It started with basil. Leftover from a dish I barely remember finishing, wrapped in a paper towel and tucked inside a plastic bag. I almost let it go. But something about those soft, green leaves whispered, “Don’t waste me.” So I didn’t. I pulled it out, set it on the counter, and decided to make something that felt like more than just getting through the day.

That week, I was low on energy and groceries but not on gratitude. It was the kind of stretch where life feels uneven and out of rhythm, but still, somehow, full. I rummaged through the pantry and found a half box of spaghetti, some broth, and four tomatoes that had just enough life left in them. That basil became the hero of a meal that felt like a deep breath.

I didn’t follow a recipe, not at first. I just started cooking with what I had and let the smell of garlic and tomatoes fill the house. The microwave did the heavy lifting, which felt like a small miracle. The sauce came together in the food processor.

That pasta didn’t just feed us. It reminded me of all the unexpected things I’ve come to be thankful for:

• Fresh herbs.
• Quiet times in the kitchen.
• A microwave that somehow still works.
• A meal you didn’t plan that turns out just right.
• Days when you didn’t think you had enough but somehow, miraculously, you did.

It’s easy to count blessings when they’re dressed in celebration and served on a platter. But sometimes the deepest gratitude sneaks in quietly through a handful of basil, a soft tomato, a moment of stillness while the microwave does it’s thing. I am learning to notice those. I’m thankful for plans that fell through. For meals that happened anyway. For the kind of nourishment that starts with leftovers and ends with joy. I used to think gratitude was about what I could list. Now I think it’s about what catches me off guard.

So, here’s the invitation: What unexpected things are you thankful for today? Maybe it’s the thing that didn’t go as planned, the one that forced a detour. Maybe it’s basil or a pasta dinner that turned out to be something more. Write it in your journal. Say it out loud. Share it with a friend. Gratitude has a funny way of growing when we name it.

And if you’re looking for a recipe that feels like sunshine in a bowl, this one’s for you.

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A post shared by Jeanie Jo | Food & Culture Historian (@mealandgrace.blog)

One-Pot Bruschetta Spaghetti

What You Will Need:

• 8 oz spaghetti noodles, I prefer De Cecco
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 4 plum tomatoes
• handful fresh basil leaves (about a half cup)
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• ¼ cup olive oil, good quality
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese, or more
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

What You Will Need To Do:

1. Break 8 oz of spaghetti noodles in half and place in a microwave-safe pot.
2. Add 2 cups of broth. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 8 minutes.
3. While the noodles cook, roughly chop 4 tomatoes and pulse in a food processor.
4. Add your basil and 3 garlic cloves. Pulse again until blended.
5. Pour in ¼ cup olive oil and blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed.
6. Remove the pasta from the microwave and stir.
7. Add the bruschetta mixture to the pasta. Cover and microwave again for 6–8 minutes, until the pasta is tender and the sauce is warm and fragrant.
8. Grate ½ cup Parmesan over the pasta and season to taste.
9. Stir well and serve warm.

Gracefully yours,

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Reference
Niequist, S. (2024). Celebrate Every Day. Zondervan.