Thanks!

Now that the kids are grown, the kitchen still doesn’t stay clean—even when I don’t cook!! LOL

My mom used to have a plaque hanging in her kitchen that said, “our home is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy” On my wall, there is one that says, “It’s not what’s on the table (I might add– “on the counters, and in the sink”) that matters, but who’s on the chairs” I think betwixt the 2 sentiments—there’s a balance point. Having company regularly helps us to maintain a suitable level of mess control.

When we dinner party, my husband is head chef and me, sous chef. Which also means I’m chasing him around cleaning up as much as possible as we go. It’s a nice division of labor! Our deal is that he unloads, and I load, and that suits me just fine…After dinner, I run a load, and he’ll often finish up what’s left in the morning. I usually do what hand-washing needs doing.

I try to stick by the policy of not leaving the house, or going to bed, with dishes in the sink. Doesn’t always work that way…but I try.

and yet, we know deep down the most important thing: loving and serving people, growing relationships, feeding nourishing meals to our families.

in answer to your question, i prefer a clean kitchen in the morning but i don’t feel bound by it! most nights, i do the “major cleanup” before bed and if a few dishes are soaking in the sink overnight, no prob. seeing clean counter tops really does help! our 9 year old clears the table and the rest of the cleanup falls on me. when i am tempted to begrudge the work, i remember how blessed i am to GET to be home, serving my hubby and daughter and caring for our home. so i try to stay grateful. =)

I’m disorganized, but I’m alive. I think maybe real life is just messy.
Richella´s last blog ..A special day

Waking up to a messy kitchen has always been something I’ve not enjoyed so I do my best to get it as clean as possible.

This last week we’ve had two extra guests (plus our church had a conference so I was heading out the door shortly after each meal) which means more dishes and the conference meant less time to clean up. I’ve spent a lot of time in the kitchen, but I’ve managed to keep up with everything.
Kirstin´s last blog ..Recipe: Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Shells

I try very hard to clean as I go. And I make make-ahead dishes for entertaining, so that I can spend time with my guests and have fewer kitchen chores. I do try to get some of the dishes done directly after dinner, even if we have company. But I won’t slave away and make the kitchen spotless while missing my guests. Some of it just has to wait for later.

I have to admit though, I have a very hard time going to bed if the kitchen isn’t done. Anything to avoid a sink full of dishes in the morning!
Elizabeth L´s last blog ..You Just Don’t Get Cuter Than This

Now my kitchen is pristine. I now hate waking up to a mess in the kitchen. Age does that to you.
However, when everyone is home, I revert back to my “let it all go” attitude.
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sandy toe
Sandy Toes´s last blog ..New Year’s Resolutions in February????