Homemade Clam Chowder

Homemade Clam Chowder
Sharon based on Rachael Ray recipe

2 tablespoons butter
2 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery & leaves, chopped
2 carrots, chopped into small pieces
1 cup diced sweet red pepper
small can of corn
4 sprigs fresh thyme (I didn't want to bother fishing out the springs so I pulled the leaves of 4-5 sprigs)
salt and pepper
2 teaspoons hot sauce, eyeball it
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pint half-and-half
3 cups chicken stock, from soup aisle
1 cup raw hash brown potatoes, from dairy aisle of the market (or just chop up a small potato)
2 (10 ounce) cans baby clams, and their juice

1. In a medium pot over medium high heat melt butter. Add bacon, onions, celery, carrot, red pepper, and thyme sprigs. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce and cook 5 minutes. Add flour and cook a minute more.
2. Add half-and-half and stock and bring to a bubble, then stir in potatoes, corn and clams. Bring soup back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, until potatoes are cooked and soup has thickened to coat the back of a spoon.
3. Remove the thyme sprigs from the soup. The thyme leaves will have fallen off into the soup. Stir and adjust seasonings in your soup. Pour soup into mugs. Top with shredded cheese or green onions if desired.