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.
Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!
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!
Rebecca says
My Life is Sweet because I get to relive my childhood thru my children, seeing everything anew thru their eyes is amazing.
legacyofbrutalitysa{AT}gmail.com
Rebecca says
My Life is Sweet because I get to relive my childhood thru my children, seeing everything anew thru their eyes is amazing.legacyofbrutalitysa{AT}gmail.com
AmandaSue says
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful loving boyfriend, a cute and well behaved doggy, great family, and happiness!
AmandaSue says
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful loving boyfriend, a cute and well behaved doggy, great family, and happiness!
hazel says
My life is sweet because I have a great family and a very cute cat.
[email protected]
hazel says
My life is sweet because I have a great family and a very cute [email protected]
Emily N. says
My life is sweet because I take time to enjoy it. My work/home life is balanced so I can spend quality time with my family.
gotfire [at] yahoo dot com
Emily N. says
My life is sweet because I take time to enjoy it. My work/home life is balanced so I can spend quality time with my family.gotfire [at] yahoo dot com
sharon says
My life is sweet because of my husband, 2 kids, family and friends...Life is good,
thanks for the contest
sharon says
My life is sweet because of my husband, 2 kids, family and friends...Life is good,thanks for the contest
jenna says
What an incredible giveaway! Thank you!
My life is sweet because I have an awesome Savior, a fantastic husband, and 2 delightful little boys. Chocolate is good too! 🙂
frog123 (at) cyipcom (dot) net
jenna says
What an incredible giveaway! Thank you!My life is sweet because I have an awesome Savior, a fantastic husband, and 2 delightful little boys. Chocolate is good too! :)frog123 (at) cyipcom (dot) net
silverhartgirl says
the sweetest things in my life are my children.
silverhartgirl says
the sweetest things in my life are my children.
Michele says
My life is sweet because I have family and friends that love me.
Yummy giveaway!!
Thanks so much!
Michele R.(CA)
[email protected]
Michele says
My life is sweet because I have family and friends that love me. Yummy giveaway!!Thanks so much!Michele R.(CA)[email protected]
[email protected] says
My life is sweet because I get to be a SAHM with my boy and not miss a moment of him.
[email protected] says
My life is sweet because I get to be a SAHM with my boy and not miss a moment of him.
cathyhall says
My life is sweet because we are finally starting fertility treatments next week ! - hurrah - I've be waiting too long.
cathyhall says
My life is sweet because we are finally starting fertility treatments next week ! - hurrah - I've be waiting too long.
davey says
Life is sweet for me because I get to go on holiday in 2 weeks time to be with the woman I love.
[email protected]
Cool Crafty Mom says
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful husband a very sweet son who I wasn't sure I would be able to have.
davey says
Life is sweet for me because I get to go on holiday in 2 weeks time to be with the woman I [email protected]
Cool Crafty Mom says
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful husband a very sweet son who I wasn't sure I would be able to have.
Nadia says
My life is sweet because of my 2 beautiful children and my wonderful husband!
treflea4[at]gmail[dot]com
Nadia says
My life is sweet because of my 2 beautiful children and my wonderful husband! treflea4[at]gmail[dot]com
Sara says
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful family and a new baby on the way! What more could I ask for??
Sara says
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful family and a new baby on the way! What more could I ask for??
angela says
My life is sweet because I have 2 beautiful baby boys. My 2-year old tells me that he loves me every night!
angela says
My life is sweet because I have 2 beautiful baby boys. My 2-year old tells me that he loves me every night!