yellow split pea soup

yellow split pea soup
1bag split yellow peas
one meaty ham bone or not for vegan
6 cups vegetable broth i used Swanson
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic peeled and smashed diced
4 large carrots peeled and diced
4 stalks celery diced
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 teaspoon pepper
salt to taste if not using ham bone


rinse and sort peas cover with water bring to a boil remove from heat let soak 1 hour   meanwhile chop vegetables   when the hour is up drain the peas and add the vegetable broth and the next ingredients cook until the peas are soft     i toasted some french bread cubes in butter in a skillet and served on top   good with or without ham