Split Pea & Ham Soup

It's been pretty gray around here the last few days and that always makes me want to cook soup ~ this time I was craving split pea and ham soup.  Luckily for me, I had a bag of green split peas in the pantry.  I just followed the recipe on the back of the bag, no need to get fancy.  The only things different I did was to add some chopped up celery and I added a cut-up smoked pork chop. 

I found a set of old, 1960's dishes a couple of months ago over at Goodwill & I just LOVE them!  I'm really getting into the whole 50/60's atomic/retro kitchenware vibe.  Now that I have a blog, I've got a great excuse to pick up cool plates and such when I find them.  You can't beat the price, most are about 50 cents-$1 each. I mean, I'm taking a lot of pictures and who wants to see the same ol'dishes every time. Right?  That's my story & I'm stickin' to it! teehee

On to the stove it went and in about an hour we had a great, big pot of ~ Split Pea & Ham Soup.  While the soup was merrily bubbling away, I baked up a box of Jiffy Corn Bread in my trusty cast iron skillet.  Quick and easy home cooking that hits the spot ~ that's one way to make the blah's go away.   : )

I like to use Hurst Beans, they're really good and they have a great selection.  For us, they're a local company and I really like that.  Here is another recipe using their green split peas that sounds good, especially for Spring, when asparagus is in season...