The Artichoke Flower

Isn't it amazing when you find something new; something that you never even knew existed, but that is so beautiful and unique? That's how it was for me on Saturday when I stopped by the artichoke stand at the farmer's market with Jody and saw this huge plant/flower "thing". I immediately asked the woman at the stand what it was and what you do with it. "It's an artichoke flower" she said and continued to tell me that if you don't cut the artichoke off of it's huge stem to eat it, it actually flowers and looks like this:

I find it to be so spectacular. I immediately bought one for $5 and carried it around the farmer's market for the next 30 minutes or more, making marks all over my arm because it's really heavy! I got it home, put it in a vase with some glass rocks so the vase wouldn't fall over, and am now enjoying it every day. The woman at the stand said that it should last 3 weeks, so we'll see. Lee said it's the best $5 I ever spent because I was outside forever on Sunday photographing it - what a perfect subject. I think I took 100 pictures :) Here are my favorites....

I took these pictures so you can understand how big it is....HUGE!





So my challenge for all of you today is to learn something new or discover something that you never knew existed - anything. Maybe you already have by reading this post :) Be aware and in the moment....it's amazing what life will show you.