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Place water in a large pot, roughly cut (do not peel) potatoes into water. They don't have to be uniform in size.
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Cut Leek, lengthwise into 4 strips then cut with scissors into 1/4 inch pieces into potatoes.
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Chop Onion and Celery into 1/4 inches pieces; add to potatoes.
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Sprinkle with a little salt.
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Put over medium heat and cover for half an hour.
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Fry bacon and let it cool, when cool crush into tiny pieces.
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Add spices and butter, stir and mash potatoes with a masher or immersion blender ( I prefer to see the skins so I use a masher).
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Add Half and Half, cheese, and bacon; stir. Taste and adjust (salt and pepper).
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Return to heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
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To freeze let the soup cool and pour into freezer safe containers and set in the freezer. I recommend quart sized tubs or pint sized zipper bags.
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To reheat let the soup thaw over night in the refrigerator, there may still be small ice chunks, and reheat slowly on the stove with a little added water or in the microwave in a safe bowl. Enjoy!