From my couch in the lounge, I can see a looming mountain of dishes on the counter next to the sink just waiting to be washed.
I'm in avoidance.
I was reading a post on one pot cooking this morning, and made a comment on the benefits to cleaning-up this allowed for. Which got me to thinking about dishes.
Perhaps it 's the universe sending me a message, but the very next blog link I clicked on was about washing dishes (avoidance, get thee hence...)
My initial comment on the post turned into a mini essay of memories related to dishes - you know, those things that go along with all this delicious cooking food bloggers do (always two sides to a coin, right...)
In my past, as a chef-in-training, the nights I got stuck washing the post-dinner-rush restaurant pots/pans/cooking utensils used to drive me nuts. That was until one evening when I realised that after the insanity of the dinner frenzy, washing the dishes was actually quite zen. My mind could wander and I could think about the events of the evening, or my plans for the next day. And slowly (very, very slowly), I began to get something out of the experience...not enjoyment (I wouldn't go as far as that), but definitely a mindfulness for the task at hand.
Not owning a dishwasher at home, I would sometimes grumble at having to do the dishes in addition to having cooked the meal, until I realised that my grumbling destroyed the spirit of the event...a meal shared and enjoyed with people I love. So I changed my attitude to see the dishes as a way to pay homage to the blessings of: having the funds to buy food and share it, the good times and laughter, the warmth infused into our home.
I believe I have my Mom to thank for this perspective on life. As a teenager, when I walked into the kitchen and saw a ton of dishes on every surface after a day of meals for people, I would always sigh loudly, and she would always remind me: "They tell a good story!"
Please do yourselves a favour and go and read Pam's beautiful post over at Sticks Forks Fingers entitled:
Cleaning Up: My Postprandial Grace.
It's a very special piece of writing.
Have a great Friday and a brilliant weekend everyone.
Kitchen sink, here I come...
Posts
5 comments:
I have to admit it's quite relaxing sometimes to do the washing-up... but I have a contract with my man at home : I do the cooking, he does the washing up. I'm happy with that!! :)
Thanks, Juanita. Life's beauty is most often in the small, the seemingly insignificant things, yes? In the being here, and being now?
Love your piece. Glad to be part of the inspiration-begets-inspiration cycle!
I know what you mean. I also used to think doing the dishes was a chore, but now I've changed my mind. I feel a bit proud about taking care of the household more than everyone else.
Your mom said a very wise thing... The dishes tell a good story and they need to be clean to tell more good stories in the future too.
dish washing I hate but need to do it as nobody will do it for me !!pierre
...I make the hubby do the dishes :)
Post a Comment