Part 4 of 7 in the series “What Containers Reveal”

Handwritten lists found in the kitchen junk drawer of 414 Sycamore Court, Davis, California, during preparation for sale. Various papers — backs of envelopes, notepad sheets, one torn corner of a PTA flyer. Lists span approximately September 2018 to November 2023. Attributed to primary resident Margaret Chen based on handwriting comparison with closing documents. Items reproduced as written, including spelling, abbreviations, and crossed-out entries.

List 1 — undated, on back of school picture order form (Fall 2018, per form date)

Chicken thighs (family pack) Rice 10lb Broccoli x3 Carrots 2lb bag Goldfish crackers String cheese 24pk Capri Suns — NOT grape (Owen) Bread wheat Bread white (kids won’t eat wheat) PB creamy Grape jelly Lunch bags — running low Bananas Apples — gala not red delicious Milk whole gal Milk 2% gal Yogurt Yogurt — tub not cups, David says cups are wasteful Dish soap Dryer sheets Advil

List 2 — undated, on yellow notepad, different pen colors (two handwritings)

[Handwriting 1 — Margaret] Ground beef 2lb Onions Garlic Canned tomatoes x4 Pasta — rigatoni Parmesan block not the shaker Romaine x2 Salad dressing — ranch AND Italian (compromise) Paper towels Tin foil

[Handwriting 2 — blockier, likely David] Beer — Sierra Nevada Chips Salsa AAA batteries Lightbulb for garage

[Back to Handwriting 1] Also sour cream, David forgot we need it for the enchiladas Also the good orange juice not the frozen kind

List 3 — undated, on notepad, single handwriting (Margaret), some items in colored marker (child’s handwriting)

Chicken breasts Ground turkey Taco shells Shredded cheese big bag Lettuce Tomatoes Sour cream (always sour cream) Eggs x2 Cereal — Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal — boring (David) Fruit Rollups NO Fruit Rollups PLEASE — [large, different handwriting, purple marker] Grapes Strawberries if they look good Pasta Jar sauce — don’t judge me Bag salad Chicken nuggets (Owen — practice nights) Juice boxes Toilet paper Ziploc bags Birthday candles — 14!! [circled]

List 4 — dated “8/22” in corner, notepad

School supply list stuff — see other list Granola bars for lunches x3 boxes Sandwich bags Turkey deli Ham deli Provolone slices Mustard — we’re out Apples Grapes Baby carrots — snack bags Water bottles for soccer Gatorade NOT blue (stains) Everything for Tuesday dinner — Hendersons coming

  • that wine David liked at their house, red, ask him
  • baguette
  • butter (salted)
  • the nice olives

List 5 — undated, on back of utility bill envelope (postmark suggests Spring 2020)

Chicken thighs Rice 5lb Broccoli Onions Garlic Soy sauce (low sodium) Sesame oil Ginger root Canned beans x6 Pasta x4 Jar sauce x2 Cereal x1 Eggs Bread wheat Milk whole gal Bananas Apples Goldfish they won’t eat them anymore Chips — any kind is fine apparently Frozen pizza x4 A LOT of frozen pizza Is there a Costco amount of frozen pizza Also homework does not happen in this house anymore

List 6 — undated, on small notepad, handwriting only Margaret’s now

Chicken breast x2 (just 2) Salad bag Tomatoes Cucumber Rice Eggs Yogurt — cups are fine now Bread Cheese slices Turkey deli Apples x3 Bananas — small bunch, they go bad Wine white — Sauvignon Blanc Wine red — whatever’s on sale Frozen meals x4 Frozen meals x6 x4 is enough, Margaret Coffee Half and half

List 7 — undated, on notepad, has a recipe title written at top

”Miso Glazed Salmon — from internet” Salmon filets x2 White miso paste — (Asian aisle??) Mirin — (what is this) Rice vinegar Sesame seeds Scallions Rice Bok choy or whatever looks green

ALSO REGULAR GROCERIES: Eggs Bread Coffee Apples Milk — actually just half and half, I don’t drink milk Yogurt Salad bag That premade soup I liked last time — butternut squash

List 8 — undated, on torn notepad, has a phone number at top scratched out

Whole chicken (!) Lemons x3 Fresh thyme — if they have it Garlic Butter unsalted Potatoes — yukon gold Green beans Good bread — not Wonderbread, bakery Olive oil (we’re out — get the big one) Chicken stock — or make from the bones?? Look up Frozen pizza I can do this Wine — the Côtes du Rhône from last time Parchment paper

List 9 — undated, on back of a Trader Joe’s receipt (receipt dated March 2022)

FOR SATURDAY — 6 people Pork shoulder (3-4 lbs?? call butcher) Coleslaw stuff:

  • cabbage
  • carrots
  • cilantro
  • limes x4
  • mayo (Duke’s if they have it) Buns — brioche Corn on cob x8 Butter Pickles — bread & butter kind Cornbread mix or from scratch — from scratch, show off Brown sugar Apple cider vinegar Beer — something good, not just Sierra Nevada (sorry David) Sparkling water assorted Pie — buy not make. Know your limits.

List 10 — undated, small notepad, neat handwriting

Farmers market list:

  • whatever tomatoes look best
  • stone fruit if it’s started
  • herbs — basil, mint
  • honey from the woman with the braids
  • flowers (for the table, not occasion)

Store: Chicken thighs (not family pack — regular) Pasta — orecchiette Anchovies (in oil not salt) Capers Chili flakes Lemons Arugula Good parmesan Pine nuts Coffee beans — whole, not ground anymore Dark chocolate 70%+ The nice yogurt

List 11 — dated “Oct” in corner, on back of a museum postcard (Thiebaud cakes painting)

Thai curry ingredients:

  • coconut milk x2
  • red curry paste
  • fish sauce
  • palm sugar or brown
  • Thai basil — from the garden if it hasn’t bolted
  • lemongrass (frozen section if not fresh)
  • chicken thighs
  • Japanese eggplant x3
  • bamboo shoots can
  • jasmine rice

Also: Eggs Sourdough — Osteria, not supermarket Butter (salted for eating, unsalted for cooking — yes both) Fancy salt — flaky kind That cheese Claire brought — Humboldt Fog?? More coffee beans Pears — Bartlett

List 12 — undated, on notepad, handwriting slightly hurried

THANKSGIVING — Wednesday prep Turkey 14lb — ORDERED, just pick up Cranberries (fresh) Oranges for cranberry sauce Pecans Sweet potatoes x6 Marshmallows — yes, I know. Owen asked. Celery, onion, sage — stuffing Bread cubes — or dry the sourdough? Dry the sourdough. Butter x3 Heavy cream Pie stuff:

  • see recipe card in Julia Child book
  • pumpkin puree NOT pie filling (every year, Margaret)
  • also pie dish — mine cracked Green bean casserole stuff (David’s bringing the onion things) Gravy — from the turkey, not a jar. We’re past jars. Wine — get enough, last year was close Sparkling for the toast Coffee The good half and half Candles for the table — tall ones Extra chairs from Hendersons?? call Jill Flowers — something fall Owen’s bringing someone. Set out the nice napkins.

[No further lists found]