I heard the "ping" and you're right, they're awesome!! That was fun ... stressful but fun. And I think I'll be much more relaxed next time when I know what I'm doing much better. Thanks so much for all the help and advice. I was worried about this but it all seemed to go pretty well. I might even take some pictures tomorrow of my efforts, once the jars have cooled for their 12-24 hours. 1 more question. If you're making a recipe, like Annie's Salsa or a cooked one like that and you add too much of something that is important to the pH, like an extra tomato, or too much of a fresh herb because you read the directions wrong, by mistake ... can you just add a little extra acid (vinegar) to the mix and let it go, or is it a major problem and you have to toss the batch and start again? Can adding a little extra acid compensate for small measuring mistakes? I do want to find a rack, the towels worked but were cumbersome and difficult to work with. I thought maybe next time I could use one of those racks that you put pies on to cool after cooking ... I have one that fits perfectly in the canner and it seems to be able to handle the heat. Perhaps that would be better. I also used towels between the jars so they didn't bang into each other. I did use the grape leaves, I didn't see your post in time. I guess if they taste bitter or odd, we'll know why and I won't use it again next time. Everyone seems to be a fan of pickle crisp, I'd never seen or heard of it but clearly I'll have to look and see if our grocery store carries it for next time! Again, thank you all so much for your help. I'm so glad I canned my first vegetables from the garden and I'm also glad I'm done for the night, lol. My feet hurt from standing so long! Thank you!!

I hate to tell you this, but washing is no guarantee that fabrics won't bleed later. I have no idea why, but even fabric from the same bolt might act differently. Just yesterday, I had a small scrap of RJR panel print to make a label for a quilt. Spritzed it a bit first with cold water to press first, and very soon, the reds ran. All the fabrics were rinsed in cold water before I used them, and nothing ran. So, I got another idential scrap, and rinsed it in cold water first, to check. No running. Huh? So I got another and spritzed it. No running. It was all from the same bolt. Hmmmm. I guess I will just use one that didn't run. Go figure. I'm left to wonder what will happen if the quilt itself ever gets washed. It would not be the first time I've had this happen. BlueBars

Ole Joyful - THANK YOU!!! To everyone else too. The encouragement is very much needed. I think I'm so far ahead of the game right now because of the surgery. As I mentioned, I'm having so much trouble breathing that I'm thinking about getting a temp handicapped sticker. My Dr. agreed. So, as much trouble as it has been, it is good that I can't smoke - I can't even inhale enough to enjoy it. Another thing that is helping - I had an abnormal chest xray but don't know why yet. It was done in the hospital but the Dr. there never told me about the results. The discharge papers said that I needed to check with my PC to follow up on the abnormal CXR. I signed to have them fax the results to my PC. But she was on VAC, and apparently the results were never sent to her. She called to get the results but was out of the office when they came in. Her nurse told me that she had seen the results but hadn't done anything with it. I learned Friday that I have to have a repeat test this week, but the first one didn't show much of anything. My PC thinks that what they saw was a result of surgery. Plus it's bilateral. Usually for CA, it's one side; not both. So, that's another reason for me to stop NOW. Also my neighbor just lost her Mom and Dad (same month) Mom, because of smoking, and when Mom passed, found out another relative may have it too. Soooooo, everyone, please stop smoking. I lot my best friend and love of my life because of it. My Dad smoked since 8yrs old and is now 85. No CA, but COPD. His Dad smoked cigars but no CA. So yes, you can smoke and not get CA. BUT, I'm on a soapbox while I have the nerves of steel to conquer it. So smokers, please stop. It is pretty scary to have someone tell you that you are going to die in 3 mos, and mean it. That said, all smoker's rally, rally, rally - take my hand. We'll all hold hands until the urge is gone. I promise, I'll never let go. For all the kids - teens and 20s, put out those butts, please. It takes sometime 30 -40 years to feel the affects of smoking. You may not get CA but smoking does diminish lung capacity and a whole lot of stuff you don't feel until you are in your 50s and 60s. OK - nuf said. I'll sit down for now. But seriously folks, if you can, please try to stop. If you see young folks smoking - especially the teens, please discourage them. I too wish I had never started smoking. They will too when they get to be my age.

I like and have Miele Ultra White ( Thank You Larsi xox)..but as much as I love it...Tide with Bleach powder and Persil Pearls are better at whitening IMO..at least that's been my results. Dosu..it will take more than one treatment to get the grey out. As far as the hot water goes..if its white cottons higher temps are fine but any elastic could suffer lol. So you do need to use caution what you wash above around 140F..even that can be to hot for elastic. I love my hot water which we all know haha...but even I won't wash fitted sheets above 140F. I really only have a few fitted as I prefer using a flat for a bottom sheet because of restrictive water temps.