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!
Nancy says
My life is sweet because I have a husband who adores me, a family that supports me and a job that I like coming to each day.
Nancy says
My life is sweet because I have a husband who adores me, a family that supports me and a job that I like coming to each day.
socialwork4kids says
My life is sweet thanks to my wonderful husband and perfect little girl. We are so blessed!
m_huston(at)hotmail(dot)com
socialwork4kids says
My life is sweet thanks to my wonderful husband and perfect little girl. We are so blessed! m_huston(at)hotmail(dot)com
Mama Zen says
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful husband and a precious daughter!
kelli at pfrog dot net
Mama Zen says
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful husband and a precious daughter!kelli at pfrog dot net
Sassy Pink Boutique says
My life is sweet because my wonderful husband allows me to stay home with my little buckaroo who just turned two and the biggest joy to my life, besides the hubby of course. I have fabulous friends and family who support me in everything I do, including running my own business!
info(at)sassypinkboutique(dot)com
Katie says
This looks so great! My life is sweet because I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful kids that I am blessed to stay at home with. Sometimes it doesn't feel so sweet but I know how truly lucky I am.
katiekarr at gmail dot com
Sassy Pink Boutique says
My life is sweet because my wonderful husband allows me to stay home with my little buckaroo who just turned two and the biggest joy to my life, besides the hubby of course. I have fabulous friends and family who support me in everything I do, including running my own business!info(at)sassypinkboutique(dot)com
Katie says
This looks so great! My life is sweet because I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful kids that I am blessed to stay at home with. Sometimes it doesn't feel so sweet but I know how truly lucky I am.katiekarr at gmail dot com
Seeryus Mama says
Great giveaway!! I've been waiting to get my hands on that book!!
My life is sweet because I have two precious children, Johnny who is 8 and Paige (Pea as we call her) who is 12 months. I've got a great hubby who loves life as much as I do. I work my dream job at the public library...yeah...I work with books...how great is that?? I've even got a sweet little dog, named Lucy. Everything has just fallen into place here, and I'm so grateful...not to mention lucky. That is my sweet life...
[email protected]
Seeryus Mama says
Great giveaway!! I've been waiting to get my hands on that book!!My life is sweet because I have two precious children, Johnny who is 8 and Paige (Pea as we call her) who is 12 months. I've got a great hubby who loves life as much as I do. I work my dream job at the public library...yeah...I work with books...how great is that?? I've even got a sweet little dog, named Lucy. Everything has just fallen into place here, and I'm so grateful...not to mention lucky. That is my sweet [email protected]
Aimee says
Why is my life so sweet? Well, I am greeted each morning by my two little girls with big smiles on their faces and a big hug and kiss. Just seeing the smile and getting that love makes all my worries disappear and my stress relieved.
Aimee says
Why is my life so sweet? Well, I am greeted each morning by my two little girls with big smiles on their faces and a big hug and kiss. Just seeing the smile and getting that love makes all my worries disappear and my stress relieved.
Wehaf says
My life is sweet because it is filled with love. I have a wonderful family, an amazing boyfriend, and a heart filled with optimism!
urchiken at gmail dot com
Wehaf says
My life is sweet because it is filled with love. I have a wonderful family, an amazing boyfriend, and a heart filled with optimism!urchiken at gmail dot com
lrbodine says
My life is sweet because all my basic needs are met and I get to stay home with my daughter because my husband works so hard to make that happen!
lrbodine says
My life is sweet because all my basic needs are met and I get to stay home with my daughter because my husband works so hard to make that happen!
Alice H says
My life is sweet because I'm starting a family - I'm due with my first baby this month. Thanks for the great giveaway! [email protected]
Alice H says
My life is sweet because I'm starting a family - I'm due with my first baby this month. Thanks for the great giveaway! [email protected]
Tanya moyer says
What an awesome giveaway! My life is sweet because I have a wonderful hubby, 2 gorgeous girls, an awesome new home and all because I serve a God who loves me and sent His only Son for me. I am humbled and thankful. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
Tanya moyer says
What an awesome giveaway! My life is sweet because I have a wonderful hubby, 2 gorgeous girls, an awesome new home and all because I serve a God who loves me and sent His only Son for me. I am humbled and thankful. Thank you for offering this giveaway!~Tanyathe4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
dcala says
My life is sweet because I have two beautiful daughters that are outgoing, intelligent and the loves of my life.
dcala says
My life is sweet because I have two beautiful daughters that are outgoing, intelligent and the loves of my life.
forgetfulone says
What a fabulous prize! My life is sweet because I have a family who loves me and cares about me. I have a secure job, a vehicle, a home, beautiful children, a loving church home, and what else do I need? I've got what I need and more. That's sweet.
forgetfulone says
What a fabulous prize! My life is sweet because I have a family who loves me and cares about me. I have a secure job, a vehicle, a home, beautiful children, a loving church home, and what else do I need? I've got what I need and more. That's sweet.
Kristy says
Great giveaway. Would love to win! I have heard great things about this book. My life is sweet because I have a wonderful little girl who just turned 1 and a fantastic husband.
ksieker(at)hotmail(dot)com
Kristy says
Great giveaway. Would love to win! I have heard great things about this book. My life is sweet because I have a wonderful little girl who just turned 1 and a fantastic husband.ksieker(at)hotmail(dot)com
Michele says
My life is so sweet, now that we have raised 3 successful children, (the last one just left for college this month) and now Papa and I have moved into our beautiful new home we will live in the rest of our lives. This is the first time Papa and I have lived or been alone without children since we met. We have a new adventure full of grandbabies, reunions, and quiet solotary times to do what we want, when we want! Sweet!
Unless someone comes back!
Michele says
My life is so sweet, now that we have raised 3 successful children, (the last one just left for college this month) and now Papa and I have moved into our beautiful new home we will live in the rest of our lives. This is the first time Papa and I have lived or been alone without children since we met. We have a new adventure full of grandbabies, reunions, and quiet solotary times to do what we want, when we want! Sweet! Unless someone comes back!