Secrets of the Persimmon Seed

I just had to share this.  My family has done this for years and the persimmon seed has never been wrong.  If you cut open a persimmon seed, you will find the shape of one of three things:  a spoon, a fork, or a knife.  I guess some would consider this an old wive's tale, but for as long as we have opened up a persimmon seed it has never been wrong.  If there is the shape of a knife, it means a bitter cold winter; winds that cut through you like a knife.  If there is the shape of a fork, it means a hay-pitching winter, a mild winter.  If there is the shape of a spoon, it means a snow-shoveling winter.  Any guesses as to what was in the persimmon seed this year?  If you said spoon, then you would be right!  Isn't that amazing!  I love it when God shows Himself in creation!  If you don't believe me, google images of persimmon seeds and see for yourself.  Blessings!

Digging Out

Today we have sunshine, a beautiful blue sky, and 31.8 inches of snow.  That is the official total for our city.  I haven't seen this much snow since I went snow skiing in Colorado back in my high school days.                             
                                      Our street sign and fire hydrant.

Jarrell pushing snow off my car.

Jarrell had dug out snow from behind my car.

Luke playing in the backyard.  They had packed some of this snow down.  In most places the snow came to the boys' knees.

Jarrell's car is one of these cars buried in the parking lot. 

The boys have enjoyed playing in the snow this morning.  The sky is so blue and it is just beautiful, but cold. 

Blizzard of 2010

"He sends the snow like white wool..." Psalm 147:16

I think God decided to clean out his snow storehouses and send it all to Maryland.  My pictures are not going to do it justice!  It is beautiful and amazing!  One of the christian radio station dj's made this statement and I thought it was awesome, "God is going to show off in this storm!"  I think He has definitely shown Himself!
This is looking out the front door.
 

This is looking out the back door.

Someone had made a snowman in the common area Friday night.  Saturday morning his whole bottom half was almost covered completely. 

This is our street sign and fire hydrant on the corner. 

It is still snowing!  It is supposed to snow all day today!  So we are eating cookies, playing wii and staying warm.  I am hoping to complete some craft projects!  Here are some pictures of Luke helping me make cookies last night.

Snow Day

We woke up to about 3 more inches this morning.  People keep saying that the novelty of snow will wear off, but I don't think so.  I really enjoy watching it fall and seeing it blanket everything.  It is so beautiful!  The shoveling is another thing.  However, I think Luke enjoys it, as you will see in the pictures below.  Now before you go calling the authorities on us, Luke insisted that he wanted to help! 

The trees surrounding our neighborhood.  I just thought they were so beautiful!

Nathan with his miniature snowman family.

Our attempt at a real snowman.  We tried to make him Texan with the cowboy hat.  Unfortunately, he only lasted a few hours.  It warmed up enough that he fell apart.  Oh well, we had a great time making him. 

Field Trips to the Maryland Science Center and the National Aquarium in Baltimore

Trip to Philadelphia

First of all, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post again.  We have been busy with our schooling.  I have plenty to tell you about!  I hope to post at least once a week!  I'm writing that down so I feel accountable to you my readers (all five of you, maybe less now that I've taken so long to post!)
Two weeks before Christmas, we went on a road trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  From our new home in Maryland, it is two and a half hours away.  On our way we stopped in Aberdeen, MD at the Ordnance Museum.  It was about half-way between Glen Burnie and Philly.  There we learned about the history of tanks and weaponry used throughout all of the wars.  Of course the boys loved it!  I pretty much felt like if you've seen one tank, you've seen them all!  =)

The next day we visited all the historical sites in Philadelphia.  I cannot begin to express the emotion I felt being in all the places I had only read about in the history books.  I felt so proud to be an American. I was also in awe of the great, intelligent men that made hard decisions and thought through what a democracy should be!  So anyway, here are some pictures from the historic sites: 

Luke and Nathan at the Liberty Bell, the clock tower at Independence Hall

This picture was interesting.  We were on the second floor of the Pennsylvania State House which housed the state senate.  Before Washington DC was built, our national government used this location.  Our tour guide told us that the spot where Nathan and Luke are standing would have approximately been the spot where George Washington was inaugurated as our first president at the front of the Senate chambers.  Later an addition was added to the building and that is why now that space is in the hallway. 

For some reason, Blogger won't let me upload my most favorite picture; the room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.  So moving on...the picture on the left was taken in Ben Franklin's print shop that he built for his grandson.  This kind gentleman gave us a demonstration of the printing press.  It would have been meticulous work.  So glad that blogging does not involve setting type, inking the page and then letting it dry for several hours!  We've come a long way! 

Last but certainly not least, a trip to Philly would not be complete without Rocky and a run up those famous Philadelphia Museum steps!  Before you scroll down, get the theme song in your head or hum it out loud!  Okay, now scroll down! =)

When my sister came to visit for Christmas, we decided to do something untraditional for Christmas dinner.  We wanted to try Julia Child's Beef Bourignon dish.  It is basically a french beef stew.  The recipe is rather involved and the dish cooks for a very long time.  All the effort was definitely worth it!  We served it over mashed potatoes.  Here are a few pictures of our process and final product. 

It may not look very appetizing in these pictures, but it was so tender and yummy!  We will definitely do it again. It was a lot of fun spending the day in the kitchen with my sister!