Battleground (1949)

Movies don't make me cry. However, I do tend to tear up when I watch WWII war movies —seeing what those soldiers went through, feeling the hopelessness and desperation, coming to

understand the war better. Battleground is one of those movies.

It's the story of the men of the 101st, who are stationed in the Ardennes forest — trying to survive the winter. They are surrounded by the Germans, the fog is so thick the planes can't get through with supplies or air support, and morale is terribly low. But they do what they have to. They do what they signed up

to do.

Spoiler Warning: Perhaps my favorite part is when the sun finally breaks through the fog and a flood of C-47s comes flying over to drop supplies. Seeing the hundreds of planes flying makes me swell with pride, and the joy on the soldiers faces makes me tear up. Their hope is back.

Vintage Recipe: Sugar Cookies

Here is the second Christmas cookie recipe from the December 1949 issue of Women's Day.

Sugar Cookies

Costs 34 cents

Yields 2 1/2 dozen

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs, grade B

2 1/2 cups sifted flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Confectioners’ sugar icing

silver shot

citron

Cream shortening; add sugar, flavoring, and eggs one at a time; beat until light. Add sifted dry ingredients; mix well. Chill for 2 hours. roll thin and cut with floured Christmas tree cutter or other fancy cutter. Bake on greased cookie sheets in hot oven, 400 degrees F., about 10 minutes. Cool on racks; decorate with icing, silver shot and bits of citron or other candied fruit.

Vintage Christmas Recipe: Crisp Ginger Cookies

As promised, here is a cookie recipe from the December 1949 issue of Woman's Day magazine.

If I had a scanner I would post the whole magazine! Sadly, I do not. So here is recipe 1 of 52 vintage cookie recipes from the article "The Cookie Jar" by Glenna McGinnis.

Crisp Ginger Cookies

(Costs 30 cents)

Yields 2 1/2 dozen

1 cup molasses

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

3 cups sifted flour

2 to 3 teaspoons ginger

1/2 teaspoon [baking] soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

Confectioners' sugar icing

Cinnamon drops

Heat molasses and pour over shortening; add sifted dry ingredients; mix well. Chill overnight. Roll very thin on floured board; cut with Santa cookie cutter or other fancy cutter. Put on greased baking sheets and bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees F., for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on racks. When cold, outline cookies with icing; 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar, mixed with 2 tablespoons water. Put in small pastry bag or a frosting gun. Decorate with cinnamon drops.