Walt's Macaroni Mickey Mousse

While tripping along a Disney recipe index, I came upon this, which I think is so adorable. It's from a February 1934 Better Homes & Gardens issue. I thought it was too nice to be hidden, so I wanted to bring everyone's attention to it here.

I can't figure out who the blogger is who originally posted it, but here is the source link. It was great of whomever to post it.

Now, I don't know how much cheese had to do with the creation of Mickey Mouse, but it does make for a cute read and references the mouse that scampered around Walt's Kansas City office.

I love the part that reads, "Mr. Disney often serves Macaroni Mickey Mousse to his friends who visit him at his Hollywood bungalow." The recipe variations that follow lead me to believe that perhaps he actually did.

If anyone tries this recipe out, do let me know how it goes.

Bringing Back a Classic

We will call this post, Disney inspired, because it’s not directly Disney, but definitely something Disney brought my attention to; an unexpected topic, that of the Cream Waffle.

Here’s the story… I was looking through some images I had saved on my computer, getting organized, when I came across the breakfast menu from the Disney Studio Commissary. Going through it I began to wonder what some of the items were and being such a freak for all things 30s/40s I began to look things up and discover common products, packaging, and eating habits of the time (lots of meat for breakfast!). One such item on the menu caught my eye, the Cream Waffles of course, priced at 20 cents.

I assumed, perhaps it was a waffle topped with whipped cream, which I suppose it could very well have been, but after a bit of research I discovered the Cream Waffle is a whole type of waffle different from the rest. I found but one recipe for it online, as well as several people looking for the recipe, and decided to give it a shot. I journeyed myself to Trader Joe’s to pick up what I needed and made them for breakfast the next day.

What have I been missing?!? They were amazing! At first bite they’re common like other waffles, but in a few seconds the creaminess really takes hold and you realize just how much better they are in comparison to the old standard… at least in my opinion. I also found them to be faster and easier to make, which could have been a product of my enthusiasm, but there you have it.

I just couldn’t understand that such a great recipe had been lost in time, and so I bring it back here, to those interested, in hopes of reviving a classic and maybe, in some minute way, a little bit of Disney Studio history. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family did. J

Below is the recipe. Being a gal who is not into sugar, I replaced the sugar with a couple drops of liquid stevia and added a little extra vanilla because that’s just how I roll. ;) If anyone tries this recipe, do let me know what you think in the comments section.

Cream Waffles

· 1 cup all-purpose flour

· 1/4 teaspoon salt

· 3 eggs, separated

· 1 cup heavy whipping cream

· ½ teaspoon vanilla

· 1 tablespoon sugar.

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. In a small mixing bowl, beat egg yolks on low while adding cream and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute. Add to flour mixture; combine on low speed, then beat on medium-high until smooth.

2. In another small mixing bowl and with clean beaters, beat egg whites on high until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into batter.

3. Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions. Serve with warm maple syrup or fresh fruit in season.

Snow White & the Artists and Others

A family friend of ours, and famous author (we're not name dropping though!), is always going on about "artists and others"; meaning that all humans are divided into these two groupings. Being an artist himself he often sees the difficulties in gaining the understanding of "the others"and experiences their frequent inability to see innovation and comprehend the vast creativity of an artist. I guess it's true in many ways. I know can rattle off several examples of my own, but I find one of the best examples of this theory is Walt Disney; mainly in his two would-be "follies"- Snow White and Disneyland.

I was thinking of this theory and reminded of this article from a Photoplay dated April 1938. In my opinion, it is probably the best vintage spread done on the film in that it is so detailed it actually makes you feel as though you were one of the many artists, so hard at work, creating and dreaming at the Walt Disney Studios. Maybe it escapes many of us now, but at that time, Snow White was really something! A major feat. Any artist would know, especially any who have tried their hand at any of the many complex skills involved in making an animated film.

The theory might very well be true, as all things in life need balance. For all intents and purposes, Walt was the artist, and Roy, the "other". In this case a beautiful balance that produced the things which we all love so dearly. If only we could always find this perfect balance, the world would be quite a different place.

So, for all you "others", (and God bless you, for we definitely couldn't do without you, too!) read on, and I am certain, for just a moment, you'll feel a bit of what it is to be an artist.

Get your sketch books out, everyone!

Hello all! I'm back! (And was finally able to upload!) For the moment, anyway. I seem to have a little problem with saying no to any creative venture I'm presented with, and have now found myself animating... something I haven't done since high school, and it's taking up all of my time! But, wow! I'd forgotten how much fun it was... and back then the best result I had was seeing it in flip book style. Now, I just drop those frames into Flash and see it all come to life. It's easy to get hooked!

In honor of my venture, here's just a little something in the same genre from a couple different issues of Mickey Mouse Club Magazine from the 50s. A nice little how-to I would have loved to have when I was a kid. One for Chip and Dale and another for Goofy. So, everyone get those pencils out and start sketching! :)

Must Checko El Groupo.

A happy recommendation today to check out the El Groupo photos of Walt's goodwill trip to South America on Google's Life photos search here. There are four pages of photos to sift through, all of which are wonderful.

The collection highlights a lot of work by Mary & Lee Blair as well as some really nice Herb Ryman paintings.

As an artist, the greatest thing for me (being such huge fans of these remarkable artists) is that a lot of the photos capture the subject in which you see painted by one or more of the artists. A great compare and contrast to learn more about their style, how they saw objects, and their composition. Just a fascinating tour all around. How lucky to be able to roam around new places with a sketchbook, watercolors, and some fantastic artists in your company. Don't miss it!

Melody Time For Pecos Bill

That title is what Wheel of Fortune would call the "Before and After" topic. Perhaps not a very good one, but I do my best around here! ;)

Here's a nice little layout on Pecos Bill from the Disney classic "Melody Time". I like things like this because it's just not something you'd ever see in a movie/celebrity magazine anymore. Pecos Bill in prose, with cut out photos. Simplicity and sweetness.

Some people aren't big fans of the compilation style Disney feature, but I often find myself watching them. There's something sweet and also quite relaxing about them. I've enjoyed them since I was a kid, and I know I always will. Entertainment and art is wonderful no matter how you slice it.

For a little something extra, just because I really like to showcase how relevant Disney films were back in the day, here is one of Photoplay's many write ups on what to see (and in some cases what is not so bad to miss) in theatres. This Platter Patter encourages you to not miss Melody Time. My only curiosity with this is that The Andrews Sisters are not mentioned regarding "Little Toot" but instead The Starlighters with Don Wilson (of The Jack Benny Show fame) narrating. Why is this? In doing a bit of research I found a YouTube file that plays an old record from 1948 of "Little Toot" completely narrated by Wilson with the backing vocals by The Starlighters. (Incidentally, this is really quite charming and you shouldn't miss it!)

So, to the experts out there, was "Little Toot" originally to be a narrated piece in Melody Time? And if so, what occurred to make it entirely musical and how were The Andrews Sisters brought in on the project? I'd love to find out.

Have a great week, everyone! :)

Tink in the New Year!

I am back! I hope everyone had a truly wonderful and magical Christmas! I had a beautiful time with amazing people, and I'm still holding onto Christmas because I'm not quite willing to let it go yet! I'm a big Christmas fan! But enough about that. Onward to the next post!

Here's a cute prototype piece that someone (not me!) removed from the Studios. I don't know much about it at all besides the obvious and that it is from 1959. The outside looks quite vintage, however the inside looks quite modern, which is interesting from a design standpoint. Does anyone have this book in its entirety? I'd like to know what it was about. If anyone can help me out, that would be great!

Happiest of New Years to all of my readers! Please make yourselves known by adding your cute faces or avatars to the "Followers Who Reside Under the Sacred Tree" section. It always makes blogging much more fun and worthwhile to know that there are people out there who follow it. :)