Milk Bar & Zenzero

We kept our first anniversary simple. We went to 2 of our favorite places, Milk Bar & Zenzero. Both are in the coastal town of Ostia Lido, just a quick 25 min. metro ride outside of Rome.

Ostia Lido has a laid back, small town feel and we love it.

Milk Bar is a great little apertivo spot in the main piazza of the town. In addition to a good Aperol spritz, you can pick up a jug of milk. The constant stream of clientele coming just for milk is enough proves the concept works.

Zenzero is a bio-restaurant that has a great gluten-free menu, in addition to a really good seafood or vegetarian menu. This place is perfect, because of course I can get something that I like and won't make me sick and Jim can get something that he likes. We've been so many times that they recognize us, though I would guess that they don't get many repeat American customers, especially any that are gluten-free and tomato-free.

Feeling settled

Well, it's taken a while, but I'm happy to say that after living in Rome for a year we are finally starting to feel settled. We've finished fixing up the patio, including negotiating with the owner to buy a nice little table, and bought lots of plants to make our little slice of outdoor space green. We also bought a little charcoal grill and have been grilling a few times a week. We have until mid-October to enjoy the patio, then it starts raining and literally won't stop until February.

Rome is also starting to adjust to us living here too. A fried chicken place, yes, that's right, a fried chicken place called Chicken Hut opened just down the hill. We went there today and Jim got a fried chicken sandwich. He was in heaven.

I'll leave you with a few snap shots from the patio.

Back to the daily grind...

Well, it's back to the daily grind here in Rome.

Just back from my one month contract break, aka mandatory unpaid vacation, in Auburn.

The month went by waaaay too fast, but it was nice to spend time with friends and family, and of course Dolce and Fratello. The month was filled with appointments, making jewelry, getting my fix of Food Network, stocking up on all my favorite health food (and gluten free) goodies (Larabars and dry roasted edamame...yum!), decompressing from a stressful year and maybe a little shopping.

I started my new contract today and I'm excited about the projects coming up this fall. And, I'm excited about starting our second year in Rome, along with our second year of marriage. Our first year was full of challenges and adjustments, but now the hard part is over and we can just focus on enjoying the city and country we are calling home.