I love it when things are this easy. 5 cups of vinegar, one cup of water, a half-cup of sugar, a variety of spices and a pile of lovely-looking vegetables.  I have carrots, jalapenos, garlic, onion, radishes, chives, bell pepper and lemon.

Slice them and arrange them as artistically as possible in a variety of jars (I used a variety of sizes also).

Sprinkle kosher salt over the vegetables. I added whole black peppercorns, dried red pepper, whole coriander, and a bay leaf (the larger jars got 2 leaves).

Then I filled the jars with the brine and sealed the jars. Eventually the radishes make the whole mixture turn a reddish tint, but they make decorative and delicious gifts.

I gave them to the guests at my 4th of July party and brought a large jar to a housewarming.