MADE ~ Cupcakes in Rome

October 8, 2013 By Andrea

I have a sweet tooth. I mean, a major sweet tooth. I can’t get enough of cakes, cookies, brownies, or just about any type of pastry. Although typical Italian pastries are good, and I’ll very rarely turn one down when offered, most just seem to miss the mark with me. I am used to (and prefer) richer, sweeter pastries.

I crave light, moist cakes with buttercream icing, rich chocolate brownies, melt in your mouth chocolate chip cookies … all of these abundant in the U.S., but missing in Italy.

When I stumbled across MADE and saw a variety of American style pastries on display, I almost tripped over myself trying to enter the shop.

MADE is a short walk from Piazza Navona. It is small inside, with no tables to sit down. The decor is white and bright, with pops of color mostly coming from the mouth watering baked goods on display.

I am a sucker for cupcakes, and that’s what I’ve gone for both times I’ve visited. I’ll have to try a cookie or two next time though.

The first time I went, I had a chocolate and lavender cupcake (pictured below). It was quite unique – chocolate cake with thick, fudge-like chocolate icing topped with sprinkles of dried lavender. It had just a hint of lavender flavor, not overpowering at all. Different taste, but quite good. However, the cake was a little on the dry side.

The next time I went I chose the red velvet cupcake (pictured above). This one was really tasty. The cake seemed to be more chocolate than red velvet (no complaints here), and was moist. The cream cheese icing was airy and whipped. Needless to say, I polished this one off in record time!

If you’re only in Rome for a few days, MADE probably shouldn’t be added to the top of your to-do list. But if you’re craving American baked goods, this could be just the fix you need. 🙂

MADE Creative Bakery
Via dei Coronari, 25
+39 06 98932195
http://www.madebakery.com/
MADE on Facebook

Holy Mass with Pope Francis

October 1, 2013 By Andrea

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of attending Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and got to hear Pope Francis speak. It was really a neat experience! Although I’m not Catholic, I still appreciated and enjoyed the opportunity to be there.

I also had the pleasure to watch a group of sisters see St. Peter’s in person for the first time. They lit up like a group of little kids on Christmas morning. Seeing their reactions made me appreciate my surroundings even more.

Below are several more photos taken during Holy Mass.

Holy Mass with Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica | www.whyrome.blogspot.com

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My Italian Baby Turns 1

September 24, 2013 By Andrea

Dolce is my furry baby, and this past week we celebrated him turning one. He wasn’t planned for, but this little guy has brought so much joy, happiness, laughter and love into my home and life. Many things have changed in my life since I have been in Italy, but Dolce is the best of those changes.

Dolce means sweet in Italian, and it is the perfect name for him. He’s very playful, loving and easy-going. He likes to travel, play, go for walks and cuddle. Below are photos of him doing some of his favorite things.

Dolce as a baby. I can hardly believe how much he has grown!

He likes to ‘help’ with everything. Here he’s helping to make the bed.

He likes to hide in the middle of pillow forts.

He likes to play hide and seek. Dolce hides under rugs, and I hide behind chairs.

He always gets excited when his food and treats are delivered. (I order most of his things online from a fabulous company, www.zooplus.it)

He likes to go for walks in the park.

Sometimes he likes to make “art projects” while I take a shower.

He also likes to keep me company while I take a bath by waiting in the dirty clothes basket in the bathroom.

He has a passport so he can travel. In the spring, he flew to New York City and back. He’s also been to the beach in Naples, Italy.

He recently got a pet stroller to make traveling around Italy a little easier. So far, he’s been enjoying his walks, and has even taken a few naps in his stroller.

Finally, at the end of the day, he just wants to be next to or held by his Mommy.

I’m thankful every day for this little guy.

Happy birthday, my sweet Dolce.

You.are.very.loved!

Why Rome?

Pizzeria Florida ~ Good Pizza al Taglio in Rome

September 17, 2013 By Andrea

Pizza al taglio, which means pizza by the slice, or more accurately, pizza by the cut, is a popular type of food in Rome. It’s like the Italian style of fast food, if you will. There are usually a variety of toppings and flavors to choose from. The American in me loves being able to have a variety of flavors to choose from. Although delicious, sometimes you just want more than the classic margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil). I also like this style of pizza because it has more of a bite when it comes to the crust. Regular Roman-style pizza (not to be confused with pizza from Naples), has more of a really thin, cracker crust. Pizza al taglio has a softness to the bread when you first bite in, then a crispy crust underneath.

To order, you let the person behind the counter know which pizza you would like, and if you would like a large or small portion (you pay by weight). I usually like to get two small portions so I can try different flavors. As you can see from the photo above, they actually cut the pizza with scissors. Hence the name, pizza al taglio, or pizza by the cut. Once cut, the pizza is warmed in the oven for a few minutes. You can then take your pizza to go (porta via in Italian), or eat there. At Pizzeria Florida there is a small stand up counter inside, along with a few benches outside on the sidewalk where you can eat.

On my latest visit, I opted for two different flavors – tuna and a twist on the classic margherita. Thick pieces of buffalo mozzarella with hints a fresh basil and bursts of juicy, roasted plum tomatoes on a crispy crust always hits the spot. The tuna is completely different for pizza, but really delicious with moist tuna, juicy olives, chunks of tomato and peppery arugula.

Pizzeria Florida is located in the city center along the tram #8 route, right across from the ruins of Largo Argentina. They are open Monday – Saturday from 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM, and closed Sundays. Not only is the pizza good here, but their prices are pretty reasonable too. You can expect to spend around €5 per person for pizza and a drink.

Pizzeria Florida
Via Florida, 25
06 6880 3236
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Biking ~ Down by the River in Rome

September 10, 2013 By Andrea

I’ve been biking pretty regularly lately, and I’ve been loving it! I work from home, so the morning bike rides help to break my day up and provide some extra exercise. I live in Trastevere, so the Tiber River is near for me. I usually always ride down next to the river. There’s no street traffic, only other bikers, walkers and runners. It’s so lovely and peaceful being near to the water. Sometimes I almost forget there is a bustling city going on just above me.

In addition to the exercise, the rides have been great for me to gather my thoughts. I’m in the process of working on several upcoming projects, and it’s nice to be able to think creatively in an open environment and not always at a desk in front of a computer.

I like to ride by Castle Sant’ Angelo and the Bridge of Angels. I never cease to feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I am able to be in this environment. I am always in awe as I approach and ride by the ancient castle that Emperor Hadrian had commissioned 2,000 years ago. The same feelings evoke as I admire Bernini’s angel sculptures along the bridge. The things that have happened here and the phenomenal history that surrounds this area just about blows my mind some days.

You can’t really tell it from the photo below, but the water under this bridge always seems to sparkle like diamonds with the way the morning sunlight hits. Always a treat!

I also get to do quite a bit of bird watching along my rides. It’s great being able to enjoy and appreciate the little things.

It’s been a while now, but we came across this guy playing the saxophone one day during a ride. It was so beautiful, and felt like he was there to play just for us. It’s a memory I don’t think I’ll forget anytime soon.

I’ve also been riding in the opposite direction along the river, toward Testaccio. This part of the river is not so manicured and is a bit more rustic, but it’s still so lovely. The trees along the bank provide extra shade, and a different feel along the ride.

Nature and ancient structures … the best of both worlds, and an incredible start to the day!