THE BEST BEAN SOUP

DUB EGBERT

1 1/2 lbs Navy Beans
1 Ham bone
1 large onion, sliced
2 carrots, cut in large pieces
2 stalks celery including leaves, chopped
5 Tablespoons bacon drippings
5 Tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 lb chopped ham

Clean beans, cover with water and bring to boil.  Remove from heat, cover, and let set for 1 hour.  Drain beans.  Add fresh water, ham bone and simmer for 1 hour.  Add onion, carrot, celery, salt and pepper.  Make a brown roux with the bacon drippings and flour.  Add to bean mixture.  Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.  Remove ham bone.  Strip any ham off the bone and add to the beans.  Remove carrots, celery and 1 cup of beans and puree in food processor, add to bean mixture.   Add the 1/2 lb chopped ham.  Simmer for 30 minutes.