Amish bean soup

    
2cnavy beans,  dried
2 1/2qtwater
1eaham bone (1 1/2 lbs)
1eagarlic, clove, minced
1eabay leaf
1cpotatoes, cubed
1ccelery, thinly sliced
1conion, finely chopped
1ccarrots, cubed
1xsalt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Boil the beans in the water for 2 minutes before removing them from the heat to let stand for 1 hour.  Then add the ham bone, garlic and bay leaf to the beans, and cover and simmer them for 2 hours or until the ingredients are almost tender.  Add the vegetables and salt and pepper to taste, and simmer them for 1 hour longer.  Remove the ham bone, cut off the meat and dice it to add to the beans.  Reheat the soup almost to boiling, then remove the bay leaf.