Passover kashering part 3…

This is just like Elul… I have all these high hopes of blogging my experiences, and then what happens?  Time flies and seder’s tonight and I only really blogged two things and haven’t uploaded any of the pictures / videos I took of the process.

I have not accomplished all the goals I set out for myself.  And in some ways I’ll probably be *eating* in a way that’s less “kosher for Passover” than in previous years, given that I’m completely cool with kitniyot this year.

But in terms of preparing for Pesach, you know what?  I improved over last year, and under some pretty stressful circumstances to boot.

• I spent a good deal of time since I last wrote boiling metalware in a big pasta pot with a giant rock in it.  I used metal tongs and put them in one or two at a time.  I actually enjoyed this–just me hanging out in the kitchen with my tongs, boiling stuff and setting it on some paper towels.
• I cleaned the fridge – this used to be a daunting task, but having done a thorough fridge cleaning every year for the past 5 or so for Passover, it no longer stresses me out.
• I cleaned out some cabinets, rearranging my spices and cooking oils, wiping everything I could see.
• This morning I did several rounds of filling my teakettle, boiling the water, and pouring it over large metal things like my dish drainer, a bowl, and another metal pot.  I then did the same to my granite countertop.  My other countertops are quartz so I’ll cover them this year (I boiled them last year but they’re apparently not kasherable).
• I got a few new cooking utensils made entirely of metal, so that they’ll be kasherable next year.  And I got pots I’m going to use only for Passover going forward (also entirely metal including lid, so that technically I can change my mind and still kasher them next year if I want).
• I made Michael a list for while I was away, and he worked on it.  Including doing the last round of draining the bath that the dishes were sitting in.  (by the way, bathing your dishes is also a great way to get a two year old to stop crying.  “Look Emet!  The dishes are in the bathtub!  Isn’t that silly?!?!?!”)
• We gave our regular cleaning service professional instructions for extra cleaning, and she cleaned floorboards and the cats’ furniture.
• I vacuumed my car.  Boy, kids’ car seats are gross.
• I got a haircut and a brow wax (it’s traditional not to cut hair between Passover and Shavuot).
• My oven is cleaning itself now.
• I plan to cover burners with foil after oven finishes.

So there you have it.  Got a few more finishing touches, and I wish I’d made the place look all organized and spotless, but I feel good about the lack of chametz up in here.  I guess some people (like me) really need a religious obligation to clean thoroughly.  Plus, for people (like me) who need to be *doing* at all times, methodically dipping silverware into a large pot of boiling water for an hour is the closest I get to a meditative, calming state.  And I’m hoping to continue the “detoxing” aspects of this chametz-shedding business over the holiday.

Chag sameach!