And just like that, it's 2022

 The holidays are done. 

All the Christmas decorations are boxed back up 

and stored under the stairs in the basement.

 

I left the pixies out on the mantle - both for some color and because I love them

and I'm not ready to have them gone.

Christmas had all the right feels -

with cozy things

and something exciting to look forward to next year.

It's pretty quiet over here now -

even as I adjust to being back from a quick winter vacation.

My friend and I decided that we deserved a week in the sun;

we also decided that we didn't want to risk flying - 

what with all the crazy 'Karens' out there 

and the chance of cancelled flights and shared air teeming with bacteria 

in both the airports and a hollowed out tin can - 

especially since our destination was FLA -

which is a state full of crazy people anyway.

 

What we didn't factor into that mix was winter weather 

and the impact it would have on driving. 

Our fantasy of antiquing our way down South was brought to an abrupt halt

when we had an accident 2 hours south of home,

on icy and snowy roads.

It was a definite inconvenience - 

with hours of having the car towed, getting a rental car, 

having to turn that rental car in a day later when it wouldn't work correctly,

and dealing with insurance companies.

We were both extremely lucky; it wasn't a tragedy, just a crimp in our plans.

 

We finally made it to our detination - 

and it was worth all the aggravation.

A sunny Gulf beach and a heated swimming pool steps from your door ...

doesn't get much better than that.

 

The color and whimsy around nearly every bend on both Sanibel and Captiva

was enchanting.

 

Add in some adult beverages -

and its perfection.

Florida provided us with wonderful days in the sun,

terrific food at night -

and the ugliest light house I've ever seen.

Anatomy of a sunset

and gorgeous sunrises

The forecast of another weekend weather event - 

complete with snow and ice -

made us cut our visit short by 1 day

so we could drive back and try to beat the front.

 

Our plan was a success -

home safely, without incident.

Although the hurried trip back made the sunny days 

feel like a memory by the time we returned.

 

 

Would welcome the chance to go back another time -

but I think a different time of the year might work out better.

 

Adjusting to the 'plainness' of what's here 

and trying to get back into the swing of things that need my attention.

Insert deep sigh here.