Bachelorette Party

Here, Teresa and MariaElena holding the mics...

My "soon to be" sisters-in-laws (at that time) took me out for my Bachelorette Party. I know what you're thinking... The whole church choir was invited and it was nothing like that! They knew exactly what I would enjoy... Pizza and KARAOKE!!


Me, MariaElena, and MariaGrazia

Me, MariaGrazia, Teresa, GianLuca, Andrea, and MariaElena

Our first dinner with friends..

One night, before both Carmelo and Francesco went back to work on their ships, we shared another great meal together... We look forward to so many more! Next time will be with you Kelly... :)

Matrimonio di Antonello e Jill Suzanne

Sabato 26 Maggio 2007

Tutto Finito!

The invitations are all done and ready to be taken to Italy!! Yesterday, my mom and I worked an assembly line to finish the stamping of the envelopes and all 100 wedding programs.

In just 8 days I am making the big move back to Sicily. We have a lot of work ahead of us, in preparation for this wedding, and this new life together. I am ready for every part of it!

Cannelloni with Ricotta & Spinach (Cannelloni ricotta e spinaci)

I was reading a fellow bloggers page, Bleeding Espresso, and found this recipe for Cannelloni with Ricotta & Spinach. Her page is attached to the title. Needless to say, it was delicious!! Thanks Sognatrice.

















400 g chopped spinach
500 g ricotta
30 g grated parmegiano reggiano
1 egg yolk
Salt to taste
Cannelloni shells

Start by making your sauce first. In the meantime, chop finely frozen spinach, and if using fresh spinach, you’ll need to boil it and then be sure it’s completely cooled off before adding it to the ricotta.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, spinach, egg yolk, salt, and grated cheese. Put a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish large enough to hold the cannelloni and then fill the shells with the mixture, placing each completed cannelloni in the pan. If you use cannelloni shells that must be pre-cooked, boil them before you fill them; be sure to leave them a little more than al dente because they will be cooking more in the oven.
Put another thin layer of sauce over the cannelloni and grate cheese on top. Then place the dish in the oven and bake at 390°F (200°C) for about 40 minutes. Let sit for a few minutes before serving, and then dig in.

Partecipazioni di Nozze

Our friend, Beth, flew in from New York to attend my Bridal Shower and also help us make my Wedding invitations!! And she did just that. She addressed all my envelopes, folded all the invitation jackets, and made the most amazing bows to wrap them in. Yesterday, Mom and I joined her to put the final touches on them. They look amazing!! Thank you Beth…



Dad sat in the distance enjoying his day. But, we were not alone… A family of seven deer snacked on Nana’s lawn just outside.

Bridal Shower

"Jill is packing for Sicily, she could surely use a hand.
Lacey lingerie would be lovely,
Luxurious linens would be grand.
Join us for her bridal shower,
As she heads to her new land."



We all had such a nice time last Sunday at my shower. To have so many friends and family share in this special day with me was fantastic!

My cousins were there to join in the day with me! (All but one, we missed you Ashley.)

Our hazelnut, dark chocolate fondue station was a hit! Mom also had French vanilla pound cake cupcakes made. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to enjoy either… My mother and I were recovering from an awful flu that knocked us out for a week. We were able to make it to the shower and that was the most important thing!

Sail away….

Yes, many days have passed and time has flown by. In late December I flew to the states to spend my birthday and Christmas with my family, and it was a very Merry Christmas.

In early January I flew down to Jacksonville, Florida where I met up with my love to sail six weeks with him, as he finishes his contract. Every week we are in Key West and the Bahamas. Our last Nassau day was spent at the Atlantis Hotel, enjoying their aquarium and white sand beach. I had never been there and it was a beautiful day.

After months of enjoying the flavours of Sicily, I would have to say that the foods are one of the most important things that I miss. I am in withdrawal, especially as I am currently sailing on a passenger cruise ship that cooks for the masses. I can not even begin to discuss the sadness that takes over us at every mealtime. But, we must be strong!

Sicily, we will see you soon…

Santa Lucia

Yesterday was the day of Santa Lucia, the patron saint of Syracuse, Sicily. The night was magical, ending with the sky full of fireworks.

Check out the link to learn all about her.






Saint Lucy

Buon Compleanno Alfio!

This past Sunday, Mamma made a big batch of macaroni for the ten of us. Needless to say, we enjoyed every bite. Out of the mouth of Mario Piccolo, “delizioso!”

Mussomeli: il Castello Manfredonico Chiaramontano

Of the 200 fortresses in the entire island of Sicily, indubitably the most inaccessible of all is Mussomeli Castle. A masterpiece of 14th- and 15th-cent. military architecture, it was built by Manfredi III Chiaramonte, one of the four deputies who governed the island during the reign of Queen Mary in the 1370s.
Located some 2 km from the town of Mussomeli, with heights up to 780 metres, it appears as an integral part of a rocky limestone crag that towers in solitary isolation above the countryside of Caltanissetta. Walking through this amazing creation we saw lofty cross-vaulted halls in almost every room and one thing that still stands out in my memory was the "Prison of Death". Here, the condemned were lowered through a trapdoor and drowned. The castle had high step thresholds, so in a chase an invader would trip and fall if they weren’t aware of them. They say that this castle is haunted…

Sabato Pomeriggio

After lunch we took a walk on the mountain side in search for our weeds. It was so calm and peaceful there, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the views. But we weren’t alone, we had company…