Bless Your Books Blog

I remember beautiful feasts of mashed potatoes, cheesy rolls, and decadent desserts at family gatherings. My grandmothers knew how to cook, and they showed their love for their family with food. At the end of the evening, there was always food left over, and we were all encouraged to grab our favorites and take them home with us.

Portion control wasn’t in their vocabulary, and they spooned heaping mounds of food into Tupperware for us. If a family member lived too far away to return the plasticware in a timely fashion, or if my grandmothers ran out of their usual canisters, they would put the food into butter containers they’d washed out after using the contents. 

 I never thought twice about carrying my share of mashed potatoes and coconut cake in containers that had once housed butter or yogurt. In fact, after I’d eaten the glorious leftovers-that always tasted better the next day-I’d keep the containers to store my own food.

My parents were a little older when they conceived me, so my grandparents were teenagers during the Great Depression. During that time, resources were scarce, and ingenuity bloomed. I’ve lived during years of surplus, but my grandmothers were still thrifty and innovative, teaching me the value of clipping grocery coupons and hanging laundry outside to dry instead of using my dryer throughout the summer months.

I still use plastic food holders to store leftovers and send the remnants of meals in them when my loved ones visit. Oftentimes, I’ll think of my grandmothers when I use an empty butter container and thank them silently for their prudence and wisdom.

By Courtnee Turner Hoyle

You can find Courtnee’s books on Amazon and at other fine book retailers.