Jan's Crockpot Hamburger Soup

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (1 lb.) package mixed frozen vegetables (carrots, beans, corn, and peas)
• 3 ribs celery, chopped, including tops
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can beef broth (or 3 beef bouillon cubes)
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1/4 c. barley
• 1/2 t. freshly ground pepper
• 2 T. fresh oregano, chopped (or 1/2 t. dried oregano)
• 2 T. fresh basil, chopped (or 1/2 t. dried basil)
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 t. dried thyme)
• 1/2 t. paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 T. seasoned salt
• 1 T. soy sauce
• 1/2 c. fresh, chopped parsley (or 2 T. dried parsley)
• 1 (7 oz.) package small alphabet-shaped pasta (can substitute other small pasta like orzo, shells, or macaroni, if desir

PREPARATION: