temperature light blinks intermittently with cold startup

When I start the car up cold, usually when the morning air is frigid, I often get a blinking red temperature light on the dashboard. The engine temperature appears to be working fine, going from cold to warm (middle hash mark on the gauge). When I turn the car off and restart it again, it does not reappear. Another thing that I noticed, I hope that it's not my imagination, is that I am picking up a faint smell of antifreeze, The car, although, does not overheat. What's your suggestion????