Ham Lentil Soup for the Slow Cooker

1 meaty ham bone
5 cups water
Cooked ham or bacon
2 cups red lentils
3 carrots, sliced or diced
1 cup green peas
1 cup corn
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 tsp thyme

1. Put ham bone and water in slow cooker. Cover. turn on low for 6-8 hours. Remove ham bone and pull the remaining meat off. Strain water in slow cooker to ensure there are no small pieces of bone left. Return broth to slow cooker, add the pieces of meat, plus as much extra ham or bacon as desired.

2. Add remaining ingredients. Cover. cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.