Girovaga

A lovely Italian tradition is to serve some sort of snack with your cocktail or wine. Whether at 11:00AM, 3:00PM, or 10:00PM, you’ll get at least a bowl of potato chips, often peanuts or a spicy/salty snack mix, and sometimes tiny sandwiches or pizza bites.

We enjoyed this “guest” that swept in to enjoy a few peanuts as soon as the couple abandoned table next to ours.

Tha waiter didn’t think this was nearly as funny as we did. The pigeon downed about 20 peanuts in less than 30 seconds.

Today we visited the posh and beautiful Via Veneto for Sunday pastry: a chocolate croissant the likes of which I have never had. Creamy dark chocolate encased in flaky goodness. Served with fresh-squeezed orange juice and excellent espresso.

Today we did not breakfast alone. Friends Wally and Nick joined Ric and I for our weekly, leisurely indulgence.

Wally, Laurel, Ric and Nick enjoy La Prima Colazione.

Our lovely Kyla at her favorite spot: Cannon Beach, Oregon. She passed away in her sleep on June 12, 2012.

It was with heavy hearts we received the news that Kyla Ann passed away yesterday, a month shy of her 11th birthday. To all who knew her, she was a sweet soul. We enjoyed our life together with hikes in Forest Park, many trips to Cannon Beach, and hanging out at Starbucks every weekend morning.

The move to Rome caused us to find her a new home last March. It would have been a hard transition for Kyla: steep marble stairs and quirky old elevators are not a formula for success with arthritic joints. We are so grateful to Charlie and Karen for taking her into their home, and most importantly, into their hearts.

Kyla, you were one of a kind. Rest in peace, girlfriend. We will treasure the memories!

Yes, once again a pastry shot. Today in our neighborhood, Parioli, at Il Cigno, a lovely bakery where we paid too much to sit in the shaded glory of their sidewalk cafe. This was our reward for a 60 minute trip (walking!) to-and-from the “Zero Km” market.

My lovely, flaky pastry, plus Ric’s, today with a caffe freddo at Il Cigno.

A darling black lab named Seta (“Silk”) begged a bite, just like Kyla would. Tongue darting in and out, making sure to be in my field of vision, especially attentive as the remaining pastry waned to a few bites. (Yes, she got a morsel. How could I resist?)

Caffe freddo is an intense espresso, sweetened, served cold but “short” in North American terms. One can linger but it won’t be over a 20 ounce cup of coffee.

Many Romans whiled away the morning here with Sunday papers or friends.  Beautifully dressed children darted in-and-out, dogs paraded by. Might have to do this every weekend.

We love our little farmer’s market at Parco della Musica! Regrettably, it will be in hiatus until September.

Today we bought olive oil, salumi, pecorino staginato, honey, eggplant, green beans, lentils and chick peas, all from Lazio-based local providers.

Soon a posting about shopping with our little wheeled cart.

Living well in Rome!