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It's National Honey Month and did you know there are more than 300 varieties of honey? Of course they are not "harvested" in one area. The flavor of each variety depends on where the bees "buzz" -- that is, what type of blossoms they visit.

Honeybees must tap 2 million flowers, flying over 55,000 miles to make just one pound of honey, according to the National Honey Board. The color of honey ranges from clear to amber. When baking or cooking, use light-colored, mild-flavored honey in recipes where delicate flavors are the rule. Use darker colored honey when you want a stronger honey flavor.

"Bee" adventurous and try different varieties to your liking in today's recipes.

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We're still using the grill and hopefully so for a few more weeks, so marinate these chops the night before and ask the grill chief to do the grilling while other parts of the meal are being prepared by someone else.

HONEY-GARLIC

PORK CHOPS

4 boneless pork chop loins (1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inch thick)

Marinade:

1/4 c. lemon juice

1/4 c. honey

2 T. soy sauce

1 T. dry sherry (can use apple juice or water)

2 cloves garlic, minced

In a small bowl, combine marinade ingredients. Save out about 3 T. of mixture for basting; refrigerate. Pour rest of marinade over chops in a plastic bag, sealing it or put into a shallow dish and cover it. Refrigerate 2-4 hours.

If using a charcoal grill, put a drip pan in center of grill, banked by medium-hot coals. If using a gas grill, pre-heat grill to medium hot.

Remove chops from marinade; grill chops 12-15 minutes or until no longer pink inside, turning once and basting every few minutes with the 3 T. marinade. Makes 4 servings.

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Muffins are always welcome at any meal of the day. These are quick, easy to make and delicious.

HONEY MUFFINS

2 c. flour

1/4 c. sugar

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

2 eggs

1/2 c. honey

1/2 c. orange juice

1/3 c. melted butter or margarine

1 t. vanilla

In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs. Add honey, orange juice, butter and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Fill 12 greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Let muffins sit in muffin pan for 10 minutes. Remove and cool on wire rack. Makes one dozen.

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This bar recipe makes a large amount -- a good snack for the kids when they get home from school.

HONEY-NUT BARS

3/4 c. canola oil

1/4 c. honey

1 c. sugar

1 egg

2 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1-1/3 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. shredded coconut

1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

Glaze:

1-1/2 c. powdered sugar

1-1/2 T. water

3 T. mayonnaise

1 t. vanilla

1 t. butter flavored extract (optional)

In a mixing bowl, combine first eight ingredients. Add coconut and nuts. Batter will be stiff.

Spread into a 10x15 inch greased and floured baking pan; spread evenly. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool 4-5 minutes, then carefully spread with glaze. Cut after glaze has set. Makes a whole bunch of bars.

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If you'd rather have a pie for dessert, make this old-fashioned pie. My mom used to make it and we loved it -- still do.

OLD-FASHIONED

HONEY-OATMEAL PIE

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 c. honey

3/4 c. quick oats

3/4 c. flaked coconut

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened

1/2 c. currants (can use raisins)

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

1 unbaked 9-inch pastry shell

whipped cream or whipped topping (optional)

In a mixing bowl, combine first eight ingredients; mixing well.

Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until browned and a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or wouldn't a scoop of vanilla ice cream taste yummy with it! Makes eight servings.

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Thought for the day: Three great essentials for happiness in this life are something to do, something (or someone) to love and something to hope for.

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A couple of "honey tips" for you.

Honey should be stored at room temperature. Refrigerating it will speed up crystallization. If the honey should crystallize, heat in the microwave in a glass container on high for 2-3 minutes, depending on how much you have, stirring every 30 seconds. Or, put the jar in hot water (not on the stove) and stir often until honey has melted.

NOTE: When I decrystallize, I take about the amount I would use out of the jar and heat that amount rather than heating all of it.

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