1 lb. dry navy beans
1 ham bone with meat

Soak beans overnight in 3 quarts water. Drain. In a large soup pot put ham bone and beans. Add 2 quarts cold water and simmer for 2 hours. Add:

4 c. mashed potatoes, minimum (more makes soup thicker)
3 med. onions, chopped
2 garlic buds, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Simmer all for 1 hour more.