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Keeping in Touch:  Washing Dishes By Hand  |
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DebraJean
Farmgirl in Training
12 Posts
Deb
Washington County
OR
USA
12 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 09 2011 : 12:53:29 PM
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I'm new here. There are so many stories to read, so many wonderful women to begin to get to know. I decided to start with active topics and was immediately pulled into this forum. Washing dishes by hand - such a simple act. We also have a machine that came with the house; none of us really like it, yet I keep loading it, out of habit I guess, especially after a particularly messy dinner. I try to clean as I go, but we all know that doesn't always work. Then the sink is full, I'm tired, and - hey! a machine!
My son, who has a bit of the O. and the C. and the D., pulled a dinner plate from the cupboard last night, inspected it, and asked if it had been hand-washed. When I lied "yes" he said, "Good. The dishwasher never gets anything really clean." I was relieved: I thought he'd prefer how "sterile" the machine supposedly makes everything, especially silverware. But he, too, has pulled two spoons (that had literally been spooning) from the silverware basket and has moaned "Ew!" upon seeing a bit of peanut butter holding them together. So, I was relieved...and disappointed in myself for lying to him. After reading what you ladies wrote here, I am hereby committed to washing all of our dishes with my own two hands - and showing my son how to properly wash them with his, too. Besides, I love the way the hot sudsy water warms my hands on chilly mornings. I stand over the sink, look out the little window, and, like many of you, find myself thinking of my grandmother as well, in her slippers and housecoat, and I wonder if she's watching me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment with a bottle of Mrs. Meyer's. As I wash, I am going to think of that lovely new storage space I'm going to have.
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anaïs Nin |
Edited by - DebraJean on Apr 09 2011 1:16:03 PM |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2011 : 2:51:15 PM
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Welcome Debra! Washing by hand can be tedious, but, as everyone has said, it does have it's rewards :). I mainly hate the smell that dishwashers emit.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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RedGateGal
True Blue Farmgirl
94 Posts
Danielle
Watertown
TN
USA
94 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2011 : 04:52:09 AM
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We have a dishwasher but I LOVE to wash dishes. Yes ladies....I said it...LOVE. In fact, there are clean dishes in the dishwasher that my hubby loaded...I think they have been there for 3 weeks now. My husband does not understand why I continually have clean dishes drying on a dishtowel on our counter. I'm not sure I can explain it. I get great joy from washing dishes and watching the animals in the barn yard from my kitchen window. It never really seems like work. It's never mundane and there's always a critter doing something that's interesting to watch.
Farmgirl Sister #2574
www.redgategal.blogspot.com
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." ~ Henry David Thoreau
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BalancingAct
True Blue Farmgirl
297 Posts
Jackie
Hoosierville
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2011 : 08:32:13 AM
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Well now I know I'm not nuts, preferring to wash dishes by hand rather than shoving them in the dishwasher! We do have a dishwasher we use for the big loads when we have guests over, and I'm very thankful for that! : D
Farmgirl Sister #2851 -"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Bonnie Ellis
True Blue Farmgirl
2474 Posts
Bonnie
Minneapolis
Minnesota
USA
2474 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2011 : 5:21:17 PM
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Myfavorite Aunt was named Tressa and lived on the farm I spent a lot of time on. She gave me the love of washing dishes by hand when she'd say "Many Hands make light work" and promise time to sit in the porch swing and watch the sheep if we'd do it together. Washing dishes used to be a communal affair if you had lots of family to take turns. It's just the two of us now but my husband grabs the towel and I wash. We've been washing dishes together for 49 years!
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
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RawPrairie
Farmgirl in Training
31 Posts
Teree
Sonora
CA
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 10:13:06 AM
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I too have a dishwasher but rarely use it. I love washing dishes by hands and without gloves...it warms me to the core! It's simple therapy...and I enjoy every moment. I have a corner sink with a large window on each side which really puts me in touch with my environment! I can watch squirrels play or birds feeding...also deer grazing (usually on my lovely flowers yipes!) It just grounds me. I loved what you wrote Cris as it flooded my mind with lovely memories of family gatherings that ended with the women all dish washing together. It's something I really enjoy but just took for granted...I plan to make it part of our family tradition now even if it's just around the holidays, because it does create fond memories and a time to really slow down and connect! Thank you!
Teree~
Farmgirl Sister #2548
Not everyone can be a star...but everyone can twinkle! |
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Bensgrandma
True Blue Farmgirl
227 Posts
Alexis
White Oak
PA
USA
227 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 05:08:39 AM
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Thanks for the wonderful memories. My sister and I always had to wash dishes and we would sign songs while we did it. She is 10 years older than I am and I still have fond memories of that. I do it now with my granddaughters. We sang songs like Michael Row the Boat Ashore and A Bicycle Built for Two.
I just got a dishwasher two years ago and I do use it occassionally. There are just the two of us now but the grandkids love to put on aprons and help when they are here.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HugsandStitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACharmingExperience |
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HollyHobby
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Holly
Astoria
NY
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 07:21:11 AM
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We don't have a dishwasher, so all our items are done by hand. My DH loves to tell this joke - "How can you turn your dishwasher into a snowblower? Hand your wife a shovel". (I don't think it's too funny). BTW, he does the dishes too!
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~ Robert Brault |
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Bonnie Ellis
True Blue Farmgirl
2474 Posts
Bonnie
Minneapolis
Minnesota
USA
2474 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2011 : 1:26:18 PM
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I have been washing dishes by hand for many years and I remember the friendships with other women when we were doing them for church or the blessings of doing them with my aunts and grandma but the most special for me is the time my husband takes to grab the towel and dry while I wash. Over the years we have talked about the kids, our finances, what goes in the garden and all those other day to day mini conversations that piece together our life together. I watched my grandpa do this for grandma and my fil do it for my husbands mom. Life and love is in the small things. Bonnie
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2011 : 4:46:20 PM
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 Great topic! I too wash all my dishes by hand. . . even when there was a dishwasher available to use. There is something magical about doing this simple daily chore. You get to day dream as you set about the task of cleaning everything from the days meal. Memories of my Nana and Grammy come to mind, the long conversations we had as I helped. I know many view this as something they hate to do. . ..I did as well, until one day I really thought about why I hated it so. . . turns out I was missing my Nana and Grammy! So I have a special "Date" with them each day when I wash my dishes. A chance to share the daily happenings in my life with them, share my daydreams too! Now I so look forward to washing the dishes and spending time with my two favorite women, after all,who could resist. . . we all put on our favorite work apron and "Get it done" farmgirl style, even if they are only here in spirit!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
www.countrycents.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
www.JoannasHomeStudio.com "Keeping traditions alive a stitch at a time"
http://twitter.com/NHJoanna |
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Lorraine Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
lorraine
salt point
ny
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2011 : 09:54:17 AM
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we wash all our dishes by hand... being a mom or 3 boys, it is a lot of dishes! the boys are told if you use the dish or the cup, you really should wash it. this really cuts down on the extra dishes. they use to take a drink, finish put the cup in the sink than go for another cup... than we had to put our foot down you use it you wash it! now my oldest says mom, I'll be right back i am going to use it again.
p.s.we are boycotting disposable paper products, plates, cups, napkins and paper towles. we use tons of cloth napkins and dish towles all day!
Go Green! as my boy's say
LorraineMichelle
Farmgirl #3007
Chickens are like potato chips...
You can't have just one! |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2011 : 2:42:57 PM
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Yep! I've loved not buying papertowels. I am, however, going to try making my own baby wipes with them. I bought 2 rolls. I'm also going to use cloth wipes and see which I like better.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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DeborahLee
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Deborah
Starkville
Mississippi
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2011 : 2:28:33 PM
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Growing up, my mom used to call me and my brother her "dishwasher"! I do have one now but I live in apartment and space is at a premium. I use it for storage (it holds large pans well!) and simply wash everything by hand. After all those years of wanting a dishwasher, I found it noisy and expensive when I had one.
Deborah
Professor, librarian, writer and farmgirl! |
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fille de ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
2344 Posts
Madeline
Meadow Lands
Pa.
USA
2344 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 04:42:35 AM
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Hi All :) I am like Deborah, I use mine for storage. I have always had a dishwasher but prefer hand washing ;) My friend is in love with hers & thinks I am nuts. All I can say is I love my pretty rubber gloves :)
Blessings |
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Mariebelle
True Blue Farmgirl
54 Posts
Marie
Clarkston
WA
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 09:38:06 AM
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I do some dishes by hand- all my vintage stuff, other things i do use the dishwasher, but this sure cuts down on dishwasher use. I am a LPN at a surgery center so my hands are in soap and water all day, i think my hands look older than they should be. Any tips on keeping dishpan hands from looking older than they should? I dont like to use gloves while washing dishes, i tend to drop them more.
One Thanksgiving at my sister's (she does not have a dishwasher) she has a small kitchen so after the meal and before dessert to save time and space she put dirty dishes in the oven- to wait till later. So after dessert we washed the dessert dishes and i was surprised how fast we were done "cleaning" up, she said "oh, no we're not done" and she opened the oven and i saw all the dirty dishes that still needed washing. She still laughs at me over that!
Born in the wrong era...
Marie |
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Keeping in Touch: Washing Dishes By Hand |
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Washing Dishes By Hand
