I love to read.
When I find a book I love, I sink down into it and roll around in it, enjoying every word, scene, and character. I stay up way past my bedtime devouring it, and I keep it within arm's reach so that I can sneak in a few words at every idle opportunity. I become obsessed.
This doesn't happen very often, fortunately for my family. Since Grace was born, there have been only three books that really pulled me in: Little Earthquakes, A Thousand Splendid Suns and Gods in Alabama. Now, add Sweet Life to that list.
Let me pause to say that I am obsessed with Hawaii. A colleague moved there last year, a friend just found out that her husband is being transferred there in the spring, and I've always wanted to visit for a vacation. Or maybe move to Hawaii some day? Who knows.
So, back to Sweet Life. From early on, it reminded me a lot of Jennifer Weiner's style and her book, Little Earthquakes. Both books are clever and real, with well developed characters who live in today's world. They are women you could find walking down the street anywhere and women you want to befriend.
In Sweet Life, Marissa is a fabulously successful and worldly New York business woman whose husband accepts a transfer to Hawaii. She leaves her job, her friends, her life to accompany him on the move. Then he leaves her, saddled with a dilapidated house, the care of their eight-year-old daughter, and virtually no money. What is she to do? Feeling like she's lost everything, Marissa comes up with a plan and soon discovers that the sweetness in life isn't at all where she expected.
I love everything about Sweet Life. I love the characters, especially the girls who become Marissa's friends and a handsome cowboy named Tom. I love the descriptions of the volcanoes and geology of Hawaii. I also love that the author, Mia King, has included recipes in an appendix for many of the dishes mentioned in the text and a website with even more. How cool is that?
You could make the Spambalaya that the girls enjoy for dinner or the macadamia nut energy bars that they snack on. The first one that I'm going to try is the Hawaiian Style Crispy Dumplings with Ginger Chili Sauce, which I've included below.
Yum!
Recipe
Hawaiian Style Crispy Dumplings
Ingredients
- 25 wonton wrappers round
- ½ pounds ground pork
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ½ tablespoon green onions thinly sliced, about 1 stalk
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 ¼ cups Chinese cabbage finely shredded
- 1 ½ cups canola oil for frying
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except for wonton wrappers and oil, in a large bowl and stir until well mixed.
- Place 1 heaping teaspoon of filling mixture into each wonton wrapper.
- Moisten edges with water and fold edges over to form a half-moon shape. Roll edges slightly to seal in filling. Set dumplings aside on a lightly floured surface until ready to cook.
- Set a 12-inch wok or 10-inch skillet over high heat and pour enough frying oil to cover the wontons. Heat the oil to 375 and deep fry the wontons, no more than 10 at a time, for minutes, or until crisp and golden.
- Transfer to paper towels and drain the excess oil.
- Serve with Ginger Chili Sauce (below).
Notes
For steamed dumplings, place in a steamer so that no dumplings are touching. Steam for 6-10 minutes, until centers are no longer pink.
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Recipe
Ginger Chili Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili sambal
- 2 ½ teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
- 2 ½ tablespoons sushi vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic pressed
- 3 slices ginger minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients and serve.
Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!
Toni says
Wow- those sound absolutely delish! My husband just loves ginger so he would probably love these!
Toni
Toni says
Wow- those sound absolutely delish! My husband just loves ginger so he would probably love these!Toni
Courtney says
Found your site and giveaway via twitter. Living by my family makes my life sweet. We used to live quite a distance away but now we are in the same town. Makes such a difference.
Courtney says
Found your site and giveaway via twitter. Living by my family makes my life sweet. We used to live quite a distance away but now we are in the same town. Makes such a difference.
Lisa@BlessedwithGrace says
Oh how neat. Look at you, such a grown up blogger, hosting a giveaway! I would love to win. I am very interesting in the book.
My Sweet Life is my daughter Grace and a husband that would die for both of us.
Lisa@BlessedwithGrace says
Oh how neat. Look at you, such a grown up blogger, hosting a giveaway! I would love to win. I am very interesting in the book. My Sweet Life is my daughter Grace and a husband that would die for both of us.
Karin says
Have a sweet life cuz I live in a very scenic area of the country.....
Karin says
Have a sweet life cuz I live in a very scenic area of the country.....
Laurie says
What a fabulous gift! Yummy! Sounds like a great book too-- I'll have to check it out! I love Hawaii!
My life is sweet because I have wonderful friends and family who love and support me. I couldn't ask for more.
laurie_pooh(at)yahoo(dot)com
Laurie says
What a fabulous gift! Yummy! Sounds like a great book too-- I'll have to check it out! I love Hawaii! My life is sweet because I have wonderful friends and family who love and support me. I couldn't ask for more.laurie_pooh(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ruby (Mouth) says
My life is sweet becauase I have a good God who has blessed me with two wonderful children and a sweet hubby. My friends and family are just icing on the cake.
Angelleslament @ gmail .com
Ruby (Mouth) says
My life is sweet becauase I have a good God who has blessed me with two wonderful children and a sweet hubby. My friends and family are just icing on the cake. Angelleslament @ gmail .com
quitecontrary1977 says
the book sounds dreamy! my life is sweet because I have a hubby, I have a pretty, healthy baby, a hubby who works hard so I can stay home and I still have my youth! things were so dark in my life a couple years ago; if only i had known this was awaiting me!
quitecontrary1977 says
the book sounds dreamy! my life is sweet because I have a hubby, I have a pretty, healthy baby, a hubby who works hard so I can stay home and I still have my youth! things were so dark in my life a couple years ago; if only i had known this was awaiting me!
Stacy says
My life is sweet because I have an awesome husband and a job that I love.
Stacy says
My life is sweet because I have an awesome husband and a job that I love.
Heather @ Not a DIY Life says
I only love fiction when it comes highly recommended. I've heard so much about this book! Can't wait to read it (when I win!)!
Heather @ Not a DIY Life says
I only love fiction when it comes highly recommended. I've heard so much about this book! Can't wait to read it (when I win!)!
TheAngelForever says
This book looks fabulous!
My life is sweet because I have such a loving family. I have two gorgeous little boys, a loving husband who does so much for us, and a fabulous extended family that lives close to us.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
TheAngelForever says
This book looks fabulous! My life is sweet because I have such a loving family. I have two gorgeous little boys, a loving husband who does so much for us, and a fabulous extended family that lives close to us.Thanks for the great giveaway!
=) says
I have a sweet life for so many reasons. Today's reminder was that when Murph woke in my bed, he rolled, saw me, and with a big giggle said "Hi". It's sweet when I pick him up from the sitter's and he sits on the porch grinning and waving until I pick him up. And it's sweet at night when he's tired and goes back and forth between the Chief and me looking for the best place to fall asleep.
=) says
I have a sweet life for so many reasons. Today's reminder was that when Murph woke in my bed, he rolled, saw me, and with a big giggle said "Hi". It's sweet when I pick him up from the sitter's and he sits on the porch grinning and waving until I pick him up. And it's sweet at night when he's tired and goes back and forth between the Chief and me looking for the best place to fall asleep.
Carol says
What a fun giveaway!
I know I have a sweet life when I hear my baby boy laugh with delight. There's nothing sweeter than that!
Carol says
What a fun giveaway!I know I have a sweet life when I hear my baby boy laugh with delight. There's nothing sweeter than that!
wildhorse says
I have a very sweet life because I have everything I need. The love from a good man, the sweetest little boy in the entire world, a great career, and a life in the lord. It is the sweetest in the Wildhorse runs into my arms smiling and gives me a hug while patting my back.
wildhorse says
I have a very sweet life because I have everything I need. The love from a good man, the sweetest little boy in the entire world, a great career, and a life in the lord. It is the sweetest in the Wildhorse runs into my arms smiling and gives me a hug while patting my back.
Anonymous says
The sweetest thing in my life is my beautiful baby granddaughter.
Nana (You have my phone number)
Anonymous says
The sweetest thing in my life is my beautiful baby granddaughter.Nana (You have my phone number)
Laurie says
The Lord has provided me with the makings of a sweet life - a wonderful husband, 3 great kids (mostly...), the financial ability to not work so I'm able to care for my family and pursue multiple and varied interests.
Laurie says
The Lord has provided me with the makings of a sweet life - a wonderful husband, 3 great kids (mostly...), the financial ability to not work so I'm able to care for my family and pursue multiple and varied interests.