Preparing for a Special Guest

Today a guest is arriving at our home.  We don't often host people so it's a special occasion when we do.  My cousin is coming to visit and I am very excited.  I took the time this morning to wake up early and make some zucchini bread in preparation for company.  It seemed like a good excuse for some high-calorie breakfast treats and also I haven't made any zucchini bread yet this summer.

One of the big reasons I love to practice doing things the slow way is because it gives me time to reflect.  While I was adding my cinnamon and mixing my batter I had time to think about my cousin and put some love into my loaf of bread.  We grew up in different cities, but saw each other often.  She is one year older than me and we both have brothers, but no sisters.  She ended up filling the big sister role in many ways.  I think it was probably better this way, as sisters often go through petty argument phases and lots of drama.  Since we didn't have to live with each other we got to skip the bickering and just got to have the good, fun parts.

I had a lot of gratitude this morning that I was able to wake up with the sun and make something delicious (and use up some zucchini!) and feel love while I did it.  Some store-bought pastries would have fit the bill on paper, "quick breakfast snacks for company", but it would not have allowed me the time to reflect on a lifelong relationship.  For that I am grateful.  And I can't wait to eat some!  Yum!