What is it?

Back in September, R brought this home from a morning walk with Nagy Papa. We considered cutting it open to see what was inside, but it looked so cool, we thought we'd just enjoy its present state another day. It was very prickly, and actually hurt to hold. I don't remember how he got it home.

Well, by the time Dad got home that evening it looked like this!

Needless to say, we decided not to cut it open it all. Glad we did, because the next day it looked like this:
Well, imagine our surprise to find what was inside! This city girl had no idea what a chestnut looks like when it falls from a tree. And I must admit it was so much more fun just watching it day by day, instead of looking it up to find out what it was.
The pleasure we received from checking on it and watching it bloom right before our eyes was so enjoyable.

And just as enjoyable was seeing this a couple of weeks later at the Durham Fair.

It's amazing how connections happen if we just pay attention and recognize them. R was so excited to see these at the fair and know what they were. And he was also very happy to see they won a blue ribbon.

Of course, we couldn't resist touching them and enjoying that familiar prickly feeling too.