I used cold frames in the past to harden off seedlings before putting them out after the last frost date. I found them very useful. They were made from old windows and about 80% underground on the south side of the house. They were in a protected area out of the wind. I was very pleased with them.

I feel your pain. We have tons of window glass sitting in big unsightly piles. DH has made one green house from that pile and plans a second. Just check Craig's list, swap and recycle sites, and if all else fails put a note down at your local glass/window shops mentioning that you'd like old glass. In Spring and Summer they'll be re-doing single-pane windows with tax credit double-panes and the glass will be abundant. My husband collected all of his by selling and delivering firewood. Just about everywhere he went people had piles of stuff they didn't want...and he had an empty truck. He's picked up wood (used in the greenhouse) and cement blocks which we make planting beds out of, and landscaping rocks and fill dirt.

Katfried...Thanks for the encouragement! The coldframes are in (1) with lettuce and spinach and some more carrots Planted on 9/2 which I think will be fine (carrots - we will see?). The other I put over a existing bed of carrots that I planted on 8/1...I think I'll add some more lettuce in there I have some extra space...I About the cost I bought roughly (12) 8' x 6" X 2" boards and (2) 4' x 8' a bunch of hinges, L brackets, deck screws and a (2) plastic drop cloths I think I may have $80 in there all toll. Next spring I'll spring for hard plastic covers (Made for roofing) probably another $60. Ill be on the lookout for old storm windows and wood from now on. It is absolutely too expensive but i justify it by thinking it gets me out of the house in the fall for more than just raking leaves.

Talia -- I'm so glad you decided against the firm! I didn't want to offer an opinion before as I have no experience with a kitchen reno in your budget. Mine was a relatively modest $20k - no structural work but I replaced every single thing. The one thing we do have in common though is that I didn't have time to manage my project either -- but I didn't have a choice, having a "more than full time" job/career. Yet when I fantasized about having a GC, I realized, "who am I kidding? I'm gonna be all over this no matter who is in charge! It's my home!" I did luck out though, finding the best licensed, insured, experienced carpenter, contractor -- George -- I could have found through asking around a LOT. Amazing, really. As the "GC" I hired the electrician, plumber and floor tile guy, (all referrals) but not without consulting George, my carpenter first who had a ton of experience and knowledge of other trades who checked their costs first for me, helped me tweak and negotiate, etc. George helped me with my lighting plan, a rather extensive one, for me and then he came here with me and "supervised" to make sure it was done right and according to plan. When I couldn't get out of a work meeting and get home for my granite install, George jumped in and then fielded a major problem with the island -- cut wrong size -- fabricator error. He called the fab and quickly resolved the problem and a new island top was put in the following week. And George? He removed and demo'd old cabs, installed the new ones and moldings and trim, cleared all trash and did cleanup, made me a second pantry with new door and shelves, put in new sink and faucet, new range and micro, new dishwasher and fridge, moved a misplaced chandelier (my fault) and patched/painted ceiling hole, kicked out the sloppy painter and found me a new one, patched kitchen floor after I decided to move a radiator a month after floor had been done, added new saddles... and I'm sure I missed a few things... which came to about $2,500. I gave him an additional $500.00 which he finally did take... not just for his extra supervision of others (that he throughly enjoyed doing and did so well with a very gentle touch) and jumping over here when I needed him and answering my 1,000+ questions about everything, but for caring about this job as if it were his own home. (I also gave him a like-new circular saw that I used only once some months ago and have been too scared to use again.) I also gave him 2 referrals that have turned into good jobs for him. Really, I feel like I owe him so much more! I think there are some real GEMS out there at reasonable cost that just need to be found. Of course with your budget and plans, you need more than a lone super-dedicated carpenter, but I'm hoping you'll find a firm or KD or GC or all three that will be your "George!" Note to Lovestocook -- I found 2 great Mauviel pieces at Home Goods! More great gems at...