Pea Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 c. water
1 lb. dried green split peas (2 1/4 c.)
1 ham bone with some meat on it (1 1/2 lb.)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 to 1 c.)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. sliced or diced carrots (about 2 medium)
1 c. sliced celery (about 2 medium stalks)
1/4 tsp. dried marjoram, crushed (optional)

Preparation

Rinse peas (sort over first, so there are no small stones, etc. to break a tooth on).
Heat peas and 8 cups water in large pot to boiling.
Boil 2 minutes.
Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour.
Stir onion, salt and pepper into peas.
Heat to boiling; reduce heat.
Cover and simmer until peas are tender, about 1 hour.
Stir occasionally.
Skim fat if necessary.
(I trim most fat off before cooking.)