My love of food and culture started the moment I was born. A lot of people don't know but one half of my heritage comes from Mexico. Not only did I grow up on Texas/American country comfort foods but I also experienced many family quinceaneras, weddings, birthdays, and fiestas with endless frijoles, rice, and margaritas! Both of my parents came from families that love to cook. So its natural that anyone that is close to me knows that I am passionate about food and cooking. I really, really love to cook for other people. Anytime I have gatherings I have been know to go all out and overboard on themes, food, and drink. Not only do I love to cook but my siblings love to cook as well. And we all love to eat!
Shortly after Kris and I got married I had to have my wisdom teeth removed. I had just finished the spring semester and had decided to take the summer off from school. So I must have had some time on my hands. I remember moving the couch to the middle of the room and watching my first episode of Rachel Ray. Giada followed and I was all of a sudden hooked! My first real meal I had cooked for Kris was a dish Giada called Little Thimbles Sciue Sciue. It was basically macaroni noodles with tomato and basil. From then on I attempted lots more recipes and had a strong desire towards Italian foods. Over the years my love of learning about different cultures through food grew. And I also wanted to learn more about my own culture and food as well. We lived in Hawaii for 4 years shortly after this and I learned not only about Hawaiian cuisine but also about Japanese foods. Because we were military I was able to switch recipes with people all over the US and was even able to obtain a hummus recipe from Lebanon. The one regret is that I didn't try sushi while I was there.
Once we moved back to Texas and had the girls, my focus was more on healthy foods and I became more organic in my purchases and started exploring options from local farmers. I was thrown into raising the chickens (thanks brother of mine...your goat is coming one day!) and did better than I expected.
When we learned that we would be moving to Germany I was very excited. Europe is so diverse that I figured I could learn a lot about the food experiences here. I have yet to try the German cheesecake made with quark.
However, Kris and I both agreed that around our 10th wedding anniversary, we needed to take a big vacation without the girls. So we decided on going to Rome. We were very blessed with new friends that offered to watch the girls for us during our stay. How grateful we are to you!
So we began planning and soon we were flying away. It was surreal thinking that we would be alone for the first time in 10 years.
This little stop was recommended by a website I read over. Bar Fondi is the name. It was right next to Termini Station. A great little place for a pick me up. We were soon on to see if we could drop off our bags.
This is the view standing in front of the hotel doors looking out.
Our hotel to the left with the brown shutters.
The sign Ristorante Pizzeria is the place we had supper the first night. It was very small and quiet. We ordered a pizza with a type of ham. We also had a typical bruschetta, and the waiter also gave us an eggplant bruschetta that was wonderful and spicy. I tried to recreate it here at home but it needs some work.
After walking around all day we would come back to our hotel, take a shower, and come up here to drink a glass of wine before going out for supper at night. We had this terrace all to ourselves each night.
Colosseum
To the left of this picture is a path we walked down to visit a church. You wouldn't imagine all the trash and homeless people there on the streets. This was this most disappointing part of Rome. I wish they would take better care of the people and their city.
The is supposed to be the shroud of Jesus.
Finger of Thomas.
Spikes from the Crown of Thorns.
Part of the Cross.
These are the stairs said to have been stepped on by Jesus. You are only allowed to walk them on your knees.
Chains of Peter
Statue of Moses
I loved walking to this area. It opened to all the history of Rome.
I couldn't pass by this horse without petting him.
Castel St. Angelo
The walk to the Vatacan
The very long line that we skipped.
There was a lot of Egyptian artifacts here.
Some real mummies!
Rub a dub dub Kris in the tub! Ha!
I think they may be related!
He is Risen!
"Take this cup from me"
Sistine Chapel
&
Michaelango
This lady was laughing at me because I wouldn't just drink it. lol She was talking in Italian and probably telling me that I was a silly American! Ha!
I love this one of Mary and Jesus!
Under this lays the tomb of Peter.
This is a pope.
The very delicious Gelato a Teatro.
This was the sweets counter.
There were flavors such as melon, red peach, prickly pear, grapes, yellow plum, watermelon and strawberry. Each flavor is organic.
Here you will find licorice, garden sage and raspberry, greek yogurt, rosemary honey and lemon, pineapple and mint, white chocolate and basil, and coconut. We tried the garden sage and raspberry. Kris didn't like the sage but I thought it was a hint of sage and not too overpowering.
The cheese almond and fig was my favorite.
We also had the pistachio from sicily and sicilian almond.
Kris got coconut!
OK See these people to the left??!! They are using what I dubbed a "selfie stick" to take a picture of themselves with their cell phone. There were Indians (from India) selling them EVERYWHERE!! Even while we were dining outside trying to enjoy dinner! Selfie stick??....ridiculous! lol
So in my best voice from India, "Do you like to look at your self? Do you want a selfie stick?"
Obviously Kris likes to take pictures of me with things sticking up off my head! lol
Those birds look like they tickle!
The Pantheon
The tomb of Raphael.
Trevi Fountain :( They had drained it and were doing repairs. Oh well, next time I'll just have to go to Tuscany! ;)
PIZZA!!!
TIRAMISU!!!
Cappuchino!!!
He's so cute!
Aww Happy BIG 10 +, Honey!
These are the stairs up to the terrace.
Ha I look like the Statue of Liberty!
The best meal of the day!! These were the best cappuccinos and cornetti.
Pinkies Out! lol
Ah! Just let me stay here forever!
Little cafe outside.
Sleepy Kitty!
Another Selfie Stick!
A lime tree! We could make lots of margaritas with this tree!!
This is all in the Palatine Hill.
Glad to see others care about these sweet horses!
This is the day we ate the pizza in the back of the Gelateria we love. Kris really liked his pizza and we both tried a new type of soda.
Sorry for stuffing my face...I was tired and hungry!
The streets of Rome.
The Spanish Steps
McDonalds!!!
Our last night. I really want an orange bottle!
Mushroom ravioli
Bucatini All'Amatriciana YUM!!!
I feel like I'm still dreaming!! I am so glad I got to go and experience the history, food, people, and culture of Rome!
The food was all I hoped it to be and more! I loved the history of it all.
If you ever travel to Rome send me a message because I have lots of tips I could share. One being to bring good walking shoes! I think we logged close to 5 miles a day!
Until next time! Ciao!
