Old-Fashioned Bean Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb. dry navy beans, or dry green split peas
• 1 lb. meaty ham bone, or 1 lb. ham pieces
• 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 celery leaves, chopped
• 2 quarts water
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 bay leaf, optional