Aunt Susan's Minestrone

The last time I made this, I was in college and trying to impress a boy. So, as I was planning this week's menu my husband says to me, "Do we have a recipe for a GOOD minestrone?" And, I think, "Well, yes I do." You see, my husband was not the afore mentioned boy. Let's hope that it will impress my husband, too.
{Aunt Susan's Minetrone Soup}
1 1/2 - 2 lbs Italian seasoned sausage (or, 1 lb sausage with 1 lb ground beef)
2 qts water
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 can of beef broth
2 small cans of tomato sauce
1 large can of tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1 Tbsp parsley flakes
1 clove garlic, minced

Cook, crumble, and drain the sausage and ground beef. Combine with all other ingredients and simmer for 6 hours. That's right - 6 hours!

20 minutes prior to serving, add:
2 C. noodles
1 can green beans, cut
1 can yellow wax beans (you could also use garbanzo beans)
1 tsp sugar
salt & pepper, to taste

Serve warm with parmesan cheese and crusty bread.

*I just got the simmer started on mine, I can't wait to smell it cooking all . . . day . . . long.