Winter Barley Soup

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds lamb stew meat, cut in 1 1/2 inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup barley
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced
• 1/2 green pepper, diced
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme