Yummy soup recipe

I am glad it's getting colder. I like the cooler weather. I enjoy picking out recipes that are great for fall and winter, turning on the heat, bundling up in long sleeves and pants. Oh, and getting out the fuzzy, warm, thick socks and settle in with a good book and something warm to drink. Which reminds me, I need to see if Jason will make his famous mulled cider, yum, yum!!!

Anyways, speaking of recipes, I found a really yummy vegetable beef soup. I keep looking for one and couldn't find any that suited my taste. Guess I am picky! So, I was looking through the book, Eating for Life by Bill Phillips. He writes the Body for Life book. He has recipes that we actually like. No frou-frou ingredients. I was needing some new ideas for suppers and came across this soup. We had it tonight. Perfect for a cold day.

Beef and Barley Soup:
1 tbs olive oil
1 1/2 lbs top sirloin, cubed
4 cups low-fat, reduced-sodium beef broth
1 cup water
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, sliced
1 carrot sliced
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup pearl barley
1 bay leaf
10oz frozen green beans
1 can (14 1/2oz) diced tomatoes
10oz frozen green peas

1: Brown cubed beef till browned on all sides in olive oil
2: Stir in beef broth, water, onion, celery, carrot, oregano, black pepper, garlic, barley and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 mins.
3: Stir in grean beans, tomatoes, and peas. Simmer, covered, until meat and vegetables are tender, about 15 mins. Remove bay leaf

I didn't leave this on the stove top. I browned the beef and then added everything to the crockpot. I had a few packages of vegetables in the freezer that I was able to use up with this soup. I had a pea/carrot mix that I used, but cut up a few raw carrots too. If I had gotten this all in the crockpot by noon instead of 2:30, the carrots would have time to cook all the way through. I also added a can of tomato sauce at the end and heated through. Tasted wonderful!

Nothing else has been going on. Nate and I have been having fun. Went to the park the other day. Nate loves climbing on all the structures there.
Jason took next week off. I am going to be getting some things done. I wanted to start a calender with Nate but hadn't gotten that far. Also, I wanted to start working on the alphabet with him too. Needed to get something copied and laminated. I am going to take advantage of Jason being home to do all this. I am also getting Nate signed up for Parents Day Out at a church not far from us. Thursday's only. I am going to let him stay all day. Should be interesting since he will be having a nap there and he wont sleep in a crib there, only on a cot. At least he can have his blanket with him. He will also have lunch there.

I bought another diaper from my message board! It is blue with vintage vans on it! I can't wait to get it. I also bought 2 John Deere diapers there a few weeks ago. When I get the new diaper, I will take pictures and share.

Went thru Nate's toys again the other day. We replaced the rocking chair and shelf that were in his room with his train table. The table was in the front room but it was taking up alot of room. Kept a few toys for the front room and found some cute baskets to put them in. I will have to take a picture of it all. I am proud of myself and getting it all organized. Nate still has toys in the back room. It's primarily Little People back there. Downstairs is misc toys. We are in the process of rearranging the basement area to accommodate the toys and his climbing cube. Can't wait till thats done. Hopefully we will be downstairs more. Especially this winter so Nate can climb all he wants.

I think I am going to stop here. I might go out for a few before Nate goes to bed. Jason wants to go to the YMCA after Nate goes to bed. We are heading out to the pumpkin patch tomorrow and then the Fire Station for an open house.