Don't Feel Stumpy

Plus: Wintery Accessories, Wonder Years, & 2024 Colors

December 20, 2023

Today is Ember Wednesday.

Hold up, Ember what? Lemmeexplain. The Ember Days are a series of days that occur four times a year, with an emphasis on fasting, prayer, and spiritual renewal. Kind of like a quarterly spiritual check-up. There’s no obligation, but this one spiritual discipline changes everything. And, it’s nice to go into Christmas with cookies still hanging around, right?

Here’s what we’ve got going on today:

  • Fashion: elevate your layering game

  • Traditions: Open the flood gates!

  • Reflection: Second Chances with Old Stumps

  • Gifts: An unlikely yet perfect last minute gift

  • TV: Wonder Years fans, look no further

TRADITIONS: You had me at chocolate and good lit. 😍 Jolabokaflod is our new fav tradition— a “Christmas Book Flood” right in your living room. Basically, on Christmas Eve the family snuggles around the fire to enjoy hot chocolate and a new book. The tradition originated during WWII in Iceland, when paper was the only commodity not rationed. Books became the preferred Christmas gift and welcome distraction. With just about a 100% literacy rate and 1 in 10 Icelanders writing their own books, we can say this tradition has born some bookish fruit. If your Christmas Eve is already ‘booked,’ don’t worry. You’ve got 12 days to celebrate. Here are the best tips to make this tradition your own from the Read Aloud Queen herself.

FASHION: It’s your onion era.🧅 Go from dismal to diva this winter with the art of layering. It’s all about a few key accessories, oc.

  1. First, layer with thin turtlenecks. Wear them under your summer dress, a silk cami, or a fresh button-down for extra warmth without the bulk.

  2. Don’t ditch the skirts—just reach for these fleece-lined tights. They look sheer but keep you snug. Pop them under any wide leg trousers as well.

  3. Next, say it with me: Belts beat the bulk. Create a waistline with a belt while wearing a sweater dress, blazer, coat, or, go crazy—all three! The belt is your saving grace when it comes to pulling an outfit together. Here’s a delicate layered belt, a classic western, and (sustainable) textured piece.

  4. Last up: the silk scarf. As a natural insulator, silk is your perfect weapon for layering for warmth. Plus style. Pair it with a brooch, wear as head scarf, or as an ascot tucked into a turtleneck.

GENEROSITY: It’s better than a Hallmark movie. If you’ve felt a little humbug-gy this Christmas, read on. A dear friend and reader of Mrs6am agreed to share the following real and true story with us. Enjoy a modern Jim and Della, and share your own if you have them. It’s the little things, little promptings, little gifts that count.

Here’s what happened this very morning:  

Local Post Office.  I had a package to send.  The line for the two agents at the one front counter was long.  A separate window was open to the far left, but service split off from the main line. 

I was toward the front when an old man, cane in hand, shuffled in.  He went right to the separate window which had no line to initiate his business.  

The man ahead of me garumphed, “I guess some people don’t have to wait in line!”  

The window attendant overheard the grumbler and told the old gent, “I’m sorry. You’ll have to go to the back of the line, sir.”   Embarrassed, he turned to see about 40 eyeballs on him.  He started to shuffle.  

I felt like old Saint Nick springing into action, “Wait!   You may go ahead of me!”   The postal clerk wasn’t having it.  All business, he replied, “Ma’am, you’ll need to OK that with everyone else in line!”

Traffic cop arm motions turned gracious sweeping gesture, I won their hearts.  “Surely these people don’t mind!”   Faces began to smile, heads nodded.   The old man apologized and quickly got his stamps.  He was unsteady as he turned to leave, so another good soul got on his right; I was on his left.  We escorted him to his car while the rest of the post office crowd shared in the small act of goodwill.  You could feel their hearts softening.  Even Ebenezer, recovering line monitor, had changed his tune.  All was forgiven.  

Outside, we made introductions. Now he was smiling.  Figuring him to be about my dad’s age, I inquired.   “I’m 85, and you’re very kind, young lady.”  Young lady!   

Once settled,  I told him to wait just a minute:  I have something for you!   I retrieved an amaryllis bulb from my car* and presented it, from my two hands, into his.  Childlike wonder and delight, those old blue eyes filled with tears.  “I know exactly what I’m going to do with this!   I’ll give it to my wife!  Oh she will be so pleased!!!”

It’s been several hours since this all transpired but the gift keeps on giving.  I am beyond happy.  This is pure Christmas joy!  

“The gift is in the giving” as my mother says.

*before leaving the house this morning, I put 4 amaryllis bulbs in my car, not knowing who they were going to.  That’s the Holy Spirit!

And what a perfect gift for any unsuspecting hostess, grandmother, or post office renegade! Thanks for sharing your story, dear friend.

Thanks to all you sweet ladies who responded last week— you made my day!

Mr6am and I wish you a lovely rest of your Advent and the merriest of Christmases. We’ll be taking a break and will be back in 2024—can’t wait. 🍾

Until next time,