Here's where the devil dogs wound up in our kitchen -- perched on a tiny ledge next to the window. When I put them up, Dave said, "Where did you get those?!" I said, "Don't you read my blog?" (Answer: No.)
And here's the plaque I picked up the same day in Jacksonville featuring a red-headed woodpecker. Obviously handmade, I suspect it's someone's craft project from summer camp or wood shop or something like that. It fits in nicely with our needlepoint wall. There's no obvious name or date on it.
Our garden saga has taken another turn. I wrote the gardeners yesterday and asked them to make another pass at the front garden, and surprisingly, they agreed. They're supposed to come back this morning. I'm going to work as usual; I'm going to leave the situation in their hands. I made it clear we need a harder prune than we got the first time around and included photos of some of the problem areas. Hopefully this will placate Mother Russia, who will no doubt be peering down from her upstairs window.
I slept well last night, thank goodness. Maybe my jet-lag is on the wane.
I really like the carved plaque, and the subtle colours used. The devil dogs, meh.
ReplyDeleteOlga's expression tells me she is pleased with the offering, but really? Only one?
She thinks they're ALL hers.
DeleteThe Devil Dogs are Cute... and none of the Family and very few folks I know in Real Life read my Blog either. Mebbe that's not a bad thing... *winks*
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's true -- that does give us a certain amount of freedom! Dave just isn't much of a reader in general.
DeleteShrimp! Lucky Olga. You found the perfect spot for the devil dogs.
ReplyDeleteThey really do fit perfectly on that little ledge!
DeleteThe plaque does seem to go well in its place there on what I can see of the art wall.
ReplyDeleteThose devil dogs will be watching your every move now in your kitchen.
I think I've shown the needlepoints in the past. You can probably find them by blog-searching "needlepoint. " If you're so inclined, that is. :)
DeletePerfect spot for the red dogs. Has Olga had a prawn before? My rescue dog ( 7 weeks now!) wouldn't look at any veg or fruit that was offered when he first arrived, but now happily scoffs anything that I give him! Just need to stop all the yapping now!
ReplyDeleteShe's had shrimp before but I'm not sure I've ever fed her off the chopsticks before. LOL!
DeleteOh-oh! I rather suspect that when you come home, the front garden will have been obliterated. Mother Russia will have been out to the gardeners, instructing them to treat it like Mariupol.
ReplyDeleteVery prophetic, YP!
DeleteDave is a man after my own heart. I was immediately impressed that Olga could use chopsticks and then immediately concerned that you were sharing those with her. I love your new art and their locations. I wonder why Mother Russia couldn’t speak with them directly. You are SO diplomatic and patient.
ReplyDeleteI figure the dog licks my face so much there's very little chance she could give me anything new.
DeleteThose dogs look so good sitting there. It is great that the gardeners agreed to come back, hopefully this time they will do a job acceptable to Ms. Russia. And Olga with chopsticks, I loved that!
ReplyDeleteI was so impressed that the gardeners agreed with the need to return.
DeleteOlga is so sophisticated! Though wondering where the rest of her shrimp are.
ReplyDeleteI hope the front garden reaches a detente, what with your patience and the gardeners' willingness to return. Let us know how it goes.
Yes, Olga is saying, "Those are MY shrimp!"
DeleteI liked Dave's, "Off the chopsticks?"
ReplyDeleteI had the same question.
And the idea of Mother Russia peering down from her window is kinda terrifying!
I bet she does it routinely.
DeleteI love the name Mother Russia. Perfect! And that sounds good with the garden people. The Devil Dogs look perfect there and I like that needlepoint above your new plaque. Good placement. That Olga! She always makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteSomeone in blogland first called her Mother Russia -- I can't remember who, but it IS the perfect nickname.
DeleteHow else is a dog supposed to eat Chinese food than with chopsticks!?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think Chinese dogs use?! LOL
DeleteSadly, my family DOES read my blog so I have to be prepared to answer for my ridiculous posts (they're not all ridiculous, but you'd better believe I'll hear about it if they are!). I love the devil dogs - so adorable on that ledge.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that they keep an eye on your blog but it's nice too.
DeleteDave! That was a perfect video moment.
ReplyDeleteI love that woodpecker carving. I am thinking that perhaps an older man, retired, looking for a new project, took up wood carving and that is one of his creations. The pine know behind the bird is incorporated nicely, I think.
Yes, it could very well be some older guy's woodcarving project. I also thought he worked the knot in really well!
DeleteA perfect location for the devil dogs and the wood carving. Two great souvenirs from Florida. I do believe that Olga swallowed that shrimp whole. Good luck with round two of the gardeners.
ReplyDeleteShe swallows everything whole. She never chews.
DeleteA Sophisticated Olga Girl Knows Chop Sticks
ReplyDeleteWell Done ,
Cheers
P.S. Excellent Clean Up On Devil Dogs
She is very cultured!
DeleteThe Devil Dogs are perfect on their perch. Dave just now saw them? And you are too compliant where Ms Russia is concerned. She will never deal with stuff herself as long as she can get you to do it.
ReplyDeleteDave wasn't with me in Jacksonville when I bought them, so yeah, he didn't see them until I got them home and unwrapped them.
DeleteDave sounds so disgusted. I thought the same thing, but I hoped that you were done eating and just wanted to share with her. I love that you collect old needlework, me too. I love old petit point. Somebody spent a lot of time making it, it's nice to see that it's still cherished.
ReplyDeleteThey didn't really go in her mouth. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
DeleteThe devil dogs look great on the small shelf in the kitchen alcove. The spot frames them nicely and I love the color. The wood carving is a nice find and it works really well on your art wall.
ReplyDeleteI think you will like the front garden after a hard prune. Seeing some ground among the shrubs lets everything breath and each shrub can be enjoyed for itself.
Olga enjoyed her shrimp. My dog likes seafood too. When I cook salmon, Caesar has his share as well.
It was feeling a little claustrophobic in that garden but I think the wildlife on the street liked the shelter! (Foxes, I mean.)
DeleteThis is the kind of post I love to see these days: your cute devil dogs, a fun woodpecker carving, and Olga eating a shrimp from chopsticks (with commentary from Dave)! I'm leaving your blog smiling. 😊
ReplyDeleteWe need more opportunities to smile!
DeleteDoes Dave sometimes read your blog? I have a couple friends and one daughter who used to but may not anymore. Since I would occasionally like to blog more freely, it would be nice if no one I knew read my posts. ;)
ReplyDeleteDave occasionally reads it but usually only after I point out or mention something that I think he should see. There is a freedom in blogging when no one IRL reads what you write, but you can never assume that, given that it's public!
DeleteGood that these tree pruners were so agreeable to come back.
ReplyDeleteI was glad they were so cooperative. I sent photos of the first go-around and I suspect the owner understood that not enough had been done.
DeleteThose 'Devil Dogs' look scared stiff.
ReplyDeleteI wonder at that woodpecker plaque. Can you imagine that it was a camp project. Some kiddo working earnestly away, with no idea that it would wind up in a London flat!
You are a better neighbor to Mrs. Russia than she deserves, I'll say that.
They DO look scared! LOL! I'd love to know more about the woodpecker but it will forever remain a mystery.
DeleteWe had 2 red-headed woodpeckers on our tree just the other day! Love your plaque!
ReplyDeleteCute video!
Nice! Apparently they're one of the unusual bird breeds that are actually prospering these days. Or so I read somewhere.
DeleteOlga uses chopsticks! Quite the talent for a doggo!
ReplyDeleteShe's very talented for someone with no thumbs!
Deletethe orange pups totally belong there, great find! Olga is so international- shrimp from chop sticks, a well cultured girl. Thanks for the darling vid.
ReplyDeleteShe believes in globalism, as I do. :)
DeleteIt's nice to see where the little dogs will perch - that spot seems just the right size! I love that video. It made me smile and wish I had an Olga-shaped good dog :)
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of Olga-shaped good dogs out there looking for adoptive families, but they do take a lot of energy when they're young!
Delete