Park City Beef Stew-Julie

1 pound beef
8 medium carrits, sliced thick
8 medium potatoes cubed
2 cups chopped celery
1 medium onion, cut in big chucnks
1 bay leaf
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
1 - 6 ounce can tomato sauce
1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Brown beef in 2 tablespoons of oil for 3-5 minutes.  Coat a large crock pot mith non-stick spray.  Layer beef, carrots, potatoes, onion and celery into crock pot.  Mix together soups, tomato sauce, dry soup mix and ground pepper.  Pour over beef and vegetables.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours on until vegetables and beef are tender.
Options:  add 2 cups frozen peas, or 1 cup sliced mushrooms during the last hour.