Split Pea Soup With Ham

2 lbs dried split peas (2 pkgs)
1 med. onion chopped fine
4 carrots minced
4 stalks celery minced
1 ham bone optional or
2 cups or less of chopped baked ham
(I prefer honey ham) optional
4 bay leaves
sea salt, fresh ground peppercorns to taste
chicken bouillon to taste

Place split peas in very large crock pot. I process onion, celery, carrots in
proessor. Place over split dried peas in in crock pot. Add bay leaves and cover
with water with few inches over peas. Add ham bone (optional)Simmer all day or
overnite in crock pot. Remove ham bone and dice ham off bone returning ham to soup. Season to taste with salt, pepper, chicken bouillon (optional). If it is too thick add wate, simmer, and taste again for seasoning. Serve with cheese crouton if desired, Freezes well.