Chicken Cassoulet Soup

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
• 5 cups water
• 1/2 pound cubed cooked chicken
• 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 medium carrots, shredded
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup dry vermouth or chicken broth
• 5 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers, optional
• 1/2 pound bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• Additional fresh thyme, optional