Girls' Night...
It was Becky's turn to choose our restaurant and she wanted to surprise us. "Grab your sunglasses and dress in cool clothes", she said in the mysterious phone call this afternoon. "I'll pick you up at 6:30!"
We headed for the coast...a short drive from our neighborhood...and turned into the drive at a marina tucked away in a little corner of the Gulf of Mexico. We were at Ozona Blue Grilling Co....a newly renovated restaurant in Dunedin/Palm Harbor.
A delightful hostess greeted us as we entered, and gave us the option of eating inside, on the patio with the misting machines (it was still 89 degrees!), around the swimming pool and hot tub (available for boaters and diners, alike), or under the "tent".
We chose the tent so we could listen to the snap of halyards against the masts, as the waves lapped against the hulls of the sailboats. (I always think of the John Denver song, Calypso, when I hear this sound...and of the days DH and I sailed. We owned a sailboat before a house!)
Our server, a sweet man named Tom, was very welcoming and attentive. Once our drinks were ordered, Tom explained the specials...all fresh seafood... and answered all our questions regarding the menu selections. We three girls had a difficult time deciding which delectable meal to try...and we were not rushed. Finally, each of us decided to order appetizers and salad or she crab soup. Great choices!!!
The quiet hustle and bustle around the tables came to a halt when the sky began to turn orange. Tonight was a perfect sunset! Even the servers stopped what they were doing to appreciate the beauty over the water...and cameras and cell phones were pulled out to record the spectacular sight. As the sun melted into the horizon, candles and torches were lit...and the hum of happy diners returned. Raising our glasses of Sangria, we toasted the sunset...and our friendship... and began the ritual of sharing our lives. What a wonderful evening...
The photographs above were taken from the patio at Ozona Blue. It's the progression of the sun setting over St. Joseph's Sound and the Gulf of Mexico.
Be sure to visit Barbara Jacksier at http://barbarajacksier.blogspot.com the host of Waterside Wednesday, and Susan at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com, the host of Outdoor Wednesday. And don't forget to visit Watery Wednesday for fabulous photos from around the world. It's always a treat to see what all our blog friends share...
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Jane
21 comments:
the sunset photos are gorgeous! what a cool place to dine.
HI Jane
Sounds like you had a wonderful evening catching up with friends. The sunset over the water is gorgeous.. something I rarely see as I live on the east coast of aus. Although then I get the moonrise over water which I cannot resist either.
Have a great week. Julie
What a great evening! Beautiful shots of the sunset. There really is nothing like seeing the sun sink into the water. What a gorgeous place to spend time with friends and catch up. Beautiful! Kathy
sounds like a perfect evening and beautiful sunset! i love dunedin...i miss the beach :O(
I love those sunset pictures. It looked liked it was an evening to remember.
Looks like you had a fabulous night out. The sunset was spectacular. I may have to get some friends together and go to Ozona Blue one night.
Thank you for sharing your girl's night out with us!
~ Tracy
Your photos are exquisite. It sounds as though yur "girl's night out" was a smashing success.
Beautiful shots, I think I would enjoy having dinner there. They would have a hard time getting me to leave.
Ah, so wonderful. Unfortunately the season for dining al Fresco has come to an end here in New England!
dear jane..thank you for your visit.
the name of the author for the poem leetle bateese" is william henry drummond.
you can just hear the france, french accent, eh of the dear old grand pere?
and you can feel the love in his heart toward this naughty boy.
i loved that poem the very first time that i ever read it when i was a teenager.
the last verse always makes me cry...it is so sweet and yet sad.
i am glad that i came by because i needed those
sunsets. they have cheered me so much.
today i took a tumble and whacked my noggin and i was just sitting here now and feeling sorry for myself....you have brought cheer into my day..thank you....love terry[teresa]
bright and beautiful sunset
What a perfect place to have girls night out. Its so calm and peaceful to dine by the water and no better view of the setting sun than over the gulf.
what dreamy photos, I love anything by the water! Cindy
Sigh... I'm already missing those stop your heart Florida sunsets. And I wouldn't mind some she-crab chowder either.
Beautiful sunset - thanks for sharing. Dinner sounds wonderful.
The only problem with all the pictures would be that I am not in them...Looks like such a beautiful place and wow what a sunset, again your photos are so professional...love um..
Such a beautiful setting! Dinner with friends sounds wonderful!
Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing.
All the best,
Eileen
This looks absolutely fabulous! I love a beautiful sunset. What a great time with the girls!
That looks wonderful Jane. Maybe we 4 can go there some evening too. I like the Sangria toast to the sunset idea!!
Beautiful pictures.
Hugs
Becky
Hi Jane! so fun to find another sailor...my h and I sail 3-4 months out of the yr. Your blog is lovely and loved the sunset pics. Just found you today....can't wait to read all!
Hi, Jane - I just found your blog via your recent post about Shoppe Around the Corner. (My mom volunteers there.) So I've really enjoyed browsing through your blog tonight - it's quite fun to find a local blogger. My husband and I own Magnolia Grille on Alt 19 in PH. Perhaps you could stop in to say hello sometime :) I've made some very dear friends through blogging over the past year, but none are local.
Thank you for writing the very sweet post about the Shoppe. I know Deborah and the others were honored to have it featured.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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