Floating is usually not a safety issue. It simply means that air was still trapped in the vegetable pieces. Over time, assuming it was processed correctly, they will sink. But slimy can be a serious problem as it is often indicative of too low acid brine (too little vinegar) and the food should not be consumed. The problem okra is often slimy naturally, especially if overly mature when harvested. So there is no way to know if the slimy results was from the okra or the too-low-acidity. To be safe I would recommend tossing them. " Are these ingredients good enough to can 1 quart of okra I'm using canning salt, garlic, ( ball) kosher dill pickle mix , and some (ball) mixed pickling spice, and the okra. These are the ingredients I have as of now. I know nothing at all." There are many tested and approved recipes for making pickled okra and when one is new to canning only those tested and approved recipes should be used. In all cases the amounts that can be added are limited to the specific amounts in the recipe - no additions. In other words the Ball Kosher Dill Pickle Mix is safe to use IF you follow the instructions on the label. I don't have a packet of it to check butyou would use only the packet mix, and the vinegar and water it calls for and the okra. No additional pickling spices or salt can be added unless the instructions call for them. I doubt they do as the salt and all the spices should already be in the mix in the packet. As for quarts - only if the instructions call for quarts. Normally such instructions are for pints only and you can never go to a larger jar than what is in the instructions as it creates safety issues in the pH and the processing time required. If you want to use an approved recipe for Pickled Okra instead use this one. http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/pickled_dill_okra.html Dave

I haven't sprayed FandB. But, I did add water to fpe paint to spray. I called and they told me that I should add it to their paint. I didn't get any bubbles in my paint at all. They suggest it for spraying, but not for hand painting. The higher levels of paint are a different animal than mass brands. They paint differently and act differently than normal paint. I might be wrong. But, that is how I felt when I started using the expensive good stuff. I am sure that you can add water to the paint. But, I don't think that there would be any need. I didn't get any bubbles in my paint that I hand painted in FandB. I wonder if he added too much water. My next question is he using a brush? Not one of those hot dog roller things? When I hand painted our boxes in the FPE. I noticed that I got bubbles/stipple marks in the paint that I hot dogged. I quickly hot dogged it to get the paint on and then went over in a paint brush afterwards. That seemed to work good. I ended up switching over to all hand brushing. Another thing is that some painters are so into their paint that they don't give anything else a chance. They know the ins and outs of their particular brand and somehow can't figure out how to use anything different. I'm not saying that your painter is doing that. But, if you had to really convince him to use this paint, it might be something to think about. I don't know. I can't imagine having to add water to hand paint to FandB. You might get a hold of a sample pot or one of the gallons you handed over to see how it reacts to a paint brush. Maybe it's some sort of quality control problem. Ask him to try another gallon of it. Maybe it was just that particular can. Their QC is super rigid. so, I'd be surprised. But, you never know. Good luck!

I have not heard of the homemade wool ones. I've seen the plastic balls with the rubber nibs at the dollar store. I remember when they were originally selling for $14. Now they are $1. Tennis balls definitely work, but they are noisy, as are the plastic balls. I too use homemade laundry soap....both liquid and dry powder for my whites. My whites are really white, and they are always soft. I too line-dry. Haven't used the dryer in years.

I am excited to use the color- although it is a bit of a "daring" choice for me. I may cut down the color blocking effect by doing the back of the hutch just as the wall (F&B Clunch). We are still debating about the hutch part anyway- might do a chalkboard above instead. That will probably be one of the last things I do. Gotta paint that board ceiling yet! I am working on the dining room crown today, and the casing on the last window. I am hoping the Down Pipe arrives before the weekend so I can get that done. I am very anxious to see it on the cabs.