The Zen of Washing Dishes

 

I know people who will not buy certain kitchen items, even if they would make their lives much easier, simply because these items are not dishwasher safe. On one hand, I completely understand that. Households can be frantic, stressful, and exhausting. You don’t want that. You want to be able to throw everything into the dishwasher, turn it on, and spend the rest of the evening with your family. On the other hand, I think washing dishes by hand is exactly what many people need. There is a Zen in dish washing. The fragrance of the dish washing liquid, the silky smoothness of the bubbles, the meditative, repetitive action of washing, and the relaxing warmth of the water are all things that your life craves.

This should become a daily practice in your home even if it’s only washing one item. Just fill the sink partway, but allow yourself this moment. One thing that you are certainly assured of is that if you’re doing dishes by hand, you are probably going to be doing them alone. People tend to flee when something like this is needed. But instead of looking at it as a negative, embrace the alone time. Use the actions to calm your brain, to put a mental end on your frantic day. Use this as a nice segue to relaxation and eventual sleep.

   Having the proper tools is tantamount, so find a dish washing liquid with a fragrance that you love. I am a fan of citrus, so this is one of my favorites. If you prefer floral, you might try this one. If warm woodsy is your thing, try this.  Get some environmentally friendly sponges, some real dish cloths (don’t use the disposable kind for this task), and really feel what you’re doing. Wash flat pieces with slow, circular motions, and look at the interweaving patterns as you do so. Be present. If you make this a part of your daily life, you’d be surprised how much more relaxed you feel at day’s end, and how much better you sleep.

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First Dinner of the Spring!

I invited my parents over for dinner and preseason baseball on Sunday (when I served the wonderful meatloaf and delicious Chocolate Stout Cake - were they lucky, or what?!).  It was a spur-of-the-moment invitation, so the table was something that I put together in about ten minutes time.  After a winter of high color, pattern, and intensity, I wanted something soft and simple, with the same hint of green in the table setting that I see daily emerging outside my window.  This peaceful, almost zen-like table setting was the result.  It felt so much like spring to me, and it was so nice to reacquaint myself with old favorites like the rooster napkins and the fish water pitcher.

I used Fiestaware flatware, giving each one of us a different color.

I found this set of napkins when cleaning out the dining room closet (okay, just one shelf, but it took me a couple of hours).  I'd forgotten about these, so it was like having something new.

Individual salt and pepper shakers can be so much fun at each place setting and it eliminates the need for asking or reaching.

I bought this fish pitcher when I was still in college, long before I married or thought I'd be hosting as many dinners as I do.  It reflected my love of the ocean and it appealed to my sense of whimsy.

Table runners - Pottery Barn

Placemats - Pottery Barn

Centerpiece - Pier One

Plates - Old Time Pottery

Flatware - Fiestaware

Salad Plates - Gift

Glasses - La Rochere

Cups - Amazon

Napkins - Williams-Sonoma


This post is linked to:

Tabletop Tuesday, Tablescape x 3 and Tablescape Thursday