Sunday ...

Some time ago, well months to be exact, I ordered some new cushion covers from EBAY to brighten up the corner outside the back door.  They took a while to arrive from across the water but eventually they did and I love them.  They are made from a fabric which is slightly silky and supposedly designed to go outside and withstand some damp.  You may not be able to make it out but they have peonies and ranunculus on them in shades of pink which match the bougainvillea which is now in full bloom.  The first photograph was taken early morning and the second later when the sun was overhead so you can see the dappled shade provided by the camouflage nets.  We like that corner which is next to the peace garden.

It is Sunday and the heatwave continues - there doesn't seem to be any respite in sight looking at the long-term forecast and we are melting!!  The other day when I dropped something off for Isabel she had had an air conditioning unit fitted into her lounge/diner/kitchen which has rendered the air cooler she got recently redundant so she very kindly offered for us to try it.  We thought that was a great idea for the bedroom and, if successful, we would get one for ourselves as we really don't need to install air-conditioning for the few weeks of the year that we get when we struggle to find some cool.

We had set it up last night full of anticipation and locked the cats out of the bedroom and switched it on well in advance of going to sleep so that we could get maximum benefit.  Sadly though the unit was quite ineffective and the temperature in the bedroom remained resolutely at 28 degrees and was stifling having had the windows closed.  We decided that it just wasn't worth the effort but had been very grateful to Isabel for allowing us to try before we buy because that ended up saving us a lot of money.

Mum arrived and today I decided I would cook something a bit special.  In the freezer were some packets of Lamb tenderloins from Kolios the Butchers.  These are by no means cheap but they are the best, sweetest, most tender cuts of lamb and I love lamb when it tastes like the lamb we used to have in the UK - I am not so keen on the gamey lamb (which may even be goat) that we get over here.  I looked up how to cook them to get the best out of them and you literally flash-fry for a few minutes each side and then leave to rest so they are succulent and pink, but not bloody.  I also made a sour cherry and mint jus to go with them and mashed some potatoes and cooked some minted peas and then assembled them so it all looked a bit chefy.  In fact it all looked so lovely that I forgot to take a photograph because I couldn't wait to eat!!!

We were joined at the table by Mr Boo who has taken to drinking out of the black bowl (as does Miss Minnie) - I watched him this morning when he realised that he was sharing the bowl with a couple of mosquito fish which freaked him out a bit.

Here he is trying to get his head round exactly what is going on in front of him!!  Bless him he was a bit confused but happily did not catch the fish.

Even though it is a big bank holiday weekend the traffic wasn't too bad for Mum and she got home safe and sound.

She had brought up with her some miniature Chrysanthemum plants which she would like put in the trough on Dad's grave but not until the weather cools a bit so until then they are with me for safe keeping - I just hope I keep them going sufficiently long enough for them to go to their new home!

We did very little after Mum returned home - John had hoped to watch the cricket but once again the weather in the UK was too bad for any play so this match is destined to be a draw I would think.  I did my usual round up of the art challenge after the official closing time of 6.00pm (UK Time). I have been struggling to think of a new theme but plumped for Ships/Boats/Sailing