Beef and Barley Stew

Last weekend we got what a normal Nebraska winter delivers....

LOTS of Snow!!

Mother Nature decided our 69 degree February days needed to stop. 

 She dumped a foot of wet and heavy perfect for making snowmen snow!!

While my kids built a HUGE snowman outside my kitchen window, I sliced and diced and put a big crock pot full of beef and barley stew on for dinner.

frosty was over 7 feet tall!

My kids were excited about snow, but not nearly as excited as they are to be counting down the days until we can go stay with their grandparents on the beach in San Diego!!

My oldest son had an idea to take a picture in the snow with their swimsuits on to 

send to grandpa and grandma.

I told them to pose like they were looking for the beach.

"Which way to the beach??"

Fastest picture I ever snapped!

beef and barley stew

A bowl of this will warm you right up!!

After church, we came home and filled our bowls up with some hot steamy stew.

My niece came down for dinner, and after dinner we played Yahtzee!

Growing up, we used to have major Yahtzee marathons during snowstorms!

Such fun!! 

Beef and Barley Stew

2 pounds beef stew meat

flour

oil

salt and pepper

4 or 5 carrots, sliced

4 or 5 potatoes, diced

4 stalks celery, diced

1 large onion, diced

1/2 cup barley

2 cans tomato soup

4 cans water

1 Tablespoon beef bouillon

Dredge beef in flour, brown in a skillet with hot oil.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Combine beef and vegetables with all other ingredients in the crock pot.

Cook all day long.  Broth will thicken as barely absorbs and stew cooks.

I hope you enjoy!