Musings of a wife and mother, born and raised in Hawaii. Far away from home now, but creating and discovering bits of sunshine and paradise in everyday life.
Instant Potato Veggie Soup Packets

Instant Potato Veggie Soup Packets

It’s been rain, rain, rain in the whole state of California for weeks–definitely soup weather. Laurel, who’s away at college, requested I send her more soup packets to make in her dorm room. Last year I made her some Kale and Chickpea Soup Packets, which she and her friends loved....
Dancing Bride White Fudge

Dancing Bride White Fudge

I love creating recipes inspired by things I have seen or read. This is one of my favorites that I made a while ago for my dear friend, Frances, author of the Wordsworth the Poet series. As tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, it seems appropriate to share this sweet, romantic recipe...
Stir-fried Bowl of Gratitude

Stir-fried Bowl of Gratitude

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” -Henry David Thoreau Remember to eat lots of vegetables~ Try these vegetable almost noodles =) Stir-fried Bowl of Gratitude Author: Guava Rose Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 12 mins Total time: 17 mins Serves: varies Fresh,...
Hawaiian Petroglyph Cookies

Hawaiian Petroglyph Cookies

Ki’i Pohaku (Stone Image) Cookies Petroglyphs can be found on all the Hawaiian Islands, but most of them are located on the Big Island of Hawaii. The ancient Hawaiians made pictures in fields of smooth pahoehoe lava rock, boulders, and cliffs. Some petroglyphs tell stories or events, while others are just pictures of people,...
Koi Musubi

Koi Musubi

I was inspired to make these cuties by a poem written by my lovely friend Frances, a most wonderful poet and author~ Fish Pond How still the waters. A red koi moves lazily. Pink cherry blossoms Slowly float to block my view. Oh, Mr. Koi, where are you? I dip...
Latest entries
Cole and Kallie make Ramen and Ippudo NYC

Cole and Kallie make Ramen and Ippudo NYC

A few weeks ago, Cole and Kallie decided to go through the laborious task of making ramen broth from scratch for our family dinner. The ingredients included:  4 lbs pork trotters, 4 chicken carcasses (3 cooked, 1 raw), bones from 3 racks of baby back ribs (barbecued), 1 onion, 2 leeks, 15 cloves of garlic,...
A Mother's Love Is Never Forgotten

A Mother’s Love Is Never Forgotten

Gardenia (Hawaiian= Kiele) Mom, it’s been almost twenty years since I’ve been without you~ My wedding, the birth of my children, life’s big milestones…all without you, I still miss you. More and more I see you now though, Sometimes when I look at me, sometimes when I look at my children–your grandchildren, But most of...
Life is Sweet and Filled

Life is Sweet and Filled

My life is like Ichigo Daifuku- Fresh Strawberry and Sweet Bean filled Mochi from Shoki Ramen It’s been a bit crazy here lately. I can’t believe it’s almost the end of the school year. Seems like Laurel and Quill have had project after project after project due– big, major ones in science, language arts, history!...
Guava Rose Mochi Tarts

Guava Rose Mochi Tarts

I've been working on these off and on for a while now, and think they're finally ready. Rose shaped guava mochi atop a buttery shortbread crust.
Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

Several days ago, I was delighted with the sight of different colored beets, piled high on the tables at the farmer’s market. Vibrant colors of pink, orange, and deep, deep red mesmerized me. I couldn’t resist, and found myself grabbing a bunch of each color. After I cleaned and trimmed them, I roasted them to...
Doughnut Plant NYC Visit and Baked Donuts

Doughnut Plant NYC Visit and Baked Donuts

This is the result of what happened after we got back from a visit to Doughnut Plant in New York City a few weeks ago. Cole and Kallie had been telling Laurel and Quill about this doughnut place, and they were all excited to try it out. Early one morning, we walked into Doughnut Plant...
Musubi Day

Musubi Day

The weather’s been so nice lately, that it’s actually getting a little hot in the afternoons. We’re expecting temperatures in the 80’s by this weekend. Picnic weather = musubi weather. =) This morning I got up earlier than usual for some reason, so I decided to make some musubi. It’s usually too hectic to make...
Baked Pomme Frites with Curry Ketchup

Baked Pomme Frites with Curry Ketchup

In yesterday’s post I mentioned visiting Pomme Frites, a small restaurant specializing in Belgian french fries and dipping sauces, on our way back from visiting the Statue of Liberty. The kids enjoyed them, so I thought I’d try to make a home version. The original pomme frites are deep fried twice–the first time to cook...
The Statue of Liberty & Pomme Frites

The Statue of Liberty & Pomme Frites

Breathtaking. Our national symbol of freedom. I finally got a chance to see her in person. Over the spring break, we took a little trip to New York City! Still slowly recovering from jet lag and all the hustle and bustle of NYC. Laurel and Quill both had homework and projects due. Boy, what’s with...
An Impromtu Tea and Healthier Deviled Meat Spread

An Impromtu Tea and Healthier Deviled Meat Spread

Every once in a while when I’m feeling nostalgic, I think about some of the things I used to eat when I was little. One of the things I loved to eat was deviled meat (from those little cans) sandwiches on white bread. Alright, I can hear all the “yucks” and “grosses” out there, but...
Peach Rooibos Almond Float

Peach Rooibos Almond Float

The Sun!!! I’ve been waylaid by the flu for the past several days, and it’s been rain, rain, raining! To be sick and have gloomy weather too… ugh… Today though, a few rays of sunshine between the drizzling! I did a play on the traditional Chinese Almond Float. Instead of milky almond flavored gelatin cubes,...
Roasted Mini Eggplant

Roasted Mini Eggplant

I love eggplant, and when I spied these mini ones, I just couldn’t resist getting them. So adorably cute, and only about the size of figs. It doesn’t hurt that violet just so happens to be my favorite color. After washing them, I pierced them all over with the tip of a paring knife before...