I remember one night when I was a young girl, my mother and I watched “Meet Me In St. Louis.” I had never seen this picture before and I always remember my mom teaching me about all the old movies. Who was in them, when they made the movie, and so many other trivia facts. I still to this day love all the old movies that were made back in the day. This movie has become one of my favorites for this time of year. “Meet Me in St. Louis” is a 1944 musical film from MGM. It tells the story of an American family living in St. Louis, at the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World's Fair in 1904. It stars Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, and many others. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song introduced by Judy Garland in the “Meet Me in St. Louis.” In 1943, the songs lyrics were written by Hugh Martin and the music by Ralph Blane. In 2007, the song ranked "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" the third most performed Christmas song during the preceding five years.
The song was written while Martin was vacationing in a house in Birmingham, Alabama, that his father Hugh Martin designed for his mother as a honeymoon cottage. The song first appeared in a scene in Meet Me in St. Louis, in which a family is distraught by the father's plans to move to New York City for a job promotion, leaving behind their beloved home in St. Louis, Missouri, just before the long-anticipated 1904 World's Fair begins. In a scene set on Christmas Eve, Judy Garland's character, Esther, sings the song “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” to cheer up her despondent five-year-old sister, Tootie, played by Margaret O'Brien. Hope that you get a chance to watch the DVD of the movie or maybe on TV at some point in the Holiday Season.
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| Judy Garland sings to Margaret O'Brien |
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Let your heart be light,
From now on our troubles
Will be out of sight.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on our troubles
Will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years
We all will be together
If the Fates allow,
Hang a shining star
On the highest bough,
And have yourself
A merry little Christmas now.
My recipe for today is one that everyone loves to eat. This little, round, sweet, cookie is called by many different names, but in my family we call them “Italian White Wedding Cookies.” These are extremely simple and don’t take long to create. I hope that you enjoy these cookies while you are watching “Meet Me In St. Louis.” Enjoy!
“Italian White Wedding Cookies”
1 cup of unsalted COLD butter (2 sticks)
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
2 cups of all purpose unbleached flour; plus more for dusting hands
1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts
Powdered sugar to coat the cookies
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar at low speed until it is smooth. Beat in the vanilla. At low speed gradually add the flour. Mix in the nuts with a spatula. With floured hands, take about 1 tablespoon of dough and shape into a ball. Continue to dust hands with flour as you make more cookies. Place onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 20-30 minutes. When cool enough to handle but still warm, roll in confectioners sugar. Cool on wire racks.
Yield: depending on the size of the balls you make. This recipe makes about 2 dozen.
Till Next Time………………………………......................
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Hi Dottie , little late but I'm here :D ...
ReplyDeleteYou have to listen to the song 'Have A Merry Little Christmas' you find yourself singing along with the tune and soon every one is singing along , what a warm and happy feeling .
I also love all the old movies , they had plots and was well perform and very enjoyable , you have to look far and wide for a good movie no , so we watch the oldies over & over .
A holiday would not be complete without the 'Italian White Wedding Cookies' ... I bake them for every holiday and They are my Christmas White cookies , same recipe , different names.
Thank you so very much Dear Dottie for the memories and for sharing . :)
Dear Nee,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and your beautiful words. I know it is a busy time of the year, I try to keep up with your blogs too, but sometimes it can't be helped, but I know that you are there, never worry...
Yes, that song has been going around in my head since I first planned the post. But it is fun and if you can't enjoy these songs now, then when can you...
You are so right, the movies that are of today can not compare to the standard of what those old movies were back in the day.. Every once in a while there is a good one, but most of the times I just watch the old ones over and over just like you said.
These cookies are the best! I have been asked to make them even though the year. They really are easy, and they make such a beautiful presentation on a pretty plate.
I am so glad that you enjoyed this post, and it brought you memories of the past!
Blessings, Dottie :)
I LOVE that movie, Dottie! Actually, I love all those "old" movies especially musicals! I've already watched this movie with my grandchildren and try to introduce them to the oldies as often as I can. My granddaughter is a huge fan of Rita Haywood, Audrey Hepburn and yes, Judy Garland too. (Easter parade with Fred Astaire is her favorite:) My grandson takes tap because he is just mesmerized by Astaire and Gene Kelly. (he loves Singing in the Rain:)
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine all of us sitting around eating Italian Wedding Cookies and enjoying the oldies. Oh Dottie, thank you for sharing the 12 Days of Christmas:)
Hi Louise,
ReplyDeleteYes, that movie is one of my favorites. I just wish they would play it more often...A lot of people don't realize that it is a Christmas movie as well. You are correct these were the greats. That is so cute that your grandson takes tap, and he loves Astaire and Kelly. He has the right idea. That would be a lovely thought, I will put on some water for tea, you bring the movies...and I have the cookies..sounds like a fun plan...Blessings Dottie :)
We might be taking you up on that tea, albeit perhaps iced, Dottie. My daughter and her family are coming next summer!!! We will be visiting Long Island and New York City. (Tabi is planning an itinerary, she's 11, lol...)
ReplyDeleteHi Louise,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful treat for you and the family. Your daughter and the family will love New York City! I am sure you will have a wonderful time and have lots of fun. I will make the iced tea...no problem. It would be great if we can meet. Would love that! Hopefully Tabi will put you on the correct track. Have fun planning...
Blessings,Dottie :)