[.ca] A Can of Peas (ISBN 1578565235)

We All Need A Lake Emily:
A Can of Peas is the first book in the Lake Emily series and is a comforting read. It is very reminscient of Jan Karon's Mitford series. The characters are introduced by a couple of pages of history at the beginning of the chapters, which I found very interesting. Peter, Mae and Virginia grabbed my heart from the beginning and the additional people just marched in behind them. This book is a reminder of how hard and how good and how rewarding life is if we take care of each other and allow the Lord to lead us.

Truly a heartwarming story......:
"A Can of Peas" is a wonderful read - funny, touching and true to life with all its joys, sorrows and quirky moments. Grab this book, curl up in your favorite chair and you will find yourself entwined in the lives of the characters of Lake Emily. When you're finished be sure to read the sequel, "Dandelions in a Jelly Jar".

It's the First Time I've Liked Peas!:
Traci DePree takes us away to Lake Emily, a quiet little southern Minnesota hamlet where life revolves around the cycles of the earth, weather, and crops. The story introduces us to Peter, a dissatisfied professional searching for something more in life. That something becomes farming -- working the land so lovingly tilled by his late grandfather. Peter and his wife Mae, a city girl who is skeptical of living in the fishbowl of small town life, set out to begin a new life amongst the kindly residents of Lake Emily. This story provides the reader with insights into so many things -- the sorrow of loss, the power of faith, the contentment and hardships found in farm life, the longing for approval, the joy of enduring love, and the anchor of true community. All these themes, and more, are woven seamlessly into a delightful tale that is a true mirror of life in so many ways. Some may find that Lake Emily is too idyllic -- that the town and its people have so few warts that it is too good to be true. That is a fair complaint for those looking for prose that is a bit deeper and darker. But perhaps a certain idealism is the charm of A Can of Peas. The seeming perfection of Lake Emily is something we dream about, and its people are the good-hearted neighbors we seek, but seldom find, in our own communities.

EXCELLENT BOOK!!:
I can't even put into words how wonderful this book is. It made me laugh, it made me cry it brought my hometown back to me. Im looking forward to reading "Dandelions in a Jelly Jar" the second book in the Lake Emily series. It's coming out on April 20th 2004 so mark your calendars!!!

Absolutely loved this book:
Of the three books that I've recently read, (McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD, Martel's LIFE OF PI, and this one) A CAN OF PEAS is by far my favorite. The other two are excellent, don't get me wrong, but Traci DePress's book takes first prize. With its wonderful characters and plot, this stellar addition to American literature will definitely stay around for a while. Would also recommend "Bark of the Dogwood--A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens" for a great read. Very well written.