When I was twelve years old, I learned Ode to Autumn by heart. Isn't 'by heart' a lovely way to explain memorizing? This poem, written almost 200 years ago by John Keats is still one of my favourites. Today is Keats's birthday.

No mist in our village yet but plenty of mellow fruitfulness. A neighbour gave me these quinces and I made some jelly with them.

The fruit was cooked and strained through muslin. Next day after brisk boiling with sugar, the jelly set. I used my beautiful little ceramic jam funnel to fill some small jars I'd been saving.

I made eight little jars of bright clear jelly for eating with cold meat or spreading on warm scones. Next: some pâtes de fruit made with the second basket of quinces.

Click on the pics!