Friday, Friday, Friday

Yay, yay, yay!!! I love weekends so much. Here is a list of some of my favorite weekend things:

1) The Farmer's Market
2) Not having to wake to the sound of an alarm
3) Casual clothes, no uncomfortable work clothes
4) Long walks with Alex
5) Craft projects with Alex
6) Naps
7) Being outside in the daylight
8) Yoshi cuddles
9) Getting things accomplished
10) Lazing in the hammock

Thursday = Recipe Day

I think I am going to start the trend of putting up a recipe every Thursday. It'll be something new each week, I hope. This week is Homemade Black Bean Burgers. These black bean burgers are great on wheat hamburger buns with some cheese on top and a lime and chili sour cream.

INGREDIENTS
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon Lime Juice
1 tablespoon of cilantro
Feta cheese to taste

STEP BY STEP:
If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Try and drain excess water. Then stir into mashed beans.
In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, cilantro, lime juice and chili sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Add as much feta cheese as you would like. Divide mixture into four patties.
If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.


Chili Lime sour cream - three tablespoons sour cream, one teaspoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon chili powder/cayenne/paprika (whatever one of these you have) - mix together and put on the burgers and buns.

Thoughts for Shan

This wonderful girl from the Knot, Shannon, just found out some distressing news and needs thoughts and vibes today. Keep her in mind and hope that it all works out for her, her fiance, and their wedding.

Furloughing state employees

The Governor just ordered that state employees be furloughed for a mandatory 10 hours... they're taking money out of our next two paychecks. Great. We're already broke and I'm planning a freaking wedding. This sucks. Alex and I will just have to tighten our belts and keep things as close to budget as possible.

*Sigh*

I hate money.

Good news - I go pick up my dress this weekend with my Mum and I made an appt. with Olga (NC Knot girls rave about her) for my alterations. So pleased, because she is a very popular alterations person and does incredible work.

Oh, and it is LOST DAY!!! Yay!!! Got to keep the positives at the forefront of my mind :)

The dress!!!

My dress has come in - I got the call this morning! Aghggggggjhhhhhh - I hope it still looks as beautiful as I remember and that I look pretty in it!

I have a case of the Mondays...

We are home from an absolutely wonderful weekend in Athens. It was so great to see everyone and share some really happy times together. Amy and Ryan got married in a way that suited them to a tee. It was great to see what just a couple weeks of planning can yield. All hands were in to prep for the feast and put up decorations and do anything needed. I love our friends. I always leave Athens with a heavy heart knowing that we are leaving some of the most generous and loving people there.

This weekend in Athens, there was also a triple homicide by a UGA professor. Keep the deceased in your thoughts and prayers and let's all hope and pray that they catch him. These are crazy times in the world and a lot of people are acting in horrific ways. It just makes me value life and my loved ones even more. It is always so beyond comprehension when someone acts this way and I am so sad for the kids and friends and family that lost loved ones this weekend...

Love to Athens and happy vibes to everyone today. Hopefully, I will snap out of my Athens-withdrawal blues soon.

P.S. I love Alex, spending time with him this weekend and any other time reminds me of how amazing, loving, supportive, and loyal he is. I am so happy to be marrying someone who is a great friend to others and also to me.

TGIF!

So, Alex and I are heading out of town tonight to Athens, GA! Time to go see some friends and celebrate a marriage :)

On a slightly less positive note.... I need new tires. That's what they told me when I went to get my oil changed. Don't really have the money or time to do it right now so I guess it will have to wait until we get back and payday. I really do not enjoy having unexpected expenses come up. *Sigh* Especially when they are increasing our healthcare costs and talking about furloughing people. Do they not realize I have a wedding to pay for???

Anyway, something positive, I have to end with something positive. I cannot wait to enjoy a weekend in Athens and see Amy and Ryan tie the knot and see everyone and touch Emily's pregnant belly and be in Athens!!! Ahhhhh! It really is home in a lot of ways.