Memorial Day Weekend 2013

Beautiful weather is in store for this weekend and Monday, Memorial Day!  I hope everyone is enjoying friends, family, and FOOD!  

Homer Village Market will be open until 4 p.m. on Monday, May 27, for last minute holiday shoppers.  We are closed on Sundays.

If you are looking for something special for the grill, we have:

•  fresh, USDA Choice, 6 oz. ball tip sirloin sizzler steaks
•  lamb chops and whole legs of lamb (boneless)
•  salmon burgers
•  salmon filets
•  tilapia filets
•  ground sirloin patties
•  angus beef hot dogs 
•  fresh bratwurst
•  frogs legs
•  Louisiana alligator white meat

Fresh produce includes:

• iceberg lettuce
• tomatoes
• zucchini squash
• broccoli
• carrots
• potatoes and onions
• kale
• bananas

Nickles Bakery has delivered hot dog and hamburger buns, white and wheat bread, and donuts!
Smith's has delivered fresh milk, ice cream, popsicles, chip dip, sour cream, cottage cheese, and eggs.

Also for your picnic:  a selection of cheeses, Walnut Creek summer sausage, potato salad,  chicken salad, chips and salsa, hummus and pita chips, and a wide selection of beverages including pop, tea, juice, Gatorade, and lemonade.

On Monday we will be getting restocked on Seimer's delicious ham salad, and on Tuesday, more sirloin steaks will be arriving.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!   Enjoy the holiday weekend, and thanks for shopping at Homer Village Market!

What's New in the Store Today

For your salad-making pleasure, 8-ounce wedges of crumbly, gorgonzola cheese are now in stock.  This pairs well with salads made with any combination of fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, pears, walnuts, grilled steak, and drizzled with balsamic or raspberry vinegar dressing or Garlic Expressions dressing,  We have plenty of vine-ripened tomatoes, lettuce, and many flavors of vinegar and salad dressings to go with this delicious cheese.

For your picnic-style meals, Yoder's mustard potato salad arrived today and we still have cole slaw on hand as well as six-ounce, choice-grade ball-tip sizzler steaks, bratwurst, kielbasa, smoked sausage, salmon, and wieners.   Don't forget the chips, iced tea, sparkling grape juice, and lemonade!

If you are headed to a picnic or the winery, please know that in addition to bars of sharp cheddar cheese from Wisconsin, and Ohio Farmer's Cheese, we now offer an Ohio "Fiesta Jack" cheese from Holmes county.  It is a marbled, Colby-Monterey Jack cheese with lots of jalapeno peppers.   What a festive-looking and tasty cheese, and just the right size, when sliced, to fit on a cracker or pop right into your mouth! 

You can find two flavors of hummus in the deli section.  All natural recipes of roasted red pepper hummus or the classic hummus flavored only with garlic and lemon.   For those unfamiliar with this tasty dip, it is a healthy and simple a mixture of ground garbanzo beans (chick peas), ground sesame seeds (tahini), ground garlic, fresh lemon juice, a little olive oil, and a little salt.   It is very easy to make at home, with or without a blender.  Sometimes other ingredients include hot or sweet peppers, olives, tomatoes, black pepper, feta cheese.   It is traditionally served as an appetizer in Mediterranean cuisines with flat bread for dipping.    Pita chips, pretzel crisps, and baby carrots are nice for dipping in hummus!  It can also be used as an ingredient in a "pinwheel" style wrap, especially good with chopped parsley and tomatoes rolled up into the flatbread sandwich.

Other new items this week include grape juice, sparkling grape juice, caramel-cone-sundae ice cream, toasted-almond-fudge ice cream,  dark-chocolate covered raisins, all-white-meat chicken salad, ham salad, and single servings of tilapia fillets (flash frozen seafood). 

Many people have been making lasagna lately.  Stop by for ricotta cheese, no-boil lasagna noodles, many choices if sauces, fresh tomatoes, as well as grated mozzarella, sliced provolone, parmesan wedges, and cheddar cheese.

Lastly, greeting cards are still on sale!  Remember Mother's Day this coming Sunday!

Hope to see you soon!   If you have a favorite recipe using gorgonzola cheese, please stop by and share!

Brilliant Sunshine! Fire up the Grill!

We are lucky to have some temps in the high seventies this week and lots of sunshine.   Weekend weather isn't forecast to be as nice though, so don't wait until then to fire up the backyard barbeque grill!

We offer lots of meat and seafood for the grill including burgers, sausages, salmon, chicken, and steaks.  Also in the deli cooler are some pre-made salads:  macaroni, potato, and cole slaw. Fresh produce including lettuce and tomatoes are also on hand.

If you are looking for some fresh steaks to grill for dinner, stop by the store for sirloin steaks, only $3.99 each (or $3.50 each when you buy four or more).    These are 6 ounce, USDA "choice"- grade, bottom butt sirloin "ball tip sizzler" steaks from Davis Creek Meats.

Not only are these steaks great on the grill, they make a quick and easy stir-fry. For stir-fry, simply slice one or two steaks thinly in bite-sized pieces, and slice up your choice of vegetables such as onions, carrots, peppers, broccoli, and/or zucchini (and don't forget some fresh garlic).  Then get your frying pan really hot, (I use cast-iron) add a little oil, and then, using two wooden spoons or some tongs, toss the meat and veggies in the hot pan until the meat is brown and the veggies are crisp-tender. 

One technique I like to use for stir-fry is to quickly sear the meat first, remove it from the pan and set it aside in a bowl while I stir fry the vegetables to desired doneness.  This way the meat won't overcook and will be nice and tender and juicy when you add it back to the pan.   When the veggies are tender enough, keep the pan heat really high and "deglaze" it by adding a little liquid.... a half cup to one cup of water or broth or even beer (depending on the volume of meat and veggies)....then reduce heat and add back the meat and you are ready to serve by itself or paired with rice or noodles.

It is fun to experiment with stir-fry meals.   The variations are limited only by your imagination!   I like to add some dried cayenne peppers, black-bean garlic paste, a little water thickened with corn starch and stir that into the hot pan just before serving.  This recipe works well with chicken breast or pork loin, too.  Freshly grated ginger is nice with pork, as is pineapple!

So even if it rains on your barbeque plans, you now have a back-up plan!!!   Have a wonderful week!  Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!

Spring Showers

Spring is finally here!  Birds are singing, and flowers are blooming everywhere.   The mourning dove is nesting above the light fixture under the store awning, same as last Spring and the one before that. 

The turkeys at our farm are laying eggs, and soon there will be chirping and peeping and the fluttering of tiny new wings!   The little lambs are frolicking in the pasture then resting near their moms.

Big semi trucks are rushing both directions on SR661, another rite of Spring.  People are stirring, builders are building, and goods are making their way to busy destinations.  

Huge green and yellow farm tractors and implements are crawling through the intersection on their way to fertile fields.   The smell of freshly spread manure is wafting in the warm, Spring air.

Thirsty children donning bright, new athletic uniforms and smiling faces are spilling through the door to buy cold beverages and sweet snacks after school.   Frazzled parents are rounding up last-minute groceries for a quick and easy dinner after five.   

Bicycists making their way along the scenic, country roads in preparation for touring with friends this summer are stopping in at the store to refill their water bottles or grab some quick energy snacks.   Soon they will be stopping by for a burst of AC and a cold gatorade!   Smiling and talkative, people on bicycles always bring positive vibes into the store!

I hope you are enjoying the warm-up and Spring rains as well as all the new blooms around the yard.  Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Spring Begins Tomorrow!

It is hard to believe Spring will be here tomorrow because the cold wind is howling today and even some snow flurries are swirling in the air!    Now that it is staying light longer,  in about a month or so we will be extending the store hours to 7 p.m. again (and opening Sundays again...closing Mondays).  Until that time, the winter/spring store  hours will remain unchanged as follows:  open at 10 a.m. and close at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Here are a few updates on the products you can find at Homer Village Market right now.  

LAMB - we have about six boneless legs of lamb left for those of you still wanting to have roast leg of lamb for Easter.    These are frozen, vacuum packed, rolled and tied roasts ranging from a little over 3 pounds to about 4.5 pounds and priced $9.95/pound.  These lambs were born on our farm, raised on their mother's milk and then enjoyed a diet of fresh pasture and local hay.   In time for grilling season, we plan to have plenty of lamb leg steaks and ground lamb.  Right now the leg steaks are sold out and ground is limited supply.

SALAD - we have egg salad, tuna salad, potato salad and chicken salad in the deli section.   We can make you a protein salad of your choice over fresh, chopped romaine or make you a sandwich to go.

BREAD  - We have sliced rye bread on hand this week as well as our usual selection of wheat, white, and sandwich buns.

SNACKS - We just restocked some of your favorite snacks including cinnamon rolls, cinnamon almonds, cherry-delight trail mix, buffalo peanuts, yogurt pretzels, chocolate pretzels, and gummy bears.   We have a variety of flavors of Bullshead beef jerky in 2 oz and 6 oz. bags as well as beef sticks and lots of sizes and flavors of Uncle Ray's chips.  We just restocked the Turtlelicious cheesecake slices!

GROCERIES - We have added some new varieties of imported pasta sauce and pasta and are well stocked on all the staples and pantry items including common household products such as soaps, paper products, tall kitchen garbage bags,

CONVENIENCE - For quick meals, we have Skyline Chili as well as all the fixin's:  kidney beans, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, hot dogs and buns.   Blue Grass Country Ham slices are a quick skillet meal.  We have all the sides including potatoes or potato salad, baked beans, or fresh vegetables.  

PAN, OVEN, OR GRILL -  Found in the freezer section, these go directly from freezer to the pan, oven or grill:   Chicken Breasts, Salmon Burgers.  We also have salmon filets which can be poached in less than 10 minutes and served over salad greens for a quick meal.

CHEESE- Just restocked the BelGioioso aged parmesan cheese wedges, and they are well priced at $3.99 for 8 ounces.  Also just restocked Yoder's Wisconsin sharp cheddar bars and sliced provolone.  We have many other varieties of cheese on hand every day.

DELI MEATS - In addition to Smithfield's sliced mesquite turkey and honey ham, we have sliced salami, bologna, pepperoni, cappicola, bacon, and several sausages including Winter's kielbasa, Farmland's angus beef franks, and Sugardale hot dogs.   Our deli prices are better than you will find in the area grocery stores.

ICE CREAM - We just restocked Ruggles (Smith's) Cookies and Cream in the 1.75 qt. ($3.99) and Rainbow Sherbet quarts ($1.99).   Other flavors in the freezer right now include mint chocolate chip, moose tracks, vanilla, butter pecan, bear claw, chocolate, and mountainberry cheesecake.  If you are on the go, you can always pick up a Klondike or Snickers Ice Cream bar or an ice cream sandwich.    Ice cream pints are still on sale $1.99 with a free spoon upon request.

BEVERAGES - We have restocked the Arnold Palmer half-n-half (lemonade-iced tea) at 99 cents for the "tallboy".   We continue to have our usual selection of Pepsi products, but we regret having to finally pass along some of the price increases from Pepsi on the Aquafina water, Lipton Tea, Oceanspray juices, and the 20 ounce and 12-pack products.  Gatorade is still same price.

GREETING CARDS - Please remember we carry all-occasion greeting cards from Leanin' Tree.

BEER & WINE - Just seeing if you are paying attention.....sorry, we are still located in a dry township.  We do not sell any alcoholic beverages at this time, but we will keep you posted on that.

Thank you for shopping at Homer Village Market!   Please look around and see what's new and, as always, let us know if there is anything you would like to see on our shelves that is missing!  We always appreciate your feedback on the products we currently carry. 

New Arrivals

What a beautiful, sunny day today!  I had the winter doldrums a few weeks ago and began planning a vacation to cheer myself!    Just thinking about it made me feel so much better!  You should try that sometime!

Decided not to go on vacation afterall.  Daydreaming was sufficient!  So the Open Flag will continue flying outside the Homer Village Market this winter every day except Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The store is fully stocked today with all the essentials:   Milk, bread, eggs, cheese, fresh produce, lunchmeat, fresh bratwurst, frozen meat and seafood.......and plenty of snacks and desserts including ice cream, candy, cookies, and muffins.    It is so economical to make dinner at home during the week so you can splurge on entertainment on the weekends.    What could be quicker (and healthier) than steaming some broccoli or cauliflower, baking some potatoes or carrots, and preparing a quick entree such as sauteed, baked or poached chicken or seafood!  All you need is a little butter, salt and pepper, and maybe some cheese if you like on the veggies, and you are set!   Even quicker, toss a big salad and put some of that baked or poached chicken or seafood on the salad with your favorite dressing!

I look forward to seeing you soon!  Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!

Spring Will Be Here Soon

I wish I had brought my rosemary plants indoors before we had so many freezes and thaws.  The plants were looking very happy and green even in the dead of winter, but with the huge swings in temperatures that we have had ranging from single digits to almost seventy degrees then back into the twenties in the past four weeks, the plants are beginning to take on more of a dingy gray color....like dried rosemary.  I fear it is too late now.   

The groundhog has already predicted an early Spring.  Mardi Gras is tomorrow.....and Valentine's Day is this week.  Looking at the calendar,  in less than thirty days, Daylight Savings Time begins.  Farmers will be planning their spring planting and hoping the soils warm up early.

Easter this year is March 31.   How many of you are planning to have a roast leg of lamb from Homer Village Market?     Please do not wait until the week before Easter to shop for your roast.   We remember last year many requests came in for legs of lamb all at once, and not everyone could have exactly what they wanted.   So we have tried to plan ahead to have more roasts available this year.   We have more boneless roasts this time, but also some with bone.  We also have just a couple of loin roasts (rather than having the loin chops cut into individual chops).  For the smaller families, we have a few half-leg roasts.  I hope that you will find what you like for your special holiday meal this year!