Bean and Bacon Soup

Soup soup soup.
It's all I think about these days.
I am not a bacon lover by any means.....but this--THIS is one of our all time favorite soups!
I can never seem to get enough. 
Bean and Bacon Souprecipe adapted from Real Simple
3 strips (nitrate free!) bacon*2 large carrots, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped4 cloves garlic, minced2 15 1/2oz cans great northern beans, cannellini beans, or black