Oyster Cream Soup

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, cooked to just crisp and crumbled drain off fat
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 potato, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch dice
• 1 carrot, cut into 1/4 inch dice
• 1 stalk celery, cut into 1/4 inch dice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cups shucked oysters, in their liquor
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups light cream
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives