Creamy Cabbage Soup

Name: Creamy Cabbage Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups chicken broth; 2 celery stalks (chopped); ½ medium head of cabbage (shredded); 1 sweet onion (chopped); 1 carrot (peeled and chopped); ¼ cup unsalted butter; 3 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 tsp salt; ¼ tsp pepper; 2 cups half and half cream; 1 cup milk; 2 cups ham (cooked and cubed); ½ tsp dried thyme; chopped parsley (for garnish, if desired)