AMISH BEAN SOUP

1 lb (2 cups) navy beans, dried
2 1/2 quarts good bottled water
1 meaty ham bone -- 1 1/2 Lbs
1 clove organic garlic, minced
1 small organic bay leaf
1 cup cubed organic potatoes
1 cup organic celery, thinly sliced
1 cup organic onion, finely chopped
1 cup organic carrots, cubed
Salt and white pepper to taste

Boil the beans in the water for 2 minutes before removing
them from the heat to let stand for 1 hour. Then add the
ham bone, garlic and bay leaf to the beans, and cover and
simmer them for 2 hours or until the ingredients are
almost tender. Add the vegetables and salt and pepper to
taste, and simmer them for 1 hour longer. Remove the ham
bone, cut off the meat and dice it to add to the beans.
Reheat the soup almost to boiling, then remove the bay
leaf.