Good idea on the journal keeping; will add that to my agenda. One of the most important things I've learned about seeds, is to use ORGANIC, NON-HYBRID seeds. I used to think the word "organic" was just a fancy way some people ate (like drinking Perrier water). Besides learning what it meant regarding foods, I learned, most importantly, that HYBRID (or ANY seeds that DO NOT SAY "Organic") produce seeds that will either produce smaller and less desirable produce the second year, or be sterile and produce NOTHING at all. I did see in WalMart's inside "seasonal area", some Organic seeds by Ferry Morris. The prices were good, just hope the plants will be. Ferry Morris is pretty reliable though. Worth a try on a smaller basis.
organic is the way the plant is grown that they harvest the seeds from. It does not mean they will have larger, better produce.
As long as it is an open pollinated variety, the seeds should produce true to the parent plant.