Butter Beans

I like these with cornbread for lunch.   

1 pound dry lima beans
2 quarts tap water
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup of butter or margarine

1. Soak the beans overnight in the tap water, or bring them to a boil, Turn the heat off, cover and let them soak for 2 hours in the cooling water.

2. After soaking, drain, Cover with fresh water and simmer.  When the beans are almost tender add the salt, pepper and butter. Continue cooking until they are tender, but not mushy.  Overall they will take 1 - 1½ hours to cook depending on how old the beans are.