Monday, March 10, 2014

Hope, Strawberries, Bread and Coco


I put on my boots and trudged out to my cold frame one day.  The top of the snow was soft but the bottom layer was hard enough for me to walk on.  I brushed the rest of the ice off the cold frame and looked inside..........


Lo and behold I found a little greenery!  The spinach made it, the kale made it, the red lettuce made it and a little of the endive.  There was a small back corner empty and I felt the soil.  It felt warm to my touch so I planted a few radishes!  Do you think they will grow?  I put the cold frame covers back down and went in the house hoping!!!!


Back of the house I have a few daffodils planted.  Do you see them?  More hope that this winter that never ends will end!!


More hope!  The Autumn Joy Sedum which I call Live Forever is peaking through! 


This temperature is very unusual for this time of year here and I doubt I see it again for awhile but it gives me more hope!  Gardening season will eventually get here after this winter that never ends!!


Found more FL strawberries for a good price.  Did a whole dehydrator full this time!


I made more bread.  Looks good and tastes good but could anyone tell me why when I slice the middle slices the top crust and a little of the bread separates from the rest of the slice????  Makes it hard to use in the toaster!


Coco loves peanut butter!  But then what doesn't Coco love!  I gave her the empty one to clean out.


This occupies her for quite awhile!  We both are anxious to get out and wander around the yard more!

18 comments:

Felecia Cofield said...

Hi Nancy! So sorry you still have so much snow! We had 71 today! Probably won't last so I enjoy it while I can. Nice to see you had something green and edible! I hope to find strawberries on sale soon! And the bread looks delicious! My bread does that sometimes. I don't know why. Coco is practically human! Glad when ya'll can go outside again! Hoping you thaw out soon! Blessings from Bama!

Anonymous said...

what fun to peek in the cold frame and see things growing!!

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi Felecia, It was really nice today but we are suppose to get snow tomorrow night and Wed. Oh, well, at least I think we are done with the polar vortex for this year! Nancy

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi emilysincerely, Just being able to go out and look in the cold frame was a real treat! Beautiful day today but we are suppose to get snow tomorrow afternoon and Wednesday again! Nancy

Lisa said...

What am amazing feeling, to be among all that snow and see things of 'green'. Is your bread completely cool before you cut it? And Coco is a cutie.

Cheryl said...

We like dried strawberries. I used some of our frozen ones today to make a cake for our wedding anniversary.

Not sure why the bread separates like that. Here is a link to some suggestions. http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/18011/air-bubble-under-top-crust

Have a wonderful day.

~Cheryl

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi Lisa, I thought I had let my bread cooled but will be sure to make sure next time! Thanks! Nancy

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi Cheryl, It must take a lot of dried strawberries to make a cake! So far I just use them on my granola mix. Thanks for the bread site info. I will have to look that up! Nancy

Audrey said...

Hi Nancy ... so happy that you got to get out and check on your cold frame.
Amazing to see things growing that has been covered by snow for so long. I guess the "blanket" of snow kept them warm. What is the cover on the cold frame? Coco is so cute.
Blessings,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi Audrey, The cover on my cold frame is plexiglass. We think Coco is so cute but that is why we spoil her so much I guess! Nancy

Heirloom treasures said...

You are doing well with your plants in such cold. we have had an extremely hot loooooong summer.
Your bread is separating because you haven't kneaded it until totally smooth. If you don't there are little folds sometimes left when you put it into the tin. Also the best way I've found to stop the top separating, is having my oven on the hottest setting fan forced 240c for 10 mins then turning it down to 210c for 25 mins. That way the crust doesn't get too hard too quickly. Hope this helps.

farmhouse-story said...

your bread and strawberries look yummy, nancy:) coco is so cute with the jif jar! my dog loves peanut butter, too! enjoy your day!

lil red hen said...

I believe everyone is weary from this winter weather. Now that March is here, the wind is blowing, making it seem very cold in spite of what the thermometer reads. I hope to be able to have a garden this year; the farmer has tilled the spot, so when the time comes to plant .... we'll see. :)

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi Jeanette, Thanks for the tip on my bread. My recipe says knead for five minutes but next time I will try a little longer and see how it turns out! Nancy

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi lynn, Thanks! We need to get our dogs together to clean out the peanut butter jars! LOL Nancy

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi lil red hen, Thinking about gardening is discouraging right now! We received more snow last night! Spring will eventually get here though!! Nancy

GardenOfDaisies said...

Oh how wonderful that you have some green things growing!! Your Coco is so cute!! Yummy peanut butter! :-)

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi GardenOfDaisies, Thanks! I am glad you would stop by for a visit! Nancy

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