apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Or is it the pansy doesn't fall far from the pansy-filled hanging basket? Either way, I thought this was pretty cool. And the ONLY thing in my yard that's worth sharing (see last post for reference). Speaking of apples, my grandmother is getting us an apple tree as a late Christmas gift - pretty cool!

So, here's the deal: Last winter/early spring I had a hanging basket that had a ton of multi-colored pansies hanging at the end of our driveway, next to the irises. Well, what I initially believed to be weeds, turned out to be some purple pansies in the area right below the hanging basket. I'm sure there's a scientific way to demonstrate exactly how the seeds (do pansies even have seeds?) got transferred from the basket to the ground, but I'm not going to pretend to know how it happened - and no, I didn't plant these pansies so I'll just show you my pictures. Please note, the hanging basket this year also has purple pansies....pure coincidence.

cardinals and more

There really isn't anything in my yard that's worth talking about, so here's a post dedicated to the birds who have been snacking at my feeders. I just want to say that Cardinals are hard to shoot because they are very skittish - they'll fly off if they sense that they're being 'watched.' So there's the excuse as to why these pics are a little blurry - I have to shoot fast before they see me.

Another shot of the young male at the feeder
Carolina Chickadee with the Cardinal waiting his turn to
gobble up the sunflower seeds

Female Cardinal on the lookout

Brown Thrasher - they're bottom feeders

A couple of Brown-headed Nuthatches

whose bed is it?

So one night while the family was chillin' out, Owen decided to take advantage of Margot's vacant bed. Well, let's just say he lasted about 5 minutes before Margot realized what was happening and she wasn't about to let Owen steal her bed. Here's how it went down...

happy (and proud) Owen

Margot making the first move to overthrow Owen

Getting a bit more aggressive

Upset that she got pulled out of the bed and forced to leave Owen alone

the gambler

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em - know when to walk away and know when to run....

You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table

there'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done...

holes

Last month the 'in' thing for Margot was a stick. This month, well, it's digging holes. Not cool, Margot...not cool.

it's been a while...

But I've been out and about these past few weeks doing a little bit of this and that....

view from my hotel room

and at night

nice billboard

autumnal changes

sticks

No, not the gweatest Amewican wock band (thank you, 'Big Daddy'), but you know, sticks - the things in your yard that dogs seem to be attracted to. Margot's starting to really like sticks and I like taking pictures of her knawing on them.

back by popular demand

Here are more pics of Margot. She's growing at a fast pace, so enjoy these 'puppy looks' while you can!

exploring the backyard

posing with Brother Owen
communicating with Owen through the back door
she's pouting b/c she had just been given a bath and was
unhappy about being it!
spooning my hair on the couch

owen needs some lurve

For all of you out there who are afraid Owen is being completely neglected with the onslaught of Margot, you're 99% wrong. That 1% is the act of throwing the mouse back and forth because Margot loves Owen's mice about as much as he did.....and even though Owen is fast Margot finds a way to beat him to it. And she's not very nice about sharing the mice so we usually never see it again because she eats it or hides it. Also, Owen doesn't really get fussed at like in the past when he did something wrong, so he's gliding by these days.

Anyways, here are some pics of Owen from the last couple weeks. He's really doing okay, guys...

he loves this window/bench!

looking for Ciara...

showing Margot who's boss

long time no see

Have been a little busy lately so apologies for the lack of posts. Actually planted some new shrubberrreeeees (Monty Python anyone?) in the last few days. Cannot remember the name of the plant, but am hoping all 3 will be able to shield the yard from the underbelly of the deck.

Also, I had to trim my neighbor's Morning Glory vine a couple weeks ago because it was killing my Rose of Sharon, but something interesting happened with the vines I had cut down and thrown in the back of my yard aka my trash pile. Clearly the bloom doesn't realize it has no support anymore as it's just blooming away, about 10 days after it was cut from the fence. I just thought it was really funny seeing as there's no way for it to be alive anymore, yet Margot and I just happened upon a random MG bloom on a morning potty trip out this week. Take a look....

more of margot

Here are some photos of Margot's second week with us. She's adjusting quite well and let's just say Owen's coming along...

Sleeping on the floor of our bathroom

Chilling hips down and open on the floor of our dining room

Looking kyoot while playing with her new bunny squeak toy

Sleeping on my foot

About to touch noses with Owen

hello margot

Got a new addition to the family over the weekend, folks. Her name is Margot and she will be 13 weeks this Thursday. She was one of seven pups born to a Cocker Spaniel/Border Collie mix and we believe (from seeing pics of her siblings) that the father was an Australian Shepherd mix. She's a couch dog who loves belly rubs, trips to the yard, watching Owen and most of all, her new daddy. Seriously, she's attached to him. It's pretty unbelievable...

Owen on the other hand....well, let's just say he's slowly adjusting to the notion of having a little sister. I know Margot longs for the days when they can be BFF, but she'll probably have to wait a while for that to happen....