Iwanted to wish everyone here Buon Natale e felice anno Nuovo!!! I will be unable to get to computer much in the next few days as tomorrow is Christmas eve, I have a big supper here at my house and make Calamari, Smelts, Shrimps, Tuna meatballs and lots of food then Christmas day I cook again for our home, HOmemade Ravioli, Spaghetti all good foods, so I will not be at my computer at all, just confirming emails with airlines ect.  On 27 Dicember I go home to Italy and Sicily and visit friends and family for a few weeks. I will try to send a note from there while I am not eating or having a good time.  I am very excited to go home. It is a magical experience some of you know already and hopefully some of you will be able to experience the country one day.  Walking up and down my streets in my hometown, all you smell is good food cooking from all the homes, its the most wonderful feeling, one I miss emensely. I will definitely email F4F forum while in Sicily going to the birthplace of a few of our favorite figs, MOnHardy Chicago and Corleone. My heart beats fast with this anticipation.
God Bless to you all, my big Fico Family.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!!!!
Maggie Maria

Enjoy your trip Maggie and Merry Christmas.

Maggie,

You forgot the conolli ( hope I spelled it right ).
Have a safe trip and Merry Christmas.

Maggie Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. I wish you a safe trip and can't wait to some pics of your home town and Sicily.
Sal

Maggie, I could taste the food here in Canada. Thats alot of prep work to go with all those food. Thanks to all the wonderful mums/wives. I am all set to pig out from now till new year. I am sure I can lose the few lbs gained. Have a good trip, merry X'mas & happy new year.

Merry Christmas, Maggie.

Enjoy your oldie home!
Bring back some goodies with you....

Ciao Everyone, thanks to the wishes. 

Rafed,  Cannoli is a real Sicilian treat, I will eat that I am sure when in Sicilia, my friend Carmellina makes wonderful Cannoli there in Catania, we don't have that in my home region (Abruzzo) we have Bocconotti!!!!

George, yes, there will be goodies coming home, Something we all have in common on this forum.........................................

Maggie,

Have a great trip and Merry Christmas to everyone.

Here's a Christmas Card for everyone (hilarious!):

http://www.sundog.net/carolofthechins/flash/card.swf

Sue

Maggie, have a Merry Christmas and a safe trip to your old home country. Enjoy the food with family and friends and the sunny skies.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New fig Year to all.......

it looks as if we may have a trip to italy and spain waiting for us next year as well come this may 2010.  looking forward to it!

happy holidays!

Ciao da Italia!!!  We are having a wonderful time here we arrived safe and all is well.  It is not too cold.  Many many fig trees all asleep for the winter and got some good cuttings from Abruzzo trees.  Tomorrow I go to Sicilia and visit in Corleone and Mascalucia on the South side of Etna Mt.  I will go into orchards and take some cuttings there.  It is so wonderful to be back home. I am loving every second of it.  All the family and all the wonderful people in our home town and the whole country.  I miss these type people back in US. Tonight we are going to Roma for the large celebration of the New Year.  There will be thousands if not millions people there, then we will go to the apartment of my cousin Giacinto in Roma and have a huge party with all the people there.  We will have a good time.  We leave at 1:00 just a few minutes away. My son will stay with family here until I pick him up to take to Sicilia tomorrow, then more celebrating there.  Ciao Amici, It is beautiful and not too cold here and we wish all of you back in US, Canada, rest of Europe  Buon Anno!!!!!!!!
Buon Anno!  Buon Anno!!!!
It is 73 fahrenheit here, only going to 58 F tonight Beautiful!!

Maggie that all sounds great!
Dont drink too much so you stay awake for the ringing in of New Year !
Be carful coming back thru customs as things are a little tougher now.  ; )
Happy New Year !