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Jul 31, 2014

Party in Your PJs #14




Welcome to Party in Your PJs #14!


Let's skip all the intro stuff and just get right to the party!




The Cookie Puzzle | Facebook Pinterest

With Guest Co-Host


 bumblebreeblog | Facebook | Pinterest




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 









Jul 30, 2014

Nocciolata, Organic Hazelnut Chocolate Spread

*Disclosure:  I received free product to try and review.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own and honest*

If you have followed me for anytime, you know that I have a love for Chocolate Hazelnut Spread!  I eat it just about everyday!  My favorite way to eat it is on a toaster waffle or  occasionally I indulge in a spoonful to satisfy  a late night week craving!

Nocciolata

There has also been a few times when I have used it in baked goods, like these Nutella Frosted Funfetti Bars.



The day I posted this recipe, a PR firm contacted me, asking if I was willing to try Nocciolata.  I had never heard of it, but she told me that it was  Certified Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, once I heard that, I was all in.  About a week later, I received a box full of total yumminess!

I opened a jar and ate spoonful and OMG!  WONDERFUL!  I literally groaned!  Is that normal?

Nocciolata

 Some facts about Nocciolata:


  • Nocciolata is Certified Organic, guaranteeing ingredients that are farmed without polluting the environment and with minimal CO2 emission

Nocciolata

 Nocciolata is made with the FINEST INGREDIENTS


  • Italian hazelnuts with low fat content
  • cocoa and cocoa butter
  • cold-pressed sunflower oil
  • vanilla
  • raw cane sugar
  • skimmed milk
Nocciolata is made using the Highest Artisan Production Process:
  • 36 hours of artisan processing creates a creamer and smoother texture
  • Accurate quality controls on raw ingredients ensure highest quality production.

Nocciolata

Nocciolata is higher in nutritional value:
  • No trans fat
  • no palm oil
  • low in saturated fats
  • Rich in natural fiber from hazelnut and cocoa (5%)
  • no artificial aromas or colors
  • no artificial flavors
  • gluten free


So, what is my opinion of Nocciolata?  Well...I am in love...see...

Nocciolata

Do you see that jar in the photo?  It is totally empty!  I ate it all...every last drop, and I might have even licked the jar a little, sorry no photo of that..LOL!

How does Nocciolata compare to other hazelnut spread I have tried?  Well, honestly, there is no comparison.  It is in a class of it's own.  The flavor is richer, deeper, less sweet, more "natural" if you will.

To find out more about Nocciolata, you can follow them on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.  You can find Nocciolata at several stores, a list can be found here.  I have looked at several stores in my area, and have not been able to find it, but no worries, I can order it from Amazon, and in a convenient 6 pack too, SCORE!

Jul 28, 2014

Rustic Half Bathroom

We are FINALLY starting to wrap out our adventure in building a new house!  I am starting to get excited, but if I am being honest, I am totally exhausted.  Just when I think we are nearing completion, Mr. Cookie Puzzle tells me there is still more to do.

We are at the point, that I want to start sharing some of what we have finished.  Let me start out by saying that our new home is VERY RUSTIC....think lots of wood finishes, touches of stainless steel, butt joints over mitered joints (personal preference, not for lack of skill or knowledge), and farm style fixture.  Now, I know this is not a design style everyone likes, some even HATE it, and that is OK, I totally understand that, but, if you hate it, please keep your feelings and thoughts to yourself.  This is OUR home, built by US, paid for by US, and if you don't like it, fine, but you don't need to leave me a comment telling me it is ugly, or you hate it, or whatever.  This is a free country, we are all free to our own likes and dislikes, but this is MY BLOG, so be nice or don't comment, a little respect please?


So....without further ado...I present our half bath.

Rustic Half Bathroom

This is a small guest half bathroom, off of our great room, which is an open room that has our kitchen, dinning room and living room.  I know some people refer to this as a powder room, but with wood looking ceramic tile, barn wood walls and corrugated steel wainscoting, to me, it is half bath, not a powder room.

Rustic Half Bathroom

Please ignore the lack of baseboards, and the floor that needs a good cleaning, but I an in love with the vanity in this room.  This washstand was my grandma's, I inherited it when she passed many years ago.  When Mr. Cookie Puzzle came home with this vessel sink, I knew just what I wanted to do with it.  I love the look of a vessel sink, but was not sure I wanted it in a bathroom that would get lots of use.  So using it in our Rustic Half Bath was perfect.

Rustic Half Bathroom

For the mirror, I removed the mirror from an old metal medicine cabinet and spray painted it silver, and hung it horizontally.  You can barely see it, but the vanity light is a stainless steel farm light, attached to an old piece of barn wood.

Here is a really really crappy picture...but I wanted to show you it anyway.

Rustic Half Bathroom

For the walls, I coated them with two coats of polyurethane, but for the light fixture board, I left it naked, I just liked the look of it in the raw.  It gave it a little Rustic POP for sure.

Rustic Half Bathroom


Here is another shot of the light fixture.  It also shows the box beam, made out of hickory, and the ceiling, which is covered with cedar planks  I think this would be a good time to mention that Mr. Cookie Puzzle makes his living in the tree removal and trimming business.  For years, he has been saving timber, and taking it to a local saw mill to be cut into boards, then we would run them through the planer and edge them.  Before we even started building this house, we had a storage unit full of boards ready to be used.  We just mixed and matched them, using whatever board and wood that met the need at the time.  So, in this small half bath alone, you will see barn wood, cedar, hickory, walnut, and then the ceramic wood tile.

I think we did a good job and creating a Rustic Half Bath, I happy with it for sure.  I will be sharing more looks at the house, as I get time to write blog posts about it.

I do need your help though.  I am not a very girly girl, as you can see by this Rustic Half Bathroom, and decorating is NOT my thing.  I will always choose function over looks.  But, I am needing some help with this bathroom.

Rustic Half Bathroom

I am smart enough and girly girl enough to know that those pipes are UGLY! So, what do I do about them.  Do I just leave them and completely embrace the Rustic feel?  Or, do I try to hide or fancy it up.  Maybe a skirt of some type?  What type of skirt?  Burlap or Gingham?  Or, do I paint the pipes?  Maybe silver or black?  Help a girl out. If this was in your Rustic Half Bath, what would you do to cover these ugly pipes?

Rustic Half Bathroom

Jul 27, 2014

Pieces of my Puzzle 7-27-14



Happy Sunday Blog Friends!  Can you believe it is already July 27?  What happened to the summer?  It seems like just a few weeks ago it was spring, and now summer is almost over!  I really think the older you get, the fast time goes.  Remember when you were a kid, and summer vacation lasted forever?  WOW...to have those fun-filled, carefree days back.

I feel like I am really struggling to keep up with the blog lately.  I have finally come to terms with the fact that life comes first..and I will blog when I can and feel like it.  So...if I am missing for a week or so, and the only thing on my blog is my Party in Your PJs link party, well....sorry, I am out living my life.

Things are moving right along with the new house.  We poured the front and back porches yesterday.  Mr. Cookie Puzzle uncle came and helped us.  He did an amazing job.  We did a 46 x 10 foot porch on the front of the house, and he stamped it with a brick patterned.  It was hard for me to imagine what it would look like, but once it was done, I am totally in love!

My cookie/craft room is like 98% done, it just needs one piece of trim put up, so I have started moving stuff into it.  Yesterday, I moved all my cookie cutters and all my sprinkles and sanding sugar.  I was totally shocked at the amount I have.  Mr. Cookie Puzzle was stunned also, he did not know I had so many, cookie cutters are easy to sneak into the house and had, but seeing them all together, well, it kinda makes it real.

I am also trying to figure out what to do for a table.  Mr. Cookie Puzzle wants to build a built in table, but I think I want to wait, to see what would work best for me and my needs.  I feel like if he builds a table, attached to the wall, I will limited on what I can do, and not be able to move it around to meet my needs.

So, house building has pretty much taken up all my time lately, but I have been able to watch a little TV.  I loved 24:Live Another Day that recently ended, and I am hoping they will do more of them. I just need more Jack in my life!

Have you seen the sneak peaks of American Horror Story: Freak Show?  WOW...just WOW.  I can not wait for it to start.  I fell in love with AHS in season 3, but have not seen seasons 1&2...I need to do that soon, you know, in all my free time?

I am really itching to bake something!  I have not baked anything in WEEKS...and have not done decorated cookies since MAY...OMG...that is just not right!  I just don't have the time right now, as I spend all my time with either working on the new house, or packing up the house we are living in.  BUT...I think I will try to find the time today....surely, I can find something quick and easy to satisfy my baking itch.  Stay tune...see if I can get it done.


So...that is it...pretty boring...my life is all new house...and packing....What have you been up to?

Need something to kill a little time?  Why not join us at Party in Your PJs?  There is still time to link up this week, and we have some amazing posts to look out, such creative bloggers and creative posts!  Come check it out!


Jul 24, 2014

Party in Your PJs #13




Welcome to Party in Your PJs #13!

What a week I have had!  I am hot and heavy into the
construction of our new house,  I have not had time
to blog at all this week.  If I was a good blogger, I would
have posts scheduled to cover my busy weeks, or
have guest hosts to help me out.  But, I am not
that organized, so I am sorry about that.

Anyhoo...I am happy you are here for another great 
party!


If you enjoy our little party, we would love for you share on your 

Facebook pages, G+ pages, Tweet about us, just get the word out 
please, the more the merrier.
The party goes live at 7pm CST each Thursday.




The Cookie Puzzle | Facebook Pinterest

With Guest Co-Host


 bumblebreeblog | Facebook | Pinterest




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 









Jul 17, 2014

Party in Your PJs #12




Welcome to Party in Your PJs #12!

Last week the party was one of the biggest 
weeks yet at Party in Your PJs!

We are slowly and organically grow, and that makes
us happy.  I will not lie, having 100 of links within hours
of going live would be cool, but there is something to be
said for a small group of loyal readers and linkers that makes
my heart sing.  So, thank you to all of you!

If you enjoy our little party, we would love for you share on your 
Facebook pages, G+ pages, Tweet about us, just get the word out 
please, the more the merrier.
The party goes live at 7pm CST each Thursday.




The Cookie Puzzle | Facebook Pinterest

With Guest Co-Host


 bumblebreeblog | Facebook | Pinterest




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 










Jul 13, 2014

Canning Jar Lid Wreath

I am in the middle of packing up the house we have lived in for 16 years.
It is not fun, but I am trying to make the most of it.

 I have stuff that I did not even know I had.
Does that happen to you?

Stuff you kept as mementos?
Hobbies you forgot about?

That is totally happening to me!

I used to can...like a LOT!
Mostly Jellies, Jams and Preserves were what I loved

So....I found a lot of canning supplies, and since I don't
have time to can anymore, I re-purposed  some of the 
supplies into a wreath!

Canning Jar  Lid Wreath


I had a ton of them.  How many...umm...sorry I did not count.

When I first made this, I simple strung the rings on a 
piece of twine.

Fail!

Canning Jar  Lid Wreath

There were so many of them, that it drooped.

I ain't got no time for a droopy wreath, so
I headed out to Mr. Cookie Puzzles shop, and
grabbed what I could find that I thought would work.

What did I grab?
This really cool metal ribbon with wholes in it.

It was thick, and strong and in a coil, and was strong
enough to hold the weight of the rings.

I used the whole coil, I just kept on stringing them on, and looping the
ribbon around 3 times. Then I used my twine to tie it together.

Canning Jar Lid Wreath


Make sure you get the wire ribbon tight.  I then added some 
pretty doo dads and called it a day.

I am happy with how it turned out!

When it was all done, Mr. Cookie Puzzle informed me that I 
was not using metal ribbon, but Galvanized Hanger Iron, or
Plumbing Strap, it looks like this!


SO...grab some of this...and some canning jar lids..and make a wreath!

Canning Lid Wreath


You still have time to link up with 
Party in Your PJs this week....so come join us!


Jul 10, 2014

Party in Your PJs #11




Welcome to Party in Your PJs #11!

Last week the party was a little slow, I think because of the 
holiday weekend, but that is ok, we enjoyed all that joined us.

We had some amazing party attendees last week, we are
slowly gaining a loyal following, and we appreciate each of you so much.
If you enjoy our little party, we would love for you share on your 
Facebook pages, G+ pages, Tweet about us, just get the word out 
please, the more the merrier.
The party goes live at 7pm CST each Thursday.




The Cookie Puzzle | Facebook Pinterest

With Guest Co-Host


 bumblebreeblog | Facebook | Pinterest




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