"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity."

-Lindley Karstens, NoProblemGarden.com

"A little peace and serenity" is about all we get at this time of year. So, we enjoy every micro-second and are thankful for the work we've been given to do.

...and in abundance!

The strawberries are at their prime, so don't miss out. Drop by the farm to pick your own or buy some already picked for you.

Catch us at the Downtown Farmers' Market located in Festival Square, 3rd Avenue and 6th Street South, starting next Wednesday, June 29 from 10:00 AM till 3:00 PM.

We have expanded our booth to accommodate all the fresh fruits and vegetables we have, plus some of our grocery items.

Look for the new Harvest Haven banners and the big U-pick sign.

Harvest Haven Sirloin Tip Roast – Super Sale $9.99/lb Reg. $13.49/lb (See Recipe Box)

Harvest Haven Flank Steak – Sale $7.99/lb Reg. $9.29/lb (See Recipe Box)

Harvest Haven Lamb Loin Chops - Sale $14.99/lb Reg. $16.89/lb

Mans Organics Long English Cucumbers - Sale $3.19 each Reg. $3.99 each

Mans Organics Beefsteak Tomatoes - Sale$3.29/lb Reg. $4.99/lb (See Recipe Box)

Mans Organics Cherry Tomatoes – Sale $3.19 each Reg. $3.99 each

Barbecued Flank Steak with Orange Slices

1 Harvest Haven flank steak (about 1 ½ lbs)
1/2 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp dried minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp black pepper
3 Tbsp salad oil
1 Tbsp lime juice
2 tsp cider vinegar
3/4 tsp ground cumin
2 or 3 large oranges, peeled and sliced

Combine orange juice, onion, garlic, pepper, oil, lime juice, vinegar and cumin.
Pour over steak, cover, and refrigerate, turning steak occasionally, until next day.

Lift steak from marinade and drain briefly (reserve marinade). Place steak on hot grill. Cook, turning once and basting several times with the reserved marinade, for 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium rare or until done to your liking when slashed.

To serve, cut meat across the grain in thin, slanting slices. Garnish with orange slices. Makes 4 servings.

Israeli Tomato and Cucumber Salad

I didn't give quantities because you can make this salad as large or small as you like and adjust the ingredients to your own taste. Have fun and be creative!

English Cucumber, diced
Tomato, seeded and diced
Red onion, thinly sliced
Red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 – 2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh parsley, chopped
Fresh mint leaves, minced
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste

Toss the fresh ingredients together in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

Variation: Add Feta cheese cubes and Kalamata olives.

It was one of those quiet afternoons, almost closing time for the store.

Sean was putting the last of Leanne's groceries in her box. Jeannie was heading to her house to put the finishing touches on dinner. Victor was going to fill the van with gas.

And Martin had just checked the beef moms to see if there were any new calves, when he saw the potatoes needed hilling and grabbed the tractor for a "little peace and serenity." One minute he was enjoying the quiet of riding the tractor and the next he was stitching closed a big gash on the head of our ram.

Come again? How's that?

Jeannie was gone for only a minute when she flew in the door, wide-eyed, exclaiming, "The ram's out!"

Sean immediately dropped everything he was doing and dashed out the door, leaving us in stunned amazement.

"We need to call Martin!" Sigh…he's not picking up.

"We need to find him." But, no one knows where he is.

In the meantime, Leanne asks, "Can I pay for my groceries?"

"Oh, sorry. Yes, Jeannie can you help, please?"

Next, we see Victor whip by the store in the van heading out the gate. Then, we hear James driving the quad and see Martin grabbing a lasso. (Somebody found Martin and he's on it.)

Fifteen, twenty minutes pass. All is too quiet, now.

Then, the van drives back past the store; James comes by on the quad. No Sean; no Martin. Hmmm….

Finally, those two show up and tell us about the marathon that ensued as the ram ran down the road, into the neighbour's yard, back onto the road, and through an open gate into a pasture. After a mile of trying to keep up to the ram as he ran over hill and dale, Martin and Sean cornered him. He was too tired to run any further.

The guys walked him back home and put him in the corral. But, all was not over. Our escapee had ripped some of his skin on his skull when he jumped through an opening in the corral. While Sean held down the ram, Martin dexterously stitched him back together. The RAMbunctious fellow isn't keen on letting anyone get near him anymore.

So much for a "little peace and serenity" down on the farm.

I had been contemplating what to write for the Down On the Farm segment and the guys came through again…a stitch in time. They always aim to please.