Customer Reviews

Dandelions in a Jelly Jar (The Lake Emily Series #2)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Dandelions in a Jelly Jar is a wonderful book. The title is what actually caught my attention and with a little reseach, I found that it is actually a continuation of the story told in A Can of Peas. So I purchased Can of Peas first and my husband and I both finished it in short order and couldn't place the order for this book fast enough. It is a gentle, uplifting book that I think we need a lot more of in this hectic, fast-paced life we lead. I will be first in line to purchase Ms. Depree's next book.

While on vacation in Minnesota, my grandmother gave me "A can of Peas" and "Dandelions in a Jelly Jar" to read. As soon as I was finished, (within days) I wanted more! Traci's writing style brings her characters to life. All of my fondest and humbling memories of farmlife as a child are refreshed. I can even smell the barn!!!

I loved this book it reminds me of how it was growing up in a small town. People don't like it when new people come in and start changing things. This story reminds me alot of my own mother dealing with my grandmother and all her freind when she got married. I gave the books a Can of Peas as a gift and now i'm giving this one as a gift too. Read it and you will laugh at what happens to the two big city sister that move to the small town to be with there men.

Traci DePree has a storyteller's gift of weaving patterns of relationships, personalities, and connections that pull her readers into her tales. A Can of Peas was a delight, and so is Dandelions in a Jelly Jar.
This time around, it's Trudy Ploog who comes to town and shakes things up like snow in a Santa paperweight. When the school board messes with her art program, Trudy doesn't act like a sweet, small-town girl: she brings some of her big city fighting skills with her and creates a little tempest in a teapot. This creates some stress between Trudy and her hometown boyfriend, Bert and the rest of the Morgan family.
There's nothing terribly deep here; just a sweet tale of rural life, faith, hope, and courage.

I enjoyed reading this book as well as I did "In A Can of Peas." The author pulls you right into the story, and you can feel the kinship and love of family together.

To begin with, Trudy, who is Mae's sister moves back to Lake Emily at the first of the book. She wants to be close to her love Bert Biddle. She finds a job as art teacher at the local elementary school. But when it is announced at the board meeting that they are cutting programs, Trudy goes flying off the handle, and writes a letter to the editor she should never have written. That makes everyone in town, and especailly the school board members dislike Trudy very intensely-so the rumors go flying everywhere about her. And not to mention, Bert and Trudy are having nothing but problems in their relationship with one another, and they have one fight after another and can't seem to get along. Especially after Bert proposes to Trudy.

Other happenings are the loss of Mae and Peter's child Laura. They are working through that hardship, but having difficulty coming to terms with it. Peter feels at fault for the whole thing.

Virginia is an 'adopted grandma' to a young girl who needed at friend and mentor. Jesse's dad is single as Jesse lost her mother to cancer, so Virginia tries to help the child and her father form new paths in their lives.

It is just very down to earth and great reading. Can't wait to read the next one, "Aprons on a Clothesline."

Traci did it again!!! The book was great, warm, funny.
The people feel like family or close friends. Lake Emily is a wonderful place. Can't wait for the next book.

I adored the first book and the second was just as good!! If you want a real good book to read this summer grab "A Can of Peas" then grab "Dandelions in a Jelly Jar" Both books are just wonderful.

Traci Depree won me over completely with her first novel, and I couldn't wait to return to Lake Emily again. I'm a city girl who grew up visiting my wheat farming grandparents on their hundreds of acres of grain. I think it was my inner country girl who was so drawn to this tale of farming, simple folk, gentle romance and family ties. What a wonderful escape to the rolling hills and wide open spaces of Minnesota, with a story that grabbed onto my heart and didn't let go.

Wonderful downhome people walking through ordinary days and living life with all its ups and downs. Characters are so real I expect to meet them someday on the street of a small town in Minnesota. Wonderful reading. Don't skip the first book!!

I have been awaiting the arrival of this book with great anticipation. I was not disappointed. I think that A Can Of Peas is on my all time favoarite list and now this one is right beside it!! I highly recommend reading both of these books.