Aunt LeAnn's Cheddar Chowder

2 c boiling water
2 c cubed potatoes
1/2 c chopped carrots
1/2 c sliced celery
1 c chopped ham
1/4 c butter
1/4 c flour
2 c milk (I use 1/2 &1/2)
1/4 t pepper
1 1/2 t salt
2 c shredded cheese

Cook veggies in water 10 minutes. Don't drain. Set aside.
In a large pot, melt butter; add flour. Stir till smooth. Add milk. Stir till thick. Add Cheese. Stir till melted. Add ham, seasonings, and undrained vegetables. Heat through.

You can substitute other vegetables such as broccoli. I always use butter instead of margarine and 1/2 & 1/2 instead of milk. People love this and then I always tell them it is low fat and they look amazed. I'm sure it is NOT low fat. I don't like eating anything low fat. Life is too short to limit your fat intake.