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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.
, 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.
. 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.
, 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!
. 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 with Ginger Chili Sauce
Crispy Dumplings Ingredients:
25 round wonton wrappers
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 teaspoon minced ginger
1/2 tablespoon thinly sliced green onions (about 1 stalk)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 1/4 cups finely shredded Chinese cabbage
1 1/2 cups oil, for frying
Crispy Dumplings Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients, except for wonton wrappers and oil, in a large bowl and stir until well mixed.
2. Please 1 heaping teaspoon of filling mixture into each wonton wrapper.
3. 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.
4. 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
2 minutes, or until crisp and golden.
2 minutes, or until crisp and golden.
5. Transfer to paper towels and drain the excess oil.
6. Serve with Ginger Chili Sauce (below).
Ginger Chili Sauce Ingredients:
1 1/2 tablespoons chili sambal
2 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons sushi vinegar
4 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
3 slices ginger, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Ginger Chili Sauce Instructions:
1. Mix all ingredients together and serve.
The author of Sweet Life, Mia King, has generously agreed to sponsor a giveaway on my blog. One lucky Feels like home reader will win an incredible gift basket straight from Mia in Hawaii! Can I tell you how jealous I am? I totally want one for myself. Mia is also doing a giveaway on her blog, so you should go check that out for another chance to the same prize.
So, what’s the prize? From MiaKing.com:
Hawaii’s premier gourmet candy and cookie company, Big Island Candies,
has partnered with me to offer an amazingly sweet give-away to celebrate the release of my second novel, SWEET LIFE.
Valued at over $80, our “Life is Sweet” Hawaiian gift basket includes:
- one small gold box of Chocolate Dipped Original Shortbread Cookies
- one gold box of Kohala Brownie Assortment
- one petite box of Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Rocky Road
- one petite box of Combination (Dark and Milk) Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts
- three Dark Chocolate Dipped Original Shortbread cookies
- one Original Biscotti with Milk Chocolate waves
- one Original Biscotti with Dark Chocolate Waves
- one signed copy of GOOD THINGS
- one signed copy of SWEET LIFE
- an assortment of temporary hibiscus tattoos, tropical key chains, monogrammed GOOD THINGS and SWEET LIFE pens, and bookmarks
All of this comes in a lovely keepsake woven basket for you to store your favorite Mia King books.
She’s also offered to throw in some Hawaiian stickers for your kids. Or for you, just don’t tell us if you hoard them.
Dear Reader, I know you’re dying to know how to win this amazing prize. All you have to do is leave a comment that tells us why your life is sweet. Also, please make sure that there’s a way for me to contact you. If I can’t find you, you can’t win.
On September 27, 2008 (Mia’s 40th birthday), I’ll use a random number generator to select a winner from all of the eligible entries. If you don’t answer the question or leave a way for me to contact you, your entry will be ineligible. The winner will have 7 days to send me his or her postal address. After that, I will select a new winner and start over.
Mia’s legal disclaimers are here. US residents only.
More tempting recipes at Blessed with Grace
© 2008 – 2010, Feels Like Home Blog™. All rights reserved.
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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.
ckbruce@ymail.com
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.ckbruce@ymail.com
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
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
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!
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!
my life is sweet because I get hugs everyday from two little princesses and from my own prince charming
my life is sweet because I get hugs everyday from two little princesses and from my own prince charming
my life is sweet because of my adoring husband and sweet sunshine of a daughter!
nmom2maria at hotmail dot com
my life is sweet because of my adoring husband and sweet sunshine of a daughter!nmom2maria at hotmail dot com
Awww….my life is sweet because of the sweet little girl right here beside me. She is the love of my life. And also…because I have learned to find the beauty in everyday things. Makes life so much sweeter.
Awww….my life is sweet because of the sweet little girl right here beside me. She is the love of my life. And also…because I have learned to find the beauty in everyday things. Makes life so much sweeter.
My life is sweet because God has blessed me with so much! A wonderful husband, two awesome kiddos, a little girl on her way, the cutest little home, and most of all, His saving grace. I have so much to be thankful for!
My life is sweet because God has blessed me with so much! A wonderful husband, two awesome kiddos, a little girl on her way, the cutest little home, and most of all, His saving grace. I have so much to be thankful for!
Life is sweet because, thanks to strong women who have come before me, I have the right to vote, the right to sit on a jury, the right to pursue my dreams and fight for the injustices still left in this world.
Life is sweet because, thanks to strong women who have come before me, I have the right to vote, the right to sit on a jury, the right to pursue my dreams and fight for the injustices still left in this world.
My life is sweet because God has given me 2 children to love and I also get to work around children everyday. Nothing sweeter than an innocent child!nrb
My life is sweet because God has given me 2 children to love and I also get to work around children everyday. Nothing sweeter than an innocent child!nrb
my life is sweet because my son and his three children moved back to town
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
my life is sweet because my son and his three children moved back to towntiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful boyfriend.
annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com
My life is sweet because I have a wonderful boyfriend.annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com
My life is sweet because I married my best friend!
My life is sweet because I married my best friend!
My life is sweet because of my children. They are my life and without them I would never have truly loved.
My life is sweet because of my children. They are my life and without them I would never have truly loved.
My life is sweet because I get to stay home with my kids – but it’s also sweet because next year they will all be in school =)
alanem at centurytel dot net
My life is sweet because I get to stay home with my kids – but it’s also sweet because next year they will all be in school =)alanem at centurytel dot net
I have a sweet life because I surround myself with good food, fun activities, and loving friends and family.
I have a sweet life because I surround myself with good food, fun activities, and loving friends and family.
My life is sweet because we lead a comfortable life and we have good kids–it’s all good!
digicatATsbcglobalDOTnet
My life is sweet because we lead a comfortable life and we have good kids–it’s all good!digicatATsbcglobalDOTnet
The sweetest thing in my life is my loving kitty, Squirt. She’s a good old girl and shows me how much she appreciates the home I’ve given her every single day.
Nyssa AT concentric DOT net
The sweetest thing in my life is my loving kitty, Squirt. She’s a good old girl and shows me how much she appreciates the home I’ve given her every single day.Nyssa AT concentric DOT net
My life is sweet when your Gracie Anna yells into the phone, “hey ya mana!”
My life is sweet when your Gracie Anna yells into the phone, “hey ya mana!”
My life is sweet because I have the most amazing, loving husband and adorable, healthy little boy. We are so blessed. I am a nurse and I have the amazing opportunity to help families with sick and premature babies.
jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com
My life is sweet because I have the most amazing, loving husband and adorable, healthy little boy. We are so blessed. I am a nurse and I have the amazing opportunity to help families with sick and premature babies.jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com
My life is sweet because I know the joy of having a child with ADHD…even though she turns my hair white.
My life is sweet because I know the joy of having a child with ADHD…even though she turns my hair white.
My life is sweet because despite all the physical ailments I have been given, I am able to enjoy the most important things in life such as my wonderful Granddaughters and being able to always be creative and crafty.
My life is sweet because despite all the physical ailments I have been given, I am able to enjoy the most important things in life such as my wonderful Granddaughters and being able to always be creative and crafty.
My life is weet because of my three little girls who keep me smiling.
jceko77@yahoo.com
My life is weet because of my three little girls who keep me smiling.jceko77@yahoo.com
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