Buon giorno! Here it is the first day of March and it really has been feeling like spring the past few days. I guess I'm a fair weather writer. It was called to my attention by the president of my fan club, my sister, that I haven't written since September! So, this is for all my dedicated fans, which really just means, my sister, my aunts, Marion and Roberta, and my special bank lady, Marsha!

I guess a little re-cap is in order...September came and so did Cynthia. We had two great food and wine tours. We ate, drank and laughed our way around the island with new friends and fresh eyes.

When I returned home, my mama came for a quick visit after touring the North of Italy for a few weeks. We had a great time, as usual! While she was here, school started and I have two classes of great kids who are so smart and so eager to learn English.

The holidays came and went along with our colds and flus. We rang in the New Year with Alfio's family and it all seemed to pass with a blur. I am, however, so excited for 2010! Don't ask me why, but I feel as if good things are going to happen.

I've just been in California the past couple of weeks. We celebrated my grandmother's 95th birthday! She's such an inspiring lady. I always think if I have a drop of her soul, I'm set! I got to spend a day with her and we were in the kitchen all day preparing this and that. I brought stuff to make arancini, since she's been talking about eating them since my mama was here in October. We prepared arancini for about twenty relatives and passed the day giggling and talking in Italian. My Uncle Frank, Aunt Pauline, and cousin, Veronica were the ones who really got their hands in there with me! It was a great day and the arancini were delicious! The best I've made yet!

And so here it is March already! Today, there was an impromptu lunch and the fish was so fresh I could taste the sea in every bite!

Until next time, wish you were here!