The anti-canner has mended her ways!

Years ago I would have laughed in your face if you told me I would one day start canning. I have always been resistant to the idea after seeing my mother slave away for days in the hot kitchen canning. However, the lure of paying only $15 for a 25lb. box of fresh peaches was too strong to withstand. I got 11 quarts of peaches from one box, which is substantially cheaper than buying peaches from the store-especially if you want the ones not packed in high fructose corn syrup!
The process over all was not too bad. I did it at night with a friend, after the kids were in bed. It was quite fun and goes much faster with two people!
I'm not saying I'm going to can everything from now on, but I have to admit a great sense of accomplishment when I look at my beautiful rows of canned peaches! Besides, it is always nice to learn a new skill and know that even if I choose not to can, at least I am capable of doing it! That feels good.

Laundry Update & further tips

So, I've been using the homemade laundry detergent for a month now and am happy with the results. It seems to clean just as well as the store bought detergent I was using. I have been mixing it up in 1/2 batches and putting it in old milk jugs. That way it is easy to pour.
Also, in that time I have run out of liquid fabric softener, but I read you can use a half cup of vinegar in your fabric softener ball instead. It sounds like everything would come out smelling like vinegar, but it doesn't. Neither does it smell perfumed though, just clean.
Another tip I found is to throw a safety pin into the dryer with your clothes, which reduces static. Crazy, but it worked!!