Melissa, I do watch my hummers mostly from inside, at the kitchen window while I'm cooking or cleaning up.I have two feeders that I can see from there. I have one window feeder and one on a large shepherds hook that has a hummer on it (what else??) We have had more hot humid weather than usual this summer, but I've been trying to sit on the patio a bit more so I can watch the hummers better! I am noticing they are using some of the flowers, and boy are they fast at that! They are actually using flowers that are not ones I've heard attract them. My husband made me a very large hummer garden this year...it is about 5 feet wide and runs almost the length of our "typical" ranch house. I really couldn't even afford to fill it and I didn't know what to try. I have a bit of everything and we don't even know where some of the flowers came from! We have two (taller than my 6'4" husband) sunflower plants that we did not plant...and I saw them use them this morning! I also have some regular salvia (can't even find any Black and Blue) that is a medium blue but the flowers are tiny, and also my red geraniums. THey seem to like both of those. I bought about 4 plants that were flowering at the time (and spent too much for them)and the hummers never even looked at them...now the flowers are gone and the plants not doing well. I'm definitely not a great gardener =( My red morning glory plant (I got the seeds from Helena on the forum) has tons of leaves and vines but no flowers. My husband even cut it back as it was so huge, and the Japenese beetles were eating the heck out of it. I hope my garden will be better next year, and I maybe will order some plants from somewhere...I really want a Black and Blue. Now that I've rambled on and on where did you get the cute little hummer by your name in your posts?? Hope your cyprus vine blooms soon. Verna

I agree with Ken that siphoning is almost always a result of either very inconsistent heat levels during the cycle or an improper cool down. It isn't related to the start-up cycle. Venting during the start-up for 10 mins - begin timing the 10 mins as soon as you have a steady, uninterrupted flow of steam. If air remains in the canner you will see spurts of steam kind of like smoke signals. ;) I disagree with the instructions to reduce heat BEFORE placing on the weights. First because it isn't what is recommended (see NCHFP instructions linked below) and second, heat reduction should only be done once the canner is brought up to pressure and then done VERY gradually in VERY small increments. Rapid heat reduction will almost always cause siphoning. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: NCHFP - How to Use a Pressure Canner

Rita, Actually I ran out of tomatoes but the local farmstand had them for $1/lb. so I bought 20 lbs . yesterday so I could make more juice! I was wondering if I might have a deficiency that is making me crave the juice. Lars, I LOVE the Bloody Mary juice with citron vodka! I reduced the temptation by not keeping any citron vodka on hand. I can't even fathom that I chose juice over vodka! LOL

Linelle - yes, I would suggest 23andme. Ancestry.com gives you: * ethnicity estimate (percentages) * DNA family matches (it will show their nickname, an estimated range you may be related, their family tree if uploaded, their general ethnic background and if you select a match, you can then see which people match both of you) * DNA circles (this matches a group of related people to a common ancestor using your inputted family trees) They are slowing improving functionality and adding features. 23andme.com gives you: * ethnicity estimate (percentages -- you can also view where and on what chromosomes the ethnic background comes from -- for exmaple, one could see that Chromosome 4 is half chinese, half japanese --- finally, if you have a parent test, you can view which percentages you got from that parent and then which from the other parent) * DNA family matches (it will show their nickname, an estimated range you may be related,....there is the ability to electively share genomes to see where you match exactly on the chromosomes.... , you can view a family tree if uploaded and/or view surnames and places family lived, if uploaded.... The matches also tell you the specific amount of segments you match on and the overall percentage of your DNA that matches.) * Haplogroup information -- essentially the origins of your maternal line, if you're female, or maternal and paternal, if male * Neandethal percentage * Countries of ancestry .. as reported by your DNA matches * tools to compare data between or among genomes you have shared with you..... * access to your raw DNA file to possibly use on other sites (ancestry might give you this but I haven't noticed.) If you don't want to play around with the info much and strictly want percentages of DNA composition, I would still choose 23andme as the presentation is nicer. :)