Not sure what ratio of ascorbic and citric acids to use. I think more citric acid than ascorbic, but I'm guessing. I think citric acid is a smaller molecule which tastes more acid in solution than vitamin C, measure for measure. Taste your vitamin C solution to make sure it doesn't have an objectionable bitter quality at the concentration you are thinking about using. I'll start with the measurements for Fruit Fresh solution, then estimate smaller amounts of the pure acids to compensate for the sugars in fruit Fresh. Tasting is another way to estimate how much I'll need. I'll compare the sourness of my solution to lemon juice. Concerning Fruitnut's question on drying fruit with the skin on, I believe that some fruits can be blanched or steam-treated to disrupt the skin to make drying more effective. A dilute lye solution might also work. Think I've read something about this with regard to prunes. I think some varieties of prunes require some sort of treatment to disrupt the integrity of the skin in order to dry successfully. Here in California, Thompson Seedless grapes are dried in the sun without any treatment to make raisins. I've helped cut grapes, laid them out on paper and helped roll them after drying so they can be picked up for processing. A hot and sticky-dirty job. Larger grapes might benefit from some sort of treatment to disrupt the skin.

Linda, I think what Esther is trying to tell you is that you are worrying too much. Hostas are tough, dependable plants. Its only when you get so obsessed to the degree many of us are that you notice many problems. Yes, there are some hostas that are more problematic than most and we have noted them here on the forum (such as Frances W - I loved that hosta the first 3 years I had it but had wondered what was wrong with it til I discovered this forum this year). But in general, as a genus, Hostas are WONDERFUL, DEPENDABLE plants who only want to be watered ... watered ALOT! Before that, I blindly grew hosta for YEARS, never applying slug bait, not knowing I shouldn't plant them under a maple, not paying attention or even noticing slug holes...just watching them grow and look beautiful year after year. Here's a photo of them during my ignorant, blissful years (at my old house)..and ...under the dreaded MAPLE! Don't they look unhappy!!?? Char

My DH and I loved the movie. I was so pleasantly surprised at how funny Brad Pitt can be. Part of the fun in seeing this movie was that part of it was filmed in the town next to ours. After the movie, we drove by the house and saw everything they showed in the movie (It was the house that George Clooney lived in with his wife in the movie) I also love Frances McDormand. Definitely an entertaining movie.

Coffee grounds are one of my best food supplies. If your beds are not too wet, there will always be mold that does not give off a strong odor. If they are too wet, the mold will give off a musty odor. I use a lot of fruit peelings, potato skins and coffee grounds.