Dishwasher Diva

Hello Everyone, I am officially a dishwasher Diva! Lately, when BamaMan and I (Yes, BamaMan is not at all above helping in the kitchen) unload the dishwasher we have been met with scum, and residue, and general ingratitude on the part of the dishes we so lovingly care for. It has been quite maddening! Finally, at the end of my rope, I did a little Internet searching and found something that made me feel like an absolute ditz: our dishwasher needed to be cleaned!


I like to think that in my mere year and (almost) nine months of keeping my own home that I have succeeded in learning (most of) the ropes. I was, apparently, wrong. I realize that most of you, my faithful readers, are seasoned pros, but for my fellow greenhorns, here are a few tips:

1. The best results will be had directly after you run the dishwasher, when it is still warm and wet-ish.

2. Mercilessly scrub the inside of dishwasher, particularly around the filter and under the door (which, I am ashamed to admit, was absolutely disgusting!) with a toothbrush and wipe out the exposed grime with a warm, slightly soapy paper towel or cloth.

3. Pour a reasonable amount of white vinegar into the liquid detergent area and run a cycle. I also read that unsweetened lemonade mix, tang, and other powered acidic drink mixes work as well, but be careful because some will stain!

I should also take a moment to warn you about something that should have been obvious to me and wasn't: vinegar is absolutely awful! It's all worth it in the end, but you should be prepared for your house to smell a little like an Easter egg-dying party for as long as the dishwasher is running.

4. Now that the inside of your dishwasher is spotless (which it should be, and if it isn't, run a cycle with a little tiny bit of bleach instead of vinegar - and NEVER mix chemicals!) give the outside a thorough going over with the warm, soapy cloth, and...

Voila, you are now a dishwasher diva! Congratulations. You owe me one :)

June's Fab Five: The Things I Adore (at the moment)

1. Kari Jobe's CD - Kari Jobe:

Just bought the CD and cannot physically stop listening to it. The girl has always been my worship muse, but she has completely outdone herself with this project. The lyrics are incredible and cowriters include such worship icons as Chris Tomlin, Mia Fieldes, and Paul Baloche. The whole album just spreads a balm over the heart of every woman!

*Only 7.99 right now at Lifeway Christian Bookstores!

2. Bananas:

Here's the thing, they have B and C vitamins, and enough potassium in them to replenish electrolytes, they're said to prevent certain cancers, and, let's face, they're just so darn good!

3. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers:

What in the world is in these things?!?

Whatever it is, it is God's gift to Domestic Divas everywhere!

4. That the "Natural" Look is in for Fall Makeup:

Okay, so even though I don't actually care too much about what's "in," as a girl who prefers to go Au Naturel, this Fall trend is going to be a godsend. I mean sure, I like going glam as much as the next girl, but most of the time, less is more. So lay off the eyeliner, slap on the shimmer and nude shades, and show off those beautiful faces ladies, and embrace what God gave you!

5. Panko:

I thought I was fine with flour, but allow me to tell you, that Panko breadcrumbs have revolutionized my life! I charge you to never try to pan fry anything again without them! Plus, they're cheaper than you think if you can get a generic version (Fresh Market's are the best!)

Blogging and Psalm 107

Hi, I'm back! Goodness, has it really been June since I reclined in this delightful space where I get to be obnoxiously obsessed with food, pretend to be good at housework, and talk as long as I want?!? As it happens I only have a second before work, but I miss you.

It's funny actually, how, when it's been a while, I feel like I have to apologize or make it up to you....play catch-up. Even more funny, I usually feel like that with God too.

When it's been awhile between my quiet times, when I let my priorities get out of line, I feel like, before I get to "come back" or get in God's good graces again, I have to earn it...make it up to Him. Read a certain amount of scripture, pray enough, stop listening to secular music for a week. I know, sounds ridiculous right? Well it is!

In fact, when I was reading my daily psalms, I found something I've never really noticed. Psalm 107 begins my thanking the Lord for His goodness and faithful love. Then it launches into a couple scenarios of His people who mess up. Some are rebellious, some are foolish, all end in some sort of suffering or bondage. You know what happens next? They call on the name of the Lord and He rescues them! There they are, suffering form the consequences of their own actions and they don't have to pray or read the Bible, or really even try to do anything at all. All they have to do is acknowledge their complete and utter need for God, and He "snaps their chains." Wow! How powerful is that?

Anyway, I will be a better blogger in the future, and looking forward to it. I will also be a better child of God, even if that means remembering that I don't have the power to do it for myself.