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Post by helen on Jan 5, 2014 19:03:36 GMT -5
Saturday, January 04, 2014, My first day working this thread. I washed 3 sinks full (I have 9" deep sinks)of dishes. Put two loads of dry dishes up. I'm cooking dinner, so I will work some more today on dishes. I'm distracted by the usually cold weather that we are expecting. Unscrewing outside hoses, my dog that likes to run the neighborhoods is getting to old so, I'm having to take him out. I'm not used to having to get so many clothes on to go outside! Wondering if my pipes are going to freeze, etc., etc., etc.
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Post by imamess on Jan 5, 2014 21:07:21 GMT -5
Supper dishes washed up. Now I need to run some water in case the electricity goes out.
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Post by bunny123 on Jan 5, 2014 21:33:40 GMT -5
Oh this is one thing I do struggle with!
My grandparents have an excellent system for dishes, which ensures that the only time there's significant mess is when they've done a big multi-course meal for family, or when my nan (and sometimes my cousins/her other grandkids) have been baking. If they use a pot or pan to cook with, and the food hasn't burnt on, they wash it immediately after use - still hot, so the dirt comes off easily. If there is still food in the pot that they intend to eat later, they decant it into a bowl or tupperware, then they wash it. If something is stuck with food, they put it in the sink to soak but continue washing other things as they are used. And then the individual plates, cups, bowls and cutlery are washed, a couple of items at a time, during the moment they're making a cup of tea, or what have you. They almost never have to deal with an entire sink of dishes, and when they do they tag-team it - one will wash, one will dry, and they'll get a volunteer (like one of the kids that made the baking mess!) to put away.
It's such an easy system, but I really struggle with it. If I can get the sink clear, I'll make a spirited effort to do it their way for the next few days, but it never lasts. Anything left to soak ends up hanging around far too long, and those items end up accumulating until the sink is full to overflowing. One big barrier to me, is I just don't have any space in the kitchen. It isn't a case of having too much stuff even - I literally do not have enough shelves or cupboards for the basic minimum items. There is an additional cupboard I could use above the door to the basement, but it's above my head height, dark inside, deep, and the inner walls extend either side of the doors. It's very hard to keep clean and spider-free, so not a sensible place for me to keep pots and pans, or anything like that.
I want to work towards trying out my grandparents techniques for real, and to do that I'm working towards better kitchen organisation. I need to get wood so I can have an actual kitchen work surface on top of the washing machine (right now my "surface" is a loose section of granite my other half found and cleaned up for me - it doesn't fit in the space properly, is loose and unsupported). My plan is, to get a wooden surface that fits flush in the space so the edges meet the back wall, the edge of the cooker and the edge of the sink, and to attach a small series of shelves to the surface, where they meet the wall - the back 8 inches or so are covered in stuff right now anyway - toaster, pot containing cooking utensils etc - so I won't be losing space. I also plan to attach some hooks to the one door in the kitchen that doesn't open on a corner or isn't part of the original build (it's a listed building, so we can't attach anything to the walls or do anything to any original doors etc) so we can hang pots off there.
In the meantime, I'm just going to try and do the best I can.
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Post by wynken on Jan 6, 2014 1:25:38 GMT -5
Its great to have you here bunny. Many of us have bounced between to huge mess that's been left too long with the huge effort to get caught up, then missing a beat and needing to do face mess again. Its the reason for the thread. Those who have found success seem to have become really regular at taking manageable action. Arids - todays dishes + one from the back log repeated every day for as long as it takes without taking a day off - even when caught up; 60's one dish at a time until she can't stand to have even one dish waiting til later; for me it was a sinkful at a time and make sure I do at least that much daily [/font] - now its keeping up - back then it was to be gaining on the backlog. These habits have stuck better that mammoth attack and crash and burn.
I hear you on needing a kitchen make over. Me too - though I don't have the excuse of a heritage building.
Good luck as you look at possibilities and try a few things until you find what works for you. Here - olden day homes had a lot of free standing things, a built in sink, minimal counters, and the table was the main work surface. I know x has all freestanding furniture in her Kitchen. the ceramic sink and solid wooden surrounds has a little cupboard and dw under, and some strange legs holding it all in place. There's a center workstation with marblelike top and couple of drawers under it. the mini dog had a basket under there too. His chosen spot if folk are in the kitchen.
Bunny - don't be afraid to think outside the square. I'm sure you will find what works there.
Mine K needs a thorough cleanout. Cabinet doors attended too. In an alt universe I'd like one wall of cabinets replaced. For now - keeping up with the dishes is one piece of the puzzle.
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Post by Messy Missy on Jan 6, 2014 1:48:07 GMT -5
I'm in, I was going to join the doing the dishes daily thread once again. Today I did all my dishes (it's been almost a month since I have) and I also have my counters, stove, fridge all clean. I have been eating random stuff and mostly take-out for a while. I plan to have dishes , counters maintained all the time so I can prepare food. Thanks for having this thread!
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Post by cando on Jan 6, 2014 7:28:30 GMT -5
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Post by wynken on Jan 6, 2014 9:49:25 GMT -5
dishes are washed tonight
Welcome to Missy. Great work catching up on backlog.
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Post by PaperGrace on Jan 6, 2014 12:40:16 GMT -5
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Post by irisbloom on Jan 6, 2014 13:30:41 GMT -5
Dishes are caught up again, minus the bowl my kiddo is snacking out of. I'll wash it when she's done and make sure to wash the dinner dishes right after dinner.
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Post by Di on Jan 6, 2014 13:34:06 GMT -5
Still washing dishes daily... STILL have 2 GIANT frying pans that I am working on... Remind Self, "DO NOT BURN OLIVE OIL!!!" I have been sweeping the kitchen daily and yesterday I dampened a towel and tossed it on the floor and kicked it about to get off the spots from spills. (Yes, I then WASHED the towel -- it is in the dryer waiting to be folded)
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Post by Arid on Jan 6, 2014 15:21:00 GMT -5
Boy! If it weren't for this thread . . .
Last night, I would have "skipped" doing the dishes. I only had a few (thank you, God!), but it is *SO COLD* right in front of my kitchen sink right now!!
However, I couldn't bear the thought of breaking my "streak;" so, I wash them I did!
Thus, I can report: Another week of doing the dishes EVERY SINGLE DAY!!
(I left my water dripping and my cabinet doors open overnight, too!)
Arid
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Post by imamess on Jan 6, 2014 18:05:08 GMT -5
Got 'em done twice today.
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Post by Di on Jan 6, 2014 19:54:32 GMT -5
I finally got the mega pans clean dried and put away. I need to unload DW when I get home. Even swept kitchen floor today.
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Post by wynken on Jan 6, 2014 21:49:36 GMT -5
great work everyone.
Di - Rice bran or coconut oil has a higher smoke point and are better for that reason. Also - I read that olive oil and non stick frypans are not a good mix. It gunks up and spoils the non stick aspect. Apparently.
I'm needing to get off the computer earlier in the evening so will either need to make sure I wash up earlier, or just do it and check in the next day.
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Post by Di on Jan 6, 2014 22:45:32 GMT -5
wynken, I tossed out the non stick pans long ago... Guess that's why the oil stuck....
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