how do you fill butter in a cup?)
Normally I take great pride in my culinary ineptness but...I know the answer to this question!!! (I am so excited!)

My mother would make pie crust from scratch and my only kitchen chores was to help with this.

Let's say it required 1/3 cup of shortening or butter. I would fill the cup up to 2/3 with water and then spoon in the shortening or butter. It would displace its weight. Pour the water out and voila ---1/3 cup of shortening!

(Of course an alternative is to look at the measurements marked on the stick margarine wrapper!)