Jul 7, 2014

10 truths of why my blog is not successful

Ya'll, I need to confess to you that I am totally burned out on blogging.  I have no intentions of quiting, I love blogging, I really do.  But in my struggle to keep up with with blogging, I am completely BURNED OUT!  I can not keep up, I feel like I am racing a clock that I will never keep up with.  I think that part of my blogger burnout, as made me think I am not a successful blogger.  Well, after some reflection, I think I know why I am not a successful blogger, and I thought I would share them with you.



10 truths of why my blog is not successful

So...I thought I would share with you 10 Truths of why my blog is not successful.  The real reason you do not see a new blog post every day.  The reason I am not making money blogging.  The reason of why The Cookie Puzzle, will never be nominated for "Blog of the Year"


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1. I manage my time poorly.  There I said it!  I read way too many blogs. I spend way too much time on Pinterest.  I watch way too much TV.  Then, Sunday afternoon comes, and I don't have a single thing to post on my blog for the week.


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2.I have secret Pinterest board titled "Blog Post Ideas" it currently has over 500 pins on it.  These are ideas of things I want to blog about.  Most of them are ideas of ideas posted by other bloggers, that I plan on tweaking to make them my own, but now the ideas are so many, that I don't know where to start.

3.  I also have a board on Pinterest called Blogging Tips, it is full of useful blog posts about growing your blog, making money on your blog, hosting a successful link party, how to improve your "about me" page, stuff like that.  All those posts are wonderful, I have read them all, but actually APPLYING what I read, well that is another story.  I am always left with the feeling of being overwhelmed, I don't have time, energy or knowledge to do half of the tips I read.


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4.  I dropped some major money on a planner that was all but guaranteed to get me organized.  It came highly recommended by other bloggers.  They claim that it saved their life, kept them on track, and solved all their problems.  Well, guess what, that might all be true, but as I type this, mine is starring at me, completely EMPTY!  So yeah...that did not work for me.

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5.  I have convinced myself that to be a great blogger, you have a village of people helping you behind the scenes.  NOW, having talked to several bloggers, read "behind the scenes" type blog posts, articles, and blogger groups chats, I know this is NOT TRUE.  There are lot of bloggers that have their acts together, all by themselves, I AM NOT ONE OF THEM.

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6  I have a room in my house full of supplies that I purchased to complete blog projects.  Some of it is baking supplies, some are crafting supplies.   A lot of them are "almost" finished, but for whatever reason, I hit a roadblock with them, and they sit unfinished.  If I were to actually finish the projects I started, I would have 2-3 months worth of blog posts, but well, that is probably not going to happen.

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7.  Every Friday night, when I get home from work, I mentally plan out what I am going to do that weekend to get done for my blog.  And then every Sunday afternoon, I have nothing done, and I feel like a total failure.


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8. Twitter and G+ confuse the heck out of me.  I have not even set up a Twitter account.  I have a G+ account, but I have no idea how the heck it works, I just jump on every few days and comment on a few posts, share a few things..blah blah blah.  Blogging experts will tell you that Twitter and G+ are key to a successful blog, well, see the title of this post.  I don't have a successful blog.

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9.  I have a life.  There, I said it.  I refuse to let blogging take over my life.  If my husband wants to take me to dinner, but I had planned on working on a blog project, hubby wins, every time, period, end of discussion.  We are in the height of building a new house, as in WE ARE DOING 90% of the work.  New house wins over blogger, every time, period.

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10.  I have made peace with the reality that I will NEVER be a successful blogger.  Knowing this, has totally liberated me.  I will never be able to quit my full time job and blog full time.  I lack the disciplined and motivation to do so, and I am totally ok with that.


So....there you go, 10 truths about WHY MY BLOG IS NOT SUCCESSFUL.  But, you know what my blog is?  It is real!  I fail, I am a human, what you see and read on this blog is true life  You see me using a cake mix instead of baking from scratch.  You see not so perfect pictures, but they were taken by me using my limited photography stills.

It may not be successful by some blogger measures, but it is successful in my book.  I enjoy doing it.  I makes me happy.  I have met some amazing people by blogging.  I have learned that it is ok to not be the best, as long as you do the best you can.  I have learned that if you are happy, your blog will be a place people want to come.

Do I want to improve?  YES!  I try doing all I can, I research and network to make my blog better.  BUT, I am at peace with where I am at now, I blog about what I love and what makes me happy.  I blog about my life, I don't live for my blog.


What I am doing to try to make my blog successful, is that I host a weekly link party called Party in Your PJS.  You still have time to link up this week, so if you would like to join the fun, you can link up HERE


So, there you go...my not so successful blog post about why my blog is not successful. But, I love it.  How about you?  Is there a reason your blog is not successful?  Is there something that you do, or don't do to make your blog a success?  Share with me, and others...sound off.

Until next time(whenever that might be)

Hugs

Jul 3, 2014

Party in Your PJs #10




Welcome to Party in Your PJs #10!






The Cookie Puzzle Facebook Pinterest


Today is an exciting day at Party inYour PJs, we have 
a very special Guest Co-Host!  Meet Bree from bumblebreeblog!




Hello all!  I am Bree

I find passion in creating fun crafts, giving personal homemade gifts, celebrating events and holidays, and blogging about the things that inspire me!  I love my cat, Cleopatra, eating ice cream any time of the day and my husband.  You can find me over at bumblebreeblog.  Head over there to check out all the inspiration floating around and feel free to hang out with me on Instagram or Pinterest.

Welcome to the party Bree, Melissa and I are so excited to have you here.  Please make Bree feel welcome, follow her on social media, and take a moment to give her a little love!




We love to pin!  We've have created a board, where all links will be pinned.  If you 
want to be inspired, make sure to follow the board.


Follow The Cookie Puzzle's board Party in Your PJs Links on Pinterest.



Ok...now for a few simple party rules

*Link to a post, not your blog home page
*Link to something YOU made
*No Etsy or Business Pages
*Be a good party guest, don't link and run,  visit a few blog, mingle and comment you might make a new friend.
*Linking back to our party, with a button
or text is appreciated 









Jun 30, 2014

Washi Tape Outlet Cover Make-Over

Mr. Cookie Puzzle and I are starting to see the end of our new house building project.  I can not tell you how very excited I am...and how TIRED I am.  I will NEVER move again.  I am not cut out for working this hard.  Last week, was us until at least midnight every night, and up again at 5 am for work.  Finally being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel feels pretty good.

Our new how has a very rustic feel, think wood surfaces everywhere and tin accents. That theme is carried out all over the house, except for my cookie craft room.  My cookie/craft room has a very sunny and bright feel, lots of light and "Fun"  I painted the walls a bright yellow.  I have been planning this room for years and I knew exactly how I wanted it to look, and how I wanted it laid out.  I wanted it to look cheery, but I also wanted it to be very practical and efficient. One thing that I knew I wanted was to have all the outlets to be at counter height.  I know that seems odd to many people, but it was a must for me.  I use a lot of different tool to make cookies and to craft, and I wanted to be able to quickly plug in and unplug tools.  The thought of getting down on the floor, and reaching under a table or moving a shelf to unplug my Kopykake or glue gun, well, that did not sound fun to me.  So counter height outlets are all over the room.

Having counter height outlets, meant that they can be seen, so I wanted them to be "cute" "fun" and cheery".
So, I gave them a little fun, with washi tape!


Washi Tape Outlet Cover

Washi Tape Outlet Cover


Pretty fun right?  I think so.  I have 5 regular outlets, 1 GIF outlet, 1 light switch and one cable outlet in my cookie/craft room, and they all got a little makeover with washi tape.



To make your own, you will need:

Washi Tape Outlet Cover

Outlet covers
Washi Tape
Craft knife
Mod Podge
foam brush


Washi Tape Outlet Cover

Starting at the top, place your first strip of Washi Tape, letting it over hang
the edge of the outlet cover by 1/2 inch, so that you can fold it over the edge, covering the sides.
Then, just keep laying on strips, covering all the way to the bottom.  I just taped
right over the holes.

Washi Tape Outlet Cover

Once it was completely covered, I flipped it over and from the back, I used my
craft knife, and cute a big X in the holes, an folded in the tape, covering the edges
of the holes.  Make sure you use your craft knife to cute a hole where the screw goes.

Washi Tape Outlet Cover

When all the outlets were covered, I gave them all two thin
coats of Mod Podge for protection, letting them dry 
completely  between coats.

Washi Tape Outlet Cover


And just like that, I had fun and cheery outlet covers for my cookie/craft room.



Don't forget, Party in Your PJ's is still open this week, so you
still have time to link up!


Click HERE to link up!


This post might be linked up at the link parties found Here

Jun 26, 2014

Party in Your PJs #9




Welcome to Party in Your PJs #9!

Last week we had our biggest week ever, and I
am so happy.  We started this link party 
hopping to create a party that everyone enjoys.
Are you enjoying it?
I hope so, because we are!




The Cookie Puzzle Facebook Pinterest


Here are a few of my favorite links from last week.
Make sure you check out Melissa's favorites over at


Patchwork Gift Box

This Patchwork Gift Box from 
Sum of Their Stories, is soo cute!  I can not wait to 
make one for myself




Frazzled JOY built this
beautiful Rustic Kitchen Island, and I swooned.
I have barn wood ready for the island in my new house, but never thought of doing anthing other then straight vertical or 
horizontal.....I quickly pinned this one!








DSCF1100

Two Keck Girls shared this Road Trip Snack Mix,
it is a cinnamon flavored snack mix...and I can not 
wait to try it!



Tami of Tami Rena's Cookies is one of my
favorite people in the world.  I call her my Amish
friend.  She is not actually Amish, but lives near Amish 
country, so...she is my Amish Friend...that makes sense, right?
Anywho...she shared these Lemon Drop Cookies...and OMG
ya'll, you have to make these!  



We love to pin!  We've have created a board, where all links will be pinned.  If you 
want to be inspired, make sure to follow the board.


Follow The Cookie Puzzle's board Party in Your PJs Links on Pinterest.


I am a simple girl....so the "rules" are simple.
Link up to your post..not your main blog.
Link up something YOU made.
No Etsy Shops or Business Links.
I would love for you to share the party on
Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ and Twitter.
Visit other links and make friends.
Feel free to grab a button.











Jun 24, 2014

Nutella Frosted Funfetti Bars


I have something very serious I want to talk about with you today.  Well...actually not YOU, my blog reader, but with those evil Cake Mix Manufactures.

Nutella Frosted Funfetti Bars


Look at this pictures...those bars look all kinds of yummy don't they?  Well...you can not taste them, but trust me when I tell you they ARE YUMMY!  Can you make out what is in that photo?  First thing you should notice is the bars, or at least I hope you do.  Look in the background, what do you see?  An almost empty jar of Nutella, right?  Yes...I love me some Nutella, any way, any how...it is perfect in every way.  Nutella, I love you, do not change a thing, you are dismissed for now.

What do you notice in the top right corner of the photo?  Let me help you out, it is a Confetti Cake mix.  More specifically, it is a store brand Confetti cake mix.  Here in lies the problem.  I love baking with cake mixes.  The are quick, simple, cheap and pretty much no-fail.  Except when they fail!  Let me explain a little.

For some reason, evil cake mix manufactures thought it would be perfectly OK, if they reduced the number of ounces in their cake mixes, and no one would notice.  Really?  We would not notice?  Do you really think we are that stupid?  Going from 18.9ish ounces  to 15.25ish ounces IS A BIG DEAL!  When you need 24 cupcakes and your mix only makes 18 cupcakes...IT IS  A BIG DEAL!  You are now forcing me to make another mix, ending up with 36 cupcakes instead of the needed 24 cupcakes, then I am forced to eat them all....and then my jeans cry.  IT IS A BIG DEAL.  When you find a wonderful recipe on Pinterest and it is like 5+ years old, and it starts out with a cake mix....IT IS A BIG DEAL!

Nutella Frosted Funfetti Bars

I am not gonna get all blogger crazy on you, cake mix manufacture people, but I will be careful of when I use you from now on.  For some reason, store brand cake mixes are still in the 18.9ish range, so I will be uses them.  Be mad at me, fine, I don't care, but a bloggers gotta do what a blogger gotta do.

Last week, I found a great Funfetti Nutella bar, I could not wait to make it. It looks yummy, it was a simple bar, made from a cake mix.  The directions said to make the batter, spread half in a pan, top with Nutella, then top with the remaining batter.  Well, guess what, cake mix manufacture people?  Let me help you out.
THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH BATTER TO COVER THE NUTELLA!  Yeah, that is right, with cake mixes, SIZE DOES MATTER!  Thankfully, it tasted WONDERFUL, but looked like, well..a FAIL!

Don't worry your little head though, because my dear friend Nutella, had your back.  Did you know that Nutella is MAGIC?  I knew it was yummy, and I loved it, but last weekend, while trying out this wonder recipe, I found on Pinterest, I discovered another reason to love Nutella.  When you bake it, it turns into this wonderful fudge frosting!  WHAT?  Yep, you heard me right....that bar is covered with straight up Nutella!
I am in love!

Nutella Frosted Funfetti Bars

So...I failed last week, well actually, the cake mix failed, because I am perfect in every way, kinda like Mary Poppins, LOL.  I tried it again this week, and I am happy to report, these are WONDERFUL!  You need to make them, they are soft, and chewy, and the "frosting"....OMG...I love it!  

You need to make these, like now, but do it when you are alone, or when the kiddos are asleep, because you will not want to share these, or at least I did not want to, so if you want some, make your own, because these babies are all mine.   I love you all more then my luggage, but not more then my Nutella Frosted Funfetti Bars.  Sorry...I gotta keep it real here.



Nutella Frosted Funfetti Bars
by The Cookie Puzzle

Nutella Frosted Funfetti Bars

Ingredients
  • 1 Funfetti/Confetti Cake mix (18.9 ounce size)
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 cup Nutella
  • sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Pre-Heat oven to 350, lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish, set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cake mix, butter and milk until well combined. Press batter/dough firmly and evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. Carefully spread the Nutella evenly over batter, leaving 1/4-1/2 boarder around edge, without Nutella. Sprinkle with sprinkles if desired. Bake for 28 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to completely cool before cutting into 24 bars. Store in air tight container.
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Don't forget, you still have time to link up at
Party in Your PJs this week!


Click HERE to link up and to see all the wonderful links

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