I'm taking a break from bumble bee ballet to pop over to say hello. We're wedged today between LuSa work, homeschooling, trip packing, and yes – still downsizing-of-our-earthly-possessions. It's a full day indeed. I read each of the comments you wrote yesterday. And wow. Simply wow. Both here and on the LuSa Clean facebook page you all left some inspiring, emotional comments. There were so many that I am not finding time to respond to each one, but know that I read them all. A couple of you even brought on some tears.
Thank you from my heart for receiving the words I post her with such love and appreciation. This is powerful stuff.
As an aside, in a moment of irony our dishwasher broke in the midst of my downsizing leaving us handwashing our dishes. Not a big deal, but a hiccup that made me realize – a dishwasher? That is one more item I do not need. Send it out the door!
One beautiful shif this brought on is that the kids now each wash their own place setting after each meal. They are adjusting gracefully to this new participation in our daily lives – a blessing indeed as I want them involved more in these daily tasks. We are also more aware of what we have by handling and washing each piece.
Without a dishwasher to fill I am considering boxing up all but four place settings and each of us having our own set to care for. It seems more conscious than a towering stack of plates, doesn't it?
Talk to you tomorrow!
Rachel
what about when you have guests for dinner… your family seems the type to share plentifully.
We use this same system of handwashing and setting aside all dishes not needed (keeping for the time being till I truly decide how many hospitality dishes I need).
http://fimby.tougas.net/hand-washing-dishes
I was tired of glasses etching and dishes not getting clean the first run through. So I’ve stopped using our dishwasher even though it still works! I’ve heard it is better to let dishes air dry then to towel them off. So now I use the dishwasher to let my hand washed dishes dry inside, with the door a little bit ajar for air flow. It’s like a built in self cleaning dish rake 🙂
Lis,
I envision them in a box or a low cabinet. So they are there for guests, but not everyday. We love to have friends over!
~ Rachel
Lovely! Thanks for the link, Renee. I will give it a read.
Rachel
Sara,
That is how we are using ours right now. A big huge dish drainer. 🙂 I am actually enjoying the rhythm hand-washing is adding to our day.
Rachel
I adore that costume on little Lupine! You need to go peek over at the Purl Bee – the blog for the yarn and fabric shop Purl Soho. Their felt Halloween costumes are so cute I can’t stand it. I can’t wait to have my own wee one like Lupine!
Our downsizing & simplifying is on a slightly larger scale- from a two bedroom, two bathroom house with all the amenities to a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment without a dishwasher, washer or dryer.
We have 8 place settings, but only keep enough easily on hand for one meal. Everything else is put away.
I’ve loved reading your blog and learning about your family and way of life- truly inspiring!
Lupine is adorable 🙂
Thanks so much, Pinkknotes! Happy downsizing. 🙂
~ Rachel
Susanne,
They are wonderful! Thanks for the information. Glad I looked! When Lupine was a baby I made her a wool hat from an old brown sweater with little ears and colored her nose black. I cut felt oak leaves from green and brown wool felt and stitched myself a mask, the attached more leaves to my sweater and hair. Riding in her sling she was a squirrel in an oak tree. The costumes on Purl Bee reminded me so of that day! 🙂
Thanks,
Rachel