Thermopane glass that has the low-e coating is not ideal for plants. Most does have it. I go for single-glaze glass. A cold frame can be super-simple or as complicated as you want. The simplest is make a box out of whatever you have, 1x or 2x boards wide as possible. Make the outside demension of the box the same as one or more sash. Make up a growing bed and place the box on it sloping somewhat toward south, 10 degrees or so, just push the south end down and prop up the north end and heap up soil and pile mulch on the north side for insulation. If you don't have hinges just set the sash on the box. On sunny days around mid-morning take the sash off, put them back on mid-afternoon. Cloudy days leave them on or put a block under the sash to ventilate it a little. Works just fine. Take you about 30 minutes.

Thanks for the responses. It has been hard to get back to the computer the last couple of days. While dh was off for the weekend, he started working on my kitchen cabinet to get my kitchen finished. Finally, after 4yrs. We have always done what we can with what we have, but we got lucky and got some very nice furniture grade plywood given to us in exchange for my husband doing some hauling. We have to custom make the kitchen cabinet to match the ones already installed. I am very lucky to have a dh who has the talent to do such things. Back to the windows. I love the idea of making a small greenhouse. It would be a handy thing to have. We live in very rural PA and I have had a garden here for the last 3yrs. I would love to start some of my own seedlings. Karen, you were partially right. I can't stand to see them destroyed, but I would be happy if someone was just using them. My brother just asked me yesterday for a couple of them for a shed he is building. Ta-da! Two gone. Now, if I can convince dh to build me a greenhouse. I don't think it will take much convincing, but I can imagine the expression when he realizes that it is another project on his very long to do list. I have seen people using the windows as seedling box covers for starting plants, too. Maybe just a few of those would be a good start. I will have plenty of time to think about it. I am starting on my 7th month of my pregnancy and dealing with complications, so I will be sitting much of the next few months out. Dh will be relieved. It will give him time to finish the woodwork in the bathroom and the kitchen cabinet before the next project. I feel bad for not being able to help, but he has been working his tail off getting some of the projects done. One thing he doesn't do is paint, so I will be praying for a few good days to get that done when he has the cabinets ready. Thank you for the ideas and pics. I really like the fence idea with the window frames. Next time, I have a clumsy day, I will keep it in mind. I had also thought about posting one of those old-fashioned number type ads on a bulletin board at a local gas station near where we have a lot of cabins on the mountain near our home. I bet with the rough winter and crazy thunderstorms we had this spring some people would be happy to have those panes of glass to cut down and use for replacements. BTW, I had a really bad experience with Craigslist about 2yrs ago. Someone came to look at a piece of furniture and even though they weren't interested in the furniture, they kept calling me- nearly harrassing me with prank calls, etc. My husband drives truck for a landscaping company and was gone for long days at a time and it really spooked me. I know not everyone can be that crazy, but I just don't want to risk it, esp with being pregnant right now. I have met some wonderful people through freecycle, so I know it doesn't all have to be bad. I will post on the garden forum and see if they have any ideas over there, too. Thanks everyone.

Get some shrink wrap. When it's done right, you can't even tell it's there. then just take it off after winter. You can even put it up outside so long as it's above 40 degrees. Consider taking the window out and insulating.

Have you talked to a brick layer about it? I've seen patch jobs for everything. sometimes they're winners, sometimes losers but what do you have now? After it's all painted white it will blend. The shrubs will take their eye there. Not many people will study the side of your house. Those that do won't have guts enough to ring your doorbell and ask why you did that.