Cookie Cutter Christmas

10 day until it's Christmas all day long!

I think one tradition in our house is making sugar cookies. All the fun cut outs and icing and sprinkles! A few years ago we found a ugly Christmas Sweater Cookie Cutter! So cute right?

We use the same recipe every year and they always turn out great! Last year was the first Christmas that I went gluten free. So I experimented with the same recipe and was pleased to find that they were good! Remember in my "Add A Little Punch To Your Life" post I shared "my" punch recipe from the cook book my mom made? Well this recipe come from my cousin Candace ( or my Aunt Marci!) who also was a small child when the cook book was made. Candace have you made your cookies lately?

Candace's Sugar Cookie

1 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 Cup Butter
1 Egg
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 Almond Flavoring (if you have a nut allergy you can use another kind of flavoring)
2 1/2 Cup Flour (Or your favorite Gluten Free Blend. I suggest using one that already has Xanthium Gum already added)
1 tsp. Cream of Tarter
1 tsp. Baking Soda

Cream the sugar and butter. Add the egg and flavoring; mix thoroughly. Sift dry ingredients together and stir in. Refrigerate 2-3 hour. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Divide dough and roll out on a lightly floured board. Roll thin but thick enough to pick up the design in the cookie cutter. Dip the cutter in flour before each cutting. Bake 8-10 minute. Frost with icing and have fun decorating!

If you make these wonderful cookies post them and don't forget to hashtag #janellschristmascountdown

See you tomorrow!

Christmas Cards A Plenty

12 Days Until Christmas People of Earth!

Christmas cards! They are just so pretty! Glitter, beautiful landscapes and so so much more! But what do you do with them when Christmas is over? I believe there are about 3 kinds of people when it comes to Christmas cards:

1. The Sentimental 

This person has cards from when Jesus was born.  The cards are never thrown out. They have stacks and stacks of them! The cards are in a box in the closet and that is where they will be….Until the end of time.

2. The Tosser

These people look at the card read the card and then since they have looked at it and read it why should they keep it? So sad to break the news to you but your beautiful card goes to the dark Christmas Future (that’s death if you haven't seen the Christmas Carol).

3. The Crafter

This person can't let something so pretty go to waste. They will take your card and make a little box, place mats and/or new Christmas cards for next year! But I do have to say your sweet families faces is now with group number two...again sorry...

I think I fall right in the middle of 2 and 3... well and 1....but mostly 2 and 3! HA-HA! 

Now no matter where you fall in these categories I would LOVE to send YOU a special Christmas card! All you have to do is send me a facebook message (if we are friends), or email me at royalty.janell@gmail.com (if we are not friends) with your full name and address! And I'll get these pretty cards sent your way! Thats it!

Also if you are up for another little Christmas Challenge here is it.  I want you to find a pretty card and I want you to send it to someone you haven't seen or talked to in a while. Basically someone who wouldn't already get a card. It will be fun for them to receive a sweet message. I mean who doesn't like to receive a hand written card? It will totally make their day!

Don't forget to share this with your friends and to use the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown on Facebook and Instagram! 

See you tomorrow!

A Very Crafty Christmas

14 Days Until Christmas People!

I have the most creative and gifted friends on the planet! They are the ones who can actually pull off a Pinterest craft with no problem (I know for a fact that some of us just can even). One of my dear friends Madeleine is one of those super crafty amazing people. And I would love to brag on her for a second.  Look what she made me! A beautiful fox snow globe!

It's so cute...and FOXY! 

(The world wide web is full of DIYs and tutorials to make these, but I thought this one  (  http://www.classyclutter.net/2014/11/diy-mason-jar-snowglobe/ )  was really cute! )

And then last year she showed me how to make ornament wreaths! If you want a really great Christmas craft this one is one of the best in my opinion. 

Just getting started!

They are super fun and easy to make! They are worth the time and money (especially if you get a lot of your supplies at the Dollar Tree...you know 'cause everything is a dollar?). Most DIY blogs say to use glass ornaments. This works great if you hang this is a very safe place. I used plastic and was super glad I did (a house with 6 people and 2 dogs...stuff breaks and did...don't worry, easy fix!).

Aren't they lovely!

Another crafty person is my sister Janae! This year she discovered that she loves to paint with water colors.  Check out this beautiful watercolor:

Peace On Earth

Now what is super awesome about this water color is that you can win this! Just simply comment below with what your favorite Christmas craft is and you will be entered! The winner will be announced tomorrow on my blog! This giveaway is open to everyone (Yay for all of my International friends)! If you are having trouble commenting just comment on Facebook on instagram or wherever you saw the countdown picture! 

The snow globes and wreaths are a lot of fun to make! Grab a girl friend, sister, brother, husband…just go grab someone and make something together! Enjoy each others company!  Don't worry if it turns out looking like something totally different, have fun! Crank the Christmas music and put the kettle on for some hot coco!

When you make your crafts use the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown so I can see and don't forget to share!

Christmas Socks? You Bet Your Jingle Bells!

19 Cozy Days Until Christmas!

OK  we need to talk about something super serious......Christmas socks….they are the bomb! Ha ha I have many pairs of Christmas socks. I may or may not have a problem…But let not focus on that…lets focus on the fact that Christmas socks are so festive and fun! I mean look at these! SO.AMAZING!

Ha ha and I want to give away a pair of Christmas socks! All you have to do is tell me why you think you need and should win these Christmas socks HERE ONOW THE BLOG (if ithe won't work for you select "anonymous" and include your name]. That’s it! I'll pick the winner tonight anncounce the win tommorrow, then I'll send these little babies to you! There is a catch though. You will receive two pairs. One for you and another to give a way to a non family member. I want to you to pray over the socks as Holy Spirit prompts you and then give them away to the person that God puts on your heart (I've prayed over your socks too).  Then just let me know what happens! When we step out and do something that requires faith that’s when it really becomes fun!

Now if you don't win the socks you can drive yo self to the store get you some Christmas socks and do the same thing. Pray over the socks, declare that the person who wears them will be filled with the peace and joy of God every time they put them on. Or if they are sick, pray healing over the socks. This is totally in the Bible by the way if your thinking I've totally lost it. They probably didn’t use snowman socks in the bible…or did they? Ha-ha 

If you do decide to give some socks or just got a pair for yo self share your story and pictures with me by commenting below and/or sharing it on Facebook or Instagram using the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown ! 
See you tomorrow!

Ps. Today the team and I are traveling back to the USA today!  Please pray for safe travels and that we make all of our flights!  Thanks! 

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!