Answers
Since I can't answer replies directly (what gives Tumblr?), I'm going to answer them publicly! Here we go:
@thoroughlymilly
You can find the base recipe that I used for the beef and barley soup right here. It's a great starting recipe and I've been commissioned to make more but with mushrooms. Also, I used a bit more barkley than she did and mine puffed up and ended up making more of a stew than a soup in the end. It's so satisfying, I can't stop eating it.
@bringingsparkleback
SAUCE BOSS!!!! To end the summer, my best friend's boyfriend (aka best friend in law) and I have a BBQ sauce battle royale at my cottage. There are no rules, your sauce just has to get more votes to win. Last year, it was battle chicken wing. I lost by one point. Last weekend was battle pork, I lost again by one point. Next year is battle beef and I'm planning on beating him by 2 points. I owe him that.
It's an amazing weekend full of laughter and cooking and it's turning into my favorite event of the year!