Wash and soak overnight 1 lb dried beans (navy or Great Northern or any bean you like) in a large kettle with enough water to cover beans. Next morning, add water to make 5 qts. Add a smoked ham bone with some meat on it (a sizeable ham hock may be used). Simmer about 2 hours or until beans begin to mush. Add: 3 medium potatoes ( cooked and broken up into small pieces), 1 c chopped onion and 1 c chopped celery and 2 cloves minced garlic. Simmer one hour. Remove bone and cut up meat and return it to the soup.Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes about 4 ^1/₂ qts. Tastes really good when served with warm corn bread.