the case of the white dahlia (and other stories)

So impatience has finally got the better of me and I decided I was not prepared to wait until next year for my sweet williams to bloom in my hanging basket. So I have flung the offending plants on the compost and replaced them with some beautiful white dahlias, which smell divine as well as looking purdy as a picture!

This evening Steve has been a star chef, cooking up some delicious River Cottage 'Spicy North African Lamb Burgers with Minty Yoghurt' on the barbecue. He even made the flatbreads himself, flavoured with cumin, cinnamon and crushed coriander seeds, topped off with a yoghurty dressing containing our very own mint leaves. Nom, nom, nom!

Just need to add how jealous I am of those of you heading off to Chelsea over the next few days, how I wish I was able to go. Big congratulations to my friend CJ Munn whose stunning, saucy sculptures are causing a stir in the Foreign and Colonial Investments Garden. Please do vote for her garden in the RHS 'people's choice' awards!

isn't it a lovely day. my patio's on fire.

It's been a truly wonderful warm and sunny Saturday and my shoulders are looking unexpectedly pinkish, having spent nearly the entire day outside. Ever since I woke up this morning, I've been playing summery albums that take me back to the sunny festivals of my misspent youth.

We had the in-laws round for the first barbeque of the year and my diet went completely out of the window (but it was worth it!). The girls enjoyed spending so much time in the garden and helped me plant up some strawberry plants and a few lettuce seedlings.

This evening was warm enough to stay out until late and I got our little chiminea going to add some extra warmth. Steve beat me at Scrabble (only just, though) and we drank wine and ate Ben & Jerry's from the tub. Heaven.

I also just got chatting to our neighbours in a slightly intoxicated state and found out some very exciting information... more will be revealed tomorrow when I have had time to investigate...