Split Pea and Ham Soup

Today I made a big pot of split pea and ham soup because it was just that kinda day. Ever had a split pea and ham kinda day? I have them often... I call the days I think of Mimi my "split pea and ham days".

Some may call them "frappy days" others "owl days", the list could go on... 

"knitting days" 

"gardening days" 

"laugh so hard you pee your pants days" 

"SPAM days"

"Back scratch" days

"va ta days" (not sure on that spelling) 

"Chinese pudding days" 

Dare I say it, "leather strap days" 

But for me they are my split pea and ham days. Why you ask...split pea soup was one of Mimi's personal claims to fame. She was proud of her soup and was a self proclaimed split pea and ham soup guru (she could back her claim, she had the best pot of soup ever!). Her soup was tasty, delicious, and it just seems to wrap it's Mimi arms around you. No one could make it as good as she could, not even me and I followed her recipe to a T---well almost. ;)

My soup

Now the soup I made today is certainly nothing to brag about, actually it is not very good. For some reason it just didn't turn out like it should have. Soooo one of three things happened... 

1. I need more practice. 

2. Mimi is playing a trick on me...and still staking her claim to fame therefore ensuring I never make a pot as good as hers....I can just see her laughing now. 

3. She is still wrapping her loving arms around me, telling me that she is still there...even if the soup (or life) doesn't turn out like you thought. 

I tend to think that it is #3, I made the soup because something was telling me she was there and loving/ guiding me through each and every challenge life holds for me right now.... 

So I am sharing her recipe (hers was short hand so I added the directions) just in case you want to feel the same love I was lucky enough to feel today. Just don't forget to invite me over for some Mimi lovin' if you make it... 

Mimi's Split Pea and Ham Soup 

1 bag of split dried peas- soaked overnight and drained 

2 1/2 quarts of water 

1 1/2 cups sliced onions 

1/4 tsp garlic salt 

1/4 tsp marjoram salt pork or (even better) a HAM BONE with some meat remaining 

1 cup or carrots 

1 cup celery 

Add ingredients to a large stock pot reserving the carrots and the celery. Allow soup to simmer for 2 1/2- 3 hours stirring occasionally. Once peas are cooked through add the carrots and celery, cook an additional 45mins- 1 hour until vegetables are cooked through. Remove ham bone (adding meat back into the soup).