Paying it Forward, Poinsettia, Spam.

I have never had an opportunity to do this, but today I was in the grocery store and the person in front of me couldn’t afford some sliced meat they had in their cart, before the cashier could deduct it I said “add it to my bill”. It was not a big amount by the way, less than $1.50 and I am not trying to boast about this, it was so little, but later in the afternoon, an Avon customer who owed me $12.20 gave me $15 and said keep the rest. Less than 2 hours after I had paid for the meat. Just struck me as a good example of how pay it forward really works. I wasn’t even going to mention this at first until my customer “tipped” me. Isn’t it terrible people cannot afford something so inexpensive? She had some kind of one time payment card which didn’t cover everything.

We had just come back from bowling and I had to pick up a prescription then wanted a Poinsettia for our dining table which is why I was in the grocery store. Obviously they have a florist there. We always have a Poinsettia for our Christmas decorations on the dining table. I thought of choosing a pinkish one but Matt thought they looked washed out, neither one thing or the other, so red it was and red we got. Trouble is, I seem to be able to keep them alive for ever and end up chucking them out in late spring. I often think of an apartment several of us rented on the island of Malta when my parents lived there (they didn’t have room for all of us) and outside the bathroom window there was a huge Poinsettia bush in full flower. It was lovely to look at. Nice view for men in particular.

Saw this cartoon today on How to Geek and couldn’t resist sharing.


Everybody is so busy at this time of year that it seems a quick and easy meal for the family would be welcome.

"Classic" Skillet Lasagna

Kraft Kitchens
 

We swapped out the lasagna noodles for bow-tie pasta to make this simple skillet version of an Italian favourite.
prep: 15 min
total: 30 min
6 servings

What You Need

3 cups  farfalle (bow-tie pasta), uncooked
1 lb.  Italian sausage
1 small  onion, chopped
2 cans  (14.5 oz. each) HUNT'S® Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano, undrained
1 can  (6 oz.) HUNT'S® Tomato Paste
1-1/2 cups  KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1 cup  POLLY-O Natural Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
1/4 cup  KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 Tbsp.  water
1/4 tsp.  black pepper

Make It

COOK pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
MEANWHILE, brown sausage in large skillet on medium heat; drain. Add onions; cook 3 min. or until tender, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes, tomato paste and 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese; mix well.
MIX ricotta, Parmesan, water and pepper. Drain pasta; add to skillet; mix well. Top with cheese mixture; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Cover; cook on low heat 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted.
Hunt's® is a registered trademark of ConAgra Foods, Inc.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Serving Suggestion
For added color and texture, serve with a mixed green salad tossed with your favourite KRAFT Lite Dressing.
Substitute
Substitute mafalda or penne pasta for the farfalle (bow-tie pasta).

Have a great day