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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

September 13, 2012

Giveaway! Trip to New York City and the Wine and Food Festival!

 THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
 
“Start Spreading the News”…

We told you this was going to be a big one!
The wonderfully generous folks at LG are offering YOU the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to
NEW YORK CITY!!!!!

You will be joining Vanessa (you didn’t think we’d let you go without us, did you?)

 on October 12-14 (that’s next month!)
at the
Food Network Wine and Food Festival

That’s right…Food Network!!

(how many exclamation points do you think we can get away with using in this post?)
Can you believe it? Neither can we!

LG is a proud Sponsor of this amazing event in which you will “Eat.Drink.End Hunger.”

Have you heard about their new TrueSteam Dishwasher??

You can read more about this amazing new product in Vanessa’s review post.

LG TrueSteam Dishwasher Review

 
And see her demonstrating all of it’s incredible features in this video:
 


Let’s get back to the GIVEAWAY though now shall we?
Your prize includes: 
Round trip airfare
 2 nights Hotel accommodations
Ground transportation (airport to hotel and return)
Ticket to the Wine and Food Festival
$250 Spending Money
That’s a total prize value of approximately $3,000!!!! 

Do you know who you will be rubbing elbows with at the Wine and Food Festival?

source
Ummm…only people like Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, Ina Garten, Giada De Laurentiis, Guy Fieri….shall we go on?

Do you think Vanessa will be like the little girls at Disneyland all dressed up in their princess costumes waiting in line with their autograph books?

So, are you ready to enter to win this awesome prize?
Pay attention because this one is a little bit different!
 
To enter to win the LG TrueSteam Dishwasher Contest you must:

 Answer this question:
“What Name would you give your Loading Style AND How Would You Describe Your Loading Style?”

Did you look at the directions that came with your dishwasher and load your dishes exactly like it shows in the pictures? Do you just wing it? Maybe you are one of those who derives great pleasure in seeing just how much you can cram into one load and still have your dishes come out clean.
 
So, leave us a comment telling us:
 
 What NAME (be sure to come up with an actual name!) you would give your Loading Style and then Describe that style for us.

So, for example, Vanessa thinks that her Loading Style is “Type A with a Twist”.

Meaning that she starts out loading the dishwasher very methodically and organized but by the end she is just putting things in willy-nilly in an effort to see how much she can get away with not having to wash by hand!
 
This is going to require some creativity on your part!
 
We will be selecting the Top 10 finalists which will then be submitted to LG for final determination of the Grand Prize Winner.

You will be judged based on the following criteria:

1) Originality of the NAME entered for the Loading Style
2) Creativity of the Loading Style Description

Don’t worry, there isn’t a swimsuit category.
So, put your thinking caps on folks and get those creative juices flowing!
 
For more information, here are the Official Rules for the LG TrueSteam Dishwasher Contest.
We just want to say a huge thank you again to LG and LG-ONE for giving us this incredible opportunity to review their new TrueSteam Dishwasher and fly one of us to NYC to attend the Wine and Food Festival.

But, more than any of that, we are so thrilled that we get to host this awesome Giveaway knowing that one of you, our readers, will get to win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
So, what are you waiting for?

We want to know, what is your “Loading Style”?
 
Thanks for joining us, and LG, for this very exciting event today At the Picket Fence,
 
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Adventure Mom says

    September 12, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Space Maximizer- get the most dishes in so that I don’t have to wash any by hand

    Reply
  2. Cherished Bliss says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:37 PM

    That’s {not} the way uh huh uh huh I LIKE IT — you have to sing the title otherwise it looses it’s affect ; )

    What is my loading style? I have love/hate feelings towards my loading style… why you might ask? Because I have NOTHING to load dishes into. I know… I’m playing the sympathy card here right? It get’s better I promise. So sometimes when I’m washing my dishes by hand all Lucy Ricardo style I pretend that my little metal dish drainer (which doesn’t even fit properly) is a dishwasher… I like to think that instead of washing the dishes I am simply rinsing them and loading each one into the world’s smallest dishwasher. hehe. During this process I, silently of course, sing to myself “that’s the way uh huh uh huh I like it” because it makes me feel like I’m loading my dishes in a dishwasher. This is done in complete and utter chaos I might add. WHY? because I am busy busting out in mental song..I might even do a spin, jump, land on the floor and pop up like Michael Jackson… ok fine that part isn’t true, but if I could, I so would!! I put those dishes in my “dishwasher” however I can fit the most because I am, after all, loading the world’s smallest dishwasher.

    Reply
    • Hilani Ellis says

      September 13, 2012 at 3:12 AM

      Ashley, I hope you win. 😉 This story is great!!!

      Reply
    • Cherished Bliss says

      September 13, 2012 at 8:43 PM

      Ahh you’re too sweet Hilani! Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Debbie Walker says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    A place for everything, and everything in it’s place! I don’t need to use a guide, but I do need clean dishes that come out in out in one piece! So no clinging and clanging of the dishes!

    Reply
  4. Judy says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:43 PM

    Dishwasher Diva – I load the dishwasher with all of the same size dishes together, all facing the same way. All of the glasses are lined up. Very type A…very OCD. I’m a diva because I hate to unload the dishwasher. If LG could only come up with a way for the dishes to put themselves away after the wash…now that would be cool!

    Reply
  5. Serendipity Refined says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    Wait, there’s a “loading style”? Okay, if that’s what you want to call it, my “loading style” is this: Immediately after dinner, quickly gather everything from the sink, counter top, island, and cook top and put it into the racks of the dishwasher. I try to keep things that are similar together and facing the same direction because my OCD won’t allow me to do it any other way. I also try to avoid putting stacks of mail, school books and crafts supplies which have been inadvertently scooped up in my haste to load it and still have enough daylight left to photograph my latest project.

    Reply
  6. Tutus & Tea Parties says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    Puzzle Piecer: I will arrange (& rearrange if needed) the dishes to make everything fit so there are no dishes left in the sink. No dish gets left behind in my sink!

    Reply
  7. Megan says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    My loading style would be Sweet Reckless Abandon! Since I don’t own a dishwasher, I LOVE doing dishes at friend’s houses-it’s such a treat to just throw them in the dishwasher and forget about them! I would do the dishwasher jig if I was able to load dishes into a beautiful new dishwasher in MY home!

    Reply
  8. Angie CountryChicCottage says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:23 PM

    Crammy McCramster — I want as much in that baby as possible. I will clean out the fridge just so I can put more in the dishwasher! My kids will load the dishwasher and leave one or two dishes on the sink because “there is no room”. My motto? “There is always room for one more dish.”

    Reply
  9. Lisa @ Before Meets After says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    Pile and Pray- I shove it all in and pray it comes out clean 🙂 I would love to win this girls! IT’s hubby’s bday and he would love a free trip to NYC!! his style is Directions ARE included-he loads it the way the pictures show! Opposites attract I tell ya!

    Reply
  10. Beth@Unskinny Boppy says

    September 12, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    The Sardine Shuffle — I try to get all the smaller dishes strategically packed in there like sardines with no room left to spare. I was always good at Tetris so I am pretty good at loading a dishwasher to the max. I had no idea there were directions on how to properly load a dishwasher! Learn something new everyday. What an incredible giveaway!

    Reply
  11. Sandy says

    September 12, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    “Right Face I Stand”- Whether I’m loading my dishwasher or my daughter’s, I always have dinner plates, soup bowls, and frying pans facing to the right. I never change my application while loading my dishwasher standing to its right side, or my daughter’s dishwasher where I stand to its left side. Just writing this comment makes me feel like an “independent” loader.

    Reply
  12. Lauren says

    September 12, 2012 at 3:48 PM

    The Mary Poppins: Just when you think there’s not enough room, you can manage squeeze in a hat rack.

    Reply
  13. Suzy Myers says

    September 12, 2012 at 3:50 PM

    The Mega-pile with a Spin- Everything gets put into that dishwasher whether it fits or not. And then the final test- a spin of the blades just to be sure that nothing is blocking them. If something is, I make a few adjustments, spin it again, and close the dishwasher door quickly before anything falls out.

    suzy

    Reply
  14. Lynn says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    My loading style is”super-mom”* style : super fast, super tight, super messy dishes, super full for a family of five the dishes need to just make it in and make out -super quick. *super-mom does not refer to me being super-mom, I in no way claim to be super-mom. I think any mom is a super-mom and each mom has and/or needs these super-mom styles whether you stay at home full time, part time, work, have small children, grown children, neighbors children stopping by, etc. Also note that “super-mom” capabilities is part human and part machine, typically enhanced by a liquid. The more sophisticated the machine,I.e. a stainless steel LG dishwasher, enhances the supermom capability as compared to supermom style via sink and faucet alone.

    Reply
  15. Nicole {WonkyWonderful} says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:25 PM

    I am the Dish-Washing Dynamo! I sing and dance while filling up my dishwasher. I like the dishes to be super clean and highly organized. Each utensil has an assigned space for ultimate efficiency when it comes time to put the dishes away.

    Reply
  16. Christy says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    “Dirty Dancing” is my loading style. Try to load as quickly as possible without having the sneaky toddler grab the dirty dishes and run like the dickens as I chase after her with “dirty” hands. It really is a dance and thankfully they both usually come out clean, the dishes and the toddler. Well….most of the time 😉

    Reply
  17. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    September 12, 2012 at 5:15 PM

    I’ll be with Heather at the Southern Bloggers Conference … so sorry Vanessa! I can’t join the contest — an possibly you — this time around! Makes me sad. How I hate to have to choose between the sisters. But my SBC is all booked …

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply
  18. Mia White says

    September 12, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    I would have to call my style: “The Precision Pack.”
    And I’m probably going to fly my OCD colors a little too candidly, here, but I’m the kind of gal who will RELOAD THE DISHWASHER if anyone tries to “help” me. :/
    Growing up, we didn’t have a dishwasher
    (my parents would always correct that statement with a quick ‘Yes we do, we have the Mia-and-Bethany-4000-model’!)
    and from scarring years of handwashing twice a day- once before and once after dinner- I have to confess that I don’t pre-rinse a single thing before loading at my house. Because of this, I demand the ultimate efficiency out of a dishwasher.
    I load it with great care and order: always like items together, graduating sizes, even color coded. For example: Silverware. Those little cubbies are for sorting out types, people! Forks? Together! Spoons? By themselves? Knives? Separate. Also? Put those dangerous, pointy ends UP so they get washed well! You’re not going to get that organic Adam’s peanut butter off a knife if the end is tucked down hiding away with all of his buddies! Don’t whine at me about your kids potentially cutting their sweet hands when they help you out- THIS IS NOT CHILDREN’S WORK. It’s an art.
    My [superior] technique is not just about efficiency in thoroughly washing the most amount of dishes per load, but also for optimal UNLOADING efficiency.
    I dare say that if there were dishwasher loading & unloading Olympics- I would probably dominate.

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    September 12, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    I am an “Intentional Effecient” loader. I make sure the dishwasher can do the job so I don’t have to. The dishes need to come out clean so I don’t waste money on water or electricity to run the load again. So I don’t squish or crowd things and make sure the soap dispenser is not blocked. Too many times, AFTER I emptied half the dishwasher I would discover the soap had been blocked and never popped out. Then I have to try to figure out which of the dishes I just put in the cupboards have to go back in! Emtying a dishwasher is a chore many woman dislike so I group like items together to speed up the process. All the bowls cup each other according to size in the smaller area & dinner plates line up like soldiers in the larger space. I can grab a stack of them this way & do the job faster. It is not that I am crazy organized or anything…just a well seasoned cook! (Pun intended) Suzi pblapere@att.net

    Reply
  20. Pamela says

    September 12, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    How exciting for you Vanessa! Congrats lady!!

    Reply
  21. Miss Kitty says

    September 12, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    My style would be “Everyone Face the Center,Please”. I like the the “faces” of the plates, etc. to be toward the place in my dishwasher where I think the water comes spraying out (in that dark private place with the door closed, I really don’t know what goes on in there) with the most force. All cups and glasses must also have their inside facing the center also to get maximum water spray power. No spoons can actually be “spooning” in the utensil basket…mixed company (forks, spoons, knives) is allowed in each plastic utensil cage because the different shapes will allow water and soap to get to each surface. My dishwashing pet-peeve is to be at someone’s house who washes the dishes before they put them in the dishwasher…what is the point? But as a guest I keep my dishwasher theory to myself to avoid conflict…everyone seems to have a different dishwasher technique.

    Reply
  22. boxedb says

    September 12, 2012 at 6:32 PM

    My name would have to be the “Rerun Expert”. It seems that I rarely get the dishwasher completely emptied and I just keep adding to it. I keep adding to the dishwasher that is until we do not have any forks or spoons available in the jars on the counter. I do that because my husband cannot seem to remember what drawer they are in but that is another story altogether, bless his sweet little heart. I chaallenge that dishwasher to get all of the dishes sparkling clean!

    Reply
  23. Jenn "Rook No. 17" says

    September 12, 2012 at 7:07 PM

    My style is “The Odd Couple” based on the old show (and Neil Simon play) of the same name. My husband is the Oscar Madison character — He puts the dishes, bowls, cups and utensils in any which way. Sometimes, I think he might just drop things in the top and let them settle wherever they fall. He doesn’t pre-rinse in the sink, so after a day or two, if we haven’t run the dishwasher, it starts to smell like the home of another famous “Oscar”. But hey, I’m really not complaining. I’m grateful that my husband does dishes at all!

    I’m the Felix Unger character — Each and every bowl, plate and utensil has a specific place. Everything is organized, categorized, and perfectly arranged to maximize space. I rinse everything before it goes in, so you won’t find any science experiments growing after I’ve been there.

    Like the characters from the show, my husband and I don’t really see eye to eye on our dishwashing methods. Not wanting to ruffle any feathers, I’ll usually sneak back into the kitchen when “Oscar” isn’t around to rinse the dirty pieces and rearrange in my OCD “Felix” fashion.

    Reply
  24. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 12, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    First of all..what a great opportunity to be able to rub elbows with the best of the best food and wine experts in the most exciting city in the world!….

    My style…Well, I would say that I am the DISHWASHER “L”OADING “G”URU…..I can take a seemingly full loaded dishwasher and still find room for more dishes!…It’s all in the placement and with the new LG steam dishwasher with all the wonderful features of the upper baskets and the variable heights of the racks..I know I can load even more dishes, etc. into the machine…and what a savings that would be…to not have to run additional loads, when you can fit more into one…Who would have ever thought that loading a dishwasher is an art form!!!

    Unbelievable giveaway!!!….Thanks LG!!

    Reply
  25. Tina Tepe says

    September 12, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    I say people would call me a ‘Freeloader” when it comes to stacking the dishwasher; any dish stacked any way I can get it in there.

    Reply
  26. Susie {a.k.a. Mrs V} says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:46 PM

    My loading style is not a science, I just try to fit as much in, in a manner that will enable every piece to be cleaned and come out in one piece! I grew up in a family of engineers and they would wait to start the dishwasher until there wasn’t another possible way a dish, glass or spoon could fit. I think they enjoyed re-working it every time a new dish was dirtied!

    Reply
  27. sydney85 says

    September 12, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    “Less is Best” style. I like my dishes, glasses and cutlery very clean and my way of thinking is not to overload the dishwasher and put larger pieces in the back and smaller pieces in the front. I am constantly taking pieces out that my husband adds to the dishwasher because he not only overloads but puts pieces in the dishwasher in any way that he can cram a piece in. This horrifies me. My husband thinks I am thinking of him by doing “all” the work but I just like to do it my way and not cringe when I see him overloading the dishwasher and try to take things out without him seeing that I have changed anything.

    Reply
  28. Angela May says

    September 12, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    My name would be “Mrs. Clean Reloaded”. I dislike dirty dishes on my counter and sink so I’m always loading and unloading the dishwasher. Even though I know the dishwasher can handle it, I can’t help but rinse. I also have a habit of reloading and rearranging any dishes put in by someone else. I’m always polite thanking them for helping but as soon as their not around I’m reloading the way I like it. I have homes for all my dishes and like it neat and not overly crowded.

    Reply
  29. Anonymous says

    September 12, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    “Doing what comes Naturally”

    Life seems far too complicated when we feel we have to streamline everything we do and seem to forget that we have a natural brain which works to our benefit if we forget all the programing the world seems to scream out to us to do. Also using common sense I use it only when necessary and love the fact that I have one. I am now going to view their video provided in this blog.

    We have just celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary and that also follows ‘doing what comes naturally’. It would most certainly be a welcome gift and we could make it ‘our diamond wedding trip’ n’est-ce pas?

    Bless you and your most generous sponsor for providing the chance to be a WINNER.

    Joyfully,
    ~Sylvia Faye
    I do not have a blog…..

    Reply
  30. Sheila says

    September 12, 2012 at 9:32 PM

    on a wing and a prayer! 😉 … since Everyone in the house in responsible for their dishes & making sure they get them into the dishwasher it doesn’t Really matter how i try to arrange things, once the guys get to shoving & squeezing (you don’t Really think they would opt to wash by hand if they can’t get it in do you? 😉 lol) their dishes in it pretty much comes down to a wing & a prayer …. they “winged” it & i’m Praying it actually came Clean! =)

    Reply
  31. Honey at 2805 says

    September 12, 2012 at 9:42 PM

    My style: “Contortionist”

    I have trained intensely for years to develop this visual art and skillful performance which can be humorous, athletic, shocking and sometimes weird. My choreography is to always rinse, get everything possible in, leaving nothing dirty on the kitchen counter, while never placing anything sharp in an upright position!

    Many thanks to you and LG!

    Reply
  32. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    September 12, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    “I’ve Got the Old House No Dishwasher Blues!”

    Since moving into our “cottage,” I have not had a dishwasher. I haven’t been w/o a dishwasher since the 1970s, so it was quite an adjustment, to say the least. I turn the ceiling fan on full blast to dry the dishes in the sink. It’s become a little joke around here. “Hey Jane. Are you drying your dishes?”

    In my previous life, I was a “rinse them until they’re clean before ya load” kind of girl. The dishwasher was for sanitizing and hiding, in my mind. Wish I could go to NYC with Vanessa, but it will be NC and Heather for me!

    Now if I could just win a new dishwasher……and a new kitchen at the same time!

    Reply
  33. Nova says

    September 12, 2012 at 10:16 PM

    Style would be “if it fits, it’s in “.
    Try to get as many dishes in so whatever is left is only stuff that won’t fit. Then we wash those by hand. :Try to not waste water

    Reply
  34. Vicki Shead says

    September 12, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    Style: “OCD AND XYZ” The dishwasher gets loaded by myself or my husband. However, if my husband doesn’t fill it up and leaves it, I sneak in and finish filling it because he doesn’t see the pots and pans on the stove. Not sure why, his vision doesn’t go that far, plus, I switch up his arrangement for optimal placement and get the rest of the dishes (ie XYZ)in there and TURN IT ON! 🙂

    Reply
  35. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    September 12, 2012 at 11:29 PM

    Stlye: Don’t mess with the best

    Seriously, if my husband tries to help I love it but the dishes still have food all over them in the morning, cups are filled with water and I usually cut myself on a knife here and there that is facing up, not kidding! So….don’t mess with the best!

    Do you know how excited I am about this????????? We are trying to come up with something to do for that weekend which is my 40th. WOWZA!!! XO

    Reply
  36. craftythriftydecoratingwifemom says

    September 12, 2012 at 11:56 PM

    Style: Jigsaw puzzle solver; dishes are jigsaw puzzle pieces, we have them, so they must fit–if done properly. In other words, if you can’t get all the dirties in, you’re overlooking how some fit together. No, of course you can’t put that big pot up there, that’s where short mugs and such go, silly. And so on, you get the drift. BTW, it’s next in turn to die since it is the only kitchen appliance not replaced in the last 20 yrs. or so. And, yes, because it’s how I roll, I still have the manual! Not to say we use it…..
    Janet

    Reply
  37. Thoroughly Modern Me says

    September 13, 2012 at 2:17 AM

    My style is:the safe-food handling approach. Which means that I make sure there is enough room between each fork, knife, spoon, bowl etc. so that they can get thoroughly clean. I don’t let things overlap or bowls nest inside each other etc. I think this comes from still having young kids in the house and wanting to make sure everything has a chance to get clean (no cereal or greek yogurt still stuck to my bowls or spoons when I unload!) So, my approach is a little over the top, but it gives my husband a good excuse to let me do it because he admits he could never get it “right”.

    Reply
  38. Susan @ Our Family Eats says

    September 13, 2012 at 2:17 AM

    Eclectic Effeciency – I bring unity to a diverse group of dishes, bowls, silverware, and appliances in a way that maximizes both space and energy.

    What a fun giveaway! 🙂

    Reply
  39. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says

    September 13, 2012 at 2:18 AM

    Ah yes….my loading style…. HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH MY DAUGHTER IS 13 HALLELUJAH! { sung to the tune of the Hallelujah Chorus }. Yep…that job belongs on the chore list now baby! Been waiting a while for it! 😉 She has been given pointers in not putting plastic on the bottom rack, make sure the cups are upside down, don’t block the little spinny thing, and rinse the plates…other than that, as long as I hear the sweet sound of the chime letting me know they are done, load away my love!!! 🙂

    Reply
  40. Liz Hill says

    September 13, 2012 at 3:06 AM

    I’d LOVE to do this except we have scheduled a huge costume party for that Saturday and have folks flying in from everywhere. That said my loading style is ‘careful’–my aim being to protect everything while maximizing the machine’s ability to clean it. I’m all geeky that way.

    Reply
  41. Laura Fenske says

    September 13, 2012 at 4:09 AM

    The Cram n’ Slam. With two boys who has time for precesion. My life is full of crazy and in-between make believe games, wrestling, and let’s be honest some good ol’ fashion brother fights I try to just get it done.

    Reply
  42. Teresa says

    September 12, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    My name would be Picky Petuna, because I’m very picky about everything being rinsed off first, then loaded the same way each time.

    Reply
  43. Terri says

    September 13, 2012 at 3:21 AM

    I am a “Reloader” when loading our dishwasher. My husband loads the dishes he uses soon as he is done eating, I leave them in the sink, scrape food off, rinse, repeat and than load, but first I have to reload the ones that my husband already loaded.

    Reply
  44. motherchic says

    September 13, 2012 at 11:51 AM

    My Style: I’m a “Little Bit Classical & a Little Bit Rock & Roll” (my “not so famous”spin off version of the Donny & Marie classic)

    I begin loading my dishwasher,(wearing a lovely,starched and pressed, ruffled apron) rinsing each plate, every piece placed logistically, calmly and organized. (Of course, there is serene music gently wafting in the background) like Food Networks Ina Garten. At the end the day, I am stacking the dishes fast, with a fierceness. (Of course, now there is rock & roll reverberating throughout the room) And I am wanting to get out of this “dive” (aka kitchen), as quick as I can, with my hair standing on end like Guy Fieri!!
    (P.S. did you all notice the Food Network reference? Pretty subtle, huh?)

    Reply
  45. Eclectically Vintage says

    September 13, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    My hubs loading style is “Fingers Crossed” since he just hopes the door will close once he’s done!

    My loading style is “Bless His Heart” since I then have to reload everything the poor guy tried doing himself!

    I won’t be around that weekend but my hubs would love to win so I will gladly give him the tickets in the hopes that LG can teach him a thing or two about loading while he’s there!
    Kelly

    Reply
  46. Stuff and Nonsense says

    September 13, 2012 at 12:05 PM

    Half Rinse Crammer

    i think
    my title is rather
    self explanatory
    but

    i sorta kinda rinse food off
    but because i hate doing dishes
    i sorta kinda rush through
    and then cram every single thing
    that can possibly maybe fit
    into the dishwasher into it

    alison

    Reply
  47. Brenda Auen says

    September 13, 2012 at 12:43 PM

    Belly Full-I pack in so much, I feel like I’m going to burst!

    Reply
  48. Susan says

    September 13, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    Spousal Support…Load & Wait

    Unlike everyone else writing in, our roles are reversed. My husband is ruler of the dishwasher, so I do my best to rinse and place a dish where I think it should go…only to return later to find that my husband has removed, reconfigured & reloaded creating “ultimate spacial maximizing strategy” in our humble old dishwasher.

    The LG looks amazing…our little old rust bucket is on its last leg and in dire need of an ugrade!

    Reply
  49. Janel from NellieBellie says

    September 13, 2012 at 1:29 PM

    minimalist. Try to touch as little of the offending dish as possible. By the fingertips touch the cleanest part…drop it in. If I can use 2 forks to pick up a dish…that is acceptable. Load the dishwasher in whatever way it falls in. And hurry and start it before someone comes along and sees me acting like a girl.

    Reply
  50. Lisanne624 says

    September 13, 2012 at 6:12 PM

    Attack and Stack! Since housework is a battle, I have to be the general in the kitchen — this includes mustering the troops (dirty dishes) and making sure they fall-in-line in the dishwasher. My soldier cups and glasses need to stand at attention on the top rack, while my plates and bowls need to fall into formation on the bottom. This will ensure a victory in my war on stuck on food and water spots and assure a victory over the enemy (residue and germs). Next, man the torpedoes for cleaning the microwave!

    Reply
  51. Jayson Biadog says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:19 PM

    Dishtobots – Sounds like transformer Auto-bots right? Because it transforms our daily dining life into a mechanical solution. to achieve better quality of everyday life. So life is really good.

    Reply
  52. zografia says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    i call mine “the sink style”. you know why? that’s where i do the dishes!

    Reply
  53. Stacy says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    I am the Persnickety Proper Packer. I like everything packed in the correct way (read-my way). I let my daughter help with all other chores, but I can’t let her load the dishwasher because nobody can do it “right” besides me! My sister was over with her family one day and her hubby nicely started loading after eating. I graciously told him to go sit and visit and I would do the dishes. He stops and says “Oh, you’re one of those, just like your sister” Guess it runs in the family!

    Reply
  54. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:29 PM

    My title would be, All About the Layers!!! When you wait till the sink is full you have to get creative…skinny cups layered with larger bowls…stuff until it all fits! I’d LOVE to win this fabulous giveaway! Oh my gosh we’d have fun! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  55. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    My loading style I would call Eclectic Mayhem. I would describe it as starting out with good intentions, but then cramming as much stuff into any cranny I can find just to get the sink empty! Thank you for a chance at the NYC trip giveaway–what fun!

    Reply
  56. Barbara says

    September 13, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    Mmmm…these days my style is definitely rinse first and then “Pack ‘n Pray”. Our dishwasher is almost 7 years old and has been used everyday, sometimes twice a day,(except when on vacation of course) since it was installed in January of 2006. It is getting close to being on its last leg so everything must be rinsed first and then I simply pack in what I can and pray that it can handle the load!

    Reply
  57. Richella says

    September 13, 2012 at 11:40 PM

    My loading style? In-Slow-Out-Fast. I load the dishwasher fairly slowly no matter what. I’ve had the same flatware for 27 years, the same everyday dishes for 16 years, so I always load things pretty carefully. And I rarely fill the dishwasher up at one time–sometimes I open it up just to pop in one dirty glass or cup. Several years ago I realized that I might as well load the dishwasher carefully since it’s a slow process anyway. . . so I started grouping like items together. All the knives go in one compartment, the forks in the next, the teaspoons in the next. The dinner plates stand proudly together, the salad plates all in their own row, the cereal bowls neatly placed side-by-side. You know what’s great about this method? The time it takes me to UNload! I can get those clean dishes put away faster than you can say Bob’s-your-uncle! Seriously, I often set the timer just to make sure I’m unloading at maximum speed.

    Hmmm. . . if I’m having fun unloading the dishwasher, maybe I need a trip to New York! 🙂

    Reply
  58. Dianna Perdue says

    September 14, 2012 at 12:41 AM

    My style would be the “Slam,bam,all done Ma’am.” I just want to get it done. Fortunately, I must be a decent loader because I seldom break or damage anything. I don’t dirty a lot of dishes so I tend to load as I go. It’s whatever will fit wherever without breaking or melting. Can I load my suitcase now?

    Reply
  59. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

    September 14, 2012 at 3:04 AM

    No Crevice Left Unfilled: I fill mine to the max…using every inch possible {and then some}.

    What an amazing giveaway!! Fingers crossed…I’d be giddy to travel with ya! 🙂

    Reply
  60. Its So Very Cheri says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:21 PM

    Organized Chaos because I want it all to fit in so I am constantly re-arranging to make sure I can fit the most pieces in where they still get clean. I guess that will be the new theme of my life–Organized Chaos… I am constantly organizing and re-arranging so everything will fit into our life and still be nice and clean. I so want this new appliance — it looks like we will be moving soon and it would be so fun to put in a new remodel project…
    GREAT video Vanessa!!! (did I use too many exclamation points?)

    Reply
  61. Amy says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:34 PM

    “My Way or The Highway” is my style. I am often known to reload the dishwasher after my family has done their chore of loading. Re-stacking, moving, adding dishes is what I do and I’m really good at it. There is a (seemingly elusive) way to load the dishwasher that is known, evidently, only to me as my family can fully load a dishwasher yet leave behind an entire sinks worth of dishes. I swoop in and begin the magic re-loading process which somehow manages to fit the rest of those dishes into the depths. It is an acquired talent and the performing of it is a sight to behold.

    Reply
  62. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says

    September 14, 2012 at 5:11 PM

    My Style: Kiddo Collaboration ~ Wahoo! 90% of the time the kiddos rinse, load and put away the dishes… love it! I’d also LOVE to go to NY. Going there in the fall has always been one of my dreams… so pick me (pretty please, wink)

    Reply
  63. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    September 14, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    What an awesome giveaway!!!! NYC in fall = yes please!!!

    My loading style is definitely ‘The Mullet’. Party in the back and business in the front. All those awkward shaped party platters, serving trays, casserole dishes that fit kinda wonky go in the back and then the front is all nice and tidy with plates and glasses that all line up in a nice row.

    This is all, of course, back in the day when we had a dishwasher. Would do the happy dance if I could join the ranks of modern conveniences again!!

    Reply
  64. Kathy says

    September 14, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    My loading style is “Cram It All In and Wash It All Up”. We have a lot of dishes to load and I don’t like loading the dishwasher, so I make it easy for myself.

    Reply
  65. Kim O says

    September 14, 2012 at 10:07 PM

    “Third time’s the Charm” is my style. I hate prewashing and so I will run something through three times before I will finally take it to the sink and scrub it if it didn’t come clean. I load pretty much by the manufacturer’s specs.

    ladyscientist at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  66. Jessica Bruno says

    September 15, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    A dishwasher that cleans my dishes the first time! 🙂

    Reply
  67. Holly Lefevre says

    September 15, 2012 at 12:42 AM

    My loading style is “Dishwasher Tetris”
    Yes, I made it a game…it did not start out as a game…but at least it makes loading the dishwasher more fun. I love my mother but she did me no favors by not teaching, or rather ignoring the finer points of any domestic training. I had no idea how to cook when I left home and I definitely did not know how to load a dishwasher (but I could clean a toilet). Every time I start loading the dishwasher, it is like playing Tetris…it starts out smooth and easy, the pieces all fit together and then as it fills up, I get nervous and I start flipping things around trying to make it all fit (because I have to do a full load…I live in an area with water shortages!)…in the end I have things twisted and contorted and stacked up and just before I lose…I plop the soap in and shut the door…if the door shuts, that means I win (ha…beat you again dishwasher Tetris!)

    Reply
  68. Reannah @ {Shaped by Grace} says

    September 15, 2012 at 5:29 AM

    LOADING STYLE: The Hunger Pains: Dishes on Fire

    SUMMERY: This novel idea came about when a young boy, let’s call him “Can’t Miss Never Cleans,” would eat and eat and eat, but never clean up his mess. So, his mother decided he would need to load the dishwasher himself, and created a game called – “The Hunger Pains.” To win this game, Never Cleans would need to clean up his dishes before the next meal began. At first, Never Cleans scowling face painstakingly dawned on the plastic gloves, slowly carrying each dish into the dishwasher as if it were a diseased tribute from another district. However, Never Cleans drew motivation by his hunger pains and soon learned that speed and skill were his allies. Now, days later, he is mastering the game. As he dawns the gloves now, he is handling each dish into the dishwasher with a keen swiftness, as if the dishes were on fire. He places them in the dishwasher with no order, and no pattern, but with no complaints from the capitol, because the dishes do not break. Most of the time.

    Reply
  69. The Bold Abode says

    September 15, 2012 at 1:24 PM

    I’m the “Delegating Diva”… If I can get out of it by making my 13 year old or my husband do it, I do…

    Otherwise, it’s “The Washer of Oz”… Might as well have been a tornado that put the dishes there… Cram ’em in and let ‘er rip.

    Reply
  70. LexKa says

    September 15, 2012 at 7:54 PM

    My Loading Style is called “Dish Bliss.” I wrote a haiku summarizing it!

    “Placed in one by one
    All in the same direction
    Each in harmony”

    I always adopt a Zen attitude toward loading up the dishwasher. While not quite to the level of OCD or Type A, I love having everything neat and in its rightful place. My style is all about artfully arranging the dishes in harmony with one another. Nothing puts me at peace at the end of a hectic day like a blissfully loaded dishwasher. Now that’s Nirvana!

    _______________

    Thanks for the wonderful contest!

    – Alexis
    alexis ka 39 at yahoo.com

    Reply
    • LexKa says

      September 22, 2012 at 12:59 AM

      alexiska39@yahoo.com

      Reply
  71. Cake Shoppe says

    September 15, 2012 at 11:48 PM

    I would call my loading style Chinese fire drill. My husband, two sons and I all grab dishes and stick them in, shifting them around to make everything fit. We have an island in the way so we kind of circle it in the process. It reminds me of the old Chinese fire drill game.

    Reply
  72. Rachel says

    September 16, 2012 at 1:24 AM

    Cramming for a Test.

    Because I cram every stinking piece of kitchen riff raff into my dishwasher in the attempts of getting it done in one load! I always have to test the spinning power of the spinning thingie to ensure that it will still spin despite it’s overloaded state. Why do I do this? Because the thought of having to unload and reload in one day is just – too overwhelming.

    (Of course, if I didn’t let the dishes go for three days before LOADING the dishwasher, perhaps the test wouldn’t be so hard…)

    Reply
  73. Sandra Brazeau says

    September 16, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    The Perfectionist – I meticulously place each piece not only where it fits perfectly but also that I can fill it as full as possible.

    Reply
  74. Mary Beth says

    September 16, 2012 at 3:16 PM

    Well, my style used to be “ducks in a row” ~ everything had to be put together by size, category (dishes, cups, bowls) and shape, mother duck to the far right then down to baby duck, so that there was complete symmetry in the dishwasher and so that when I put everything away I could do it all rhythmically starting with the upper left kitchen cabinet working clockwise to finish at the bottom left. Now, my style is ‘dreamy’ because I haven’t had a dishwasher in over 5 years and I ‘dream’ of having one again especially with a house full of boys who go through a lot of dishes….my hands are always pruny from hand dish washing!

    Reply
  75. Le-Ann Holmes says

    September 17, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    My style would be called “The RIGHT way”, duh! Everything alike is all lined up, facing toward the middle. As opposed to my husband’s style, which is just all willy nilly. Plus, he leaves dishes in the sink and I come in behind him and find a place for them.

    One day he was loading, and I had already loaded a few, when he says “I hate the way you load the dishwasher” and I said, “Well, I hate the way YOU load the dishwasher!” Then we just burst out laughing.

    Reply
  76. vikki says

    September 17, 2012 at 7:51 PM

    My Loading style would be called the OCD (Only Correct Dishwashing) style. Because no matter who puts what in how, I rearrange it. But if you do it my way, not only do the dishes all fit, but they also come out clean!! Yay. Or really they should if the top rack worked. But everything on the bottom gets clean!!

    Reply
  77. Sarah A. says

    September 18, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    Our loading style would be “Hubby Scrubby Crammer Rammer” 🙂 I have to give my husband a 10 for being Mr. Mom when it comes to consistency in his dishwasher style, but probably a 5 for overall performance. He tries to cram them in there even if they are stacked on top of each other 🙁 and then ram the door shut hoping the latch will close so when I open it up out pops plastic cups and lots of surprises of unknown origin.

    Sarah A.
    sales@swankyoutlet.com

    Reply
  78. DIY Show Off says

    September 18, 2012 at 1:06 AM

    Wow – so many fun and creative names! How will you ever choose?! My husband is the lazy loader – seriously, everything is in the front of the dishwasher because he can’t be bothered to open the door the entire way and pull out a dish rack. lol! Drives me insane. My loading style is more of a “disciplined display”. Everything facing the correct way, similar dishes paired and silverware/utensils spread out (not all crammed in the first space).

    So hilarious reading through the comments! 😉

    Reply
  79. Anna says

    September 20, 2012 at 5:20 AM

    I would have to say that my style is “There is a right way to load the dishwasher and why don’t you ever do it that way?” I am very picky about how the dishwasher is loaded: everything much face the center, and I don’t want dishes crowding each other. I will admit that I have re-loaded the dishwasher many times because I think most people don’t know how to load a dishwasher correctly. I think I will have to write a post about this some day… 🙂

    Reply
  80. Four Marrs and One Venus says

    September 21, 2012 at 12:11 AM

    “Once bitten twice washin’ babe” – Once I bite your head off once, you WILL learn to wash the dishes once with sponge and soap- and Then Load into the dishwasher for it’s second round of washing! — Run a tight ship? That I do! 😉

    By the “Great White Mom”- {of 3 boys who do the dishes!}

    Reply
  81. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    September 20, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    I think our style would be something along the lines of ‘Don’t stop believin’ style because we keep thinking that one day the dishwasher will actually wash all.the.dishes.
    We just keep on loading up the dishes, running it and keep on ‘believin’ that the dishes will someday ALL COME OUT CLEAN. We used to be meticulous. There used to be more of a loading method to our madness… but since the dw gets just about the same amount of dishes clean no matter what we do… we just load away- knowing that about half of them will need to be run again… and again. My son and I have pulled the dw out – you tubed how to clean all the parts and put it back together so many times- we don’t even have to pull it up to know how to do it any more!
    But… we ‘don’t stop believin’ that it will work properly someday!

    Reply
  82. Melissa McGibbon says

    September 23, 2012 at 6:30 AM

    A trip to New York? Tickets to the Food and Wine Festival? Meeting Heather and Vanessa? And possibly…a love story (I’ll explain if I win). Why, that sounds like a fairytale come true!

    I like to load my dishwasher Cinderella-style. You see I start by opening my kitchen window to summon my little helpers with song. “Ahhh-ahhhh, ahhh-ahhhh,” and then, just as you might imagine, nearby birds, mice, squirrels, and other helpful critters join me for a dishwasher loading session. I sing, “Whistle While You Work,” and wouldn’t you know it, they sure do. The woodland creatures demonstrate their astonishing mechanical dexterity by using their tails, feathers, and other attributes to help get the job done. After we’ve rinsed all the dishes, the birds load the top rack, of course, while the nut-lovers and bunnies properly organize the bottom rack. The mice usually just hum along to the happy working song until its time to add the soap, and then they form a little assembly line to deliver the detergent pouch into its receptacle. It’s really quite impressive. You wouldn’t believe how excited the raccoons get to push the start button. When we’re all done, we like to celebrate by twirling around a few times.

    Thanks for reading! In this scenario, The Food and Wine Festival is The Ball, the flight is The Carriage, Vanessa and Heather are the Royals, and yes, there is a prince in this story, but I need your help to meet up with him.

    Reply
  83. Pamela says

    September 24, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    Free style,
    I think freestyle is the best description for me, I can freely Put my dishes in with style , not just any style but mine.
    I stylishly put all glasses all the same color together, Cups are placed freely with the upmost Style. Sometimes I even
    surprise myself, Carefully I start the bottom rack Plates are rinsed in style and freely put in order they are color coordinated
    at that .Then lets not forget the bowls, all freely coordinated and placed with the upmost style. Then comes the best, I place
    all the silverware in,I separate all forks they are freely placed together,same with spoons & knives. this makes putting the
    silverware up so easy cause you can freely grab all forks together without fumbling to separate cause they were placed
    with style together , grab the spoons, Knives * freely put them up . then I am free to do what ever I choose all in Style
    It may not be much but its my Style

    lcfalcons42(at)bellsouth.net

    Reply
  84. Jewell says

    June 21, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m
    absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.

    Reply

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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