Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher (Paraclete Press) in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.
This is one of those posts that I had to write & rewrite. I was recently sent a copy of A Homemade Year: The Blessings of Cooking, Crafting, and Coming Together
A Homemade Year is a book unlike any other that I have read. It’s part blog, sort of. It’s part Pinterest. Sort of. It makes me want to do more with the liturgical year, but frees me to do what I can without worrying about perfection.
The book is laid out by season, starting, appropriately, with Advent/Winter. Jerusalem Jackson Greer has picked 4-5 feasts in that season and has written a long-ish essay that connects her memories and family tradition to the crafts and/or recipes that follow. Each feast day has 2 or 3 recipes or crafts.
The thing that I loved best about this book was that it was REAL. The essays were not holier-than-thou and the crafts & recipes are not I-could-never-make-THAT-happen. They aren’t perfect examples of celebrations where every element steeped is in tradition or symbolism.
I would recommend A Handmade Year to anyone who would like to do more within the liturgical year. This book provides ideas and insight into the cycle of the church and provides a viewpoint that allows for imperfect celebration. It was freeing to not have to be Pinterest perfect, especially in this new stage of adjustment for our family. I wouldn’t mind seeing a sequel with more essays & ideas :).
