Homemade Pickling Spice and Miz Helen's Pickle Pot

Hey everyone! I've been dying to try Miz Helen's Pickle Pot since the minute I saw it! My garden cukes aren't ready yet so I picked up some local ones from the store. I combined a few recipes from the net and my Ball Blue Book to make a pickling mix. Making your own mix is great because you can add what you want to and 1.5oz of Pickling Spice was $5.39 today at the store! It also helps use up the spices you have,

newer spices=tastier spices.

Pickling Spice

2 Tblsp mustard seed
1 1/2 Tblsp whole allspice (you can use 1-2 Tblsp)
2 tsp coriander (add it if you'd like, it's in most mixes)
1/2 tsp whole cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp dried red pepper flakes (up to 1 tsp)
4 bay leaves, crumbled (I don't think you can add too many of these, add more if you'd like)
1 cinnamon stick, 2-2 1/2", crushed
1/2 tsp celery seed-optional
1 tsp black peppercorns
Break up cinnamon, tear bay leaves into bits, mix all, store in an airtight container.
This makes approx 4 Tblsp, enough for 2 quart jars of pickles. If there's a little mix left over, just add it to your pickle jar and use it up.

Pickle Pot

Sterilize a quart jar.

Add 3 cloves of garlic (Oops, I see Miz Helen makes three layers, 
adding one clove of garlic to each).

Slice up an onion that's about the size of a peach. Add half to jar, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt.

Fill jar to half way with sliced cucumbers, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt.

Add 1 tablespoon pickling spices, homemade or store bought.

Repeat the above to fill jar.

Fill jar 3/4 with white vinegar, gently shake jar to disperse air bubbles, make sure you fill it 3/4.

Top jar off with water.

Add lid and shake to mix well.

Place in fridge and wait two weeks to eat... right:@)

You can see Miz Helen's post HERE.

I'll add my comments to this every couple days so you know how things are coming along.

Note: This can be made in any clean glass jar (I happen to be using a canning jar) 

and it is a marinated pickle, it must be kept in the fridge.
Have a happy day!

Follow-Up: 

Day 1.5 - Important, don't use a metal canning lid for this, it will get rusty. I've just put plastic wrap over the jar until I find another one to use (or pick up plastic lids). I grew up eating fresh pickles, I don't see how these will make it to 2 weeks! I'm enjoying them already.
Day 5 - Crunchy and a bit sour, very flavorful with the spices and just a touch of heat... nom, nom, nom...
Day 15 - Very good! Kind of sour, kind of fruity, kind of hot. Love the onions too.

Joining:
Full Plate Thursday
Thrifty Things Friday-affordable spice mix, pickles from the garden
Foodie Friday
Farmgirl Friday
Friday Food