Chloetry-Why do you smell like a horse?

I have to know, 

Where you go, 

It's what I fear, 

When you are not here, 

That you should have fun, 

Out in the sun.  

Without your favorite Chlo, 

Where do you go? 

Yesterday you came back, 

you had a small pack, 

Things that had a smell, 

I could tell, 

With one sniff with my nose, 

What you chose!

You came back with the smell of horse.

I was mad, of course.  

I know everyone loves the horse, 

What could be a greater force, 

but I know they could love Chlo, 

They just don't know, 

Take me to school instead, 

It will get me out of bed, 

Stop that horsing around, 

Bring me, the beautiful hound.  

Chlofused: What did I just do?

 I am so Chlofused I can't quite figure out what I am doing!  Yesterday started like every other day.  I went out and did some business.  While I was outside, I saw a terrible incident!  My mom's planter had fallen and spread all over the ground.  The flowers will never make it if the seeds are not in the soil!  I went straight into Sherlock Chlo mode and decided to do my own investigation.  As I was pondering the scene and marking the territory off, I caught a scent of something not so great.  It was most definitely not a smell from the grill.  As I followed the scent, I apprehended my first suspect:  a small garden snake.  I swear I was only going to question him, but Chlo the huntress came out.  I thought he would be the next great delicacy that would allow me to launch a new blog about food, but one lick and I knew it was no bunny.  The more I thought about the scenario, the more I truly believed that the snake was innocent.  I decided to close the case contributing the broken door to the large amount of rainfall we had over the last few days.  I hope my mom doesn't launch into Sherlock Kara mode and discover I am responsible for the end of our very dear snake friend.  I was so distraught I even did the slow motion guilty walk of shame into the house.  I believe my mom suspects something is up.   Hopefully she still loves me and give me my regular treatos.  I have a picture of our deceased friend, but I will spare you the agony.  

Know your role.

Biggest news ever!  My baseball card is here!  Chlo Klepp has been drafted to the cubs baseball team.  I wonder if Kevin Rizzo has a baseball card.  I will have to look that up!  I will admit I was surprised to be playing first base;  I thought Rizzo had it covered or at least would be training Kevin to take over that position.  He has small legs like I do.  I suspect they need more help in the bull pin which would be fine by me, because I heard they took up pickleball.  I know a lot about pickleball from my mom, so I think I would fit right in.  Who am I kidding of course I would fit in anywhere I went, because I am Chlo Klepp the superstar.  My mom thinks I am a little bossy, so she thinks I would be a good general manager to keep those players in line.  It is a lot of responsibility, and I don't know if they would want to cuddle their general manager.  But I live in the real world, I am not a pitcher or a general manager.  They hired me really for my bunny bounty hunter experience.  Wrigley field has to be kept free of vermin.  

Oh wait, I don't want to leave home without my mom.  Someone needs to supervise her in the backyard. This weekend we did a back yard beautification project.  I did a great job protecting the back yard especially when anyone or anything hit the back fence.  I put up a ruckus when my mom stepped onto the other side of our fence.  I think I have watched too many zombie shows, because I know when you leave the safety of the back yard, nothing good happens.  I really was expecting mom to be lost forever.  I had a lot to say as I watched her mow the backyard from my perch.  I sounded the alarm at every chance.  She is so lucky to have such a good lookout.  Good thing I have not signed my official contract with the cubs.  

 

Sherlock Chlo and the Case of the Missing Marigolds

Sherlock Chlo is back trying to solve two mysteries:  Where is spring? and Where are the Marigold seeds?  

The case of Spring:  I keep thinking the weather will wake up and smell the roses, so that things will warm up and we can plant our flowers.  They are taking up every inch of space in the house.  Who knew that I would even get tired of all the vegetation surrounding me.  The real issue is that mom can't cook much with all the flowers in the kitchen and I should remind you that I like to eat.  I also like hanging out in the back yard, but mom says it is too cold to go through the back yard beatification projects.  So where did spring go?  I have asked a few of my friends and they respond it is just Illinois.  So I guess mystery number 1 solved.      

The case of the Marigolds:  I convinced mom that she could plant seeds and they would be ok.  So, she went to plant the Marigolds that she harvested last year.  She went to the basement and they were not where she put them.  She found her other herb seed packets, but the Marigolds eluded her.  I used my sniffer to help, and determined that there were no Marigold seeds anywhere in the house.  Some dogs are trained to sniff out drugs, I am trained to sniff out Marigold seeds.  However, I am not very good at my job, because I didn't find any, but I do believe there was a memory in my brain that shows Christian cleaning out parts of the basement.  My theory is that Christian took the seeds and threw them in the garbage cans.  We called and interrogated him, but he pleads innocence.  I am now on the the mission to find some evidence.  This case has been very tricky.  My mom is distraught, and I need to get to the bottom of this.  

GMa and I on Mother's Day

PS.  I had a great mother's day with Mom and Gma

PSS  Happy Birthday Maggie!  I hope that Pearl is behaving for you. 

  

The morning WAKE up with Chlo Klepp

 

The morning wake up show with Chlo Klepp starts now.  Topics for today's discussion:  how many more days left of school, when is the warm up going to happen, what's on your plate, how to keep a busy agenda without midweek slumps, and finally what to tune into this weekend.  

First up:  Another morning wake up call.  Mom only has to do this 15 more times until summer break.  That is a good enough reason to be smiling this morning.  I know she is a little grumbly, but it is Friday and she got to wake up to me smiling.  

The warm up is still a few days out.  For this weekend, setting up the garden and planting flowers are possible, but the cold weather might stunt the growth.  There is rain in the forecast, so make sure to bring an umbrella and grab a sweater in the early morning.  I do not like feeling the chill.

Moving on to the next topic which is my favorite topic:  What's on your plate.  For mother's day, mom is bringing out the grill for porkchops.  My mom is also making a side of zucchini casserole.  Then for dessert, a Texas white cake which is the perfect addition to a mother's day celebration.  GMa will be impressed.  

Let's beat the midweek slump by getting up and taking your favorite dog outside for a walk.  The fresh air and sun does a body good.  After your walk, you can give your fur friends a belly rub.  Pets are a great answer to a happier day.  PS.  I accept all pets, belly rubs, and secret treats.  

Finally, what anthem are we listening to?  A little Lady Gaga:  Make sure to take time to love yourself and who you are, because Baby, you were born this way.  Even with my big ears, I am beautiful.  I couldn't agree more with Lady Gaga, I was most definitely born a superstar.  

My mama told me when I was young

We are all born superstars

She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on

In the glass of her boudoir

"There's nothing wrong with loving who you are"

She said, "'Cause he made you perfect, babe"

"So hold your head up girl and you'll go far,

Listen to me when I say"

I'm beautiful in my way

'Cause God makes no mistakes

I'm on the right track, baby

I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret

Just love yourself and you're set

I'm on the right track, baby

I was born this way

  

Chlo Love = Lasagna Love

 Mom is always trying to be a better person, so I thought I should try as well. I might have a lot of room for improvement.   Mom signed up to be a part of a group called Lasagna Love where we make Lasagna for people who either are working too hard to have a good meal, people who need extra support raising a family, or people who do not have enough to eat.  Mom says it helps build community.   Last night she got a request for a vegan lasagna.  Mom said she didn't know how to do this, so I examined four different recipes and here is what we came up with.

step 1:  boil the lasagna noodles.

step 2:  Use a food processor to chop up the carrots, celery, broccoli  (mom wouldn't let me use my teeth which is probably good because I might accidently swallow the vegetables)

step 3:  cut up the mushrooms and add spinach

step 4:  cook up the vegetables in the pan with onion and garlic

step 5:  add amino or soy sauce

Step 6: MY FAVORITE--- the layers.  

        a.  sauce

        b.  noodles

        c.  hummus

        d. vegetables

Repeat!

Step 7:  add the rest of the sauce

Step 8 top with roasted cashews (food processed with lemon and garlic)  

During these steps, I tried out a few vegetables.  I had a bite of broccoli and a bite of carrot.  Taste testing is an important part of the cooking process.  I did a very good job watching the lasagna cook in the oven.  The smells were quite good even though I was definitely missing the meat part.  I don't believe I was meant to be a vegan dog.  I will have to eat a few more vegan dishes to make my final decision, but in my dreams when my feet are running, I am dreaming about baby bunnies.  

Mom made a small portion for herself and she said it was deliciously nutty.  I am much happier when she calls the lasagna nutty and not me, but I am pretty sure Charlie is nutty.  He tends to guard the refrigerator and doesn't let people open the door very easily.  I keep telling him that we want the refrigerator door open to see what's cooking, but he is becoming more senile.  Silly Charlie.  I was feeling like a much better dog until I started making rude comments about Charlie.  I might need to make some more lasagna.  

Chlo-accessary- Much more than a dog

Mom is the most stylish person I know and she is making me an accessary to all of her best outfits.  I do believe that a black bag goes with everything especially when there is a cute me in that bag.  I can picture it now out on the town going shopping, out to dinner, a date, a movie, and so many other places all because of this bag!  The options are unlimited.  I do hope that we can go to the farmer's market next week!  That would be a great debut of the black bag.  I won't even have to walk which is especially important for long distance travel.  I am not lazy, but have very short legs.  Mom will carry me and I will be nestled so close.  I do want to make mom aware that this is a one dog bag, no room for Charlie.  I can only imagine how bad he smells and how often he would step on me.  I do hope that mom starts carrying this bag soon!  I did notice that she left without me again this morning.  I even offered to jump into the bag.  For sure I'll get to go next time!  The greatest accessory is a small bag full of love.  I promise not to make too much noise, but a girl can't help it getting excited for the adventure to come.