Sunday sampler

This morning I was struck by the fennel's sculptural symmetry, courtesy of Mother Nature.

The pottery bowl is from Italy, by way of London.

Visit my friend Maddie's Persisting Stars for an uplifting start to your day, "When the world opens up."

Here's one writer's take on why we love vintage. "Retro is about rediscovering an everyday beauty we may have missed first time round. Retro is a loving exhumation, a bringing back to the light, of the world we saw – or fancied we saw – around us, before the modern world kicked in and we had to grow up and take responsibility for something called The Future," John Walsh writes.

Read about the curse of the yummy mummy, that ridiculously unobtainable fiction.

Rarely have stark bare trees, blue sky and hawks looked more appealing than in Stephanie's photographs from Colorado here.

Check out this article about Barack Obama by one of his friends and fellow law professors. (With Super Tuesday Part II coming up, you didn't think I would forget about politics, did you?)

And consider Rumi's words from The Book of Love:

This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture, still,
treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing
and invite them in

be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Comments

[Di Overton]

Posh (the preverbial Yumy Mummy) has such a lot to answer for. This ridiculous following of a stick insect incenses me. The other thing about these Yummy Mummy's is that they use their children as accessories - SICK!

[stephanie]

A real taste of spring here! Fennel and beautiful blossoms in her banner. I am waiting so patiently, we have little tastes, then more snow.

thanks so much for pointing out my pics!!
x...x
steph

[Jeanie]

My favorite veggie in all the world! I came to it later in life (maybe I was bored by all the others) and celebrate it braised, roasted, in soup, raw (much preferred to celery sticks!)and with or without fronds! Thanks for celebrating fennel and putting it in such a lovely bowl!

[cathy]

Love the Italian bowl. Hi Miss Parfait, hope all is well in your world...need to visit more often. A plus tard

[Yoli]

Oh Tara, you always have the best of the best in your blog. How do you do it girl? I ordered a necklace from your friend that made yours. Now all she is waiting on are those vintage french words. I told her if she could to look for sword in French.

I am off to Persisting Stars...love ya.

[Colette]

Here's how I prepare it: cut stalks off, cut fennel in quarters, soak for a while in water to which you've added some lemong juice. Drain, dry, and saute in olive oil until it softens... season and eat!

[JanePoe (aka Deborah)]

Wonderful pics of the fennel ... another fine example of artistry in nature. Lovely sampling ... the Rumi poem was a wonderful way to round this out. xx, JP/deb

[Dorian Fletcher]

Lovely potpourri, Tara. I too am awaiting the results of Super Tuesday. Heady times...with hopes for a positive outcome.

[Sherry]

Oh what a lovely sampling!!! And I so love the new "spring" banner at Paris Parfait!!!

[Karen DeGroot Carter]

So much to take in from just a few recent posts, Tara! I swear I can smell that fennel from here! Thanks for all the terrific links, and for the eloquent glimpse at some of your treasures. Some day I'll drive to Santa Fe just for the heck of it; it's so close and yet so far, you know? K.

[Becca]

Such a lovely poem and sentiment. It's the way I feel about all my blogging friends - that they are "guides from beyond."

Off to check out the other links :)

[marja]

Oh what a beautiful poem. I keep on stumbling into great uplifting words like this. I asked for it and get it. Thank you so much

[rochambeau]

Hi Friend,
Oh that Mother Nature, shes always creating such splendid things. I adore fennel. Thank you for all the links. Have a nice night!!!

xox
Consantce

[martina]

The Persisting Stars blog made my whole day start out bright and happy. Thanks!

[karen cole]

Just made a fennel, apple, arugula and pomegranate seed salad last night. Great minds think alike. I also love it roasted.

I TRY to welcome each day with open arms. I can always find something interesting here, for sure, Tara.

[madelyn]

I welcome this poem from rumi ~
sometimes grumbling or weepy or
with joyful embrace ~ but
always with welcome;)

I like that about myself actually:)

and thank you for the sweet link
~ my writing is a bit off today ~ i
am a bit sleepy:)

(hugs)

now i am off to check your other links:)