2/25/09

Peek and Learn! Building a Cold Frame!


Today at Costco I could have sworn a lady was following me and watching what I put into my shopping cart.

Then she disappeared.

What was she interested in? Was it the meat I was buying, our favorite brand of coffee, or perhaps the uncooked flour tortillas that I added to my cart?

And then I thought, why not?


Scope it out
I often scope out what people put on the belt when they're checking out, so I know I’m not the only one. I’ve even asked questions about a certain brand that I was curious about. I love to hear other people’s opinions, especially if it’s a product that I didn’t know if I should spend the money on.

Find a mom
What a great idea! Find a mom who looks like she has it all together (not me!), and follow her around the store and see what she puts in her basket! Of course if she asks, make sure and tell her you are not stalking her!

Find out why she’s buying certain products - if it’s a good deal or not.

I’m actually flattered if someone asks me a question in the grocery store!

Peek and learn
Shouldn’t we be able to learn from one another?

Next time, I’ll be peeking at other shoppers’ carts, to see what insights I can glean.

Remember my shopping trip with Kristi? Don’t forget to make a Costco run fun – by taking a friend along!

Take another peek
A few weeks ago my husband built a couple of cold frames over our raised beds. We planted lettuce, swiss chard and scallions. In the greenhouses we’ve planted by seed - lettuce, beets, parsnips and rutabagas. YUM!


3 easy steps to build your own cold frame
• Build tower and beam over existing raised bed
• Cover with 3 mm plastic
• Use rocks around the outside to hold in place


Are you thinking about a garden this year? Or composting? Don’t forget to check out our $5 compost bin that we created, here!

23 comments:

Shell in your Pocket said...

Look at you! I knew you could throw a great get together but you also have a green thumb...you always never cease to amaze me!

We had a little garden last year and I think I may make it bigger and more organized this year..the kids loved it! Just call us Green Acres!
Fondly,
Sandy toe

Donnetta said...

In order to stay in the budget I shop sales and buy large quantities when things are on sale. I often wonder what people think about the items in my cart.

Just recently, 6 jars of peanut butter, 8 loaves of bread, 6 containers of ice cream, 4 packages of lunchmeat, 10 boxes of cereal... you get the picture.

My cart could spark a conversation for sure.

linda t said...

I am always peeking in other carts, especially at Costco. If I see enough of any one item, then I will for sure try it. And I too will ask questions, just to see what they plan to do with various items. It tickles me at how generous people are when i ask questions.
And I've been know to take a sweet shopper all over the store to help her find something she's looking for... because she was looking in my cart!

Alisa Lucas-Brown said...

Hi Sandy,
My hubby and I are wanting to grow our own fresh vegetables this year. We have NEVER gardened other than flowers but it is something we have always talked about doing. We want to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, green onions, leaf lettuce and banana peppers for starters. Any tips you could share? Thanks a bunch! :-)
Alisa

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

I am insatiably curious and I very often covertly try and see what others have in their grocery carts :)

I want to know what great things I might be missing out on!!! Ha!

Love those cold frames... someday I WILL have a garden.

-Andrea

The Blissfully Happy Housewife said...

Always love stopping by your blog! This one was appropriate because
1. I love seeing what people put in their carts at the grocery store too. I also sometimes look at the stuff I have in my cart and try to decide what it says about me.

2. I am going to have my FIRST garden this year!!! I am so excited, but also slightly nervous. I've read books and talked to lots of people about it. I keep telling myself, "I can do it....I can do it!!"

Ha!!

Jamie

Betts said...

Nice gams, if those are yours. I'm always scoping out the belt in front of me, to see what they're buying. I have gotten introduced to some interesting grocery items that way.

We may have 2 or 3 feet of snow still, but I'm thinking about gardening and perusing seed catalogs. My compost is "steeping" in the backyard.

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

oh yes, considering the way our economy is going, we're doing a BIG garden this year. Let's see if I can stick with it when it's July, 100 degrees and there's a drought. :)

Brooke said...

i hope i'm not a good enough shopper for someone to follow me! ;)

Tamara Jansen said...

I'm ALWAYS scoping out other people's buggies when I shop!

Anonymous said...

Sandy,
If I could pick out my big sister (I'm the oldest) I'd pick you-and Nester ;-). It would be so great to be able to call you two and get advice. You know how to show love through hospitality and have a awesome garden! I'm impressed. :-)

An Adventurer in the World said...

going up the mountain in the snow tomorrow to plan garden with my dear friend...it's always more fun with a sympatico. She orders the heirloom and organic seeds...much to learn. Thanks for the cold frame tutorial!~

deb m

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Ha! Too funny! I often peek into others carts, and have been known to ask strangers about what they are buying! My kids used to say, "There goes mom, making a new friend again!"
As for the cold frame, it should be something I look into. Our growing season is so very short, anything I can do to extend it would be most welcome. I should be able to plant arugula, kale, and chard in about a month...can hardly wait!

Elizabeth said...

Wow, it's amazing you can start veggies this early. We have to wait until after Mary 15 or there could be a hard frost.

I love what you are doing!

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

I am so wanting to start a vegetable garden. And what a better time to grow one than now, right?! Thanks for these great tips.

Kim said...

YES! We are planning our first garden and I can't wait! I'm sure I will be posting about it. However, we still have a bunch of snow on the ground, so it will be a little longer.

And yes, I do check out what people are purchasing at the store. I am also interested in the use of coupons and how much money they "save"!

Meredith said...

She probably reads your blog and was figuring out a good way to approach you!

Our Complete Family said...

Bryce wants a garden this year. I am so excited he does! Maybe I can get him to eat a bit more 'green stuff' this way, too!
The things you planted sound great!
I am always checking out other folks' shopping carts. It's interesting. I'm the person that could sit in a crowded place for hours just 'people watching', too though!
Happy day wishes hun~ Les

Anonymous said...

Too funny! I did this last night in Costco, the lady in front of me was buying some soup that looked interesting and I asked her about it. We ended up trading recipes. Great opportunities to learn from others if you are willing to speak up!
Toni

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, girlfriend! Thanks for letting me guest post with you, that was fun. Hopefully some of my readers were introduced to your wonderful blog & will come back for more visits.

I love your little garden. We are going to try to do more this year to ours!

GiBee said...

Did you plant your lettuce from seeds? What's the temp like in your neck of the woods?

Lucy..♥ said...

I love starting from seeds too, veggies & flowers galore! It's still far to cold here to set out my cold frames, soon though and I cannot wait to get my hands in the dirt & let the fun begin ;-)

The black gold will be ready soon too!

DiamondDaisy said...

My hubby and I are planning on planting a "Victory Garden" this year, due to his accident which lead to lack of money. It is sad that it took this to get us to plant a garden. We buy organic, so it only makes since to grow it ourselves!! I love your cold frames! Since this is our first year, we still need to make the initial gardens though!