Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe

Cauliflower Cheese Soup

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup sifted flour
3 cups chicken stock
1 lb. broccoli or cauliflower
1 tsp. worcestorshire sauce
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups half and half (or milk)

In large saucepan, cook onion in butter until tender. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in the chicken broth, then cauliflower, and worcestorshire over medium heat. Cook and stir until thickened and cauliflower is tender. (about 10 mins.) Add cheese and cream. (I use lowfat milk.) Cook until cheese melts, (stirring constantly.)

I made a pot of this soup today. It's really delicious. Yesterday I waited all day for Animal Control to come and pick up Carlie's body. They told me that it could take up to 72 hours, and they couldn't give me an estimated time of arrival. They charge $60.00.  It was frustrating to not know when they would get here. I had an Etsy order to send out, and I have never experienced having a dead body in the house. In the past, I have always put my dogs down at the vet, but Carlie died at home in the evening. This was how the moon looked that night.

I called my vet to ask their advice, and they told me that if I could get her there, there wouldn't be any charge for cremation. My neighbor offered to help me carry her to the car. Because I've had my hips replaced, there is no way I could lift her by myself. As my father says, there is a reason they call it dead weight. She felt like a bag of bricks. My neighbor and her husband came over, and the three of us lifted her into the trunk of my car. It was very sad, but also a relief.

I've been thinking about all the sweet things that she used to do. I miss her terribly. She's left a huge gaping hole in our lives. I didn't realize what a strong presence she had. She was such a faithful and protective guard dog. Lana and I always felt so safe with her here. She reminded me of a police dog, so focused, committed,  and strong.

I had forgotten the level of grief that occurs when you lose a dog. Their love is so unconditional. I keep wishing that she could come back. I always ask my dogs to come back to me in another lifetime, and sometimes it seems like they do. This morning, when I came home from running Lana on the Walkydog, I thought, "Now it's time to walk Carlie," but she isn't here. I automatically started to fill her dish with food, then I remembered. I packed it up, along with her crate, and threw away her soiled bed.

Many people have offered me dogs already, but I am grieving for  Carlie. The cottage feels so much bigger without her belongings and  her large, muscular body. She was a magnificent being. I pulled out all of her vet records and papers and put them in the recycling bin. It turns out that she was only seven. I miscalculated. She would have turned eight in November. I'm glad that she she had a happy, albeit short,  life here.  She would always sneak on the bed and lay on that blanket that I had made.