Saturday Favorites and Some Thoughts on Life and Loss

This has been a week of shocking news. I've learned of the unexpected deaths of 2 spirited young ladies I knew, K and E. One was a high school friend I'd fallen out of touch with, the other, the wife of a friend. Though I did not know either of them closely at the time of their passing, I'm still heartbroken at the loss of such young, bright individuals. Being in my mid-20s only, I suppose the very reality of death, its unflinching finality and often invisible approach, still comes as a shock to me. It absolutely boggles my mind that I'll never again see E's face light up in laughter as it so frequently did. Completely by coincidence, on the same day I learned of E's death I discovered the most beautiful dance video I'd ever seen (above). These performers speak volumes with just their bodies -- a moving story about the loss of a loved one. As I watched it I couldn't help but think of E's husband of only a few years and what he must be feeling right now.

Though I was merely on the fringes of K and E's lives, I feel the space they've left and am keeping their loved ones in my thoughts. And as trite as it may sound, these tragedies have reminded me of how precious and fragile all our lives are. Especially while we're young, we tend to put off doing important things until "tomorrow" as if the next moment or day or year is guaranteed when it's really not. Of course I don't think we should spend our lives in fear of what bad things may befall us. I simply want to remind my readers and myself to not take things for granted and appreciate the beauty around and inside each person; to be kind to loved ones and tell them how you really feel; and to generally live life to the fullest while we're here on this earth.

Sesame Pea Shoot Salad from Westervin

Mini Jelly Domes Photograph from Kim Morphew (Food Stylist)

Vanilla Poached Pears with Hazelnut Praline Ice Cream Parfait from BBC Good Food

Sweet Potato Pie from The Food Dept.

Tomato Olive Pasta and Tortellini Soup Photographs from Maja Smend (Photographer)

Lemon Cream Tart from Matkonation

Pickled Baby Radish from The Food Dept.

Shrimp Cashew Nut Bean Sprout Stirfry Photograph from Martin Poole (Photographer)

Chocolate Cappuccino Ice Cream Cones from Helena Ljunggren

Cherry Tomato Crumbled Tofu Salad from Hipster Food

Scallops with Dill Oil from Sweet Paul Magazine