Pieces of My Puzzle 5-11-14

Happy Mother's Day!

Do you have big plans today?

We are heading church this morning, then maybe lunch, but to be

honest...I would love to just be able to take a nap.

I have not been sleeping well lately, I just can not seem to get my 

brain to turn off.  Between working full time, building a new house, 

trying to maintain this blog, and preparing for Collin's graduation, 

my brain is in total overload.

Hopefully things will calm down soon, but between you and me, I 

doubt that they will.

Collin graduates one week from today, like in 7 days!

I am so very proud of him, and I am excited to see what

his future looks like.  This is going to be a crazy busy week 

for us, and I pray that his Autism does not prevent him 

from enjoying this exciting time in his life.

He/we have something graduation related every day this week, and

not being on his normal routine, could send him into a total 

break down.  So...fingers cross and prayers said for a 

peace to come over him and guide him this week.

I am baking cookies for the Senior Reception that takes

place before the graduation ceremony.  200 cookies to be

exact!  Thankfully we chose to do all white cookies, so that no one

has colored mouths for graduation pictures, so that will 

make it easy for me.  It has been a long time since I have made that many 

cookies, so let's home I still have my cookie mojo.

So..what has been happening here at The Cookie Puzzle this week?

Well...I made so Neapolitan Bark.

You can read all about that HERE

I hosted Tasty Tuesdays!

The Tasty Tuesdays link party is closed for this week, but you

can see all the awesome recipes HERE, and come 

back on Tuesday to link your food related posts.

I hosted Party in Your PJs!

You still have time to link up this week,

hop over and see all the wonderful posts too!

Come Party in Your PJs.

I am going to keep this post short and end it here.

Have a blessed week my friends....

And if I am MIA...well...sorry

my baby is graduating from high school this week!

SQUEEEEEEELLLLL!

Party in Your PJs # 2 Plus Features

Welcome to Party in Your PJ's #2.  Thank you to everyone who linked up last week, there were so many wonderful posts you shared here.

While Melissa and I are having lots of fun, it is a learning experience for us both.  We are still trying to figure out how to promote the party, how to share links on social media, how to break down the pinning and commenting and all that fun technical stuff that makes for a successful Link Party.

So if we make minor changes, or even mistakes, please hang in there with us, we are learning.  We love comments, and suggestions, so if you have any for us, please feel free to share them.  What do you link in link parties?  What makes you want to join a link party?  Why do you join link parties?  Do you visit link parties even if you have nothing to link.  Give us your opinion!

Simply Sweets by Honeybee | Facebook | Pinterest

The Cookie Puzzle | Facebook | Pinterest

Party in Your PJs is a weekly, anything goes, link party.  From recipes, to crafts, DIY projects, tutorials, printables and a variety of other posts you'll not only get to show off your great work, but you'll find plenty of inspiration.  Who doesn't want to strut their stuff and be inspired all at the same time?  You'll only need to link up at ONE blog and your link will be seen on both blogs.  The party starts every Thursday at 7:00pm CST and ends on Tuesday at 7:00pm CST.  We hope you'll join us and make this a great party!

Features

These Train Themed cookies from Marci of
Suzy Social worker by day....Betty Crocker at Night, are
so cute.  I am been a stalker fan of Marci's for a long time.
Her wicked sense of humor makes me laugh every time I read her blog,
and she make the cutest cookies too!

I have a confession to make..I am not much of a cook.  I love to bake, but cooking, well
I am not a fan.  Shareba of In Search of Yummy-ness, and I have
struck a deal...she is going to cook for me....I am going to bake for her.
Sounds perfect, right?  We ran into a snag when we realized that we live
thousands of miles away from each other.  So...the meal would be cold, and the cookies would be
stale.  BUT..she shares wonderful recipes on her blog, like this Chicken Satay Noodle Bowl,
so maybe I can learn to cook for myself.

I am a big fan of anything Lemon.
These Double Lemon Cheesecake Bars from Party Kitchen, are
right up my alley!  Look at this picture closely...do you see that I see?
It is a Sweet Stacker!  I had no idea such a thing even existed, but
I will be ordering one soon.  Make sure you head over to her
blog to find out all about it!

Do you know what Anzac Day is?
Don't feel bad, I did not either, but thanks to
Joanne of What's on the List, I do now.
I am going to make you click over to her blog to read about
Anzac Day, and these yummy biscotti, but I will tell you
that is has coconut AND maple syrup in them..OMG...YUMMY!

We love to pin!  We've created a group board for the party and all the links that follow the rules will be pinned to the board.  Since this is our first party the board is empty right now, but be sure to follow it if you would like a new source of inspiration.

 Party in Your PJs Link Party Rules:

• Link to a specific post, not your home page.
• This is an anything goes party (PG of course, no adult content). Feel free to link up as many of your recipes, crafts, tutorials, printables, DIY projects, ets as you'd like but please make sure that you do not link posts from the previous week.  We want to keep this party fresh and fun.  Also, please link up to only things that YOU have created.
• No Etsy shops, giveaways or business links please.  We will delete these types of links
• Each week the hosts will pick out their favorites to feature. Be sure to visit both blogs each week to see if you have been featured..
• To be featured you must link back to our party somewhere on your blog.  We have an amazing button below that you can place in your post or anywhere on your blog.  If you prefer you can insert a text link to the party in your blog post or on a link party page.
• It is not a party without interaction.  Please visit a few of the links and leave a comment.  Everyone loves comments!

If you like to party with us we'd love for you display our button on your page.

<div align="center"> <a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</span>="http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">thecookiepuzzle</span>.com"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">src</span>="http://i1070.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/u482/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Marshmelly</span>/The%20Cookie%20Puzzle/button-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">piyp</span>_zps7cb295e7.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">png</span>" border="0"></a></div>


Be sure to grab a button if you have been featured.

<div align="center"> <a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</span>="http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">thecookiepuzzle</span>.com"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">src</span>="http://i1070.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/u482/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Marshmelly</span>/The%20Cookie%20Puzzle/button-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">piyp</span>-featured_zpsdf6309d4.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">png</span>" border="0"></a></div>


A special thanks to Melanie from Adorability Designs for designing our buttons. We love them!

An InLinkz Link-up

Tasty Tuesdays #59 Plus Features

With another week as a host of Tasty Tuesdays under my belt, I have to say this is SOOO fun,

 I love seeing all of the wonderful links! 

We are all so happy that you stopped by to join us, 

because with out YOU it would not be a PARTY!

Link on ONE Party, and you link will appear on 

at least 16 blogs!

The rules are pretty simple, Link your Recipe and Food Posts.

If you link it, and follow the rules, we will pin it to Party Group Board!

It is not a rule that you follow all the hosts, but if you do, I can promise that you will 

find wonderful blog posts, pins and fun.

In the image below, you can click on each host name to follow her

Pinterest board.

Features

I am a huge fan of Nutella!  I eat it daily, well, pretty much daily.

These Nutella Cheesecake Cookie Cups from The Domestic Fringe, look

absolutely wonderful, and I can not wait to try them.

I love Pizza

This BBQ Chicken Pizza from Garnish and Glaze, looks delicious.

Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City has wonderful BBQ Chicken pizza. When Mr. Cookie Puzzle goes to Royals games, I often ask him to bring me one home,

yes, it is 2 hours away, but I love them so much, I will eat them cold. Now, I can make my

own while he is at the ballgame.

I love quick and easy desserts, and this

Knock you Naked Cake from My Turn for Us, looks so yummy!

I think it would be perfect to take to a pot-luck dinner or family reunion.

I love light and fluffy and easy summer recipes!

This Pistachio Lush from The Paper Craft Studio, meets all that criteria!

 

Each week, each host will choose her own features, so make sure you check out the other

blogs too.  If you are featured, I would love for you to

spread the word, by grabbing one of our featured buttons, and displaying it for all to 

see on your blog.  If you want to Pin any of the featured posts, please DO NOT PIN from here,

go to the source blog and Pin from there.

<div class="THE-COOKIE-PUZZLE-button" style="width: 140px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q772/thecookiepuzzle/TheCookiePuzzleFeatured_zpsb500b4a8.png" alt="THE COOKIE PUZZLE" width="346" height="251" /> </a> </div>

If you link, and were not featured, here is a button that I would be honored for

you to display on your sidebar, party page, or just wherever you want,

it does not take much to make me happy!

<div class="THE-COOKIE-PUZZLE-button" style="width: 140px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q772/thecookiepuzzle/TheCookiePuzzletastytuesdays_zps49641e16.png" alt="THE COOKIE PUZZLE" width="346" height="251" /> </a> </div>

An InLinkz Link-up

Neapolitan Bark

On the first week of every month, one thing that I always try to do is join in on the Inspiration Challenge, hosted by Ellie's Bites Decorated Cookies and Simply Sweets by Honeybee.  Each month they have a theme, and they encourage you to create something following that theme.

I say TRY because last month, I totally dropped the ball and did not join in on the fun.  Well, this month, I was a good blog friend and made something for the Challenge.

I made Neapolitan Bark!

Can you guess the Theme for this month?  Any ideas?   Anyone?  Hello?  Tap Tap Tap. Is this thing on?


Ok...fine...if you have not guessed, the theme this month is PARIS!

I don't know about you, but when I think of Paris....the first thing that pops into my mind is Pink Poodles!
Why is that?  Do people in France own Pink Poodles?  Now, I know Pink Poodles are not a real thing, kinda like unicorns, if they are pink, their owners dyed them pink for a dog show or photo shoot or just because they like pink or...whatever, but to me...Pink Poodles are Paris.

The other thing that I think of when I think of Paris/France is Neapolitan Ice Cream.  Is that even a french thing?  I have no idea...but in my small town Mid-American mind...Neapolitan is French!  I love Neapolitan Ice Cream...I used to HATE the strawberry when I was young, but now it is my favorite!

So...given my limited knowledge of Paris, I make Neapolitan Bark and put some pink poodles in the pictures.


This Bark is super easy to make, so I am not going to bother with a printable recipe, but I will share how I made it.

Here is what you need:

1 - 12 oz bag of chocolate chips (I used dark chocolate chips to counter the sweetness of the white chocolate)
1 - 12 oz bag of white chocolate chips
1 - 12 oz bag of Wilton Candy Melts (I used Bright Pink)
Optional ingredients
 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Sprinkles.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.  Melt the Chocolate Chips, the dark chocolate chips, according to package directions. Pour onto waxed paper and spread out evenly, you want a pretty thin layer, as you will be adding two more layers on it. I used a 1/2 sheet pan, and spread it almost to the edges.  Set aside to cool and completely harden.  You could put it in the fridge to speed up the process, but I just waited a few hours.  Once the chocolate is completely cool and hard, melt the white chocolate chips according to package directions, stir in coconut, pour over chocolate and spread out evenly, again, keeping the layer pretty thin.  Allow this layer to cool/harden as you did in the previous layer.  When the white chocolate layer is cool, melt the pink candy melts, according to package directions.  Pour over chocolate/white chocolate layers, spreading evenly.  Sprinkle with sprinkles....allow to cool/harden then cut or break and enjoy.

Oh...I want to give a great big shout out and thank you to my mom, Maga Cookie Puzzle, for letting me steal/borrow a fraction of her Pink Poodle collection.  Aren't they just soo cute?

  Most of them are very old, she has been collecting them for as long as I can remember.  She has a ton of them, and when I asked her if I could use them as photo props, she grabbed a box and told me to take all I wanted.  As I was leaving, my dad, Papa Cookie Puzzle told me that if I take it out of the house, I could not bring it back..LOL.  I think he is tired of a house overrun with my mom's collections.

Make sure you head over to Simply Sweets by Honeybee to see all the wonderful Paris themed projects, and she is hosting a link party that is open all month, for you to link up your own creations.

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

Party in Your PJs #1

Today, here on The Cookie Puzzle, a super exciting thing(at least for me) is unfolding

before your very eyes! Today, a dream comes true!

I have developed and launched a Link Party with my Best Friend.  Ya'll know her, don't you?

Well, my best friend, my person, my boo, is Melissa from Simply Sweets by Honeybee.

For MONTHS, we have been toying with this idea.  I would mention it, she was not 'feeling' it....She would mention it, I was in a blogging slump.

THEN...it just came together....it was so easy....NOT!

Have you ever tried to put together a project with a friend?  Ya'll, it will TEST YOUR FRIENDSHIP!

There will be hurt feelings, things said, little spats, and lots of compromise. But, in the end, it is SOOOO worth it.  To see the fruits of our labor...well, it makes my heart smile.

So...with out further ado....I give to you!

Simply Sweets by Honeybee | Facebook | Pinterest

The Cookie Puzzle | Facebook | Pinterest

Party in Your PJs is a weekly, anything goes, link party.  From recipes, to crafts, DIY projects, tutorials, printables and a variety of other posts you'll not only get to show off your great work, but you'll find plenty of inspiration.  Who doesn't want to strut their stuff and be inspired all at the same time?  You'll only need to link up at ONE blog and your link will be seen on both blogs.  The party starts every Thursday at 7:00pm CST and ends on Tuesday at 7:00pm CST.  We hope you'll join us and make this a great party!


We love to pin!  We've created a group board for the party and all the links that follow the rules will be pinned to the board.  Since this is our first party the board is empty right now, but be sure to follow it if you would like a new source of inspiration.

 Party in Your PJs Link Party Rules:

• Link to a specific post, not your home page.
• This is an anything goes party (PG of course, no adult content). Feel free to link up as many of your recipes, crafts, tutorials, printables, DIY projects, ets as you'd like but please make sure that you do not link posts from the previous week.  We want to keep this party fresh and fun.  Also, please link up to only things that YOU have created.
• No Etsy shops, giveaways or business links please.  We will delete these types of links
• Each week the hosts will pick out their favorites to feature. Be sure to visit both blogs each week to see if you have been featured..
• To be featured you must link back to our party somewhere on your blog.  We have an amazing button below that you can place in your post or anywhere on your blog.  If you prefer you can insert a text link to the party in your blog post or on a link party page.
• It is not a party without interaction.  Please visit a few of the links and leave a comment.  Everyone loves comments!

If you like to party with us we'd love for you display our button on your page.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com"><img src="http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/Marshmelly/The%20Cookie%20Puzzle/button-piyp_zps7cb295e7.png" border="0"></a></div>


Be sure to grab a button if you have been featured.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com"><img src="http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/Marshmelly/The%20Cookie%20Puzzle/button-piyp-featured_zpsdf6309d4.png" border="0"></a></div>


A special thanks to Melanie from Adorability Designs for designing our buttons. We love them!

An InLinkz Link-up