Blogmas Contest Winners & See you in the New Year

Before I announce the winner I would just like to say thank you to everyone who participated. You guys really did what I asked and engaged with one another in the comment section. I literally just sat here smiling while reading all the comments on one another’s posts. So thank you for being a part of this blogmas community this December!

Now, to the contest!

There were many great submissions but my top three included:

3. McGee Travel Tale’s “Hot Chocolate” recipe! Because who doesn’t love hot chocolate?

2. Ivor’s “My Lost Sock, A Christmas Story.” Because it brings together harsh reality and light-hearted whimsy!

That mean the winner is . . .

Dorinda Duclos from Night Owl Poetry!

Not only is her poem wonderful, but I absolutely adore it’s structuring. Check it out here and be sure to stop by her blog!

The
Yuletide
Spirit shines
Glows in our hearts
Brings us warmth within
Our home, filled to the brim
With love, family gathers
Exchanging hugs instead of gifts
Relating stories of days long past
Memories to share for generations

 

Thank you again folks to everyone who participated! I hope that you all had wonderful Christmases.

 

As for me, this will be my last post of 2018.

As you all know, life has been more complicated lately and I need the next week or so to simply address some of these difficulties in my life. My family deserves my full attention and honestly, my body needs some self-care. I plan on coming back strong in the 2019 and plan to see you all again in the New Year!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas is a very special holiday for me, especially because to me it is not just about the tree, the decorations, or the holiday fun. It is a time to celebrate the fact that God loved me enough that Jesus humbled himself to come to earth as an insignificant baby.

This Christmas is harder though. My Papa is still in the hospital and he is declining rapidly. He will not be home tomorrow to join in the festivities and we all know that our smiles will be a little forced as we try to keep it as normal as possible for the children. I got to see my Papa yesterday, I sat by his side for a few hours. I’m not sure if he knew I was there or not, but I sang him some Christmas carols and I think he heard and enjoyed them. My Nana sat across from me and all I could think is that she is the strongest woman I know. As I’m getting closer to marrying my fiancé, I cannot and do not want to imagine what my life would be like without him. My Nana has had over 50years with my Papa and I know she is not ready to let go of him either.

I tell you all of this to remind you that tomorrow is not a guarantee. I pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families, reminding yourself how much you should treasure their companionship. I am blessed, I believe in God and I believe in life after death in Heaven with God. I pray for my Papa’s recovery, but I know that if he does not recover, I will see him, hug him, and speak with him again one day . . . all thanks to a baby who was born in a manager.

Be sure to tell your loved ones what they mean to you, because you never know if this will be your last Christmas with them.

Annual Blogmas Contest Closes TODAY

Hey Everyone! Just a reminder that the last date to participate in the Blogmas Contest is on December 20th!

(That’s TODAY!)

I’m looking forward to going through everyone’s posts again and picking my favorite!

Please be sure to read all the rules on the original post: Annual Blogmas Contest.Only those who have followed every rule will be considered.

Participating in Blogmas has been so much fun and I’ve probably spent way too much time online, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

Happy Blogmas Everyone!

Have you read an amazing Blogmas post lately? Nominate it in the comments or encourage that blogger to submit it themselves! But you better hurry, time is running out!

Blogmas: My Top 12 Favorite Christmas Songs

Well here it is, I did warn you that I would be posting all about my favorite Christmas Songs! If you have the time, at least listen to #3 since I’m betting you haven’t heard it before! Here are my Top Twelve (I couldn’t narrow it down to 10 haha) Christmas Songs:

12. Carol of the Bells (It’s a classic!)

11. Let it Snow performed by Jessica Simpson (don’t hate on me just yet, I really love the upbeat feel to her version)

 

10. Do You Hear What I Hear? performed by Carrie Underwood

9. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch (come on, it’s fun! The Duck Dynasty version is also hilarious with Uncle Si)

 

8. Little Drummer Boy by Pentatonix 

 

7. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy performed by Lindsey Stirling (I enjoy many instrumental Christmas songs, but I really love this song and Lindsey’s performance!)

 

6. Where are you Christmas? performed by Faith Hill

 

5. Baby, It’s Cold Outside (I prefer the Idina Menzel or Elf versions, but my boyfriend loves the Glee version)

 

4. The Christmas Shoes by NewSong (This song breaks me every time, but I love it!)

 

 

3. His Favorite Christmas Story by Capital Lights (if you have never heard this song, I beg of you, please listen until the very end. I promise chills and tears <3)

2. O Holy Night performed by Josh Groban

 

1. Mary, Did you know? by Pentatonix 

I have always loved this song, but their rendition is truly beautiful.

 

Let’s take a vote! Out of these Top Twelve Christmas songs, which one is your favorite?

Blogmas: A Time to Remember

“Howling wind slows mid-flight

At the sound of the infant’s cry

It too must take a breath,

To watch a miracle unfold.

The baying mule pauses its whine

When it hears the baby’s laughter.

He wonders who is the cream-colored creature

Asleep in his trough of hay.

A young mother pauses her prayers

To meet the heavy eyes of a father.

Their journey reflected in his joyful eyes;

A journey of trial and triumph.

Angels of fire and light release

A breath held, a too-long pause.

Their voices crescendo, shaking the Heavens

and waking sleeping men.

Magi with presents that shine

And shimmer; complete the fervent

Journey to bow in wonder

At a bundle swathed in cloths.

And now we students pause,

Suspend our studies, to remember

A story, to take a moment to praise

The birth of a Savior.​”

©KaylaAnnAuthor

© KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

My Favorite Christmas Mug

Happy Blogmas!

Today I am sharing my favorite Christmas mug and believe me, it was a difficult decision. I’m that person who has cupboards full of mugs. But here he is, my favorite Christmas mug who is both adorable and efficient.

He never topples

Nor does he tumble

He sits there and smiles,

Blushing and humble

My little snowman

Guardian of my tea

Who keeps the precious liquid

Warm for me

 

What is your favorite mug? Tell me about it below or link back to your own Christmas Mug post!

Blogmas: Top 5 Christmas Movies to Watch in December

It’s December, it’s almost Christmas, it’s cold enough to cuddle with blankets, so you best believe that I will be watching my Christmas movies with pleasure!

So grab your own blanket, slip on those fuzzy socks, pop the corn, and take a seat with me. Take a vote and tell me below which of these five is your favorite!

5. 1970s Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Yea the animation can be a little unsettling at times, but it is a classic and it automatically transports me to my childhood)

 

4. 2003 ELF  (I’m not always a fan of Will Ferrell, but he nailed this role!) Plus, Buddy is pretty much a modern-day Rudolph (the comparisons are solid, trust me, I did the analysis).

3. 1990 Home Alone (Yes, he is a total brat in the beginning who needs a good spanking, but you gotta love his ingenious booby-traps and the humor. Plus, he learns his lesson! Kind of…)

2. 2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (I swear this is one of Jim Carrey’s finest roles! I usually watch this movie multiple times during the holiday season. Plus, you have to enjoy the humor snuck in there just for the adults.)

1. 1994 The Santa Clause with Tim Allen 

By far, this is the best Christmas movie. When I imagine “Santa Clause,” Tim Allen is the only face I see. For all I am concerned, he IS Santa Clause. It deals with real life issues like divorce, it has holiday joy, it has snarky sarcasm, and it leaves me with a happy feeling inside.

 

What do you think? Am I missing any of the classics? What is your top holiday movie?

Blogmas: My Favorite Christmas Attire-Socks!

Hey Everyone!

Who out there is participating in blogmas? How’s it going? I’m having so much fun with these posts! They are definitely helping me feel the holiday spirit!

Today, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I LOVE socks, like a ton. Not just your every day white or black ankle socks, no I love fun, knee-high socks! Every year, I search high and low for new socks to add to my collection. As such it shouldn’t be a surprise that I have several pair of Christmas themed socks!

These are my top three:

3. Elf socks

2. Naughty/Nice Socks w/Bows!

1. Candy-Cane socks! These are by-far my favorite pair, although they are a bit thrashed from my use. Hopefully they have a few years left in them!

Which pair do you like best? Any one else have specifically holiday attire?

Blogmas: The Colors of Christmas

White is the color of freshly fallen snow

A beautiful sight, I have

Yet to behold

Green is the color of prickly pine leaves

That hold precious ornaments

On lopsided Christmas trees

Yellow is the color of a heavenly star

That caused three wise men 

To travel afar

Red is the color that I love the best

That fills me with cheer

That shows I am blessed

Red is the color of my Savior so dear

Who was born and died to

Make my sins clear

Red is the color of love and joy

Although he came wrapped in no ribbons

This perfect Christmas baby boy

 

Happy Blogmas Everyone!

How are your blogmas posts coming along? Don’t forget to submit your favorite blogmas post in the Blogmas Contest!

©KaylaAnnAuthor

© KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

Blogmas Craft #2: “JOY” Wine Bottle Decor

Hey Everyone!

Today for Blogmas, as my present to all of you, I thought I might show you all how you can create beautiful, holiday wine decor bottles for yourself!

Step #1: Acquire, clean, and paint your bottles

Now, I’m not suggesting that you become an alcoholic, but you are going to need some empty bottles: wine, liquor, whatever. (While it’s more fun to use the different shapes for the snowman, you will want to use similar shapes and sizes for the JOY decor)

After you’ve collected your bottles, you will need to spray them your preferred color (white). Let them dry and then spray them again. You will almost always need 2+ coats of paint.

 

Step #2: Acquire Craft Supplies

For these “JOY” wine bottles, you will need three wine bottles of similar height, three branches of red holly, a branch of mistletoe (which you will cut into smaller branches), a glue gun, stencils of your choosing, red glitter squeezable paint, and a ball of twine. (These supplies can range anywhere around $15-$70 depending on what you get and how much you get)

Step #3: Creating the Design

After stenciling on the letters of your chosen styling, you will need to fill in the letters with red glitter glue. Make sure to give a thick layer as it will flatten and thin out as it dries. (These will take a full 24 hours to dry).

 

Step #4: Seal in the Design

A full 24 hours later, your glitter letters will have thinned down and you will want to spray the whole bottle with clear sealing spray paint. After this coat has dried (another hour or so), using the hot glue gun you will apply layers of twine to the top of the bottles.

Step #5: Become the Florist Your Always Wanted to Be

Remember those holly berries and mistletoe branches from earlier? Create a lovely Christmas-themed floral arrangement coming from the tops of those bottles as your finishing touch!

There you have it! The whole process takes about 2-3 days and the various supplies can be found at most craft stores.

They make great presents too!

©KaylaAnnAuthor

© KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.