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!
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 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!
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!
fae says
my life could definitely be sweeter, but i have a pretty sweet family and friends!
fae says
my life could definitely be sweeter, but i have a pretty sweet family and friends!
Hayley says
My life is sweet because I have people in it that love and support me because of who I am not what I do or what I have. Thanks for making me take the time to remember and be grateful for all that I have.
oreo89 [at] gmail [dot] com
Hayley says
My life is sweet because I have people in it that love and support me because of who I am not what I do or what I have. Thanks for making me take the time to remember and be grateful for all that I have.oreo89 [at] gmail [dot] com
jessleigh says
My life is sweet because I appreciate the little things and find so much beauty in them. My life is sweet because I love my teaching job (high school english). My life is sweet because my boyfriend is amazing.
jessleigh says
My life is sweet because I appreciate the little things and find so much beauty in them. My life is sweet because I love my teaching job (high school english). My life is sweet because my boyfriend is amazing.
royaldixie says
I just had my first baby in February and now I am living the Sweet Life. I love being a Mommy because everyday is a new adventure. I would love to win this so I can treat myself to something sweet!! THANKS
[email protected]
royaldixie says
I just had my first baby in February and now I am living the Sweet Life. I love being a Mommy because everyday is a new adventure. I would love to win this so I can treat myself to something sweet!! [email protected]
Megret says
My life is super sweet! An adoring husband, two precious kids, two cute kitties, and fall is almost here! 🙂
Thanks for the amazing prize pack!
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com
Megret says
My life is super sweet! An adoring husband, two precious kids, two cute kitties, and fall is almost here! :)Thanks for the amazing prize pack!Megretmusesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com
kamewh says
My life is sweet because I have 2 wonderful sons!
kamewh says
My life is sweet because I have 2 wonderful sons!
suburban prep says
my life is sweet because I just was able to celebrate my 45th birthday on Wednesday. I have met a health crisis and I have survived. everyday since then has been a gift.
suburban prep says
my life is sweet because I just was able to celebrate my 45th birthday on Wednesday. I have met a health crisis and I have survived. everyday since then has been a gift.
sunnymum says
My loving family and friends make my life so sweet! And a regular helping of brownies or cookies...
sunnymum says
My loving family and friends make my life so sweet! And a regular helping of brownies or cookies...
[email protected] says
my life is sweet because i have the best friends and family. there truly is nothing sweeter!
[email protected] says
my life is sweet because i have the best friends and family. there truly is nothing sweeter!
Jacqueline in Atlanta says
I have a terrfic husband a two wonderful teenagers. Even though life has its ups and downs, we have many more ups! I wouldn't change a thing.
Thanks for having the giveaway!
Jacqueline in Atlanta says
I have a terrfic husband a two wonderful teenagers. Even though life has its ups and downs, we have many more ups! I wouldn't change a thing.Thanks for having the giveaway!
Christian Kay says
Life is sweet because I have a truly loyal husband who has stuck by me through thick and thin. I have been incredibly sick and may cause us to lose everything but he still loves me and wants to continue our lives together. Pretty sweet if you ask me.
[email protected]
Christian Kay says
Life is sweet because I have a truly loyal husband who has stuck by me through thick and thin. I have been incredibly sick and may cause us to lose everything but he still loves me and wants to continue our lives together. Pretty sweet if you ask [email protected]
Natalie says
My life is sweet because I have the world's most wonderful husband the the two most amazing little girls ever. They keep me busy an happy, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Oh and Mia turns 40 three days after I turn 30!
scblog at hotmail dot com
Natalie says
My life is sweet because I have the world's most wonderful husband the the two most amazing little girls ever. They keep me busy an happy, I wouldn't have it any other way.Oh and Mia turns 40 three days after I turn 30!scblog at hotmail dot com
bonbon momma says
my life is incredibly sweet. I get to raise my amazing five year old sweet boy along with my sweet (and sometimes sour) husband in my sweet little house. Thanks for reminding me of that!
bonbon momma says
my life is incredibly sweet. I get to raise my amazing five year old sweet boy along with my sweet (and sometimes sour) husband in my sweet little house. Thanks for reminding me of that!
noreen says
my life is sweet because I get hugs everyday from two little princesses and from my own prince charming
noreen says
my life is sweet because I get hugs everyday from two little princesses and from my own prince charming
The Saunders Family says
my life is sweet because of my adoring husband and sweet sunshine of a daughter!
nmom2maria at hotmail dot com
The Saunders Family says
my life is sweet because of my adoring husband and sweet sunshine of a daughter!nmom2maria at hotmail dot com