One of the sorrows of growing up is that, while you should never lose your childlike sense of wonder and fun, some activities just aren’t possible anymore. For years, one of my favorite pastimes was making fairy dolls and houses in the backyard, changing their habitats and clothing based on the season. Spring saw fairy beds made of lamb’s ear, summer brought pink dresses of campanula, and fall inspired headdresses fashioned from asters. This childhood joy came to mind while reading Emily Malloy’s new book, Arranging the Seasons, which is the fourth offering in the Theology of Home series.
The book is a joy to read, from the straightforward text layout to the well-placed images. Even just browsing through to look at the pictures can prompt readers to go look up the various flowers that are mentioned. Malloy organizes the book well, breaking it down by season, then by month. She then follows a pattern for nearly each month, starting with a short reflection and ending with a design section. This pairing of the philosophical and the practical gives readers a chance to ponder the “why” of flowers or muse about the quirks of different months, while also learning the best way to construct, say, a boutonniere.
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