I've heard of coffee of the month clubs, and I've belonged to one or two wine of the month clubs over the years, but I never realized there was a bacon of the month club.

Not that it should be too surprising; bacon is one of those guilty pleasures -- I even have "vegetarian" friends who live by a "no meat but bacon" ideology.

So, when our friends Mary and Bob recently introduced us to the bacon of the month club through The Grateful Palate, I was intrigued. This is no amateurish endeavor, either.

The Grateful Palate has been around for more than 10 years, and it prides itself on seeking out "creative food artisans who make their own stuff with their own hands, often on stovetops in small quantities, in small pots." Sounds right up my alley.

The catalog Mary and Bob shared with us contains "The Grateful Palate Field Guide to Bacon." Broken down into categories of applewood smoked, Canadian bacon, cob smoked, hickory smoked, jowl & shoulder, maple & alder smoked, pepper bacon and specialty flavors, each featured bacon contains a full description, and a handy-dandy little palate matcher table in the front of the guide.

You can find the online version on their Web site as well. Bacon is shipped in insulated boxes with cold packs. For more information, or to place an order, call 1-888-472-5285 or e-mail: order@gratefulpalate.com.