Purple profusion

Lousy nights sleep, still awake at 3.15 :-/
Up just after 8 as there was a chicken demanding my attention ;-) Made a dry rub of chilli powder, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika and cumin....turned out nicely too.

Sis and BiL arrived late morning, with new dishwasher in hand....we have been without for a few weeks now since our old one took a funny turn and started smoking ;-) Have to say havent missed it really, mind you not done much cooking of late, too warm!!

Besides the roast spicy chicken, I cooked a piece of M&S seasoned belly pork, hub dug up some more of his potatoes, picked the first tomatoes and a cucumber. Mint and chives from the herb garden to go with the potatoes, plus a big mixed salad, made a waldorf salad, fresh whole beetroots, cornichons and salad dressing.

By the time BiL had fitted the dishwasher, dinner wasnt far off, a quick relax in the garden before we sat down to eat. A few beers were consumed........nothing much left, just a bit of salad ;-)

Sis wanted to get back for Kobi as he had been on his own since 11......so they left just before 4. She seems to be steadily improving with her back at the mo :-). We cleared up the kitchen, then sat and read the papers for a while!

Did the watering and deadheading this evening. Some of the plants in the garden are really strugglig, the rogersia is almost on the floor, the hostas are bleached and curled, the phlox that are just starting to bud are droopy, the astilbes are shrivelled, but as you can see, our Jackmanni clematis is thriving!!! Its such a fabulous colour, full of buds yet to open too!
Trying to water sparingly, not using the hose, although we dont have a ban!

Finally a word on our boys yesterday, not a "brilliant" performance, but they were good, got the job done and in some style.......have to do it all again on Wednesday ;-)