Clovis

You might be a survivalist if you rationalize never washing your vehicle because you don't want to waste the well water at home, the $5-6 it would take to go to the car wash could be used for canned goods, beans (prep of choice) or you figure if you're truck looks old and dirty people won't think you have anything worth taking. You might be on your way if you can't go past an auto parts store without thinking, hmmm...what else might I need to have on hand besides all the hoses, belts, fluids, brakes,spark plugs and electronic parts for this thing. I'm worse about this than DH is. All I've ever had is older vehicles and don't like braking down without the parts (and tools) handy.

I get great pleasure on cold winter days at looking at my shelves full of our home canned goodies. Not to mention there's nothing better than putting a big bunch of bacon, onions and green beans on the wood stove and enjoying what you've accomplished.

Darlene, the picture you posted of the canner and the accessories looks exactly like the set up I've got except for the wrench. DH and I both love to can and try to do as much as possible every year. We mostly do green beans and tomatoes in every form imaginable. Adam, I would look at garage sales and flea markets etc. for jars, etc. The only thing to be careful of when doing so is that the jars are in good condition and not chipped around the rim or cracked. I got 7 dozen jars for $7 last spring from an elderly lady who no longer canned. Only about 50 were truly canning jars in usable shape. The rest were either mayo jars, etc. or just not safe. But I still got over 4 doz. for the price of less than one usually costs new.