The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume

And although I wish it was different, cooking, for me, is a job, not a joy. So when I was writing The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume, and discovered that the love interest, Dennis Cameron, was an ex-chef who was now working in a school cafeteria, I was in totally new territory. I had to learn a new vocabulary for all his dialogue.

Dennis thought and spoke in food metaphors. And so, like any good author, I started doing research. For Dennis, food is love.

THE UNLIKELY GIFT OF TREASURE BLUME by Lisa Rumsey Harris

Foodlore and recipes expose so much about how people live and love. The simplicity and quality of ingredients make him happy. I wrote this before Michelle Obama launched her lunch-room reform campaign. Dennis would have been a fan. My children, used to chicken nuggets and cinnamon rolls in the lunchroom, are not. Dennis describes Treasure as spinach a flattering comparison, in his estimation and pictures beautiful bouquets of broccoli when he gets stressed out. This may be my favorite food bit in the book.

I dug deep into my childhood to base these squash boats on a real family recipe. Unfoodie that I am, I do have foodie roots. Like Grammy Blume, I come from pioneer stock. My family recipes, handed down from generations of farmers and ranchers, feature simple ingredients and yield enough to feed the threshers. We eat it at Thanksgiving while the rest of the world is eating pumpkin pie. With butternut, you can skip the ax. In fact, the story begins with a blind date.

I was glad for her that she makes a bad impression to begin with, because the date was a complete loser. It is pretty fun though. It sets the setting for the rest of the book. Her romance with the male "lunch lady" is wonderful. I enjoyed their unique dynamic and the love and devotion that they have to their family and friends. Her increased confidence makes for a physical transformation that was great to read about. This is a clean and fun read. Oct 10, Andrea rated it really liked it. This was a very enjoyable story that had me laughing from the get-go. Treasure's blind date experience was hilarious.

It was also a bit sad, but it was a great introduction to our main character. Treasure repels the bulk of society, but gets along really well with young children and senior citizens. She loves to wear sweater sets and polyester, watch old musicals, and loves her crazy, balding cat. Even with all of her quirks, she is totally loveable-readers are immune to her "curse". I admired her This was a very enjoyable story that had me laughing from the get-go. I admired her ability to let others' disdain roll off her back, and her willingness to reach out to those in need be it a student or an elderly neighbor.

This is a fun read with a clean romance, not to mention that it has a great message about finding the treasures around us because they are there if we just make the effort to look. Dec 16, Shannen Camp rated it it was amazing. I feel like Lisa Harris writes art. I know all writing is art in its own way, but the way she uses words is like its own special art form.

I see it in everything I've read of hers. I actually read an unpublished work of hers before ever reading her debut novel and her writing is just as artful as ever. There's something about this story that just feels important. It was so deep and meaningful without being that presumptuous guy at a party that tells everyone how deep and meaningful he I feel like Lisa Harris writes art. It was so deep and meaningful without being that presumptuous guy at a party that tells everyone how deep and meaningful he is.

I really wasn't expecting what I got out of this book. I was expecting a fun read which it was but I'd find myself reading something about tater tots or elementary school classes and suddenly BAM I'd get sidelined by something beautiful and profound. And it just kept happening over and over. I don't know how this book kept surprising me, but it did.

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And it was beautiful. Mar 15, Cindy rated it did not like it Shelves: The good points first: Points that drove me nuts: This is one of those books that is just so sticky cutesy sweet that it actually did not work for me. Treasure and Patients are the names of the sisters Then there is a knock on Treasure's door, it takes her a while to see if she even wants to go open the door for her blind date. Well she opens the door and the idiot keeps knocking on her head instead of the door It just doesn't jive, to unrealistic for my taste. Dec 15, Sarah rated it really liked it. Anyone who has ever felt unwanted, unliked, or socially awkward will find real comfort in reading about this strong woman who triumphs in spite of heartache.

This book is about moving through trial and not allowing others to make you feel small. Nov 07, Lyuba rated it liked it Shelves: Have you ever read a book where you enjoyed it, and wanted to know what will happen, and couldn't put it down, yet there was something about it that kept bothering you?

The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume was that book for me. While I liked it a lot, I also could not shake off that nagging feeling that something was off. Things like where this "gift" came from, why was Treasure's family chosen to get it, Have you ever read a book where you enjoyed it, and wanted to know what will happen, and couldn't put it down, yet there was something about it that kept bothering you? Things like where this "gift" came from, why was Treasure's family chosen to get it, and what was the point of it in the first place?

I also didn't feel like the "gift" was that much part of a story to begin with. It was brought up at the beginning, wasn't mentioned much throughout the middle and then brought up again at the end. Take away the "gift", and the story wouldn't even suffer that much. She didn't record anything at all on that quilt, so my question is - what's the point of the "gift" and the quilt if no one going to do anything with them? It's hard to describe for me since the only writing I ever do is either blogging or history papers, but it felt like there was no transitions between points of view, paragraphs or even sentences, and events.

It almost felt like the author wanted to cram as many events as possible in one book, but didn't spend much time developing those events. Something happened, this something got resolved, and the action moved on to the next something. Many things happened, yes, but I would have preferred to have fewer well written plot points. While reading The Unlikely Gift, I was constantly getting frustrated by the way women were portrayed or described emphasis is mine: And Dennis could appreciate that beauty,. But it made him nervous. And after talking to her for five minutes, he was sure he didn't want to drive her.

He knew the cost of maintenance and upkeep too well. The whole book is written this way. A woman is compared to a car, a woman is insulted about her looks, a woman is harshly judged on her appearance. Was that really necessary? In our current culture women bodies are already treated like something that everyone has the right to comment or have an opinion on. Those quotes were just observations of other characters, and nothing was said to these women, but the fact that things like that were even thought of shows the problem.

Women are constantly evaluated on their looks, then commented on it, and finally put down because they didn't live up to the standard of beauty. This could be my personal pet peeve, but comparing a woman to a car is double insulting since it's implies that she can be owned and can't take care of herself on her own. I also didn't like that Dennis's job was constantly referred to as the "lunch lady", while making it clear at the same time that the job was inferior. For one thing, I should not state the obvious that Dennis is a man and could not be a lady.

Isn't there an actual title to that job? Having negative connotations attached to the word "lunch lady" only reinforcing the notion that being a "lunch lady" is bad, inferior and in Dennis's instance, almost a joke. I still wonder and want to know why all the women were named Treasure, Patience, Thankful and Experience, when all the guys got normal names.

I wish it would have been explained even a little, since I can't imagine it being easy living with those names. The characters were pretty good, but some of them felt pretty two dimensional. Howls and Grammy were my favorite. Dennis annoyed me more than anything with his trying to cook gourmet food for little kids. Treasure was better, but now that I've finished the book I can't think of anything special about her. Patience was just there and then she was gone. Randy has a great taste in clothes, so he was cool.

Bonnie started to become human towards the end, but not nearly enough to give her any depth.

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The climax was very anti-climatic after everything else that's happened. Since the rest of the conflicts, problems and misunderstanding got resolved almost immediately, there wasn't much tension or even wondering if everything will work out. Overall, this wasn't a bad book. I think if you're not as picky about the issues that I talked about, you will definitely enjoy the book. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own. Nov 03, Daphne rated it it was amazing Shelves: Originally posted Gone Pecan Treasure Blume has a gift.

It only fades away if they take the time and inclinati Originally posted Gone Pecan Treasure Blume has a gift. It only fades away if they take the time and inclination to get to know her past her initial bad first impression. The good thing is that her students love her, the way 6 year olds can. She has figured out a way to live with her gift, even if it means limiting herself to a small group of family and friends, most of whom are over 60 years old. With the exception of her sister, who had hit puberty by the time Treasure happened along, they all look out for her in the big bad world and try to cushion the blows to her ego and self-esteem being that around strangers inspire.

Then we meet Dennis. Initially, he thinks that Treasure is insensitive to his little girls needs, but changes his mind when he sees that Treasure is a very thoughtful teacher. From there, Dennis comes to know Treasure. He begins to see past his first impression and they begin dating.

I did not expect to like it so very much. Treasure is a person who does not apologize for her eccentricities and peculiarities. The way she stands up for herself and those who cannot really made me love her. She is at once vulnerable and strong, the best kind of heroine.

The other characters in this book, particularly Grammy, added so much to the story. The legend behind the gift was interesting and seemed plausible. It was a unique story about a unique girl and I am very glad I was able to read this book. Nov 05, Alex rated it really liked it Shelves: As the current carrier of a gift that most often than not feels like a curse, Treasure Blume has always assumed that love was not in her future.

Not when she had more than enough trouble getting a job, buying a car and generally making it through a day without people being outrageously rude to her. It's not her fault though, Treasure is a genuinely nice and caring person, but her "gift" makes it so that almost everyone takes a violent dislike to her as soon as they meet her - wit At First Sight: It's not her fault though, Treasure is a genuinely nice and caring person, but her "gift" makes it so that almost everyone takes a violent dislike to her as soon as they meet her - with the exception of really young children or the elderly - a dislike they could overcome, if they wanted to, but very few do.

So, Treasure has lead a rather unorthodox life, with the support of her older brother, her best friend Roxy, her parents and Grammy Blume, learning to put up with unfair treatment and unnecessary rudeness, hiding behind her crazy hair, awful sweater sets, polyester clothes and her job as a First Grade teacher. Love was not really something she was looking for or hoped to find until she met Dennis Cameron, the father of one of the little girls in her class.

Trained as a chef, Dennis once had a very bright future in front of him as sous chef at a 4 star-restaurant in Las Vegas, but that was before he divorced and got full custody of his daughter Micaela, before his mother was diagnosed with cancer, before he slid down the kitchen totem pole and accepted a job as a Lunch Lady at Micaela's elementary school so he could be near her and have enough free time to care for her and his mom. Dennis is frustrated with his life, with his ex-wife and with his job serving crappy food to kids who don't care what they put in their mouths.

He doesn't need to be dealing with his daughter's crazy teacher, but he's intrigued by how much Micaela loves her kooky teacher even if him and Treasure didn't get off on the right foot. The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume its a hard book to summarize but it surprised me with how much I liked it.

It starts fairly slow and it never really picks up speed, it's more of a slow-and-steady kind of read and I admit I almost DNFed by the second chapter because of the pace, but all too soon I found myself immersed in the narrative. Treasure is a very nice person, and she cares for her students and her family and it's always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty for them, and it's awful to see how badly she's treated by almost everyone she meets.

Still, most days she tries to look on the bright side of things, counting her blessings. She's not overly bitter or mean because of her situation, she just takes it as is, hoping people will eventually grow to like her but not taking it personally when they don't. Dennis was a good guy too - though he complained a lot more than Treasure, and was a bit jerky from time to time. His frustration with the turns his life took was very real, and I could feel for him because despite how unhappy he was about some things, he would do everything all over again just to be there for his daughter and his mom.

He is trying to find ways of copping with his new life when he finds Treasure, and slow as the process is, they do develop a friendship and an attraction and it was nice to see that, even though it all was very PG. There are a lot of secondary characters and plots, some which I liked better than others - I really liked Randy, Treasure's brother and the little subplots about Treasure's students - but over all, I think it all added up to the story, even if the book did indulge in one of my personal pet peeves: The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume is one of those books that you need to be in the mood for, the pace is slow, the chapters are long and sometimes its too quirky, but if you surrender yourself to the process and just sit back and let yourself be lost in the story, then you're in for lovely experience.

The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume by Lisa Rumsey Harris

They are just as stupid as you are. Apr 24, Melanie rated it really liked it. The book starts with a horrible blind date. The blind date didn't end up happening and after he left, she promptly took off her embroidered Noah's Ark sweater and got comfy in her sweats while she called her best friend, Roxy, to rehash her evening and get a fresh perspective on life. Treasure is a first-grade teacher who cares about her students and wants the best for them. She comes up with some great ideas to help each of them feel included and shows compassion in several different ways.

I liked the way she handled some tough situations that came up. She's not perfect but has the best interests of others at heart and that comes through. Then there's Grammy Blume, who is every bit as quirky as Treasure. When Treasure was young, Grammy was a scary old lady and when she was 12, her father left her alone with Grammy for the first time. Treasure opened up to her about a humiliating experience that happened in school.

Grammy took action and she and Treasure have been close ever since. Grammy is also part of Ruby's Red Hot Chili Steppers, a semi-elite dance team composed of mature women over 65 years old. Treasure is their gopher, whose duties include handing out water bottles, cueing music and filling in wherever she's needed.

This group is awesome! I loved reading their interactions with each other; they made me laugh several times. Grammy Blume is a colorful, fun character who tells Treasure things she needs to hear. It's always good to have someone like that in your life because sometimes it's hard to see your own good qualities and it's always nice to have someone point them out to you.

There are lots of other fun characters and I laughed quite a bit. The romance was gradual and realistic. When she first met Dennis, it was definitely not love at first sight.

The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume

Their first interactions with each other didn't go well. When their feelings shifted, it was still a rocky road and I rooted for them to find a way to make their relationship work. This book started out slow for me and then it started to pick up and was hard to put down as I wanted to see what would happen with Treasure. There's a great message in this book and it's definitely worth reading! Treasure Blume is a unique young lady. She does things her own way and enjoys it that way. One thing she doesn't enjoy is her family curse.

Family lore shows that curses are passed down in different ways to the women in their family. Treasure's curse is that everyone hates her almost immediately. She is so off-putting that most people don't bother to get to know her. However kids seem immune to the curse, so Treasure is happy with her job as a teacher.

Things start to change though with Treasure Treasure Blume is a unique young lady. Things start to change though with Treasure's new job. Life may never be the same for Treasure and everyone she meets as things begin to change for her. This book was not at all what I was expecting. I thought I was getting a fairly typical love story, but instead I got a very interesting tale of a very strange young lady. I was afraid that Treasure's quirkiness might get a bit grating, but it never did.

Treasure is just someone who lives life on her own terms and in her own way. I think some of the things she did were just a way to shield herself from the poor treatment she knew she would get from others. I particularly loved Treasure's grandma. She was a firecracker and someone I would always want on my team. I really thought that the way Treasure's family "curse" was dealt with was really profound.

So many times there are things in our lives that we see as curses, when in fact we can use them to our advantage. Treasure had to figure out how to make her curse work for her. In doing that, she was able to find people who could look past their initial reaction to her and see her for what she truly was. This becomes a turning point in Treasure's life. I thought that Treasure was a fun and interesting young lady. This book is a fun quick read that will just make you feel good about life. Book provided for review. Nov 12, Cathy rated it really liked it.

Treasure Blume has a "gift," but it's kind of a strange one. This gift is that she "triggers fear and dislike in all she meets. It also makes her life kind of hard, from the moment Grammy Blume told Treasure and her dad about the gift, her parents have been protecting her from others. Including her mother making sure that she had a student teaching job, and even o Treasure Blume has a "gift," but it's kind of a strange one. Including her mother making sure that she had a student teaching job, and even offering to get her a full time teaching job.

But Treasure really wants to make it on her own, so she moves to Las Vegas, where anyone with a teaching certificate can get a job, gets a job at a school where there's no chance that anyone will ever like her, and begins living her life. There's plenty of bad blind dates, crazy sweaters, and polyester, but pretty soon Treasure learns to love her life in Las Vegas and all of the kids that don't necessarily come from the right side of the tracks. In the end she's able to make life better for the kids and take on a military style office secretary too! This really was a fun book!

I laughed out loud at some of the crazy situations Treasure's gift gets her into. There was a sweet, clean love story included in Treasure's story. But it's also a story about learning to love yourself and become the best that you can be without worrying about what others think of you.

This book started out pretty slow for me. I spent the first third of the thinking that this was labeled incorrectly as a romance. When I finally got to the part where Dennis enters the picture, things started to pick up. By the end of the book I was smiling and rooting for Dennis and Treasure. Treasure has this family curse that makes everyone instantly dislike her.

Well, except for young children and old people. When you take that 3. When you take that into account, that doesn't leave very good odds for a great romantic life. I think the word that comes to mind when I think of Treasure is tenacious. Second up would be compassionate. She is a great character. I sure am glad she found some help in the clothing department though.

This book has a whole cast of colorful characters from Grammy and her dancing team, to school teachers and of course Dennis and his daughter. I loved when Grammy entered into a gift wrap competition. I want to see one of those in real life some day. I think my mother in law should enter. She has spent years working in gift wrap and she does an amazing job wrapping. All in all a good book. Squeeky clean and fun. Sep 26, Brooke Berry rated it really liked it. The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume is a great story about the other side of the mean girls.

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Every teenage and tween girl needs to read this book. Treasure Blume has a unique gift. She says what comes to her mind, and people who meet her can't stand her. She believes it to be a curse, but is always told that its a gift. This inherited trait is said to be a blessing because the people who truly get to know her she can trust and rely on, and like her for who she is. Treasure grows The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume is a great story about the other side of the mean girls. Treasure grows up and has to learn to cope with life, finding a job, making friends, teaching her class, working with her students parents, all difficult tasks with Treasure's unique gift.

I love the way that the author tells the story. You are immediately drawn to Treasure before learning about all of her quirks. You are automatically cheering for the underdog when you cringe while reading that she wears granny sweaters and hello kitty hair clips. Treasure has the best intentions at heart, and she is a real girl that you wish you could be best friends with. Nov 12, Mandi Ellsworth added it. I met Lisa Rumsey Harris at a book signing and picked up her book not long afterwards. The real tragedy is that I had never heard of her book. It's such a sweet and real story.

I think we've all known people like Treasure Bloom who have the best of intentions but everything they do is taken the wrong way. I loved that the obstacles in the romance were real concerns at least they would be under the circumstances and that they were taken seriously. Each character was well-defined. It was witty a I met Lisa Rumsey Harris at a book signing and picked up her book not long afterwards. It was witty and well-written. The slow pace of the story was a perfect backdrop in which to meet these characters and share their concerns. I wanted Dennis and Treasure to meet a little earlier in the story.