overnight frost, such beauty, vegetable garden

There was a hard, overnight frost a couple of days ago, so I took my little camera out into the back garden to investigate the beauty that ice brings.

As you can see, the sky was coolly attractive, with the sun disguised as the moon behind the banks of clouds.

My eye was taken with the stark beauty of the fennel seed heads, rimed with glittery frost.  Spiky yet rounded.  Dead, yet they had provided life for next season.  Please excuse my gloved digits at the left - it was tricky to isolate one head!

The glowing vibrancy of the rainbow chard was simply stunning.  Although leaves which are caught by the frost become inedible, it will send out fresh leaves for me to harvest on milder days throughout the winter.  I hope you didn't pull all yours up!

The tough leaves of the bay tree can withstand most things.  The arid days of summer, and the frosty times of winter leave it pretty much unharmed.

It's a slow-growing shrub, but well worth having in the garden to add a leaf or two to casseroles and curries.

The thyme looks so delicate and dainty with its white frosting.  Another herb which survives drought and frost in equal measure, and proves invaluable in everyday cooking.

The rosemary is the other herb which looks extra attractive when rimed with frost.  Each of those firm, narrow leaves sparkles individually in the early light.  Again, it withstands the dry summers and cold winters without complaining.

 The red onions I sowed last year are looking a little sorry for themselves, but I hope they will recover and continue to grow.  Time will tell, but my fingers are crossed.

It's good to get out in the garden to keep abreast of what's happening whilst I'm warm inside the house.

I hate to tempt fate, but I think I'm getting the hang of the new method of importing photos.  Who say's you can't teach an old dog new tricks????  Oh, I forgot, I taught myself!

Keep snug and away from bugs!