New England Clam Chowder

Name: New England Clam Chowder
Ingredients: 6 slices raw bacon (cut into half-inch pieces); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 cup yellow onion (minced); 1 cup carrots (minced - 2 large); 2 cloves garlic (pressed or finely minced); 1.25 teaspoon dried thyme (or .75 teaspoon fresh); .75 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 0.5 teaspoon fresh, chopped); .25 teaspoon white pepper; 19.5 ounces canned clams (3 - 6.5-ounce cans, drained with liquid reserved); 1 cup bottled clam juice (or enough to equal 2 cups with reserved liquid); 1.5 pounds Yukon gold or Russet potatoes (peeled, cut into half-inch cubes); .75 cup heavy cream (can substitute half & half); .75 cup whole milk (I used lactose-free); 1 tablespoon flour or potato starch