Boots, gloves, hat–all set for Spring!
The clock sprung forward. The days are longer. The calendar announced, “Winter is over and Spring is here!”
But I have yet to see any budding flowers, feel warming rays of sun, or smell earth in the air.
Despite the snow that flurried over the Mid-Atlantic region this morning, the Hubs and I headed off to a favorite place: Terrain in Glen Mills, PA. Ironically, we went to Terrain last December on an unseasonably warm day–60 degrees and sunshine. Today it was unseasonably cold–in the 30s with snow falling on our heads.
Even though I bundled up in my winter coat and donned my winter boots, I determined to enjoy the Spring sights awaiting me. Part restaurant, part garden center, and part indescribably beautiful store, Terrain has an array of Spring plants, flowers, and decorations on display. Green and bountiful Spring was in the air despite the white weather falling outside.
We ate lunch, walked the grounds, and left hopeful that Spring, though delayed, is on its glorious way.
“Spring drew on . . . and a greenness grew over those brown [garden] beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps.”
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
Can’t wait to start landscaping! Oh wait, it’s a frozen tundra out there.
Lunch is served. Chicken confit with barley risotto and roasted brussels sprouts. Holla!
Scallops with roasted barley and quinoa
This is their famous Pot o’ Bread (with the BEST cheese plate in the background). This bread. Yes. Just YES.
Pot o’ Bread was accompanied by honey maple butter and pumpkin salt. OH. MY.
I should be drinking a light, refreshing beverage on this fine, Spring day. Nope. Coffee.
Cobbler with local apples and ice cream
View during our Spring lunch
Hydrangea are my hands-down, all-time favorite flower, especially when they are blue and scattered throughout a bike path on Cape Cod
Potting shelves
A close up
Pretty as a pickle
Herbs and Snow
Glass ready for flowers or terrariums
Pretty, pretty seed packets! (Maybe we can hope to plant these in June)
It seems as if Terrain is always artfully displaying chairs
![Self-Portrait (with the love of my life in the foreground, because how would I know who I am if i didn't know him?) [Insert either a "aw" or a "gag' here]](https://rachelstabledotcom1.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/img_48781.jpg)
Self-Portrait (with my one true love in the foreground)
Trees, ready for some Spring sunshine
Lungwort – ugly name for such a pretty plant
Seed catalog planter
These brightly colored flowers give me HOPE for ACTUAL Spring
Rachel's Table 
The “pot o bread” in genius. I would kill for some cobbler with vanilla ice cream right now. Loved all the photos. The one of your husband with you in the mirror is great! I cannot believe you guys had snow. For once, Maine was spared. We can actually see a bit of grass now. I have faith spring will get here one day.
I cannot even begin to tell you how GOOD that bread is. I’m going to try to recreate it at home. The snow is completely gone now, not even a speck left.
Where is the heaven?!
Yes, it is heaven!! You must visit Terrain, Andrea. You’re close enough to get up there!
It’s a shame for your adoring readers that it isn’t bikini season yet, but that outfit is cuuuuute.
That bread pot. Oh, that bread pot. And pumpkin salt?! I can’t take it.
I LOVE the self-portrait and seed packet pictures.
But now. Enough of this snow. Seriously, Mother Nature. Stop being a rhymes-with-chore.
Thanks, Jules!
I thought about wearing my bikini, but didn’t want to risk frost bite. Can you picture it? Hat, boots, plaid gloves, and bikini. (I would have needed to borrow your sheet 😉 )
that bread seem delicious… yummy
This was the BEST bread I’ve ever had. Yummy only kind of explains how delicious it is.
send me one please… hehehe
That just looks so Spring-y!! I love the juxtaposition of the warmth of the interior with the snow caked outside area. Nice pic.
It will come. It has to. But I think you might be a bit premature with those seed packets. Might wanna wait until July just to be safe.
The store and restaurant were so cozy in the snow, but I would have preferred some sunshine!
I’m just waiting until next year to plant anything. Just to be safe.
It’s pretending to be spring here on the west coast. Oooh, don’t be jealous. Right when everything blooms and you wish you had a tan, BOOM. Snow. Every year. 🙂 p.s. I have a huge pile of terra cotta pots that now must be washed and have bread baked in them …
Isn’t that a cute idea? That bread is the best bread I’ve had; I’m not sure if the pot contributes to the taste or not. The texture is perfect.
I’m hoping you don’t get any snow! I’m so over it!
And … I am trying to start my pepper plants from Sir Peppermeister!
Ugh. No fair. I have EXACTLY the opposite problem. I am woefully behind on my spring chores! With the out-of-town and the school fundraiser and the house remodel — my “spring marathon” is looking more like a “spring potato-sack race.” I’ll be lucky to get food up-and-growing before the 100-degree temps are upon us.
I could really use the reprieve. I’ll just look at your snow-y spring pictures and be jealous of my northern compadres for once.
PS — I wish hydrangeas loved it here. Alas, too hot, too much clay, and not enough acidity. They would have to live in a container. Most beautiful plant ever!!
It’s warming up now, Shannon, and I STILL haven’t started the garden. Looks like I’ll be buying a few seedlings this year. Good luck with your spring projects! A house remodel alone is exciting but difficult!
Well, we will be building garden beds on our very new apartment balcony this summer. A great experiment for my apartment-dwelling friends. This in addition to the lasagna garden beds already up and running.
Thou I’d love for you to garden by proxy, I’d rather you get your own balcony eats going. Come on, girl. Let’s compare apartment-grown peppers and maters — north vs. south!
A tomato-off?? My ONE tomato plant died last year.
Haha! Okay, so maybe that wasn’t very fair..
Yes, the bread caught my attention as well. I need to find a good local bakery.
Nothing better than fresh bread. I’m going to try to recreate this pot o’ bread at some point, so pop back over here from time to time–maybe I’ll inspire you to make your own!
Great shots. (You looked particularly lovely.)
Why thank you.