Deck The Halls With Hallmark Specials

22 Days Until Christmas Friends!

Hello everyone!  Sorry about the delay! I'm in Belize and my Internet is limited and my wonderful sister had been helping me in the states. Everything is fixed now!  I'm enjoying Christmas in Belize!  

Ok now to the good stuff!
I have to admit that I love the Hallmark Christmas Specials! Magic is in the air, love is in the air and anything can happen. It's wonderful! Sometimes though, you hit a dud, but most of the time they are just wonderful. As I write this I am actually watching one!  They just make your heart sore!

Now, I know that some people just don't care for them. They are just too predicable, you can come in mid stream and know how it started and know exactly how it ends. Ha ha While this is true in some cases, I put those feelings aside and just enjoy it…and cry a little along the way!

Right now my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies are "Hitched For The Holidays", "Window Wonderland", "Christmas Incorperated" and I'm looking foreword to all the new ones with Candace Cameron Bure in them too! I'm sure my favorites list is going to grow!

What are your favorite TV specials and movies? Do you love the classics like "Frosty The Snowman" and "It's A Wonderful Life"? Do have a Christmas movie that you dislike? For me it's "The Grinch That Stole Christmas", not sure why but it's true!  

Now it's time to announce the winner of the Christmas CD! The winner is Kassie Ann!!!!!!! Congrats and Merry Christmas! We are going to get these tunes playing in your house as soon as possible! Once you receive it post a picture and use the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown and 

let me know how you like it!

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to grab a tissue and continue with my Hallmark movie. :) See you tomorrow!

Sweet Festive Melodies Batman!

23 Days Until Christmas Fellow Music Lovers!

Christmas music is one of my favorites parts about Christmas. The melodies, the beautiful lyrics…it's so good! It seems like every year the songs mean more to me. For instance this year I've cried a few times while listening to them. It's the Gospel to music and I can't help but be moved. 

However, to the dismay of most of my house hold I start listening to and singing Christmas music early!  I JUST. CAN'T. HELP.IT! It is a burden I must bare...ha-ha! Everyone has their own go-to Christmas songs and albums that are has unique as the listener! Last year I was asked about some Christmas Music recommendations. So this year I've compiled some of my favorites for you! Here are some of my go-to Christmas CD'S (but are not limited to): 

• The Christmas Hope by Newsong

• Home For Christmas by
  BarlowGirl

• Campfire Christmas by Rend Collective

• When Christmas Comes By Kim Walker-Smith

• Rose Of Bethlehem by Selah

• That’s Christmas To Me by Pentatonix

• Christmas By Francesca Battistelli

Now I want to give one of these away! To enter, comment below on this blog post with what your favorite Christmas song is and why ( I know that's hard right?) and then your top three picks from my list.  I'll pick the winner and release the winners name in tomorrows post! So make sure to swing by here tomorrow to see if you won (you'll have 24hrs to respond or another person will be picked)! 
I'm only shipping in the USA on this giveaway. Don't worry though, I'll be doing some other giveaways for my international friends(I love you all)! 

Don't forget to share all this awesomeness on Facebook and Instagram with the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown !


Fun fact! Below was the first ever Christmas song, I would have LOVED to hear that choirs in person!

"And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."" - Luke 2:13-14

See you tomorrow!

We "Belize" You A Merry Christmas

24 Days Till Christmas is here all day! 

Today is a very special day! Today I will be traveling to Belize for a missions trip! This will be my first time going to another country and a tropical place (Jesus help me) during Christmas time. So in the name of Jesus and Christmas I am bringing Christmas to Belize! Yes Janell's Christmas Countdown is going international!

I am not alone however, let me introduce you to the 

team that I am with :

Scott & Marla (My parents)

Valerie (My Aunt)

Brenda (My Friend)

The reason I bring this trip to your attention and those on the team is two fold: 1) We will have two Christmas events while we are down there. 2) I am asking that you remember us in prayer while we are there. The days we are in Belize are December 2nd-7th. We really do appreciate your prayers. They really do matter and we know when we are being prayed for. 

As I mentioned above we will have two Christmas events while in Belize; a Mother Daughter Tea and a Youth Night. On December 9th I will share about our trip here on the blog! 

Image from: www.operationworld.org

My countdown will still post everyday even though I'm out of the country! I can't leave my friends hanging! Still stop by everyday so you don't miss a thing.

So have you ever been in another country during Christmas time? Did you like it? Let me know! 

See you tomorrow!

#janellschristmascountdown

Sugar an' Spice an' All Things Tasty!

25 More Days To Enjoy Christmas Cookies!

Happy December 1st everyone! It is now time to kick this Christmas thing into high gear! Lets get started!

So is it just me or does food get even better this time of year? Oh my goodness... I think I just gained a few pounds just thinking about it! Today I thought I would share with you one of my favorite cookies to make (and eat) during Christmas. They are Silver Dollar City's Ginger Cookies!

Let me tell you, they are so yummy! I've been making them for a few years now and they just don't disappoint! It's like Christmas in your mouth! A cool little tid-bit for you is that they can be easily turned gluten free! Just replace flour with your favorite GF blend and add a little Xanthan Gum (if your flour blend doesn’t already have it mixed in it).

Here is the recipe, I hope you enjoy it! If the picture fails to load for ya here is a link to follow: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/219480181813129929/ 

What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Do you bake or buy?

If you make them be sure to post a picture and hash tag #janellschristmascountdown ! See you tomorrow!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good!" - Psalms 34:8

Favorite Things

Only 26 day until Christmas!

Christmas is probably on my " Top 5 Favorite Things" list! Family outings, yummy food, Christmas music, my birthday! The list could go on a long time and I don't want to keep you. However I want to hear why you love it. To get the convo started I asked some friends what were some of their favorite things about Christmas. But they couldn't give me any Jesus related answers (don’t give me that look, he should already be your favorite). It was really fun reading the responses, seeing what makes Christmas for people.  

Now I'll let my friends take it away:

• Charity L. "Lol!!! No Jesus answers…Family and it makes winter more bearable... In the beginning anyway."  

• Marla S. "Family, food, decorations, lights and winter!"  

• Arlene H. "The "Rat Pack" Christmas music and knowing I have all my ornaments bought, wrapped and sent off to my all my grands. 12 now, and one great. Whew!!"  

• Mica J. "Hot chocolate and Christmas lights!"  

• Milu H. "Family time, lights, decorations and gifts!"  

• Faye W. "Watching Janell get hysterical…"  

• Donna V. "My "love language" is gifts so I LOVE to give gifts. And I love it when I nail it and get just the perfect thing for someone! I love that we do communion together as soon as we get up and I like that we watch the Disney Parade as a famjam. And we spend the whole day together. This year…hot tub time! I like the hors d'oeuvres meal we have and I like the duck at dinner and the duck soup made with the leftovers.  Oh and I like the cheesy Christmas movies that are on TV through the month of December in front of the cozy fireplace. Also when the kids were little my favorite part of the day was baking Jesus a birthday cake. PS. I like  that you preempted that with "no Jesus answers" because, you're right, that would have been every one's first answer (that's a no brainer). I guess, for me, it all boils down to family. Whatever we do or not don't do, as long as we're together…that's enough for me." 

• Janae S. "Giving gifts, Christmas lights, and Michael Buble. Oh and "Nothing Like Christmas" by Anthem Lights." 

• Barbara S. "The joy on my children's faces seeing all the festivities!"

• Misty M. "Family making memories, decorating, sugar cookies with the kids..surprises, sharing little things to remind someone they are special....smiles, hugs and sharing...preparing the meals...being together!"

• Julie R. " Sparkling lights, listening to my Boys to Men Christmas album from many years ago and watching all our Christmas movies."

• Sandra H. "Spending time with my family! Going around to different houses and businesses and looking at Christmas lights and decorations! Cooking and baking! Talking about old times! Christmas music! Having FUN with my FAMILY!!"

• Rowena P. "The spirit of Christmas. Even those who are not believers get swept up and into it, for some it brings joy for others it brings sadness of not having loved ones around. Which opens a door for me to share my joy, peace, love and happiness with them by giving gifts that bring a smile. And there is nothing like singing carols with family, trimming the tree putting up the Christmas lights, driving around looking at all the lights on homes. Watching Christmas productions."

• Renee C. "I LOVE the smells of Christmas! The holiday spice candles...the smell of food we only eat during the festive season. The smell of snow in the air (which I miss so much living in Australia) the smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree. Ahhh... the pine! And I love the decorations. Christmas truly is the season for all our senses to come alive!"

• Cindy L. "Making cut out Christmas cookies with the grand kids!!!!"

• Marilyn F.  "All of the above and also celebrating your birthday Janell!" 

• Edna S. "I love the way so many people's hearts are thoughtful and joyful and at peace."

• Brenda L. "The hustle and bustle of shopping for that perfect gift. The preparation of dinner all the smell of Christmas in the air."

• Catherine B. "Watching the original Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer... well basically all the Christmas movies new or old also getting to spend time with family and eating the food!!"

• Georgene E."I love outdoor Christmas lights/decorations and Christmas trees, snow, and candlelight service on Christmas Eve. And all Christmas carols."

• Nancy P."I love putting up the Christmas tree. The ornaments have special meanings and the lights are beautiful. Contrary to popular belief (my grandson's in particular ) I did not kill the red birds on my tree."

• Suzanne K. "Lights. Christmas tree/decorating the house. Christmas movies 24/7. Baking cookies. Driving around looking at lights. All things Christmas really!!! Snow."

Thank you to everyone who shared, I LOVED hearing your answers! Now here are some of mine:

So what are some of your favorite things about Christmas? Share them here or on Facebook and Instagram with the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown and better yet, ask this question at the dinner table or while driving in the car with your family!

Janell's 3rd Annual Christmas Countdown!

27 Days Until Christmas Folks!

Merry Christmas and welcome to my 3rd Annual Christmas Countdown! To say that I love Christmas would probably be a understatement! This time of year is literally my favorite. But why you may ask? Is it because my birthday is on the 25th? The candy canes and hot cocoa? Twinkling lights and gifts? Nope on all accounts, so let me tell you: I love Christmas because I love my Jesus. That my friends is a very true statement. When I think all that He has done, all that he went through, it was all for me...you...us all; it moves me. Jesus is just so wonderful I have to celebrate!  And with that said I am beyond excited about the countdown this year! I have been working on this for months, but before we get started here is a little History lesson!

Two years ago I was at Wal-Mart with my mom (sometimes I think we live there) and she saw a "Days until Christmas" sign. She suggested that I take a picture with it. I did, with my mouth open and before I knew it, the countdown became my "thing" (thanks mom!) .

Where it all began...

Soon people were telling me how much they enjoyed it and how it made their Christmas season better. I could hardly believe that me standing infront of a silly sign with my mouth wide open would make a difference. But it did! 
So last year I did the countdown again; however it was harder because Wal-Mart wasn’t counting down the days consistently like the first year. Then I had an idea! How about this year I do my own Christmas countdown! So several months ago I started prepping, and I am beyond thrilled to actually start! 

My goal is not only keep you informed on how many days until Christmas, but to also fill your heart with joy, love, peace and a whole lot of Jesus. So get ready for 27 days of Christmas bliss! 

This is how it will work: Throughout the next 27 days I will be of course posting the countdown, but also this year I will have a few fun giveaways as well! Ekk! I will also post Christmas Devos, Christmas crafts, tried and true recipes and so much more! So make sure to stop by here everyday to make sure you don't miss a thing! When you share my countdown or post pictures to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, I have created a hash tag for you to use #janellschristmascountdown . That way we can all enjoy the fun and have a little Christmas community!

Now without further ado… The Christmas Countdown has officially begun! I hope and pray that this makes your Christmas just a little more amazing. I'll see you tomorrow!

Shiny, Sparkling And Reflective

Merry Christmas Friends!

I am super excited because Janell's Christmas Countdown starts tomorrow! I am SO EXCITED (wait i think I said that already?) Anywho! 

Shiny, Sparkly and Reflective

See this beautifully shiny, sparkling and reflective ornament? These are my favorite because of how they shine, sparkle and reflect. We have the very same opportunity to reflect the light of Jesus. It's really a wonderful opportunity! When ever you see the beautiful shiny, sparkly and reflective ornaments this Christmas remember you can be that too! Represent Jesus, reflect His light.

I'll see you tomorrow!

#janellschristmascountdown