Ham and bean soup.........the BEST!!!!!

Ok..I know...you all are thinking...bean soup is bean soup! I thought that too, until I tried this recipe! I got it from the internet...and I can't even tell you where?
But here it is.

Ham and Bean soup

Soak 1 lbs. of navy beans overnight in 8 cups of cold water. Or do a 'fast soak'. Put beans and 8 cups of water into stock pan. Bring to a boil, and boil 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let soak for an hour. Drain this water off, and rinse beans in cold water.

1 celery stalk, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tomatoes, chopped...juice and all
2 carrots chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 1/2 cups cubed up ham
1 ham hock or ham bone
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. dry mustard powder
1 tsp. white pepper
2 tsps. liquid smoke

After draining beans, add 8 cups cold water. Then add ham bone, ham, bay leaf, dry mustard, pepper, chopped carrots, parsley, and tomatoes. With heat on medium, let it all simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Heat a large frying pan, and spray with Pam. Add the chopped celery, onion, garlic, and the liquid smoke....and saute for 3 minutes. Add the contents of the frying pan to the soup,, and stir well. Simmer for 45 minutes. Your hickory smoked ham and bean soup is now finished.
It is well worth the time to make it, believe me!!
Make some good cornbread to go with it!! Yummy!!!!!!!