Halloween Goo (Split Pea Soup)

I usually buy a bag of split peas and then follow the recipe on the back of the bag with my own alterations as I feel that day:) This time I did:

1) 2 T oil in bottom of very large pot and then add following ingredients and cook and stir a few minutes (can add a little water to the bottom of the pan to help steam the vegetables if desired):
-3 stalks celery chopped
-3 large carrots chopped
-2 medium potatoes chopped
-1 package of bacon cooked in microwave and cut into pieces
-1 medium chopped onion (or 1/4 cup dehydrated onion)
-4 cloves garlic smashed and peeled

2) next add
-49 oz of chicken broth (can make your own with water and chicken bouillon)
-1 tsp thyme
-the whole bag of split peas (sorted through first to make sure there are no little rocks or anything else that got mixed into them during packaging)

3) bring to a boil and then turn down heat to medium-low and simmer for about 60 minutes frequently stirring and adding a little more water or broth whenever it begins to get low.

4) when peas are soft and mushy, it is finished. You can blend up half of the mixture to make a creamier texture if desired.

Note: This makes a very large pot of soup which can easily be split into freezer containers for later or you can make only half a batch at a time.

serving suggestion: you can make little bat wing shaped pieces of toast and put them on top of each bowl of soup when serving. Also tastes really great with cornbread.