In my blog I plan to chat about nature, crafts, baking, gardening, beekeeping, family, and whatever else seems appropriate at the time. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Florida...Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

A week ago Saturday My Shug and I decided we were going to go somewhere sunny and warm.
Dixie knew something was up, and he wasn't happy about it. 
SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Off we go.
 As it turns out it was Super Bowl Sunday on the day we left.  We were meeting a friend I used to work with, who stays in her son's condo in Bonita Springs, Florida,  for a couple of months in the winter.  She picked us up at the airport and when we got to the condo, she had prepared chili, spicy chicken wings, chips & salsa, potato chips, cheese tray and crackers and beer!  And what a game....not sure I agreed with that last touchdown call, but then, those umpires never care what I think!

MONDAY
The next day Cecilia and I headed to the Visitors Bureau for maps and brochures, and this very fun store called The Best of Everything.

 I cannot tell you everything they have in that store! 
Name Brands, Non-Name Brands, you name it!  It was there.
 I had to take a picture of this flower outside the visitors bureau.  COLOR!  I MISS COLOR!
 Then off to the Winn Dixie for some grocery shopping.  Awwww, I miss my Winn Dixie Doodle.
I hear he's doing fine though.  My dog was named after this store...sort of.  He was named after the dog in the movie Because of Winn Dixie, and that dog was named after this store.  If you haven't seen the movie, watch it, it's cute.
It's a great show to watch with your kids or grand kids too.
 We got back to the condo and my Shug was hanging out here ALL DAY! 
 And why not!  It made him happy!
 The view at the pool.
 So, we decided that evening we would cook a meal at home.  Peeps...this was some good food. 
Chicken on the grill
Asparagus, skillet fried in olive oil
and sweet potatoes, peeled and chunked,
tossed in a bowl with olive oil and a pinch of cayenne
(I used my hand to just toss the potatoes in the oil)
then I put the potatoes on a cookie sheet (a jelly roll pan works well since it has sides on it) lined with parchment paper.
Sprinkle the potatoes lightly with paprika, white pepper, salt, and brown sugar.
Bake on 425 for about half an hour, then sprinkle again with brown sugar and bake another 15 minutes.  I sometimes turn them with a spatula...sometimes I don't!  They stick a little bit to the parchment paper, because of the brown sugar, but if you don't use it, they stick to the pan.
Pair this dinner with some merlot!  YUM

We also had brats and Cecilia insisted she take my Shug the brats out to the grill.  I was working on the potatoes.  Well, apparently she was getting gout of the way of a car, and she fell into the bushes, with the brats.  She yelled for my Shug who said he dug her, and the brats out of the bushes!  She was fine, and he put them on the grill anyway. 
I ate chicken!

TUESDAY
 On Tuesday we were rested up from traveling and decided to head an hour away to Sanibel Island.
This is one big-honkin' long bridge.
 And since we are in season down here, the island was packed.  Too many cars.
We stopped at this cute little roadside shop to use the restroom and shop for a minute, (I had to get Coral Belle a sticker) and try to get our bearings.  We picked up some literature and a map...and off we went.
 We found the lighthouse

 (This is Cecilia)
 and the beach.  We were just checking the area out so we didn't pack swimsuits.

 But we did walk the beach and pick up shells.
 I hate when I take pictures like this because I always see shells in the pictures that I didn't see when I was there....
 but then I love taking pictures like this because I always enjoy them later and find them so relaxing.

Tons of shells, and we kept seeing these things... 
 They were kind of tough and full of water.  Anyone know what they are?

 More relaxing pictures!





 My Shug saw a honey bee on the beach.




After we left, and when we finally got through all the traffic, we went to the Island Cow restaurant for dinner.

 What a fun place to eat.
 I love the colors.  I walked over to see if anything was in this cage,
 and this pretty bird was inside.  I talked to it for a few minutes and said I was going to take a picture.  It turned his head.
 After some coaxing....
 Finally!

 I will leave you with this picture of my meal.  This sandwich had lightly fried tilapia with cole slaw and melted swiss cheese on grilled sourdough bread.  Not nearly as healthy as the meal we made, but so tasty.  I recommend sharing, I could only eat half of this sandwich.
More to come later.  I have some HGTV to watch, that I never get to watch at home!  We have an antenna at home.

Cindy

9 comments:

  1. Well, you sure know how to have fun! Glad you could escape winter for a while. The food you ate all sounded fabulous!

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  2. Ahh, warm sunshine! How lovely! And that meal sounds delicious!

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  3. The picture with the sad dog that sensed your departure, is priceless.

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  4. Lucky you having a break in the sun, and I agree colour is missing at this time of year.

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  5. Looks like you're having a great time. We often go to Florida in the winter, but this year our winter has been really mild. I think your unknown are worm casings.

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  6. I'm so excited for you . . . you both look so happy! Enjoy the sunshine.
    Connie :)

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  7. Cindy, You sound like you guys are enjoying your beach time. Tell Shug to stop trying to snatch that bird for the grill. LOL You dinner did look yummy. Your friend sure showed you a nice welcome. What a great time. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  8. Looks fun! You were having an exciting time, enjoying warm weather. Happy weekend to you!

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  9. Oh I'm dreaming of the warm weather. Looks like your having a great time!

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Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment on my blog. I enjoy reading them. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Cindy