Cake Balls

Confession time: I'm secretly SO FLIPPING JEALOUS of people who create food recipes that they can put on their blog. I long for the cooking ingenuity and creativeness that wouldn't require me to pour over cooking books, pinterest, the food network website, etc. for hours to find exactly what I want to make.

I'm also super jealous of people who have a "famous" desert. Like one they are known for and people request for endlessly for any occaison. My friend, Liz, makes these chocolate chip cookies that are to die for, and she doesn't even eat them because she doesn't like chocolate. We don't think she's a real person. My mom is a fantastic cook and I think is known for pound cakes. I have numerous friends who make double chocolate mocha cookies, peanut butter cups, cream cheese swirl cupcakes, and fudge that compare to no other. But, I think after 4 hours of baking last night, I think I've found my calling card.

CAKE BALLS.

Are they basic? Maybe. Are they a well known commodity? Meh... Were people obsessed with them when I brought them to school? Yes ma'am! My sweet cousin Lindsey stood with me and walked me through the process last night, and I have to say, I have a new favorite baking subject.

So for the first time EVER, here is a recipe posted on the blog of your's truly.

Cake Balls

-1 box of cake mix (we used funfetti and red velvet last night, but any would work!)

-1 container of icing 

-1 package of almond bark chocolate

(yes I know it's quite a home cooked meal)


Step 1: Make a cake according to the box of cake mix.


Step 2: Let the cake cool completely. To save time, we stuck ours in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes.


Step 3: The fun part. Mix the cake together in a big bowl with your hands. Add the tub of icing and mix that together too. It's a big fun gooey mixture and the funfetti version looked a scary amount like my mother's homemade stuffing. Let this sit in the freezer for about 15 minutes.


Step 4: Bring the goop out and form it into balls about tablespoon size. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let these sit in the freezer for about 10 minutes again to let them firm up.


Step 5: Break out that almond bark and melt it in a double boiler over the stove. Get a fork, or a toothpick, and dip the cake balls into the chocolate and replace them on the baking sheet. Let them sit until firm and then, you're done!


Yes these are very time consuming, BUT the good part is they come in stages. Perfect baking idea when you're studying for a test and need a study break. They also make a ton! I think I had 55 balls per cake. That means in one school day, my friends ate 110 balls. Wowzas.


Well, that's all I have for today for my little cooking blog. And I give a big shout out to my friend

HANNAH MANCER

The new Miss Congeniality of the Miss Olympian Pageant!!!

I'm so freakin proud of her. Also, for celebration, we went to ihop last night and she had a chocolate milk, double hot chocolate, and the ultimate chocolate chip pancakes. Respect.

To the moon and back,

Allie

"The Lord has done the fighting for you. You need only to be still." -Exodus 14:14

"I tell you all of this to give you peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

Help Wanted

If you looked at my bedside table right now, you would think I was suffering from a mental instability of some sort. Even though I did compare myself to a mixture of Kim Kardashian and Hamlet the other day, I consider myself relatively emotionally sound. Obviously my bedside table thinks differently.

A couple of books I have recently been given...

This is actually one I'm reading for my Huddle group and it is absolutely fantastic! I definitely would recommend it to anyone. I don't think this actually qualifies as a "self help" book,  but you get the point.

Thanks Mom. Don't worry, the freshmen fifteen doesn't even stand a chance as long as I stay away from fattening foods and simple carbs. Good thing I don't eat pancakes with the same ferocity as a lumberjack and they classify as both fattening foods and also simple carbs. And good thing I'm not addicted to cupcakes and peanut butter. This will be a breeeeze.

We continue with the going to college theme. One of my friends gave me this as a birthday present as a "it's funny cause it's true" joke and my other friend brought it along with us on our three hour road trip to Hattiesburg. Needless to say, we read about STDs and body image all the way from Bessemer to Meridian. I'll spare you the gory details. 

This is the latest addition that I actually haven't even touched yet. Momma purchased this one at the Bobbi Brown counter at Gus Mayer on Saturday when I was getting my makeup done for the ball. She managed to actually sabotage me in an all time record by actually ganging up on me with the make up artist. Apparently, I need to learn to wear more makeup, pluck my own eyebrows and not just rely on waxing, and spend at least 20 more minutes daily on my appearance in order to look more polished. And of course this book will solve all my problems along with finding the cure for cancer so we HAD to get it. Gag.

It's a strange life I lead.

Allie

"The Lilly Girl is always full of surprises. She lives everyday like it's a celebration. Never has a dull moment, and makes every hour, a happy hour." -My brand new, perfect, colorful, witty, and utterly charming Lilly Pulitzer Planner's opening quote

Jamming in January

Just a couple of updates on the always exciting life I lead...

• It's finally hitting me that I need down time. Sitting down in front of the fire, with a coffee in hand, is starting to become a nightly occurance. PRAISE JESUS.
• ...But it is still senior year and therefore I am still jetting all over the place doing various randomness.
• Basketball season is, well, basketball season. Everyone is pale, freezing, and tired of cheering four hours a night twice a week. And when I say everyone, I mean specifically me. 
• All I do is watch One Tree Hill. I have a best friend crush on Lucas and I'm starting to pretend I'm a misunderstood, introverted, and hipster cheerleader like Peyton. Buuuuuuut that's kind of hard when I'm blunt, obnoxiously school spirited, and hopelessly mainstream.
• I've finally realized that procrastination=more free time later to drink coffee in front of the fire or watch One Tree Hill while mocking my friends who still have to do their homework that I already completed. WHY didn't I figure this out earlier?
• I'm starting to think I'm addicted to peanut butter.
• The ball is in three days and because of said addiction, there is a 50/50 chance that my pride and joy of a dress will fit.
• Said ball also has caused more stress in the past week than the past 3.5 years combined. Whatever. LONG HAIR DONT CARE.
• I'm also addicted to Crystal Light lemonade because it's like summer in a glass and I've convinced myself that I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Or maybe I just hate winter/the month of January and February that much. Whatever the reason, the lemonade helps me cope and since "It's pretty much just like drinking water!", drinking at least 7 glasses a day is totally justified.
• New TV show obsession: Downton Abbey. Netflix it. You can thank me later.

To the Moon and Back, 

Allie

"I think the loneliest people are the busiest." -Unknown

When I Grow Up, I Want to Be...

Beyonce.

Welcome to 14

The University of Alabama

Home of 

14

National Championships

It all started January 1, 2011. Right after Alabama's bowl game victory in Orlando at the Capital One bowl. That is when the process began. All throughout spring training, practice, summer workouts, and finally, in August when the ball was first kicked off. It went throughout that football season, mowing through 12 teams with only 1 loss. And the road ended with the rematch of the century (second only to Hoover/Mountain Brook 2011 of course) and also meant meeting that team, the LSU Tigers, for the BCS National Championship in New Orleans, Louisiana. You could say that order was restored...

21-Zereaux

Can I get a Roll Tide?

It gets even better, readers. Yours truly was there. Yes you heard right, the Ingram fam jam took two days off from school to head down to the Big Easy for the game. We drove down Sunday morning and arrived just in time to check into our hotel/hospital (no one ever listens to me when I tell them to make reservations early, so yes, our hotel was connected to a hospital) and make it to Emeril's Delmonico for dinner. You could say I gorged myself and I would have digitally documented the feast if I knew it wasn't frowned upon. I spilt the cheese sampler with Mom and had the crab and brie special for my main course. Also, I had to have my favorite mashed potatoes, mushrooms, and sauteed spinach on the side.  Emeril apparently places a lot of emphasis on the refilling of water glasses because NEVER was anyone's glass 3/4 full. Goob and I counted, 12 times they refilled. 12 times. 12. Yeah. They don't joke in Nawlins.

That night we ate beignets avec une cafe au lait pour moi. C'etaient tres delicieuse. It was here that the Ingram/Smith/Crowell clan occupied the entire back right corner of Cafe du Monde. Let's just say there were more family members present there than at Thanksgiving. 

Considering the lack of pictures/photogenic moments our family claims, you're looking at the 2012 Ingram Christmas Card. Happy Holidays and Roll Tide Roll.

On Monday, Mom and I ate at Mother's for a particularly greasy and perfect breakfast and then milled about the French Quarter for the day until game time. We also walked down Bourbon Street, which I was fascinated/disgusted by. I can see the appeal and I think I'll enjoy it when I'm not in Nola with my family, but some sights made me just want to go and take a shower. The time finally arrived and we piled 10 people into Big Red, my dad's trusty red Ford expedition, and headed to the Superdome to wait in line for about 30 minutes. Worth the wait you ask? I'm appalled you would even ask.

First time to wear a jersey! And AJ McCarron made me proud, Mr. Offensive Player of the Game.

It felt like a home game...for LSU. It was about a 65-45% spilt and the commentators definitely had that Cajun flair to their style. And I'll try to erase that flashing "SACK!" sign from my memory that appeared when LSU made their only sack of the game, but was missing when we made all of ours. Whatever. We won. Honeybadger don't care.

And the best part was after the game all the LSU fans cleared out...not just out of the stadium, out of town. So Nawlins was just one big Bama bash all night to celebrate, just the way we like it.

COME TO BAMA WITH ME

I'm so unbelievably ecstatic to be calling the University my home for the next four years! Even if we hadn't won I still would be pumped beyond belief...it finally hit me that I will be in college with people who all possess the same football preference with me. Goodbye daily Auburn fan encounters. And although I'm not quite ready to peace out of the Brook yet, at least stop two is lookin good. Let's just pray that I won't be kicking and screaming on the inside still when the day comes to pack up and move into Tut.

Roll Tide,

Allie

"Show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning will take care of itself." -The Bear

PASSION

Let's get a couple things straight here...
1) I have a fear of domes.
2) I HATE crowds.
3) I don't respond well to long, standing up, worship singing. Especially when everyone else is getting into the worship and I'm like, "Ok, any second now it'll click and I'll get it and be exactly like them." But... nothing.
4) I fall asleep during sermons constantly.
5) I HATE the cold.


So considering all of this, you would have thought that Passion would not be my cup of tea. But God is good and faithful, and I absolutely LOVED it. But not for the reasons you would think. 


I didn't have some amazing revelation, or life changing experience. I haven't discovered my purpose in life. I still don't consider myself a great worshiper (when I say worshiper, I mean the long singing that I am chronically unresponsive to). I don't even feel a completed peace and certainty about what I am doing. 


Passion 2012 uncovered the door, now it's just up to me to open it and let Him in.


I still have questions, doubts, concerns, and of course, that weed of hesitancy. But I am resolved to not passively sit aside and wait for all this to change. God's plan will ultimately reveal itself, but my ceaseless resistance is just me fiercely holding down the curtain covering His door in desperate attempt to maintain control over my life.


I sat there for the first 105 minutes of a night session, crossed armed, bitter at my inability to experience God like the 44,000 people were, and caught up in my various "struggles" of my unorganized room, that dang ball, college, etc. And suddenly, I feel something creak in the back of my mind. Something that was always present, but I had tried my best to stifle. It says, 

"Allison. Al-lis-son. When will you lay your weapons down?" 

Lay my weapons down. I am fighting with all I've got to build up my own frustrations for my dissatisfactions. That makes zero sense. Sorry, reader. Let me try again.

I have generated this hardness over me, convinced I am too messed up with my constant dwelling on all the wrongs or aches in my life like how I look, my disorganized room, other's opinions, etc. All of these things that are eating away at me, a little at a time, and are driving me to a place of discouragement. So in my typical Allison mind, the past couple months I have strived to stop dwelling in general. Block out everything that hurts, anything that forces me to examine my own feelings. And in that I have built something that refuses me to release my reins, to allow myself to let God romance me. It reminds me of a CS Lewis quote,

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must not give your heart to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.

When Beth Moore was speaking, a phrase really stood out to me. She said,
"You cannot consume Him, but He can consume you."


The woman in Luke 8 was bleeding and considered defiled for 12 years, yet that didn't stop her from reaching out with all she had and grabbing hold of Jesus to be healed. She didn't ruin or contaminate Him, but He purified her. God has the power to relieve, cleanse, and resurrect. All of my imperfections can be erased in His presence, but my unending focus on them keeps me locked away in the dungeon of my heart. What can I expect when I ignore the door behind the curtain? I react in anger when God doesn't speak to me like He seems to be doing to everyone else at Passion. I experience frustration at my own incapabilities. So I sit there, moping and thinking it's useless, and make myself blind to the message God is screaming at me. 

LAY 

YOUR 

WEAPONS 

DOWN.

Can't you see how much I love you? You have no need to fight back in your sorrow. I have done the fighting for you. 

Rid yourself of self awareness.

Allison, you are mine.

So in a nutshell, here's what I took out of Passion; 

it's not whether or not I am dwelling, it is what I dwell on.

2012. Everything about this year scares me to death. I'm graduating, going to college, riding on a plane for 20 hours to Africa, leaving my friends, venturing into the unknown, and all those stupid Mayan theories don't make it any better.


In all this fear, I'm choosing to redirect my dwelling. I'm reading the whole Bible this year, a little at a time every day. I got the idea from the movie Julie and Julia: like when Julie starts the blog because it's like an AA regimen, or something you have to do everyday, one step at a time. And I have been putting this off for about 4 years, so I'm finally doing it. Just as Passion seeks to drop the curtain for next year, it already inspired me to drop mine. The reading will help me stay on track, help me keep my focus on God, and to keep me from fleeing back into the corner of heart, drowning myself in my own flaws.


He is so good. He is ever faithful and persistent, even against my endless attacks in this war I wage on myself. He is perfect, He is whole, He is the Redeemer here to atone and bind up my weary soul. 


I lay my weapons down.
I raise my white flag.
I leave my restrictions behind in the trenches. 
And I run full force to the door, where He has been patiently knocking through all of my resistance.


Allie


"It is in my experience that what you dwell on, is what you most likely become."