Cream of Asparagus and Mushroom Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 3 slices bacon
• 1 tablespoon bacon drippings
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 potato, peeled and diced
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, tips set aside and stalks chopped
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
• 3/4 cup half-and-half cream