is contained by rocks. Add aquatic or semi-aquatic plants to any bogs in your stream, and consider stocking your pond with fish. If you'd like, add drama with submersible lighting or outdoor lighting.

Summary: Use mortar to stabilize any larger stones. Force smaller stones and gravel beneath all sides and spillways to keep water from seeping through. Foam in between any small cracks and crevasses using a specially-made dark foam sealant. Install a bacteria tank for any fish you may want to keep in your pond (optional). Layer gravel carefully across the bottom of any exposed surfaces of the liner. Turn on the garden hose and spray down the entire area of your stream until the water level in the bottom basin is full. Turn on the power for the pump and check that the water is flowing correctly. Check for incorrect water flow. Finish off by trimming away any excess liner.


Wash the glass with warm, soapy water, then rinse it off. Dry the glass with a towel. To help the paint stick better, it would be a good idea to wipe the glass down with rubbing alcohol too, although that is not absolutely necessary. Fill the bottle halfway with water, and the rest of the way with white vinegar. Close the bottle, then shake it to combine the solution. Choose a spray bottle that has a mist option; don't use a bottle that squirts water out like a water gun. Pour some of your paint onto a disposable tray or palette. Dip the brush into the paint, then tap it on a paper towel to get the excess off. Pounce or tap the brush against the glass to apply a patchy layer of paint. Hold the vase or jar from the inside so that you don't get your fingers dirty. Work quickly, as acrylic paint only takes a few minutes to dry. Hold the vase or jar from the inside, and spray it with your vinegar solution. Apply a light, even coating; you want the solution to bead on the glass without dripping. Don't wait for the paint to set up like you would with spray paint. The acrylic layer is thin, so it will dry fast. Take a paper towel and crumple it up into a ball. Pat the glass dry with the paper towel; do not rub the towel across the glass. The paper towel will remove some of the paint and leave behind a crinkled texture. Keep applying layers of paint, spraying it, and dabbing it until you get the coverage you want. With each layer, you'll notice the glass becoming more and more opaque. Allow each layer to dry first before doing the next one, however. Consider using gold paint for your second layer. This will help make it look more realistic and antique. Most acrylic craft paint will be dry to the touch within 15 to 20 minutes. If the paint still feels tacky, you might have gotten enamel or all-purpose craft paint. This means that the paint needs to cure for several days. Check the label on your bottle of paint for complete drying instructions.

Summary: Wash and dry a glass vase or jar. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of water and vinegar. Pat silver acrylic craft paint onto the glass with an old toothbrush. Spray the glass with your vinegar solution before the paint dries. Dab the solution off with a crumpled up paper towel. Repeat the painting, spraying, and dabbing process, if desired. Allow the paint to dry completely.


Add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of canola oil and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of toasted sesame oil to a wok or large skillet. Turn the burner to high, and heat the oils for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are hot and start to shimmer.  You can substitute vegetable or olive oil for the canola oil if you prefer. Toasted sesame oil has a very distinctive flavor so it’s hard to substitute for it. If you can’t find any, though, peanut oil is usually the best option. When the oils are hot, add 1 teaspoon (2 g) of crushed red pepper and 2 ½ tablespoons (8 g) of minced fresh ginger to the pan. Stir them with a wooden spoon, and allow them to cook for 15 seconds. If you’d like your slaw to be especially hot, you can increase the amount of crushed red pepper that you add. After you’ve cooked the crushed red pepper and fresh ginger briefly, add 1 diced red bell pepper to the pan and allow it to cook 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Next, pour 1 ½ tablespoons (22 ½ ml) of rice wine into the mixture, and stir fry it for another 30 seconds. You can substitute sake for the rice wine if you prefer. Once you’ve allowed the diced red pepper and rice wine to stir fry for a minute, add the stem pieces of the cabbage and 1 ½ cups (75 g) of grated carrots to the pan. Toss the ingredients lightly with the wooden spoon, and allow the mixture to cook for 1 minute. You can also mix in one 8-ounce (227 g) can of bamboo shoots that have been drained and thinly sliced if you like. After you’ve stir fried the stem sections of the cabbage and carrots briefly, add the leafy pieces of cabbage to the pan. Use the wooden spoon to toss the leafy sections into the mixture, and then pour the dressing mixture over the slaw. Stir the slaw well to coat it, and allow it to cook for another 30 seconds. When you’re finished stir frying the slaw, use the spoon to place it in a serving dish or bowl. You can serve it hot, room temperature, or cold. Refrigerate any leftover slaw. The hot and sour slaw is an ideal side for grilled meats, such as pork or chicken.
Summary: Heat the oils. Stir fry the crushed red pepper and ginger. Mix in the red pepper and rice wine. Add the cabbage stems and carrots. Toss in the leafy cabbage sections and dressing. Transfer the slaw to a dish and serve. Finished.