Beef and vegetable barley soup

I wasn't planning on cooking anything tonight, but I ended up throwing together a quick beef and vegetable barley soup and it turned out pretty well.

I'm home alone for dinner tonight, so I was contemplating eating at Jimmy John's or Subway for a fast meal. But as I strolled around the kitchen, I saw a few items that needed to be used. Wasting food is never good. So, I threw them in a pot and voila! more soup. As if that's what I need in my refrigerator. I have leftovers from the last two batches that I've made, but there's something about freshly made soup--it's definitely good for your soul.

I had somewhat of a mopey day today, which seems to be a trend lately. At times I feel like a duck. Nice and smooth sailing above water, but under the water where no one can see, feet are fluttering and stirring a million miles per hour. Somehow, soup seems to calm things down for me, though, so I was pleased to enjoy a bowl before I headed off to practice.

My quote across the top of my blog page states, "It takes a pure heart to make a good soup." I'm not sure I always agree with quote, especially considering who is given credit for having said it (Beethoven was far from pure at heart...), but I do know that a good soup makes your heart feel better. That sounds about right, but I do still enjoy the quote and I do enjoy good soup.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound chopped carrots, celery, onions
1 glove garlic
32 ounces beef broth
1/4 cup dry barley
1/4 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup frozen peas
1 cup water
salt and pepper to taste


Music: Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
Weather: 60-degrees