Soup....

I have become a big fan of homemade soup recently, especially if it's fairly easy to make and I can cook it in the crock pot!
This is my husband's favorite soup/stew that I make (even my almost three year old eats it!)

Beef and Barley Soup/Stew

Ingredients:
1 package stew beef (1/2 lb or more depending on how much meat you like in your soup)
1/2 onion, chopped fine
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup chopped carrot (or more if you love carrots)
1 package portobello mushrooms, washed and cut/broken into pieces (keep em kinda big)
1 bottle/can beer (darker beers taste better)
4 cups beef broth
1 tbs dried oregano
1 bay leaf
3/4 pearl barley (rinsed)

Directions:

Add all ingredients EXCEPT the barley to crock pot/slow cooker, cook on low 8-12 hours. The longer you let it cook, the better it will taste (and it will make your house smell delicious!) Approx. an hour and a half before you are ready to eat, add the barley, stir, and turn crock pot to high, and put the lid back on.

Voila, dinner is done, don't forget to take the bay leaf out!

This is just as good (if not better) the next day, but may need some water added since the barley will continue to absorb liquid after you've finished cooking.