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!
Stephanie says
I have a sweet filled life because of my two healthy children and my supportive husband.
[email protected]
Stephanie says
I have a sweet filled life because of my two healthy children and my supportive [email protected]
Stephanie says
My life's sweetness flows from my little boy's (and hubby's) snuggles and open-mouthed kisses!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
Stephanie says
My life's sweetness flows from my little boy's (and hubby's) snuggles and open-mouthed kisses!tvollowitz at aol dot com
Cher says
Life is sweet because of Jesus!
household management 3 at gmail .com
Cher says
Life is sweet because of Jesus!household management 3 at gmail .com
Aubree says
LIfe is sweet being a mom to my little Ava at 5 months old!
Aubree says
LIfe is sweet being a mom to my little Ava at 5 months old!
Apple says
Life's sweetness = my hubby and new-born son. I love their hugs and kisses.
[email protected]
Apple says
Life's sweetness = my hubby and new-born son. I love their hugs and [email protected]
Roxy says
My life is sweet because I have faith that God will continue to hand me success.
[email protected]
Roxy says
My life is sweet because I have faith that God will continue to hand me [email protected]
Kimberly says
The sweetest thing in my life is my husband and my children. Ok, and my "mini-zoo" too. LOL!
Thank you for a fabulous giveaway!
OompaLoo "at" Optonline "dot" net
Kimberly says
The sweetest thing in my life is my husband and my children. Ok, and my "mini-zoo" too. LOL! Thank you for a fabulous giveaway!OompaLoo "at" Optonline "dot" net
chris says
life is sweet because I have an opportunity to stay home with my second son, something I did not have with my older son!
chris says
life is sweet because I have an opportunity to stay home with my second son, something I did not have with my older son!
Kristie says
My life is sweet because of my husband and my babies-they're the sweetest family you could ask for!
khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Kristie says
My life is sweet because of my husband and my babies-they're the sweetest family you could ask for!khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Betsy says
My life is sweet because I have a great family and a relationship with the Lord!
Betsy says
My life is sweet because I have a great family and a relationship with the Lord!
Mississippi Songbird says
My life is sweet, because of my sweet family and friends. I am so blessed.. Thanks for hosting this..
[email protected]
Mississippi Songbird says
My life is sweet, because of my sweet family and friends. I am so blessed.. Thanks for hosting [email protected]
Christina says
How could my life not be sweet! I have a hardworking hubby, 2 gorgeous (inside and out) daughters and I'm so blessed to be allowed to stay home and 'school' them! Blessed, indeed!!!
Christina says
How could my life not be sweet! I have a hardworking hubby, 2 gorgeous (inside and out) daughters and I'm so blessed to be allowed to stay home and 'school' them! Blessed, indeed!!!
Buki Family says
I love sweet things and my life is pretty sweet because i have a loving husband and a son whose smile melts my heart!
Buki Family says
I love sweet things and my life is pretty sweet because i have a loving husband and a son whose smile melts my heart!
Start To Finish Supplies says
My life is sweet because of my family. I live in the same town as my parents and my sister and it is great having them close by.
katie[at]starttofinishsupplies.com
Start To Finish Supplies says
My life is sweet because of my family. I live in the same town as my parents and my sister and it is great having them close by.katie[at]starttofinishsupplies.com
laura says
Sounds super sweet! Would love it. My life is especially sweet because I have a wonderful husband and a baby on the way, due in January. We live an adventurous life, have a great home and family/friends surrounding us. laurachilton {at} hotmail {dot} com
laura says
Sounds super sweet! Would love it. My life is especially sweet because I have a wonderful husband and a baby on the way, due in January. We live an adventurous life, have a great home and family/friends surrounding us. laurachilton {at} hotmail {dot} com