Kate Connally wrote:

> I learned that same trick from my mother many years
> ago. My home ec teacher wouldn't let me do it that
> way! Anyway, I quit doing it long before shortening
> came in sticks, because I found it to be messier
> that just filling the measuring cup and then scraping
> it out. Of course now I buy Crisco in sticks and
> just cut off the correct amount. Much easier.

The few times I bought shortening in a tub I just measured in the cup too,
It is messy, but it is easy enough to throw some of the flour you are using
into the cup and using that to sop up the shortening and then scrape it
out. It is infinitely easier to cut it from a block.