BLT Pasta Salad

If one is mindful, it is possible to observe lessons taught and lessons learned in unlikely settings: at the local Target store, say, on an errand-filled Saturday, perhaps.

In the shoe department, with Mom apparently shopping elsewhere, Dad is charged with a restless three-year old. Insisting to be let out of the cart, she squats to examine a low shelf of bedroom slippers, yes pink! She lines them up on the floor with precision, then stands to tuck pudgy toddler toes into each Mom-sized slipper, one by one. Dad watches in silence, then returns the slippers to their rightful shelf, one by one.

In housewares, another Mom shops with a son and daughter. Just for something to do, the bored boy leans into the cart to rummage in his mother’s bag. "Matthew!" Mom snaps. "Out of my purse."

Meanwhile, the girl caresses a box of slickly packaged drinking glasses. "Aren't they pretty, Mom?" Mom eyes the package and runs her hand across the girl’s. "They’re beautiful, Mel. Wouldn't milk taste good in those?"

Which of the three will grow up to be shoppers? Lessons taught, lessons learned.

ALANNA's TIPS Save the leftover bacon grease in a glass container stored in the fridge. It keeps for months and makes for delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, pancakes and sautéed vegetables. To avoid burns, use caution scooping the hot fat out of the skillet. For a more healthful variation of this pasta salad, stir in an extra diced tomato or two. For lunch, I especially like to serve BLT Pasta Salad tucked into a tomato that's been scooped out with a grapefruit spoon and usually leave out the lettuce.