Split Pea Soup With Barley

Our weather forecast changed from a winter watch to advisory to warning yesterday.  I decided it would be a good day for soup so I put together these ingredients in the crock pot last night.  The aroma was so good I almost had it for breakfast.

Split pea soup with barley

7 cups water
1 Chicken Bouillon cube
16  oz green split peas, rinsed
1 bay leaf
2 large cloves fresh garlic minced
1 cup carrots peeled and diced
1/4 cup onion finely chopped
1/2 cup barley
1 tbsp celery flakes
1 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
kosher salt to taste
2 cups diced smoked ham (optional)

Place water and chicken bouillon in crock pot set to high.  Add in rinsed split peas, onions, garlic and carrots.  Add in ham.  Stir in spices.  Let cook on high for 1 hour and then set to low for 6 hours.  1 hour before serving, add in barley.