MAMAW'S HAM & DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Place rinsed and soaked beans, that have been rinsed again and drained well, into a large soup pot.
• Add all remaining ingredients to the pot (EXCEPT THE BISCUITS)
• Water should be covering contents of the top (plus about 2 inches). If it is not, add more water until it does.
• Cook uncovered on Med-High until boiling, stirring occasionally.
• Once boiling, cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
• Simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove the ham bone, pick all meat from the bone and chop it up. Return chopped ham to the pot, and discard the bone now.
• Remove bay leaf from pot and discard.
• Leaving the lid off, return pot to a boil.
• Once boiling, add "dumplings" by pinching small pieces of biscuits off and throwing them into the pot as you do. Keep going til you are out of biscuits.
• Stir the small biscuits pieces into the pot weel, then reduce heat to low and cook another 30 minutes. Add water as desired, if it gets too thick. ((( Should NOT be runny like a soup though at all )))).
• Serve hot and enjoy! Freezes well too!