Magda, I use an actual canning pot, which is really helpful because it has a rack that the jars fit into and it is a bit taller and wider than many stock pots. You can often find them used, at thrift stores, garage sales and on craigslist. Well worth it! I haven't written any sort of primer on canning as of yet, though I have another post coming on canning tomatoes. If you're interested in a book, though, I would highly recommend "Putting Food By". It is an old classic that has been updated and revised, and it tells you how to do absolutely everything! As for buying 25 lbs of something, try a produce market. My local produce market sells everything in bins, just like a regular grocery store, but if you go in the back and talk to a staff member, you can buy things by the box as well. Most places will let you do this. I would even ask the produce manager at your grocery store if you don't have a market nearby, as they will sometimes accommodate this as well, and possibly even give you a better deal.

Love you blog!