Different varieties of mint in my garden are blooming and beginning to harden off for the coming fall and winter.

I was distracted by a humming bird that circled me twice and flew away. He was successful at getting my attention!

A memory from childhood returned in an instant as I recalled the mint jelly my family would make this time of year to use or give as holiday gifts.

I can fondly recall cutting back the overgrown hardening stems and removing the beautiful and fragrant mint leaves from the ends. The incredible aroma on a still hot late summer day was wonderful.

We would gather the leaves in an old metal colander , take them inside and wash them several times before using.

WE DID NOT use recipes but I know 2 or 3 cups of mint leaves were required to get a great mint flavor in the end.

It is simple to get a box of Sure-Gel, follow the directions and you will have successful outcome. The directions are basically the same as what we used to do.

Your kitchen will smell incredible.

You can vary the taste of what you make easily. We had a large stand of pineapple mint and another of spearmint. You are sure to have other varieties in your garden.

If using pineapple mint, add a few drops of orange flavoring as your mixture cooks.

If using spearmint, your jelly will be brighter tasting than other varieties.

In adding food coloring, add a drop of yellow to the green as it will blend and make a more pleasing color.

If making red, also use a single drop of yellow. The color will become more vivid.

I ended up with 11 jars of green mint jelly from what I brought in from the garden.

I will gather more to make red.

OUR NEPHEW, Joseph Leonard, loved mint jelly and cream cheese with crackers.

I remember doing the same when I was his age. I loved the taste and bright color.

This jelly would be given to all of our neighbors and friends with a block of cream cheese and a loaf of freshly baked French bread from a bakery on upper King Street.

I made deliveries. My red wagon would rattle up and down the uneven bricks and stones that made up our walkways.

The jingling of the jars and the rustle of the paper around the bread signaled that the holidays were coming- at least for us.

I learned a lot from my grandmother and great aunt. They made sure I knew that the best things were found in the garden and a great joy in life was giving them away.

Try this. You will love the end result as will your family and friends.