Willow surveys the sticks on shore, carefully picking one to fetch.
It is a long standing tradition of rotating hosting Christmas dinner among our family. This year it was Lisa’s brother Brent’s family’s turn. There was plenty of great food and wine and lots of good conversation and laughs.
Grey December beside the Columbia.
Brent generously gives me the turkey carcass as he knows I like to make broth from the bones. He always leaves some meat on the bones so I can add it to the soup the next day. Even at this late hour the soup is boiling. I will wait as long as I can before straining the broth. It will be put outside to cool.
Tomorrow I will sauté onions, carrots and onions, add the broth, the left over turkey and a handful of barley. That’s it, supper taken care of. The kids always loved that soup. Sometimes they would argue over whether I should add barley or pasta noodles. Barley usually won out.
An American Dipper holds down the ice beside the river.
My Mom and Dad used to make the same soup, from turkeys, but also wild chickens we shot. They called it mulligan. It was thick and gamey. They said it was soup that stuck to your ribs. I used to wonder what that saying meant. I thought, maybe the barley acted as glue and stuck to your insides. Later, when I understood a person could go hungry, I realized it could keep hunger away longer than many other foods, some much more expensive.
We are lucky to have so much.
My old path to the fish holes.
Palliser Pass 
Carol A. Hand
Beautiful photos and reflections, Bob, a poignant reminder to be grateful for the simple things that are most important in life.
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underswansea
Hi Carol, it is so good to hear from you. I hope you are having a wonderful Holiday Season. Thank you for your kind comments. Bob
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Julie@frogpondfarm
Wonderful photos Bob … great to take walks down memory lane! Now that soup sounds like a winner 🙂
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underswansea
Hi Julie, the soup was delicious! Hope you are having a wonderful Holiday Season. Bob
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mountaincoward
Definitely barley in the soup – can’t beat a good, warming, nutritious soup in winter!
Can’t get over how tough your little dog is wanting to get into the river in winter!
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underswansea
Hi Carol, yes I am for barley also. Yes my little dog is definitely tough. She loves swimming at any temperature. If it is too cold I won’t take her to the river. Take care. Bob
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Jim R
I agree with mountaincoward. Go with the barley.
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underswansea
Hi Jim, I also prefer the barley. Take care. Bob
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larrymuffin
I have no idea what a wild chicken is, never heard of them, sounds interesting. Thank you for your blog, all the best in 2019 and more adventures with Willow. This little dog is amazing, maybe my female wire hair dachshund Nora could follow Willow but Nicky my other one would probably want to just stay home and sleep.
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underswansea
Thank you so much Larry. A wild chicken is also called a grouse. We have several species here. It was something we had often when I was a kid growing up in a family who depended on hunting. I am pleased you like hearing of Willow’s adventures. I also enjoy hearing about Nicky and Nora. All the best. Bob
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