Ham and Bean Soup

I was given a ham bone so I asked my sister-in-laws how to make soup. They said to boil the ham bone with onion and celery for about 3 hours. Strain the soup, maintaing the liquid. Put fresh onion and celery back in. Take the bone and cut off any ham still on it. Return the meat into the soup. Add carrots, if desired. I used canned butter beans but you can use fresh beans and boil with the bone. Season to taste. I used garlic pepper, celery, parsley and onion. It turned out great!! It's something I would do again!