For the most part, what you describe is common. It isn't 'normal' per se but common. The floating (isn't really shrinking) is caused by the air in the fruit and can be reduced somewhat by using the hot pack method rather than raw pack and tighter packing. What I can't explain is the "turning yellow" part. But what isn't clear and could use a few more details is which of the 3 methods for canning halved tomatoes was used - canned in water, in juice or with no added liquid? Check out the link below and see which best describes your methods. Note they have different PC processing times. What was your source of instructions? Reason I ask is that long shot 'might' explain the color change. Citric acid, a little water and pressure canning shouldn't have changed their color - diluted it a bit is all. The rest - the slight tomato smell and the piece of floating pulp - were due to what is called siphoning and is usually caused by one of two things: adjusting the heat source too much during processing causing pressure fluctuations or not following the proper cool down-wait- vent-wait-lid off-wait etc. procedure. All that is explained in more detail in the How to use a pressure canner article at NCHFP too. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Canning Tomatoes

Yes, it was great to finally see the sun, at least some of the time this weekend. What's up with all those maple seedlings this year? I'm a newbie, and I don't remember those last year, at least in this year's quantity. I had a productive weekend, also. I transplanted pieces of hosta that were missed when I transplanted them last year. I've transplanted them every year, so I hope that this is their final location. I also went into the neighbor's woods and helped myself to some daffodils and transplanted them, along with pieces left over from two years ago when I transplanted all the daffodils from the back yard to the front. They pouted on me last year and didn't bloom, but this year they were beautiful! Too bad the deer at some of them before I could get a picture. I also transplanted a crocus that popped up under the spruce tree out back and put it in the front. I re-potted my asparagus fern and Wandering Jew, as well as my two geraniums which I overwinter. I started dumping some dirt on the recessed area in the front where the sewer line was dug up last year. I'll have to plant some grass there. I weedwacked most of the back yard, which of course got away from me again, and got too high to mow (I have a reel mower because there's no way to get a regular lawn mower from my shed to the front yard due to the change in elevation). I took my mother out to get annuals Saturday and planted mine yesterday. And, of course, I weeded. I started digging a hole for the hydrangea I bought, but I haven't decided where to plant the rose campion I bought.

I've read that the dry isn't as efficient as the liquid. Much harder to dissolve the flakes in the wash. I much prefer the liquid. I have friends that make the liquid in smaller amounts, using a kitty litter bucket, for storing purposes. This also works in septic tanks, and front end loaders. Because it doesn't make suds, it's completely safe for FL washers.

Actually, I think your tiles look great. And I am really particular about things. As said, it is just the grey with the blue, they are too close in colour so they seem as though they are supposed to match and do not. Just go to another paint colour. For example, greys and palest yellows with white trim look fantastic. This isn't a bathroom but look how great the colours are: http://yournestdesign.blogspot.ca/2010/08/exploring-color-aganthus-green-benjamin.html Lots of choices. I painted a room in Benjamin Moore Weston Flax (at 50% lighter) and it came out very well, like the palest shade of butter (like a palest butter with a cream undertone). or look at this: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/for-your-home/rooms-by-colour/warm-and-cozy-yellow-living-room or http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/for-your-home/rooms-by-colour/classic-yellow-living-room-with-a-twist Since it is a small room, I would suggest cutting the colour by 50% so that it would be really soft. ------------------- Or.... I had a bathroom with tiles in a design like yours and painted the walls in the palest pearl grey - almost an off white (be careful not to get a grey that turns blue or green). And they I added white accents (towels, mat) with some art with white and a bit of colour. When we sold the house the new owners really liked the room. Wait until you see it with another paint colour and your rich wood vanity. Your bathroom will be fine, I am sure. Post a photo and show us the success! Radley