Some businesses save the first dollar bill they make. I like going into mom-and-pop shops and seeing these trophies framed on the wall by the cash register. Well, this week I’ve received my first letter of appreciation from a CSA member, and to me that feels like the first profit for our little farm business. So I’m posting it here in an act of gratefulness and real exhilaration.

This is from Circle M Member Kelli, who lives here in Blanchardville. She sent this after receiving her first-ever CSA box on June 16 .

Today we received our bountiful box full of farm fresh-off-the-vine veggies from Circle M. It was like getting a gift from the farm, because the box contained many unexpected surprises.

We did not realize such a variety of vegetables would be ripe so early in the season. (Especially considering I just planted tomatoes on June 12 and I still have oodles of other veggies to plant.) I’m starting to think it was a really good idea to join Circle M CSA this year. My husband Dave and daughter Chenoa and I had so much fun digging into the box of goodies.

The bouquet of flowers was not only beautiful and unique, it came in handy since we had guests for the weekend. After discovering all the wonderful surprises in the box we decided to make supper mainly consisting of food from Circle M. The radishes made a great snack while we were cooking. I washed and sliced the turnip greens while Dave cut up some honey-cured ham and cooked it together with the greens and butter. A meal in itself! We also thinly sliced the tender purple turnips and cooked them with a dash of salt and pepper, and of course, with more butter. (I think everything tastes better with butter!)

Dave fired up the grill and made wonderful hamburgers topped with Swiss cheese. The lean hamburger was also from Circle M Farm. It was amazing to know that the majority of our meal came from the lovely little farm down the lane at the edge of town.

Kelli has amazing gardens of her own, and has generously offered to share some of her flowers with us to fill the member boxes. The yellow button flowers in the bouquets this week were from her. Thanks so much, Kelli!