Chicken Soup.

My husband came down with the flu tonight so I'm making a simple soup.  This is a loose list of ingredients & prep directions I turn to when I'm worn through & in the kitchen only because I "have" to be. I like the texture of barley & how quickly it all seems to come together. If I have lemons, like I do tonight, I throw big hunks in; it sounds weird, but it's refreshing when you or one of your babes don't feel good.
Ingredients for Ash's simple chicken, (sometimes lemon y) barley soup:

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2  cans chicken broth
• 1 3/4 cups water
• salt
• dried thyme
• pepper
• 1 cup chopped cooked chicken (I like to poach the chicken)
• 1/2 cup uncooked quick-cooking barley

Preparation

1. Saute first 4 ingredients in hot oil in a large pot over medium-high heat about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth, 1 3/4 cups water, and rest of stuff. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, 23 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.  Add optional lemon & mint at end, if you have it on hand.