Stew-- a long time in coming

We've been screwing around with this recipe for quite a while now, and we've got something that we think works.  Still, we're probably going to keep screwing around with it, and we recommend you screw around with it, too.  So far, it's been kind of a catch-all of whatever we've got in the house and need to get rid of (and is reasonable to put into this stew).

Hearty Veggie Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 full container (16oz) Veggie broth (you can make this from Better Than Bullion, or use meaty broth if you choose). 
• 2 Corn Cobs (With Corn)
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 Full Onion, sliced (red or yellow)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tsp Thyme
• 3-5 medium to large potatoes, cut into small (~1/2 in) cubes.
• 2-4 carrots, sliced
• A bunch of green beans, cut in half
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 cup milk
• Some kale, chopped, if you're brave (and the most nutrition-conscious person ever!)
• 1/4 cup Barley

Directions:  Cut all the corn off of the cob, and save it in a bowl for later.  Put the Veggie Broth and the remaining cob into a pot and let simmer on the stove for 20-30 minutes.  This will help to thicken up the broth.  In the mean time, place the olive oil, onion, garlic, and 1/2 tsp thyme in a pan and turn the burner on low.  Gently saute the mixture until it becomes fragrant (slow sauteing will release the flavors to mix with the broth later.  Cooking on high will lock the flavors into these bits, making them very flavorful when you find them in the stew, but not letting the rest of the stew enjoy their flavors).  Turn the crock-pot on high, and combine the following in it:  The Broth (minus the cobs), the sauted mix, the potatoes, the carrots, the green beans, the pepper, the milk, and the remaining 1/2tsp Thyme.  Mix it all well, and let the mixture stew for 1 hour (you can mix occasionally if you like).  After an hour, switch the heat to low and add the saved corn.  Let stew for another hour, then add the Barley (and chopped kale!), and let the mixture stew for 30-45 minutes.  Serve with some freakin' delicious bread.

Your mileage may vary.  You can probably stew the mix for longer before adding the barley and kale, but you should be careful about adding those two if you still have a long time until eating.  Too much time can make them really soggy.