Split Pea Soup

I didn't appreciate this recipe until I was an adult. Now I find it so smooth and comforting. And my kids like it, which always helps.

Split Pea Soup
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb bag green split peas
2 ½ quarts (10 cups) water
¼ tsp garlic salt

HOW TO PREPARE:
Bring to a boil. Turn off heat. Let stand 1 hour.

Mix in: 1 cup chopped onion, ½ tsp pepper, ¼ tsp butter, 1 cup celery pieces, 1 cup carrots, 1 tsp parsley.

First boil, then simmer. For 2 hours or until peas are done.

Take 2 cups of soup & blend it in the blender with 2 cups milk, then add back into soup.

Cook 3-4 bacon strips. Pour grease & crumbled up bacon into soup.

Cut up 2 slices of ham (½ inch each) into bitesize pieces and add to soup. YUM!