Country Potato Soup

Name: Country Potato Soup
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 pd Thick-cut bacon; 4 tbsp Salted Butter; 6 Garlic Cloves (minced); 1 Medium white onion (diced); 3 Carrots (peeled and cute into 1/2 inch dice); 3 Celery Stalks (cut into 1/2 inch dice); 1/2 cup All purpose flour; 6 Medium Russet Potatoes; 1-48 oz Chicken Broth; 1 tsp Salt; 1 tsp Black Pepper; 1 Bay Leaf; 2 cups Whole Milk; 1 cup Grated cheddar cheese; 1 tsp Thyme leaves