I am so sorry to hear about your train wreck of a day yesterday!

I hope you go ahead and pour new boiling water over them tonight and don't give up until you hear from Linda Lou. And if it was me, you bet I'd be rinsing those bad boys first until the water ran clear ;-)

My BFG (Big Fat Guess) is she'll tell you to proceed. And if she's on vacation or something, you're only risking the syrup ingredients to find out if they're any good. The way these ladies and gents talk about how they chow on their L.L.S. Pickle Chunks throughout the "syrup days" I'm thinking you will know soon enough if they're any good - long before you've made the time investment of processing.

Deanna, I'm not Linda Lou, but I'd rinse those babies and just keep on going, I think. Not too much lost if they are bad.

Of course, if they are soft or smell bad, I'd stop, but otherwise, I'd just jump right on in, like always, with both feet (until I'm in over my head, LOL)

Annie

I am sorry you had such a rotten day.

I agree. I'd just go ahead and ignore the missing day. I don't think it's a problem; there might be a slight texture change (perhaps some shriveling when syrup is added or softness) but other than that I think you're good to go.

Carol

I am sorry, too, about your bad day ! Yes, just rinse and carry on as long as they are not slimy or soft....
A little scum on the water is OK, just rinse them off. Hope your problems are being taken care of at home.

I'm a little more uncertain than most, but I'd still be wondering if tonight should be the first syrup day or if the missed water day needs to be made up for.

It seems like it would a guess either way, but I'd still want to go with the more expert guess :-)

And Deanna, if finances permit, I hope this is an opportunity for some nice new shiny appliances!

Helen

Well, I rinsed as suggested. Poured boiling water over again last night.
I think I will go ahead with syrup tonight as it "would have been" the 5th day.

Things are looking up! Found a nice shiny "used" fridge like I wanted (bottom freezer). Price was half of a new one. And am pretty sure I've found someone to haul it for me. Ain't friends grand??!?!?

The old one is actually working now....out on the back porch....but it never shuts off, so it's not coming back inside! Last night we packed in stuff for dinner from the porch. I told DH and son we were having a "reverse picnic".

What else can ya do but keep your sense of humor and make the best of it! ~grin~
Does make me think how lucky we are to have modern conveniences...least I didn't have to go down to the creek to get the milk bucket!
Thanks for all the support.
Deanna

You were right not to skip steps, just carry on with the original schedule as if the missing day hadn't happened. You're just running one day longer.

As Linda Lou said, as long as the cukes look healthy and don't smell "off" you're good to continue.

Congratulations on finding that refrigerator. Sounds like a great buy!

Carol

Glad you are getting another fridge. I would think a freezer on the bottom would be nice. It would be easier to get things out of the fridge part.

Yes, go ahead and do the syrup. Just be sure to cut them up into chunks as they go in. My friend tried just putting the whole cukes in, and they all shrivelled and died !!! It was a mess. Then, she brings it all to my house, thinking I could work a miracle and fix them. WRONG. I love her, but she frustrates me with her cooking/canning mistakes. Always does something to them and then expects me to be able to fix it. I can't always fix it.

Well, anyway, I hope the pickles are fine. I think they should be. Let me know.

The only "tweaking" I'm doing (besides my mistake) is cutting into spears rather than chunks.
Chunks to me says cut the short way, spears the long way. I don't think the brine is going to be able to tell :+)

I want to roll them up with cream cheese and ham for appetizers!

Will let you know how they turn out. Hope there's some left for my recipe after all the posts about sneaking them out of the brine. I only made a half batch to see if we liked them........

Plenty of time to make more!!
Deanna

Oh when I grow up I want a freezer-on-the-bottom fridge! (I only just turned 40.) And if by then I am really wealthy, I want the french doors with Ice and Water on the top.

I love a great deal. Shiny used and half price. Can't beat that!

(Be sure the friend knows not to tip it.)

Deanna, glad all is AOK again for you! I can't keep my fingers out of the cukes in the syrup! I might not have enough to can......WAAAH! BTW, you will love the freezer on the bottom of your fridge. :)

I had the freezer on the bottom before.........that's why I was determined to find another one.
New they are $700! Just couldn't do that right now.
Used...$350, but lucky to find one............went to 9 different places looking at new and used.
Whew, found what I wanted at a price I could afford.....Meant to be I guess!
I am only 3 years older than you Helen...you can do it!!
This is my second used one. First one was $100 about 3 years ago...from a friend whose mom died. He needed to get rid of it, I wanted one. Deal of the day!

Anyway..................it's syrup night on the cukes after my dentist appt. Ugh. Just cleaning, so not bad, but still....

Deanna