February 10, 2014

If I Only had a Heart!

 

 Hearts!  When I see that sweet geometric shape, my heart (the anatomical variety) does a happy little leap.  Hearts have always held a fascination with me, stemming from (I think…) the Tin Man and the gift bestowed upon him by the Wizard from that classic film “The Wizard of Oz”.  I remember loving that scene as a youngster, watching the Tin Man (Jack Haley), with his sweet, gentle demeanor, accepting the Wizard’s gift of a heart. Hey, I even wanted that glorious clock heart “necklace”!

The Wizard presents the Tin Man with a heart in “The Wizard of Oz”

 Samantha, of the classic TV show “Bewitched”, also had an item that piqued my heart interest as a child.  (Okay, it still does.) That stunning diamond heart necklace of hers captivated me! Elizabeth Montgomery wore it weekly, making me want to reach into my family’s 1960’s television screen and snatch it for myself.

 
Elizabeth Montgomery wears a gift from her then real-life husband, a diamond necklace, on “Bewitched”

 
To read more about the necklace, and “Bewitched”, please click on the link below.
http://bewitchvic.tripod.com/faq.html

 In addition to my early (heart) jewelry obsession (I still have it.), hearts were the central theme for the annual Valentine’s parties that I loved at the local Abby B. Sawyer Elementary School. Hearts surrounded us everywhere: on the walls, on the bulletin boards, on our purple smeared mimeographed worksheets, on our party treats, on our homemade Valentine boxes, and most importantly, on the Valentines that we were instructed to give to each classmate. Such heart-filled, fun memories! :o)

 While looking at 1960’s Valentines online, I came across these.
I think that I may have given these out one year for Valentine’s Day!

 To see more vintage Valentines, click on the link below.
http://organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com/2013/02/sweet-valentines-from-my-childhood.html

 Having always had a “heart” for hearts. (Yes, you may now laugh hysterically, that was a pun.) It was only natural that I chose, with Dale, a heart-shaped engagement ring 35+ years ago. Trendy, the heart cut was brand new at that time, and exclusive to Zale’s. Of course, I still love it, and the guy who goes along with it.  :o)

Movies with Heart

 There are a gazillion movies made in the past eighty years that deal with the affairs of the heart, but these four are my personal picks for Valentine’s Day.

 Sleepless in Seattle(PG) (1993)

 

The Empire State Building all lit up for Valentine’s Day on “Sleepless in Seattle”

 Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star, along with Ross Malinger, in this fun romantic comedy, that even guys do not seem to mind. :o) Many references are made throughout this movie to the 1957 Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr film An Affair to Remember. (You may wish to include this on your to Valentine watch list, too.) Meg Ryan’s character in “Sleepless in Seattle” even suggests that she and Hanks meet on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day, just as Grant and Kerr were planning to do in their film.

Note:  Some scenes were filmed in Baltimore’s Fell’s Point and nearby locations. :o)

To read more about “Sleepless in Seattle” location shots, click link below.
http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/s/Sleepless_In_Seattle.html – .UvoGSHlbT0s

Rocky(PG) (1976)

 A “memorable” scene from “Rocky”  A really memorable scene! :o)

“Rocky” is my sentimental pick for Valentine’s Day.  My hubby and I went to see “Rocky” on our first date in June 1977, and then went out for pizza. If we do not get around to watching this for Valentine’s Day, then we are sure to view it for our May anniversary.

This is the film that made Sylvester Stallone a star. It is the story of a sweet underdog, heavyweight boxer who romances an ugly duckling (Adrian) while training for the national bout.

To read more about “Rocky”, click link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky

 Pillow Talk(NR) (1959)

 

Doris Day and Rock Hudson star in “Pillow Talk”
Notice Day’s stunner necklace, above!

 Doris Day and Rock Hudson star in this quintessential romantic comedy, that almost wasn’t.  Rock Hudson turned down this part three times before finally accepting, deeming this role too risqué.  Eye candy abounds in this film, from Doris Day’s fashionable wardrobe and fabulous jewels to the stunning sets and shiny automobiles. The smart script, clever repartee, and chemistry between the protagonists make this movie a must for Valentine Day, or anytime.

For more information on Pillow Talk, please click on the links below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053172/trivia

 http://www.glamamor.com/2011/10/cinema-style-file-doris-day-makes.html

 The Wizard of Oz(PG) (1939)

 

“Oh, oh, it ticks!”

 “The Wizard of Oz” is about love and friendship.( …not to mention that wonderful clock heart “necklace”) making it a perfect Valentine’s Day movie, or one to watch on any day. Dorothy (Judy Garland) and Toto’s journey with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion is chronicled in this heart warming tale.  It is only through the group’s cohesiveness and sacrifice for one another, that they succeed.  When the group must part ways, it is the sensitive Tin Man who tearfully proclaims, “Now I know I have a heart, because it’s breaking”.

Note:  Shirley Temple, who was considered for the role of Dorothy, sadly passed away today at age 85.

For more information on the movie “The Wizard of Oz”, please click on the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film)

 Sweets to the Sweet, a Recipe for Valentine’s Day

 For Valentine’s Day, I am sharing my hubby’s favorite dessert.  His mother gave me this recipe when we were first married.  It is a must for his birthday, and also has shown up on our family table at Easter, Thanksgiving, and various meals throughout the year.  I always double the recipe (shown in parentheses’) because when we had four kids around, this one disappeared in a hurry. Warning! Guard the refrigerator when this pie is cooling inside, or you may find random scoops of filling stealthily stolen before dessert time.

Chocolate Angel Pie
(Dad’s/Dale’s birthday cake of choice)

 

Dale’s Birthday 2011
Two of our sons wait impatiently for Dale to blow out the candles.

 (I double this recipe for our family.)

 INGREDIENTS:

(4) 2 egg whites

(1/4)1/8 tea. salt

(1/4 )1/8 tea. cream of tarter

 (1) (1/2) cup granulated sugar

(1 or less) ½ cup chopped pecans

(1) ½ tea. real vanilla

(2) 1 bar German baking chocolate

(6) 3 Tbsp. hot water

(2) 1 tsp. vanilla

(2) 1 cup/1/2 pint whipping cream

(4) 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Preheat oven at 300 degrees.

Directions:

Crust

Beat egg whites in mixer until foamy.

Add salt and cream of tarter.

Beat until stands in soft peaks.

Add (1)1/2 cup granulated sugar, gradually.

Beat until very stiff. (Must be stiff to keep its shape.)

Fold in pecans.

Pour egg white mixture in 8 inch (9-9.5 inch) inch greased pie pan/dish and shape into bird’s nest.

Bake for 45-55 minutes until very lightly brown.

When done, remove pie shell from oven and completely cool.

 Filling

Melt bar(s) of German baking chocolate with the hot water. * (I do this very carefully in the microwave.  30 seconds, stir, 30 more seconds, stir, etc.  Do not over-do, as chocolate will become grainy!)

Allow to cool.

In the meantime, whip up the whipping cream, adding the powdered sugar slowly until blended in.

Add (2)1 tsp. vanilla to cooled chocolate, and gently fold in whipping cream.

Place mixture into cooled meringue pie shell. (If crust is not cooled, will melt filling.)

Garnish with chocolate chips, curls, etc., if desired.*

Refrigerate.

*What if your recipe calls for melting chocolate along with water or some other type of liquid? That’s fine, as long as the liquid is mixed with the chocolate from the beginning of the melting process, it won’t get grainy on you, (but adding even a drop in mid-melting will cause this problem).

Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate gives this pie its chocolate flavor.
Photo added in 2020.

Enjoy!

Thanks for reading!  :o)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly. Talk to you again around February 24.

Please, join my blog “following”, and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, immediately upon posting, please sign up on the right-hand side of this page.

Cupid-Young Shirley Temple (with Jimmy Dunn), 1935
To read more about Shirley Temple, click on the links below.
http://mothgirlwings.tumblr.com/post/3285420767/jimmy-dunn-and-shirley-temple-1935
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Temple