Split Pea Soup

2C dried split peas           
3 Q Water           
2 lbs smokes butt or ham           
1/4 C celery minced           
1 med onion minced           
2 T butter of bacon fat           
2 tsp salt           
1/4 tsp white pepper           
2 T flour           
           
Soak peas overnight in enough water to cover them well           
combine peas, water and meat - boil           
reduce heat and simmer 3.5 hours           
remove meat and dice - return to soup pot           
return soup to simmer           
fry celery & onion in butter/grease           
add flour, salt, pepper and stir for 1-2 minutes           
add a cup of soup to frying pan and mix well           
add frying pan mix to soup pot           
simmer until soup thickens           
           
approx 18 servings