Greetings my chilly friends, from a rather nippy paradise

It's a little frosty in the Sarasota area tonight. While the temperature states it's a balmy 51 degrees, I can tell you that the "real feel" temp is quite different. Tomorrow may have to include a trip to Marshall's to buy some socks.

What? I packed one pair of shoes, one pair of socks, and I won't admit to how many pairs of flip flops may be residing in the closet right now. Given the current temperature, it's certainly more than I need.



We had an action filled day beginning with what should have been a one hour trip to the airport, but took two because of a surprise snowfall and icy road conditions and all at insane o'clock. To avoid missing our trip out of hell save time, we had to park in the extortionist long term parking deck at the airport. Still, we persevered and made it safely to Siesta Key by noon, had a late, and delicious breakfast (al fresco) at The Broken Egg, followed by pedicures and a little shopping to stock the fridge and vodka cabinet. By 6PM, we were spent, but somehow managed, wrapped in sweaters, jeans and blankets, to watch a glorious sunset on our first night here.



When we parked in the long term lot, I had the presence of mind to leave my ticket in the vehicle. Sometime tomorrow, my husband and son will fetch the car from that lot that's charging $20 a day to park so close to the terminal. Bless them both for saving us from that obscene rate. I think I owe them, but now I find myself wondering what I should do with the savings. Perhaps I should buy a down coat.

A down filled sky. Too bad it's so ccccccccold.

Do they even sell The North Face products down here? Perhaps thermal under armor is in order.

I jest with you though, because while the low may be 44 degrees here tonight, it's highly unlikely Detroit would even hit that as a high temperature on Sunday. It's beautifully warm enough for me when the sun is shining in the afternoon. In fact, while at breakfast, it was so warm in the sun that I broke into a sweat.


And yes...the sand really is so white it looks like snow. Unfortunately, it's so chilly, it sort of feels like that, too. This really is the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. It's so white and feels like powdered sugar, or at least it does when the sun is shining.

Sunday's agenda? Dinner at the Columbia restaurant on St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota, which will include the sangria and their very famous 1905 salad, not to mention the utterly delicious black bean soup, and finally, a trip to the theater to see, The King's Speech.

For the rest of the week, we are mulling over a trip to Captiva & Sanibel Island, the Florida Everglades, and possibly, a trip to Universal Studios. All is up in the air, but for right now, we're chilling, sipping vodka cocktails and snacking on pizza.

Weather aside, it's a perfect beginning.