Sydney's Minestrone Soup

2 C dried beans (mixed kidney or pinto & navy), soaked at least 1 hr 
   in hot water and rinsed
3 cloves garlic, peeled & pressed or minced
1 onion, minced
1 lg. potato, scrubbed & chopped to bean size
3 carrots, scrubbed & chopped to bean size
2 stalks celery, chopped to bean size
1 16 oz. can tomatoes (about 2 cups) coarsly chopped

Combine above with water to 1-1/2 qts.

Add herbs:
1-2 t each basil, oregano, marjoram
1/2-1 t salt
black pepper to taste

Simmer 3+ hours (or crockpot on high all day).

Add:
1/4 C dry rice
(1 serving spaghetti, broken up)
1-2 C frozen green beans

Cook about 2 more hours.  Add water if needed.
(if cooking in crockpot, either add the rice and
spagetti in the morning, or use leftover pasta and rice
which are already cooked; microwave the frozen green
beans before adding).

Serve with parmesan or other shredded cheese.  Makes a good 
meal with salad and french or italian style bread. 

Makes about 10 cups. 
(May need to cut recipe in half to fit crock pot.)