Disturbing Trend #2: Weddings

Well, fall is just around the corner and you know what that means - weddings! Wait, what? you're saying...Wedding season is May/June! Yes, yes it is, but inexplicably I have two weddings in a row on the upcoming weekends.

One of these weddings is for one of my closest middle school friends, and I was able to get together with her and her bridesmaids to help put together the programs, name cards, etc. During this crafting session, the bride starting talking about some things she saw either on her guest list, or from friends' weddings. Let me explain:

Traditionally, the outer envelope is addressed to the person to whom it is traveling in the mail. The inner envelope is addressed to the invitee(s). For example, when I get an invitation, the outer envelope says Natalie + my mailing address. The inner envelope would say Natalie and Guest.

Since my friend didn't have an inner envelope, she had pre-made cards saying "____ seats have been reserved in your honor at the wedding. Please choose your meal: [steak, chicken, pasta...I picked pasta CLARO!]". She then wrote in the blank the number of seats, i.e. 1 or 2. Apparently, some people crossed out the number and raised it!! So one family wanted their daughter to come, and they crossed off the 2 and wrote a 3 instead!

In other instances, she addressed the letter to one person and had the number 1 in the blank, and they asked her if they could bring a date. Now, I understand if you're close to the bride and groom and you want to bring your boyfriend, but if they aren't your best friend or family, I think you need to take the invitation and accept the fact that they are on a budget.

The other wedding I was invited to was addressed to only me on both envelopes, and then had the traditional RSVP card where you jot down how many people are attending. I wrote 1, but I was wondering about the protocol for that situation. This may be common knowledge for all, but not me, so I will share. Those little RSVP cards are standard, so unless it says you and guest on the inner envelope, it's super rude to write "2" attending the wedding.

I'm pretty appalled by the rudeness in this whole process. How do people not know how expensive weddings are?? My friend told me it was all her single friends that were committing the faux pas' (sidenote: what IS the plural of faux pas??), which makes sense...but at the same time, I'm single and super aware of the price tag on the big event.

I'm assuming all these people weren't TRYING to be rude...but for crying out loud let's have some awareness! If it's addressed to you and not your significant other of 4 years, don't take it personally. If you aren't married, engaged, or living together you have no place to expect cousin Ginny to invite you AND Guest.

And that's this week's rant. More on weddings after I attend possibly? More on food? My thoughts on TEACHING?! Grad school? We'll see!

Labor Day burgers!

Labor Day is for picnics, no? What's a vegetarian-ish to do? (I added the -ish because I've been smelling the barbecue ALL WEEKEND and I have been utterly tempted.) Well, you see, you make black bean burgers! I got this recipe from ReadyMade, one of my FAVORITE magazines. I had to alter it a little because I didn't have all the ingredients. They turned out really well!

Yield: 4 burgers

2 (14-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained, divided
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
1/3 cup plain dry bread crumbs
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
generous pinch of salt
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 lime
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 soft hamburger buns

Accompaniments: sliced avocado, romaine, salsa, sliced sharp cheddar

Pulse 1 can beans in a food processor with yogurt, bread crumbs, cumin, oregano, cayenne, paprika and salt until a coarse purée forms. Transfer to a bowl and stir in cilantro and remaining can beans. Add as much juice from the lime as needed to create a mixture that holds together well (you likely won’t need the entire lime; slice the leftover lime into wedges and serve with the burgers). Form mixture into 4 patties.

Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers (alternatively, heat a grill pan and brush it with the oil). Cook burgers until outsides are crisp and lightly browned, turning once, about 5 minutes total. Serve on buns, along with the accompaniments.

Tomorrow is the first day of school...and school! I have the elementary/middle school classes in the morning, and my graduate class in the evening. Wish me luck and pray HARD!