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...
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Hawaiian Chantilly Cake

Hawaiian Chantilly Cake

Hawaiian Chantilly Cake Chantilly Cake is one of the absolute best cakes in the world. Found only in Hawaii. If you’ve read my post I’m Dreaming of Cakes, you’ll know how special this cake is and how much I love it. This holiday season, I’d like to share my version of Chantilly Cake –my gift to...
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. So I thought I’d stir...
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 today. ~I spy swirling brides’...
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   Print Prep time 5 mins Cook time 12 mins Total time 17 mins   Fresh, tasty stir-fried veggies Author: Guava Rose Serves:...
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, animals, things or symbols. Cookies...
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 my bare toes Sending ripples...
Lemon Dill Cashews

Lemon Dill Cashews

Anyone else love the flavor of dill pickle cashews? The first time I tried some I was hooked, but I could never bring myself to buy them after seeing the chemical filled ingredient list. Some brands don’t even have dill in them. Here’s my super easy version. My family loves them. You can decrease the amount...
Giant Bakesale Snickerdoodles

Giant Bakesale Snickerdoodles

Sorry for the quietness on the blog lately. I’ve been really busy with the usual house and kid stuff. Use a 1/3 cup ice cream scoop to scoop the dough~ One thing for sure is, if you’ve got kids, you’ve been asked to bake something for a bake sale at school or for extracurricular fundraisers numerous...
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Make Ahead Dough)

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Make Ahead Dough)

I’ve been perfecting my chewy chocolate chip cookie for a year, and I think I’ve got it this time. These have become my “go to” chewy chocolate chip cookies, and they are definitely a favorite with my family and friends. Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Cookies   have been my crispy chocolate chip cookie, and now I...
Split Pea Miso Soup

Split Pea Miso Soup

Thunder is rumbling outside as I’m writing this. We’ve had a lot of much needed rain here lately. Soup weather seems here to stay for a while. I came up with an easy soup that requires very few ingredients: a small piece on kombu, 1 cup of split peas, a couple of stalks of celery,...
Honey Caramel Nuts

Honey Caramel Nuts

A simple little treat for the holidays– just nuts, honey, coconut oil and sea salt baked at low heat in the oven. Heat the coconut oil and honey until just boiling, then pour over the nuts. Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper is a must, or stirring and clean up will be troublesome. Sprinkle...
Chinese Style Spaghetti Squash Soup (No Fin Soup)

Chinese Style Spaghetti Squash Soup (No Fin Soup)

Here’s a simple soup to help use up those ubiquitous spaghetti squash this time of year. Also what better use of the Thanksgiving turkey bones most of us will have later this week than to make some broth that can be used in this recipe? Start by partially cooking the spaghetti squash. I like to...
Seed filled Jack-O-Lanterns and Skeleton Heads

Seed filled Jack-O-Lanterns and Skeleton Heads

For the past few years, I’ve been trying to make something Halloween related that doesn’t involve sugar. I wasn’t sure if I’d get around to it this year, but yesterday I came up with the idea of these Jack-o-lanterns and Jack the Pumpkin King (from the awesome movie classic Nightmare before Christmas) skeleton heads. They...