Christmas Pickles

SOAKING SOLUTION

 * 9 	Large cucumbers, (8 to 10)
 * 2 	cup	Pickling lime
 * 2 	gal	water

BOILING SOLUTION

 * 1 	cup	vinegar
 * 1 	Bottle Red food coloring (Shilling's is prettiest)
 * 1 	tbsp	alum

SYRUP

 * 2 	cup	vinegar
 * 10 	cup	Sugar, (5 pounds)
 * 2 	cup	water
 * 14 	oz	red hots, (12-14 oz.)
 * 8 	cinnamon sticks, l per jar
 * 2 	tsp	salt
 * 8 	pint	Canning jars

Directions

 * 1) Peel and remove seeds from 8 to 10 large cucumbers.
 * 2) Seeds can be removed with an Apple corer.
 * 3) Slice into 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch wide rings.
 * 4) Soak overnight in lime and water in a porcelain container (use non-aluminum).
 * 5) Wash, drain; soak in clear water and covered with ice cubes for 3 hours.
 * 6) Drain. Put in large pot.
 * 7) Cover with water and other ingredients for the boiling solution.
 * 8) Boil for 1 hour; then drain.
 * 9) Make syrup and bring to boil to dissolve Sugar.
 * 10) Use one cinnamon stick for each jar you think you will have.
 * 11) Pour syrup over cucumbers and let stand overnight.
 * 12) Drain syrup from cucumbers into separate pan and bring to a boil.
 * 13) Pour back over cucumbers.
 * 14) After cool, cover with saran wrap. Repeat step 5 for 3 days.
 * 15) On the fourth morning, heat syrup again.
 * 16) While heating, pack cucumbers in sterilized pint jars (larger jars can be used) with cinnamon stick.
 * 17) Pour heated juice into jars to fill up almost to top.
 * 18) If you don"t have enough, make more juice of water and red food coloring.
 * 19) Seal jars. Putting in water bath is optional.