Dandelions in a Jelly Jar

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."

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!!!

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.

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.

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.