Two Minutes Du Jour

In the heart of our small warehouse apartment kitchen, counter space was practically non-existent. However, my mother-in-law had an old, solid butcher block tucked away in her basement, no longer in use but still radiating charm and practicality. When she offered it to us, it was exactly the addition we needed.

Sturdy and well-made, it became a symbol of generosity and a gateway to the world of home cooking in our starter kitchen.

That butcher block has seen a lot. It followed us to our first house in the suburbs, where we started hosting holidays and building our cooking repertoire.

By the time we built our current home in 2005, it was so integral to our cooking life that we asked the builder to design a space on the cooktop wall specifically for it. There it stayed for the next 20 years, serving as the hub for countless meals.

We’re a cook-at-home family. Holidays, weeknight dinners, and impromptu gatherings revolve around the kitchen, and the butcher block has always been part of it.

Over time, it became a space where our children learned to cook. Our middle son, in particular, started experimenting with stir-fries in high school. That hobby grew into a full-fledged passion for cooking.

Today, among many delicious foods, he’s an avid bread baker and a master of homemade curry powders. During law school, he developed a habit of meal prepping to manage his busy schedule and stay healthy. The chopping, prepping, and roasting that sustained him through those years were inspired by his roots in our home kitchen.

However, the butcher block’s time in our home is ready for transition. Rather than sell it or donate it, we passed it on to our son. Now, the butcher block continues its legacy in his apartment.

This gift, from generation to generation, is brimming with stories and history. I imagine my mother-in-law smiling from heaven, knowing the butcher block has found a new home where it will keep nurturing and serving our family.

This simple, solid piece of wood has connected three generations of McKinney cooks. My husband and I had the privilege of enjoying it for 37 years, and now my son will carry on its story.

Two Links Du Jour:

John Boos & Company Butcher Blocks – one of the oldest butcher block manufacturers in the U.S.

How to Make a Butcher Block Countertop Food Sage – Hardwood Reflections