Southwest Florida Girl Scouts Are Taking Cookie Orders

It's that time of year again. Get ready. Southwest Florida Girl Scouts are taking cookie orders and things are a little different this year. Here is the scoop on Girl Scout cookies SWFL. When you go your neighborhood Publix in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral and such this weekend, you won't find tables loaded with the sweet treats just yet. The first grocery store sales dates are still two weeks away. However, you can place orders today. Also, to map out your buying strategy, find out where Girl Scouts will be selling cookies by clicking here for a location finder.

I am weak. I admit it. When I see those girls at a store front, I remember what it was like to be in school, trying to raise money for extracurricular activities. I'm sure my neighbors and parents' friends bought all kinds of candles, chocolates and stuff they didn'tt want or need to support me. I want to return the favor. OK OK, that's not the only reason I'm weak. I also admit that I like the cookies.

I've often wondered, are the cookies really that good? Or do we go crazy over them because we have one shot a year to acquire them. Perhaps it is a little of both. I always buy a few extra boxes and stash them in my freezer. As you can see by the photo below. This small, sad stack of Trefoils is all I have left. The Thin Mints disappear within days of purchase. However, I tend to only eat a Trefoil here and there, on a lazy Sunday morning with a cup of coffee.  It's time to replenish.

Now, there is some bad news for fans of the Raspberry Rally. They are the only discontinued cookie this year. Truth be told, they were a bit of a tease anyway. They were advertised as the sister cookie to the thin mint. Very similar. However, instead of the refreshing mint flavor they had sweet raspberry. They were only sold online and there was a limited amount of them. Much to the dismay of the Girl Scouts, some people who were able to score boxes were reselling them at inflated prices. Like they were concert tickets.

Finally, there is one more bit of bad news if you are on a budget. Inflation has hit the Girl Scouts. Boxes of cookies have gone up in price from $5 to $6 this year. Perhaps it is a built in mechanism to keep us from over indulging? Nah. The cookie proceeds still go to a good cause and it is our one shot all year to stock up.

I drove by Rosé Cafe in Arcadia dozens of Sunday afternoons when returning to Fort Myers from Central Florida but it was always closed. It sits in an old brick building on the south bound lanes of U.S. 17. The highway splits as it winds through downtown. Finally, one Friday I took a one block detour to see if it was open. Bingo. This cheerful café is a sweet Southwest Florida Pit Stop. It is just far enough when taking a road trip from Lee and Collier Counties that you are ready to stretch your legs and fuel your body.

Rosé is a family owned café and bakery of sorts. The house made sweet treats are fantastic. The cupcakes melt in your mouth. Serving both breakfast and lunch, the menu has hot sandwiches, salads, flatbreads and more. A neon pink sign reads, "Rosé All Day," one of my favorite sayings. And they mean it. The café has a selection of  rosé wine to consume with your meal.

When I first stopped, the café was small and cozy, with lots of pink, garden walls and neon signs that were perfect for Instagram. In the last few months, it has expanded to take over a neighboring space. Now the counter where you place orders and drool over desserts is separate from the dining space.

Rosé Café is the latest in my travel series, Favorite Florida Pit Stops. It features locally owned places on or just off of some of the state's most well traveled roadways. If you like a good pulled pork sandwich, or BBQ in general, here is another great place on U.S. 17 in Hardee County. If you have a Favorite Florida Pit Stop to share, email me here.

In the meantime, this Arcadia café is a sweet Southwest Florida pit stop and here are a few photos to whet your appetite.