Here are some pictures of our recently installed solar panels. Now we just need some sun!

Chestnut Watercress Sauce/gravy

Here is a recipe for a good holiday gravy, if you want to try something different.

15 chestnuts
handful of watercress
1T coconut oil
2 cups water
1T tahini
1/4 c nutritional yeast
1T Braggs
1t salt
1 sprig of parsley

Boil the chestnuts for 15-20 minutes. While still hot cut in half and remove the inner meal. Put the chestnuts and all remaining ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Heat the sauce gently until thick.

Our first solar panel arrived yesterday. It is quite impressive, although its not on the roof yet. The Sanyo is supposed to be the smallest and most efficent panel on the market to date. We will be having 14 panels altogether. Not quite enough to power our whole house though. Still it is a small contribution to global well-being, thanks to my Mother.

This was the last harvest of our lotus flowers,( about 6 weeks ago). Thought you might enjoy the picture.

Last weekend Padmavati had one of her paintings in a very prestigious art show in Columbus, hosted by the Ohio Watercolor Society. Each year they give an award to one high school student and one college student. She received a check along with a gift certificate for art supplies. It was exciting and inspiring to see the varied selection of art work and to hear the judge's comments about each piece.

Today I harvested the last of Gran's pears. They are the most delicious pears that we have ever had. Soft, ripe and juicy. The question is whether we can eat them fast enough before they spoil, or should I make jam. Pear and ginger jam is really good. Last week I made quince jam with some quinces that Madhava Ghosh gave to us. It turned out quite good, however I have run out of jars and it is hard to buy more canning jars at this time of year. Next year we will have to plan ahead and buy extra jars for the whole season.