slow cooker vegetable bean soup

 This soup was super simple and easy but it was delicious. And perhaps one of the least expensive soups you can make!   I think the key is to cook it for a LONG time.  The longer the better.

slow cooker vegetable bean soup (slightly adapted from one lovely life)
1 pound dried Great Northern beans, soaked overnight if possible, drained and rinsed
3 carrots, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup)
1 onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoons dried sage
6 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste

Soak beans in water at least 4-12 hours or overnight.  Drain and rinse beans in a colander.
Place soaked beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic and sage in the slow cooker.
Cover with broth.
Cover with lid and cook on HIGH for 8 hours.  The longer it cooks, the creamier the soup gets.  Season with salt and pepper.  You may need to be generous.