Potato Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 medium potatoes, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 to 3 carrots, grated
1 stalk celery, chopped
8 c. water or part water and part chicken stock
1 c. milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (to garnish)
4 to 8 slices nitrite-free bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled*
1 or 2 bay leaves (optional)
1 1/2 c. shredded spinach (optional)
1/2 to 1 c. grated Cheddar cheese (optional)

Preparation

* Or 2 to 6 sliced frankfurters or cooked sausages or 1 cup cubed leftover meat (optional).