Change of Season

Isn't amazing how a change in weather can put you in a whole different mindset? It's still hot enough to hit the pool, but it's cooled off just enough that it feels like football season. Cool or not, the games started Thursday, and by Saturday, we were ready for Alabama football.



We watched the game with some friends and my job was to make cake balls. Have I mentioned our engagement pictures are Sunday? And after months of eating whatever I wanted I picked the kickoff of football to try to lose the couple pounds I've put on? And volunteer to make one of my favorite desserts? That involves lots of interaction with cake batter and icing? If not, I'm mentioning it.

Here's the recipe. Because everyone should experience cake balls in some form or fashion.

It really gets your hands dirty if you don't have a melon baller (more on that later), so my apologies for the lack of pictures for every step.

You'll need:
Cake mix (and the ingredients to actually make the cake)
Frosting
Almond Bark
Sprinkles

These are great because there are a million combinations you can make. For football, I made red velvet cake with almond bark. For obvious reasons.

Make your cake in a 9x13 pan following the package directions.

When it's done, let it cool. Cut the cake out of the pan, eating discarding the edges. You don't want the crispy parts of the cake in your mix.

Break the cake up in a bowl. Like this:

Then add the icing. I used cream cheese. If you know me in real life, this is also an obvious choice. Here's where its hard not to just sit on the couch with a spoon and the bowl and watch episodes of Teen Mom. But keep moving forward.

From here you make balls out of your batter. Here's where a melon baller or a small cookie scoop comes in handy. Red velvet is especially messy. Melt the almond bark. Yes, you will use the whole package. And then some. I put a little vegetable oil while its melting to make it creamier.

Dip your cake balls in the almond bark, place on a greased and foil lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle. With sprinkles.

To tack on to Friday's post, another lesson: The $3 tiny box of bakers white chocolate that you have to buy two of and totally ruin your Publix total for the week does not work near as well as the almond bark.

They were a nice sweet to complement all the salty food on the spread. See that near empty dip bowl? That's the buffalo chicken dip I've mentioned. It's totally diet friendly if you use celery as a dipper.

Is there any other way to watch football in the South?

Roll Tide!!!

Living and Learning

They say you learn something new every day. Here's a few gems from this week.

1. While Fiber One products are delicious, more than one a day, especially when running in 90 degree heat, is too much of a good thing.

2. While I'm on the subject of food, this might be a new favorite snack. Pair with sliced cucumbers, it's healthy and refreshing. Did I mention it's BOGO at Publix this week? I love when a plan comes together.

3. Sitting at a desk all day and increased workouts makes for tight muscles. This thing has proved fantastic. If you've never heard of a foam roller, which I hadn't up until a couple of weeks ago, you should google it. It does exactly what they say.

4. You should double check the emails you send out rather than forwarding things all willy nilly. Enough said.

Wordless Wednesday: This is the Beginning

We're going to...Party...Fiesta

If I could blast some Lionel Richie in my cube today, I certainly would. It's a rainy Monday. I have a flat tire and hair that is anything but. I made a horribly embarrasing e-mail blunder that I've spent most of my energy trying to forget about. But, we are coming off a great weekend, so let's recap and try to fight off this case of the Mondays, shall we?

This weekend was our first wedding shower. Not to beat a dead horse, but I absolutely cannot believe we are knocking on September - when the clouds part and deliver cooler air, fresh McDreamy, Dexter and Alabama football. I digress. Let's recap the last weekend of August.

We have wonderful friends who organized a couples fiesta for me and my groom this weekend. We had a great time visiting with everyone, and felt so loved that everyone took the time out to celebrate with us. Sixty-one days and counting!

The guest book. A minor detail I overlooked until Saturday morning.

All the delicious food. I regret I didn't eat more. Not something I can say too often.
Thank God for to go plates.

Wanta fanta, dont you wanta fanta? Yes, I do. Love this shirt Mrs. Smith! So festive.

Melissa, me and Laura. By the food table.


The boys helped out by keeping an eye on the beer all night.

One of these is not like the others....But, we like him even though he's not a blonde.

Our wonderful hosts even prepared a fun little activity for us.

Christina, me and Melissa. These recent brides have been my wikipedia for wedding questions. They are the best!

We had to go into the kitchen to get a picture with Suz since she worked her tail off in there all night. It did not go unnoticed! I believe now that you like us:)

It was a fantastic way to say goodbye to summer and kick off the wedding countdown. Thanks to all our gracious hosts for their hard work! We love ya'll!!

(and Matt)

Seeing Red Crimson

Last night I enjoyed...

Some red wine.

Red sauce.


A handsome fiancee dressed in red.

And a preview of a lot of Crimson.

I'm a little behind, but caught up last night with the Training Days: Rolling with the Tide that aired on ESPN U last week. Loved. It. (Editors note: the red theme was unintentional. I swear.)

This was probably my favorite part. Alabama fan or not, you've gotta admit, this is pretty funny.



Can you believe it's football season? It seemed so far off, and here we are. I'm pumped. You should be too. Football season = cake ball season. Recipe to come.

I'm Lovin' It

A few things that are putting a smile on my face this week. From head to toe.

I read about this stuff on a few blogs as favorite beauty products earlier this year, and I just had to try it. It does an awesome job of keeping my blonde from getting brassy. It smells a little like old lady, but such is the price of beauty. I bought this stuff because, you guessed it, I had a great coupon. I love nivea products, and this doesn't smell like old lady. On the contrary, it's got a great fresh scent. Who knew bamboo smelled so wonderful?

This guy's OCD makes my Tuesday nights. I would love to get him and Bethenny Frankel in a room together.

Exhibit A:




Do you see that the HIGH is 92? That means its mostly in the 80's today. It practically feels like fall. Which means football, cream cheese dips, post 7 a.m. runs and the return of Namath breathing normally. Come to mama.

Polish of choice for last week's pedi. It almost makes me glad its still blazing hot outside. Almost. It also makes me excited for OPI's new fall line. I have a good feeling about William Tell Me About OPI. Think I can get away with it on the toes 10.30.10?

Back in the Saddle

We are back.

Laundry is done and suitcases put away.

I've traded my bathing suit for a business suit.

We had such a relaxing trip. I finished two books, hardly took any pictures and sported a ponytail for the majority of the weekend. It was just what the doctor ordered.

We left early Friday morning. So early in fact, I ran out the door and left the baked goods I had slaved over the night before. I sulked for a good 15 minutes. Seriously. Have you ever had chess bars? If so, you can understand my sadness.

We got to the beach in time to spend a whole afternoon enjoying the sun. Isn't the ocean beautiful?! There are few things I love more than sitting by the ocean, good book in hand.

After brushing the sand off and putting on our finest attire, we headed to Dewey Destin's - a little jewel the Searson's discovered on their last beach visit.

It's not much to look at.

But the food and ambience couldn't be beat. The company wasn't so bad either.

We went for a run Saturday morning, before mixing up one of my favorite beach concotions - the banana daiquiri. The mix can only be found at the beach - or so has been our experience. It nearly filled the chess bar void.

We got some rain in the afternoons, so we headed to the outlets. Unable to escape corporate America completely, I snagged a couple of suits for a great deal.

And that's about all she wrote, folks.

We ate, we drank, we felt our toes in the sand.

Is there anything better?