This soup literally came together in a matter of minutes, so it was the perfect lazy Sunday afternoon meal. The ham and leeks worked great together, because the ham was more meaty and flavorful while the leeks were light and slightly crunchy. Part of what contributes to this soup’s character is the thyme, which gave the soup a mildly sweet, herby taste without taking all the attention away from the natural vegetable flavors. If you forget to buy the peas and carrots before making the soup, but have some stashed away in your freezer, the frozen ones will do just fine. If the frozen veggies are smaller than you’d like, you can add more. Also, if you prefer your broth a little heartier, you can add a few tablespoons (2-3 depending on how much you’re making) of flour and/or unsalted butter.