Kristina, it was really tough getting around the Cities today, wasn't it?  I saw an awful lot of SUVs in the ditch on the freeways here today!

BEGGING YOU TO PLEEEEEASE SEND IT OUR WAY!

We have no snow... none :-( You can't have Christmas without snow lol

Kristina,

I really hate to do this to you......... it was about 70 degrees here today mid-day... but I have to say that I miss seeing fresh snow (I grew up in Tennessee), and I'm sure it's beautiful where you live. 

Come visit us on the NW FL coast on the Gulf of Mexico sometime.

Here's your palm tree as requested.  This is a beach on the coastline of Central Florida.  Sharon Horney has a marketing company ... she's on AR, too.  She sent me this photo to use as a myspace background for my 'business' myspace site.

Enjoy the view.  Send us some beautiful snow pictures, please!

Two weeks ago here it was 75 degrees outside. Last night it was pouring rain and hail in some areas. -Charles

Keep that snow did you mean active rain or something else.

I'll do one better for ya....I'm an approved affiliate of Travelocity. If it's bad check out this:

http://www.astepaheadwithpaigerausch.com-a.googlepages.com/trytravelwithastepahead-greatestdealsint

Karen to let you know what we have going on in~here's some of the copy from another post I wrote about the Sunshine State!

Best to you and yours from your AR Florida Friend Paige!! 

Aerial of Boca Grande

Photo from the Lighthouse at Boca Grande 

(Listings are arranged by city from north to south)

PANAMA CITY BEACH – Panama City Beach’s new airport will begin construction. Slated to open in late 2009, the area’s new 100,000-square-foot airport will accommodate larger jets, making possible more flights and more competitive fares. 800-PCBEACH (800-7223224). (850) 233-5070. www.thebeachloversbeach.com.

JACKSONVILLE – Beginning Sept. 20, 2008, Carnival Cruise Line’s Fantasy-class ship Fascination will call Jacksonville homeport. Because of increased demand the 2,052-passenger ship will replace Carnival’s Celebration.
(800) 733-2668. www.jaxcvb.com.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH – The Sea Turtle Inn in Atlantic Beach is undergoing a major renovation and getting a new name. Slated for completion by January 1, 2008, the renewed property will change names to OneOcean Resort. The renovation will include remodeled guest rooms, restaurant, front desk and pool, as well as the addition of an oceanfront spa. (800) 874-6000. www.seaturtle.com.

TAMPA – In spring 2008, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is opening Jungala. Resembling portions of the Congo, the new attraction invites guests to discover exotic creatures, explore a village hidden deep in the jungle and connect with the inhabitants of the lush landscape through up-close animal interactions, multi-story family play areas, rides and live entertainment.
(888) 800-5447. www.buschgardens.com.

TAMPA – Looking for a “super” ride? The Florida RV Trade Association is hosting its 23rd annual Florida RV SuperShow Jan. 16-20, 2008 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. This year’s show will have more booths and manufacturer space than ever before. With class-act entertainment from clowns, barbershop quartets and this year’s new addition – the Arneberg’s Super Dog Show, the Florida RV SuperShow provides fun for the whole family. View the world’s largest RV sand sculpture, get information on a new way to vacation or simply dabble in the hobby by checking out RVs on display. Experts will be on hand to help guests make the most of their RV experience. (813) 741-0488. www.frvta.org.

ORLANDO – Across from the Orange County Convention Center, the Westin Imagine Orlando will open in April 2008 providing luxury accommodations for both business and leisure travelers. Art Deco, modernist style will characterize the 315 rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites. Amenities include the Westin WORKOUT® Powered by Reebok fitness center, a lagoon-style pool and an upscale, contemporary Italian restaurant, lively cocktail lounge and more.
(888) 946-9501. www.westin.com.

ORLANDO – In March 2008, SeaWorld Orlando opens Aquatica, a one-of-a-kind 60-acre water park, which blends up-close animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches. Crystal-blue rivers wind through hidden grottos and refreshing waterfalls, while rich greenery and bright flowers adorn towering rock formations. The Aquatica campus includes 36 water slides, six rivers and lagoons, and more than 80,000 square-feet of beach area. (800) 432-1178. (407) 363-2200. www.seaworld.com.

ORLANDO – The Simpsons, the blockbuster hit series, is the inspiration for the Universal Orlando Resort's new theme park ride that opens Spring 2008. Guests will be rocketed along with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson on a hysterical, almost unimaginable adventure. They’ll experience a side of Springfield previously unexplored as they enjoy the new ride’s interpretation of thrill rides, dark rides and “live” shows that make up a new fantasy amusement park dreamed up by the show’s cantankerous Krusty the Clown.
(407) 363-8000. www.universalorlando.com.

ORLANDO – Orlando International Airport increases non-stop international service with two new routes. Ireland’s Aer Lingus will provide non-stop service between Orlando and Dublin beginning October 27. Germany’s Lufthansa will begin non-stop service between Frankfort and Orlando on October 30.
(407) 825-2001. www.orlandoairports.net.

LAKE BUENA VISTA (near Orlando) – Walt Disney World Resort’s “Year of a Million Dreams” celebration extend throughout 2008. New Disney Dreams Giveaway gifts include: a New Year’s Eve night stay inside Cinderella Castle Suite; a flight of fancy in a hot air balloon above Walt Disney World Resort; Become Disney’s Grand Marshal around the globe; and more. (407) 939-6244. www.disneyworld.com.

LAKE BUENA VISTA (near Orlando) – Beginning in summer 2008, Walt Disney World Resort will open Toy Story Mania, an attraction that combines the popular characters from the “Toy Story” films with imagineering technology to create an interactive ride-through video game – in three dimensions. Guests board fanciful ride vehicles and zip into a world of exciting midway-style games.
(407) 939-6244. www.disneyworld.com.

DAYTONA BEACH – The 2008 NASCAR season will start with the 50th running of the world's most famous stock car race - the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday,
February 17, 2008. For tickets, go to www.daytona500experience.com.

NAPLES – Big Cypress Marketplace, an 87,000-square-foot flea shopping, entertainment and event venue, opens November 2007. The marketplace will be open year-round Friday through Sunday. Located on the Tamiami Trail four miles east of Collier Boulevard (CR 951), the marketplace features an indoor flea market with more than 100 retail vendors, a food court with entertainment stage, an outdoor produce market and Tiki Bar, a winery and a large event center. The 7,000-square-foot food arena features a second-floor mezzanine and a stage for live entertainment, student performances and cooking demonstrations. A 13,000-square-foot EXPO event center can be rented for trade shows, car shows, parties and other large gatherings. (800) 688-3600. www.naplesbigcypress.com.

NAPLES – Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens has opened the new Leopard Rock exhibit. Zoo guests can get eye-to-eye with the carnivorous cats thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass panels. (239) 262-5409. www.napleszoo.com.

FORT LAUDERDALE – The $205 million W Fort Lauderdale Hotel and Residences, a Starwood Luxury Collection property, is scheduled to open in early 2008. The 346-room hotel and its 171 luxury residences will be located on a 4 1/2-acre site offering views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Amenities at the 23-story, dual-tower property will include a signature Stephen Starr restaurant, an inviting Living Room lobby, a state-of-the-art SWEAT® fitness center, the renowned Bliss® Spa and a one-of-a-kind oceanfront infinity-edge pool.
(954) 462-1633. www.wfortlauderdaleresidences.com.

HOLLYWOOD (near Fort Lauderdale) – The Seminole Tribe of Florida invites guests to Billie Swamp Safari Feb. 22-24, 2008 for the re-enactment of the Second Seminole War. “Warriors” will dress in authentic attire, display real
weapons and demonstrate actual fighting tactics used during the period to honor the struggle of the Seminoles. Additional festivities will be held throughout the three-day event as visitors experience the Seminole life with live music, food, camp displays and alligator wrestling. (800) 683-7800. www.semtribe.com/calendar.

MIAMI BEACH – The Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort's one-billion dollar renovation/expansion is set for mid-2008 completion. The new 1,504-room luxury resort will include nearly 700 studio and one-bedroom suites in the resort’s two new luxury towers. In addition, the guest rooms and suites in the original Fontainebleau buildings are undergoing extensive renovations. (866) 548-5670. www.BleauMiamiBeach.com.

 

Hey, thanks for not rubbing it in!  All I wanted was a bit of palm tree therapy!

This photo of my back yard was taken this morning.

Walking (sliding, slipping, and stomping) in a winter wonderland!

Kristina