Step 1

In a slow cooker combine potatoes, ham, corn, onion, celery, carrots garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Stir well.

Step 2

Cook over low heat for 8 hours or high heat for 6 hours.

Step 3

With one hour left to go in the cooking process, take a potato masher and mash the potatoes until most of them are broken up giving the soup a nice thick consistency. You can take a couple of spoonfuls of potatoes out of the slow cooker before you do this with a slotted spoon so that there are some nice big chunks left. Then stir in your milk or half and half and allow to finish cooking.

Step 4

Top with cheddar cheese and enjoy!