Cook bacon

Set aside bacon and leave grease in pan

Peel and rinse potatoes

Chop potatoes

Add potatoes and onions to a large pot

Add water to pot

Boil potatoes til it is really tender

Drain half of water from pot

Remove 1 cup of water from pot and place in bowl

Add 2 cups of milk to bowl water

Mix. This prevents milk curdling

Add butter to pot and stir til melted

Add milk mixture to pot

Stir pot

Crumble bacon

Add rest of milk to pot

Mix

Add spices and herbs

Mix well

Add bacon

Simmer on low 2 hours, stirring frequently

Slowly stir in instant potatoes til desired thickness

Serve