I like this recipe, not only because the pickles are delicious, because the ingredient amounts are accurate and you don't end up with a lot of leftover cucumbers or brine. Also, I always found it difficult to buy 2 quarts of cucumbers. They're sold by the pound--you get the picture. Don't overpack the cumcumbers in the jars. You want to leave room for the brine to circulate. I put the red peppers on the outside so that you can see them. Very festive. They're a little "piquant" but what is life for anyway.