I don't know why, but since I've moved up here, I've stopped using the dishwasher. I didn't plan to stop using it. We do have a dishwasher in the house, but now I'm thinking of using the space for a hot water heater instead, because I have not used the dishwasher once.
I can't figure out why, because our eating patterns are the same here, we eat the same meals, we use the same quantity of dishes, but for some reason, it seems easier to just wash as we go. Maybe because the house is smaller? Maybe because I'm more clutter-sensitive? Maybe because now I'm not holed-away in a separate room while DH watches the evening news--I just turn my head and dry while I watch.
In any case, I find it very interesting that I hated doing dishes in NJ, but I totally don't mind it up here.
I love the becomingminimalist site and I follow it on Facebook, and he recently tackled the same topic: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/wh...-a-dishwasher/
Anyone else wash dishes by hand? By choice or necessity? Is it a big chore, or are there aspects of it that you enjoy--like the zen of it?