Gelato

I haven't forgotten about my "walking home" series. I still have a few posts before I finish that up. I have walked home and taken pictures of things, but I haven't had time to write about them. I'm finally starting to catch up...

Probably my favorite thing about Italy is gelato. During my first two weeks in Rome, I went out for gelato every night. I had to sample each gelateria near my house to find my favorite. I managed to find it just 2 blocks away. Since then, I've had much gelato!

If you've never had gelato, its much more than just ice cream. Its richer and creamier and better! It is usually made with very fresh ingredients, including fruits, nuts, chocolates, and other flavors you might not normally think of. It is so good! I was already a fan of gelato before arriving in Italy because I grew up spending many Sunday nights at 4D, an Italian gelateria in Peru. I have fond memories of the gelato from 4D...Pesca (peach) was always my favorite flavor.

Since I've been in Rome, I've decided that my favorite flavors are Limone (lemon) and Cacao (chocolate). They make a very sour lemon and a very dark, bitter chocolate. I think they go wonderfully together, and I rarely get any other flavor. I also like to stick with the same flavors at various gelaterias to more properly judge them. If I venture out and get a different flavor, I will always pair it with either Lemon or Chocolate so I can compare it to previous experiences.

As I'm walking home, I pass at least 6 gelaterias. My favorite one is Gelateria DG. (I have no idea what the DG stands for.) I've even been known to stop on my walk home and get some gelato, which defeats the purpose of walking home, I guess, but it sure is tasty! Many gelaterias in Rome have a giant ice cream cone outside so you can find them quickly. Its always a comforting sight to see a bright, colorful cone on the street!

I will miss my gelateria and I will miss having the opportunity to eat gelato all the time, every where! Its sad to think of a world without gelato. Too sad, in fact, I can't handle it! I will just have to find a nice place to get my gelato fix after I leave Rome.

slightly cracked ice cream cone...still good!

Gelateria DG

so many delicious flavors
even more flavors

my coppetta

gelateria at night

Packing

This is what we've been doing for the last two days. Well, I guess we haven't been doing much because we haven't been the ones doing the packing...but we've been here and we supervise and organize and sort and make lists. I'm very good at making lists. Now we have a fairly accurate inventory that includes most of our belongings by box number. Tomorrow they bring the big crates to take everything away. I've enjoyed having two days off of work to spend packing and getting ready to leave! Now we have less than 2 months before we depart...can't wait! Enjoy the pictures, and notice how bare the walls are and how empty the apartment feels. Its kind of sad, but also very exciting!

Coming Soon...

I promise, more updates are coming soon! Right now we're a little busy preparing for our pack-out (that's when professional packers come and take away most of our earthly possessions). I can't let that happen unless things are organized a certain way...so we've been organizing, and stacking, and sorting, and cleaning, and moving, and sorting some more. Bill has been very understanding and he's helping me even though he doesn't agree that its all necessary. I really appreciate his help anyway!

As soon as the packing is finished, and we take a long weekend to relax, I will resume updating my blog on a more regular basis. I have a lot to say and good pictures to share so hang on just a little longer and I'll make sure its worth it! Thanks.

Final Brunch

Yesterday I hosted my final brunch here in Italy. We're leaving in a few months and we're packing our household goods this month. That means I will be without most of my belongings for a while. Before that happens, I wanted a chance to use all my fun serving dishes and entertaining items. That meant I had to host something. And, what do I like hosting more than anything??? BRUNCH! Brunch is my favorite meal, and its my favorite thing to host. I went all out for my final brunch, making all the food myself instead of hosting a potluck brunch (even though my friends generously offered to bring things). I was able to showcase all my fun stuff, and I made a lot of good food. I was afraid we might have tons of leftovers, but we did alright. Just the right number of people came and ate just the right amount of food. There were only a few things leftover and I can handle that!

Even though we were running a little late at the beginning, it turned out great. Thanks to the early arrivals for helping (you know who you are!). The menu was delicious and the company was even better. It really was an excellent brunch! It was just the way I want to remember all my Italian brunches. We had a lovely day (in the morning) and people sat out on the patio. Then, in the afternoon, a thunderstorm rolled through and everyone sat in the living room listening to the rain outside. On the menu: Mike's Casserole, Baked French Toast, Zucchini Egg Bake, Mini Muffins, Scones (I made scones for the first time in my new scone pan - very cool), Devilled Eggs, Mini Cheesecakes, Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Jumbo Muffins, Fruit Plate with Yogurt Spice Fruit Dip, Banana Trifle, Ham-Pickle Rolls, Cheese & Crackers, Mini Sandwiches, Coffee, Tea, Water, Orange Juice, Iced Tea, and Strawberry-Banana Smoothies. It was a lot of food, but it was all so good I couldn't leave anything out! Everything was very yummy and I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Maybe I should go eat some leftovers!

"before" picture of table with all my fun dishes

empty dishes just waiting for food
oooohhhh, yummy food!

so pretty (one casserole is still in the oven)

banana trifle

mini cheesecakes

let's eat!